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Hartland
517 Posts |
 Posted - 07/05/2010 : 10:01:56 AM
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The past 2 + Years have brought some new topics to me from customers, many who now are totally into recycling shoes, by repairing, donating wearable shoes, and asking if we would accept shoes for parts, accepting shoes to donate to charity, instead of just throwing them away.
First thought, we are in the shoe repair business, we have bought the parts for you that we buy for usual repairs we know that are coming in. or special order for less usual repairs. We are not in the business of buying or asking for used parts.
1) Donating shoes to a second hand store, or charity
Please don't donate something that needs a repair ie:
missing parts, loose soles, a pair that is moldy from sitting in your basement, or garage, Basically, If you wouldn't/couldn't wear it, why donate it?!! If you decide to have us repair it before donating it, please do, but don't come up to us and ask us for a special deal because you are donating them. If you were going to throw them away, do so! Do it yourself, we have enough garbage of our own.
If you are thinking of bringing them into us so that we can donate them to a charity we know of, make sure they are wearable. Ask before you bring in a box of them. (from time to time our association has had a shoe drive) If you were going to throw them away, do so! Do it yourself, we have enough garbage of our own.
2)If you decide to bring them in for repair, and haven't been in a shoe repair before, and you are not sure who do go to, you could first check www.ssia.info and see if you have one of our members in your town. Check with your family, friends, coworkers, reviews online, and proceed, maybe cautiously at first, so you can find out what they can do.
3)If you know the shoes, purse, coat, boots, etc are beyond repair, and think that a shoe repair shop would appreciate the unrepairable shoes to use for parts, like buckles, straps, etc, don't assume the shop will gladly accept them... ask first. Business is always subject to supply and demand. If they won't pay you for them, or give you a coupon don't feel slighted, you were thinking about either throwing them away, or donating them? no strings attached?
If the shop gives you a dollar off, or a coupon towards next purchase, or a pair of shoe strings, polish, Great! If they cut off the parts they might use, and throw away the rest of the shoe in front of you, don't be upset. If you were going to throw them away, do so! Do it yourself, we have enough garbage of our own.
There are only a few parts we would use, usable buckles, straps that can be used on another pair of dog chewed shoes, purses, Tassels, cowboy boot pull straps, ornaments, etc, things that are not structure related. We don't reuse soles, heels, etc... If I have customers that I might use the parts for , I let them know, to give them a choice, in case they expect to have new parts.
If you were going to throw them away, do so! Do it yourself, we have enough garbage of our own.
Just some random thoughts, as I have encountered these situations a bit more since the current economic situation.
Have a wonderful day!
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Gene from Hartland Shoe Repair Saint Paul MN. |
Edited by - Hartland on 07/05/2010 10:20:11 AM |
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donating, recycling shoes, parts
