No. While my friend said he'd go to bat for me, I told him thanks but its not his job to lobby them on my behalf. If they don't have the common sense to do the right thing then him talking to do them won't necessarily change things.
I will say I'm still thinking of going to their GC Party next year and plugging the toilet, flushing, and closing the bathroom door (locked) when no one is looking. Muahahahahahahahah!
The obvious solution is to take the boots back to where you bought them, and tell them they were defective. I'd do it just for the laugh you'd get looking at the face of the customer service rep!!! You might as well get some fun out of a bad situation!!!