I think you can just get stick on rubbery bottom things...what a pain, though. And I am not sure they last as well as those done at the cobbler's.
My Pettys are actually leather soled (I think?) but I have the python print ones, not the suede. They were a bit slippy at the start, though, anyway, but a bit of scuffing has helped. I've had other booties done at the cobbler as you did and it cost me a fair bit also.