06/27/08

high quality service, pride in the work

by shoerepaircustomer

I buy high quality shoes and try to wear them forever, and am a repeat customer of SF Boot and Shoe Repair. I've also sent shoes to other shops and can definitively say this guy is the best I've seen. I now make the effort go cross town to get my shoes to him since we moved out of the neighborhood. This guy takes pride in his work and is thoughtful about getting the most value from the money you spend on shoes. For those readers griping about his personality, etc: get over yourself. This is not your child's kindergarten teacher. You are paying money for a service. He does a good job in a trade that is not something anybody does in SF to get rich but rather because they take pride in their work. So what if his chattiness bothers you? I'm sure he wouldn't be offended if you just said you were in a rush and didn't have time to talk. Give the guy (and other readers) a break.

03/24/08

Best Shoe Repair Shop in the Bay Area

by Vig

I don't live in the neighborhood. I live in Berkeley. I had just bought a pair of beautiful Italian shoes at Gimme Shoes on Fillmore and then was taking a stroll through the neighborhood and decided to go into San Francisco Boot & Shoe Repair to have some vibram soles put onto my new shoes to protect the preexisting sole. I thought I would spend a few minutes handing over my shoes to the kind gentleman who ran the shop, but instead I spent over an hour talking with him about everything under the sun and moon. I am a young guy, who has his wits about him, and I can tell you that the man who fixes shoes at this shop is no ordinary human being. He is a very wise soul. My conversation with him that evening was absolutely wonderful. I think that the people who write negative reviews about him are just unhappy people, unhappy with their job, with their spouse, with their bodies. These negative people probably eat processed foods full of sugar and tortured animals. These people also probably watch a lot of bad television and have given up their dreams and instead live a life of mediocrity, in which their greatest achievement is slander. I am an acupuncturist and the shoes those Italian shoes I handed over to that man on that fateful day have carried me through some very intense moments with patients suffering in very deep ways. I must go thank that wise cobbler for doing such a fine job with my shoes. And when I do I will ask him to fix another pair of shoes that needs some tender care. So, I would highly recommend him. And I would highly recommend anyone who has worked in a similar trade and run their own shop for so many decades. People like him are a rarity in this increasingly fascist society. Please have a good day.

• Pros: Great conversation, great craftsmanship
• Cons: The search for "low prices" is destroying the planet. Think about it. And buy American.

02/20/08

Fantastic Repair Job!

by Bugle

I had worn my favorite shoes down to the pavement, and was in baaaaad need of sole and heel repair. Being used to paying around $15 for such service, I was shocked to say the least when the owner of this shop told me it would cost me more than twice that. He explainied that he used only the best quality products and that the new heels would last me far longer than any cheapo heal fix. I was skeptical but desperate, so I agreed. I was very glad I did. He was right. The quality of the repar job was exceptional and well worth the money. They loked like new. The shoes were probably at least 5 years old when I brought them in and I have so far gotten 3 more years out of them, and the heels have not deteriorated! I am hard on my heels and they always wear down, but his heels stood up completely to additional wear and tear. I was very pleased. Yes, the man is gruff to some degree, but he clearly takes great pride in his work and I would never hesitate to seek him out again. In fact, I now have another favorite pair of favorites that I need to have repaired, and while his neighborhood is no longer convenient to me, I will be making the cross-town trek to this shop because I only trust him with my favorite shoes.

• Pros: Quality of repair is outstanding
• Cons: Pricey but worth it; gruff shopkeeper