https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:57:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-2024905 Mon, 06 May 2019 02:18:26 +0000 rachylou 2024905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh lookie! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864292 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 02:11:08 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1864292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I drove about half an hour to take my boots to a cobbler when they needed new heels. When I picked them up, I was stunned that they hadn’t been polished or anything, but the heels were there, so whatever. I paid and left. </p> <p>First time I wore them, a couple weeks later, I noticed an odd clacking noise. Took me a second to realize it was coming from one of my feet. I looked down and saw that there was no sole on that heel! I hobbled back to the car, taking care not to damage the boot. As I lifted my other foot to get into the car, I saw the sole from that heel stayed on the ground. I picked it up. </p> <p>A few days later I stopped in with the bit that came off and the boots to get them redone. He apologized profusely, clearly embarrassed to have his shoddy work discovered and then outed in his shop, right? No! Of course not. </p> <p>He was belligerent. Wanted me to pay again, insisted there was no way to get them done by Thanksgiving, but maybe by Christmas, and snorted at me that I didn’t have the other part that came off. </p> <p>That is why my birthday request for this year was that my parents schlepp my poor old boots along on their trek north and get them all fixed up in my home town by the same cobbler who has been there for decades. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864290 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 02:04:36 +0000 LaPed 1864290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, I lied, there are actually two that are just 40 miles away, according to Google. Low population density. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864262 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:40:17 +0000 rachylou 1864262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! 50 miles! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864126 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:30:59 +0000 LaPed 1864126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We've got only one cobbler shop in roughly a 50-mile radius, and they charge about the same. It's part of that vicious cycle, where buying a new pair of fast-fashion shoes is cheaper than getting old ones repaired. Domestic jobs vs outsourced and all that, too... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864107 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 10:14:41 +0000 rachylou 1864107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m thinking what my cobbler needed was fast cash to pay his cellphone... lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864084 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 05:32:50 +0000 Barbara Diane 1864084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My local shop does a good job and is helpfull. However they are down cobblers now and disorganized.<br /> Our local stores ask when you want your items back because they are backloged and need to prioritize. I'm okay with that as I don't need my sandals for months but someone else might need their item immediately, or visa versa. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864077 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 04:31:01 +0000 Anonymous 1864077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, some guy trying to be important. I hope you find a different cobbler near by. What did Lilipup think of him? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1864004 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 22:03:13 +0000 Laurie 1864004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you write anyplace else, Rachy?&nbsp; Because I love your words and expression.&nbsp; Always makes me chuckle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863770 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 21:54:39 +0000 SW Ann 1863770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow--you have really opened my eyes.&nbsp; In the 90s in the midwest I had no trouble finding great shoe repair people.&nbsp; Now I live in Arizona and I blamed it on the fact that most people live in flip flops--no cobblers.&nbsp; The one I found was rude, and terrible.&nbsp; I never went back once I got my sandals back.&nbsp; Now, I buy new shoes because I can't find anyone to repair the soles of perfectly good boots and shoes.&nbsp; It infuriates me to have to pass on perfectly salvageable footwear if I could just find someone to do a job of re-sole-ing and re-heeling (are those words??)&nbsp; Really--I actually thought that everywhere else had good competent cobblers!&nbsp; So, thanks, I guess....!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863728 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 18:21:45 +0000 rachylou 1863728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What? And have everyone criticise them as cheap? Lol. Jk, Jk. I will try and get my act together. There are lots of things to show y’all... like my complete puffer collection! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863679 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:21:56 +0000 Angie 1863679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, <b>Rachy</b>. We need to see these very well cared for boots.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863628 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 11:53:37 +0000 Bijou 1863628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy - if it is any consolation, Australian cobblers charge similar amounts and are relatively rare. I think it may be a dying trade with people taking a more disposable view of footwear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863621 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 11:06:47 +0000 Sisi 1863621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Are you serious? Does a simple re-heeling cost&nbsp;that crazy amount of money in America?! Last time I had a pair of booties reheeled I spent 7 euro, and I found it expensive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863602 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 05:47:17 +0000 Jeanie 1863602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep going to him....maybe you can write a book on it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863598 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 05:26:24 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1863598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's hilarious! and also infuriating. I'm glad they are wearable now, anyway! I hope you can find a convenient, competent cobbler with pricing that makes more sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863597 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 04:54:17 +0000 annagybe 1863597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel that the best cobblers I’ve encountered are the crankiest. One chastised me for buying suede shoes.<br /> Per Shevia’s point, I remember in Russia, mostly St Petersburg that there were cobblers outside every metro station &amp; various bus stations.<br /> Given the sidewalks there &amp; lack of sidewalks, I’m not surprised. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863596 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 04:46:29 +0000 rachylou 1863596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now that’s fascinating, Shevia! Cobblers are getting rarer and rarer here... that throwaway culture... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863581 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 02:51:24 +0000 Jaime 1863581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the cobblers around here are more pressured by market forces. There is a cobbler on every block. I don't have an explanation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863573 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:48:05 +0000 Diana 1863573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha I feel like all cobblers around here are like that. But mine at least does a good job and shelling out $40 for the reheeling doubles the life of my shoes so I put up with it. My guy throws in the polishing for free tho! I gotta say though that I always do mine at the end of the season bc I never know if he's going to be like, come back in 30 minutes or come back in 2 weeks... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863566 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:10:51 +0000 rachylou 1863566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, the boots came out OK. Level, anyways, LOL. I guess he realised he was pushing it, because he did shine them up for free. But I’m thinking the Korean guy in my old neighborhood was better skilled and priced. And mannered! Of course, that’s 30 minutes across town one way. Can’t walk there. </p> <p>Omg, tho. This guy was too much. Why did he bother ask me when I wanted to come back? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863562 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:54:05 +0000 Angie 1863562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>HAH.&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, <b>Rachy</b>. Are you happy with the boots?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863546 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:06:58 +0000 greycat6 1863546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your experience sounds like it must have been very annoying! Ugh. </p> <p>The best advice I have when seeking a new cobbler is to talk to a salesperson in the shoe or handbag department at Nordstrom and get a referral for their local repair service. My store does small repairs in-house but out sources the bigger jobs. I was lucky enough to learn who they used locally and now take my non-Nordstrom purchases there. He is a small business and I am very happy to support him for the quality work he does. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863542 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:53:30 +0000 mtnsofthemoon 1863542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear about your experience Rachylou.&nbsp; My local cobbler, an Asian man of advanced age is expensive (I take a deep breath each time I go there) but does an amazing job.&nbsp; His skills are such that I can't quite justify going out of town to find someone else.&nbsp; Sigh...... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863537 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:07:44 +0000 Dana 1863537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a rip off! I am not impressed with most cobblers either. Terrible customer service. I had a fantastic experience at Nordstrom but am not sure they take non-Nordstrom shoes. Other than that at this point I will only try a reputable shop, but it's so far away. I know I can trust it b/c my good friend's uncle owns it. Seems like you should be able to have a neighborhood cobbler. Sorry for your experience, Rachy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863536 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:54:05 +0000 Sara L. 1863536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't had good luck either.&nbsp; I took a pair of boots into a local cobbler that was recommended to me and he said the boots were cheap and acted like he was doing me a huge favor.&nbsp; Uh, I don't care if they're cheap, I just want them fixed.&nbsp; Now I'm too intimidated to try someone new and have them also criticize my cheap boots. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863534 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:36:46 +0000 JAileen 1863534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My shoe "repairman" is a woman in her 40s. She seems very knowledgeable, and I respect her opinion. </p> <p>Rachy, I can't remember if it was you or my mother mentioning a shoe repairman giving up the law to repair shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863524 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:55:47 +0000 Jane 1863524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, cobblers and I have history, very much along the lines that you have just experienced. &nbsp;</p> <p>DH and I reckon that they glue and adhesives they use, get to them eventually, and their customer service suffers.&nbsp;</p> <p>I 'exhausted' the cobblers (there were 3) in our town until September, when a new cobbler arrived, and he is young, so I think he and I are going to get along well, as the adhesives won't have got to him yet. DH has had a good experience with this one so far.&nbsp;</p> <p>When all is said and done, I would think the dollars are worth it for comfortable feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-shoe-repair-story#post-1863517 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:20:26 +0000 rachylou 1863517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So *like* I got these boots on sale a few years ago for a steal, ~$36. They need reheeling. So I go to the neighborhood shops - this is my ‘new’ neighborhood now. </p> <p>The shoe guy says, ‘When do you want to get them?’ I say, ‘How about Thursday?’ He says, ‘No, you come back in 30 minutes.’</p> <p>Then he says, ‘I charge $36. You give me cash.’ I say, ‘I don’t have cash.’ I look at his debit machine; I say, ‘How about debit?’ He says, ‘You go get cash, pay me when you come back, $40.’</p> <p>Then he says, ‘You is want me clean shoes? $10.’</p> <p>I said, ‘Dude! No! Don’t you dare! That’s way more than the shoes are worth now!’</p> <p>Plus, then I paid $10 for a slice of pizza and a Diet Coke because what else are you gonna do, hanging on the street?</p> <p>Omg. So annoying and overpriced - he’s making $200/hr, I should go into shoe repair - I’m going to bring all my shoes to him for the Seinfeld value... </p>