|
|
 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
takeaseat
2 Posts |
 Posted - 06/20/2010 : 03:33:36 AM
|
|
I am looking for a good shoe repair in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've checked on Yelp and every place I've checked seems to have mixed reviews that both rave about the quality of the work and reviews that warn you to run away quickly. Since I can't seem to find any one shoe repair shop that seems to have unequivocally positive reviews, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a shop or describe particular characteristics I should look for when choosing a shop. Are there any professional organizations to which a good shop would belong? Are there continuing education classes I should ask about? I have no real idea how to begin looking and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
|
|
|
Dana
34 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2010 : 6:43:32 PM
|
What type of repair are you looking for?
Any shop should be able to show you an example of common repairs such as sole or heels. |
Dana Huval, C-Ped
Huval's Boot and Shoe Repair
Crowley LA |
 |
|
|
takeaseat
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 03:23:57 AM
|
| Thanks Dana! At this point I am looking for basic shoe repair and some preventive maintenance. I have a new pair of heels with soles that are very slippery and can't really figure out how to make them less slippery other than scuffing the soles. I'm also wondering if there is a way of dyeing patent leather, I'm interested in having a pair of silver patent leather sandals dyed black- silver isn't terribly versatile and it's not really my style. The soles are silver leather, but the underside or bottom of the sole is silver and the rubber heel plate(?) is grey. Sorry if I am getting all the terms wrong, this is only my second time here. Thanks for your help! |
|
|
|
admin
68 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 09:21:57 AM
|
SSIA Silver Cup winner Gino Gentile is from San Francisco. SSIA holds a contest periodically that measures shoe repair craftsmanship. Gino received several awards including the top prize a couple years ago. Here's his address:
Anthony's Shoe Service
30 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
Contact: Gino Gentile
Phone: 415-781-1338
anthshoe@pacbell.net |
|
|
|
Hartland
517 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 09:42:49 AM
|
the same shop can have both good and bad reviews....just like resturants.
Many people who post questions here, don't know we also have a page with lots of info for you about shoe repairing and our members. Go to www.ssia.info and find the link named "shop locater" and enter your city, state, Zip and see if you have a ssia member in your town.
Also you could use your network of friends, neighbors, family, shoe stores, to find a shoe repair shop that you can "live with"
Take in your smaller jobs, first, and see how that happens. even if they can't do it right away. make time to browse around, and listen to how they wait on other customers. maybe ask about another job you have at home and see if they will show you a repair job on a similar job they have done. Ask about their history, maybe "what does that machine do? Did your Dad used to own this store? (maybe listen in a phone conversation they have with another customer, but discretely, of course) If the repair job is satisfactory, and done on time, encourage them with a tip, or cup of coffee.
After a couple of visits, you will usually find out if the shoemaker is capable of doing what you need, or capable of finding out about a new repair process, or if they don't care about you.
Make sure that you give them 2 phone numbers so that they can call you if they have a problem associated with getting your repair done for you on time. (If they ask for two, Great! they might be thinking about the same thing!) What if they get the repair done before the promised time, and you are at home, instead at work? wouldn't you like to know!
Maybe the shoemaker was sick one day, and they need to call you to let you know that your shoes might be a day later.
Don't you do some of these things with other stores? Neighborhood or big stores, like hardware, paint, bicycle, hair salons, painters/remodelers, tire and car repairs, Electronic, computer, TV repairs?
You should feel welcome. You should expect your questions to be answered. They have been asked these questions many times before.
In many cases, they already know what to do, and want to do the best job they can. |
Gene from Hartland Shoe Repair Saint Paul MN. |
Edited by - Hartland on 06/24/2010 11:43:44 PM |
|
|
|
Dana
34 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 6:38:58 PM
|
| Mitch is right - Gino's shop is a great place to go. |
Dana Huval, C-Ped
Huval's Boot and Shoe Repair
Crowley LA |
|
|
|
Donald Myers
5 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 4:33:14 PM
|
| Gino is your man! |
Donald Myers
New Shoes Professional Shoe Recrafters & Pedorthic Center
www.newshoes.com |
|
|
|
mbtshoes
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 05:13:02 AM
|
What type of repair are you looking for?
Good repair shops are increasingly hard to find |
http://www.newmbtshoe.com/ |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Shoe Repair Forum - SSIA's Ask the Experts |
© 2010 Shoe Service Institute of America |
|
|
|
how to distinguish good shoe repair from bad?
