Quality Shoe Repair and Upholstery

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I dropped four pairs of shoes off with Ricardo over two months ago: a pair of moccasins that needed restitching, two pairs of heels that needed a little love, and a pair of tan leather ankle boots that needed new soles. Having never been to a cobbler, I had no idea what the cost should be, so when he charged $120 for 3 pairs (and did the moccasins "for free") I figured it was better than buying new shoes.



I've since learned that, even with my discount, for the work I had done it is (1) EXTREMELY OVERPRICED.



Fast forward two weeks later, when my shoes were promised, and three of the four pairs are done. My boots, however, are sitting on the shelf completely untouched. Richardo claims that he's been busy and to come back in a week. Not a problem - I'm just happy I'm finally getting my shoes fixed.



In the meantime, the heels on the two pairs of repaired high heels are already worn down after maybe 5 wears. I realize D.C. streets are rough, but I don't even wear them when I'm commuting. The soles on my moccasins also already had started coming unstitched, but since he'd also added glue to them this was less of a problem. Nevertheless, for $120 I was unimpressed. (2) POOR QUALITY.



I come back in another two weeks later (1.5 months wait time so far). Ricardo's back and suddenly my boots are nowhere to be found. Not only that, but I start playing a fun game where I have to describe them multiple times in the same conversation. I draw a picture, leave my phone number again, and he requests that I call him a few days later.



Strangely, I assume that it's not my responsibility to remind someone to be professional, so rather than call I just stop in again a week later. Ricardo again acts like he's never seen me, and has me describe the boots again. This time, I've lost my patience, and frustratedly I tell him it's been almost two months and it's gotten ridiculous. He makes his usual canned excuses: it takes a while to get in supplies, he's been busy, he's working hard, leave your phone number, call him later, he'll have them next week. He tells me not to worry, and I tell him I'm not the one who should be worried.



SHOCKER: When I stop in on Wednesday, he doesn't have them still. This time, I'm done being nice. After we play the same games of "are these your boots? are they tan or brown?" I start shouting at him in front of the one customer I've ever seen there. He makes all his lame excuses and I shoot them down, one by one: he didn't have to wait for any supplies, I don't care that he's been busy. Eventually, he gets sheepish and gestures to his customer, as if I should care that I'm embarrassing him. He says "what'd be good for me is if you called Friday morning at 10 to remind me, because I get busy" and I tell him I absolutely do not care what is good for him or that he can't handle his business, I care that it's been two months. I tell him they absolutely must be here by Friday and leave.



So, Friday rolls around and I immediately call him at 10, and no answer. It takes multiple calls (no VM) to get ahold of him, at which point he again rolls out the canned excuses, finishing by saying I should call Monday morning. I lose it, shouting that he said to call Friday and that I was done with this and told him my boots would be at his shop by 5 or I was CALLING THE POLICE. He quickly says goodbye and hangs up. I start looking into filing a police report.



15 minutes later, Ricardo calls back and says I can pick them up that afternoon. (3) WAITED TWO MONTHS AND THEN HAD TO THREATEN HIM WITH POLICE ACTION TO GET MY SHOES BACK.



TL;DR: Overpriced, shoddy craftsmanship, and it took two months to get a pair of boots back, and only then because I threatened to file a police report. You're more likely to get your shoes properly and promptly repaired by burying them in the ground.

I've never dealt with a business as unethical as this guy. If you love your shoes, don't bring them here. You may never get them back.

Not only is the customer service bad here, but this man is unfortunately rude, sexist and racist.



I recently took two pairs of boots in for work on a Saturday. I paid $71 up front and was told to come back on Tuesday to pick the boots up. I came back on Tuesday, and like many of the people who have written reviews, was told his "delivery" guy hadnt come yet and that I should come back on Wednesday or Thursday. I asked which day, Wednesday or Thursday and he said Thursday. I came back to the store on Thursday, and I walked in. Ricardo, as I've learned is his name, was sitting there playing the guitar with one of his friends. He did not stop when I walked in, but I'm respectful, so I waited until he was finished. I gave him my ticket and he began "searching" for my boots. Of course, my boots were still in the bag I delivered them in and he again told me that his UPS guy hadnt made the delivery and told me to come back on Friday. I was very disappointed and said so. I also said I would probably not come back. I walked out, very unhappy but decided to go back and ask for my boots and a refund. That's when the trouble began.



Once I asked for a refund, Ricardo adamantly said he would not do it. I demanded he return my boots because his service level agreement was broken. All I wanted was my boots and my money back. He said no, and told me to come back tomorrow. I said no and asked for my money back. We went back and forth for about 10 minutes with other customers in the store and I said that if he did not return my money and my boots, I would call the cops and allow them to help us settle this matter. He kept talking, i stopped and began dialing. That is when he went back, got my boots and began saying if I wasnt a woman he wouldnt be doing this. I remained quiet, then he said as he packed my boots in the bag, that "black people dont appreciate work." Again I remained silent. Then he said, "black people are the problem." I responded and said sir, I'm going to pretend that I didnt hear what you said. You dont know me. Black people dont like work, yet you break your agreements with your customers and refuse to refund them and return their products when you havent done the work. Then I looked at his other customers and said, you see who you are dealing with right, and one lady just shook her head and said "No sir, that's not right, that's not right."



Luckily, I got my money and my boots back and promised to make sure everyone knew what type of person runs this place. Black, white, woman or man, this is not where you want to go. Be warned.

My shoes were on the way to the trash and Ricardo made them look like new. The service was speedy, the prices are great and the owner is a real character - he'll even serenade you in his shoe shop with his guitar! I love this place.