I am active military, and when the owner found out, he gave me my sandals for wholesale cost. He said they try to do that for priests, nuns and active military when they can. He went above and beyond. They were recommended by a friend who was happy with them and had been buying for years, They had a business sabotage and things were difficult he said, but they have been around selling Birkenstocks for 40 years, and it was a family business. I would go to them again next time.