Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop

Excellent work with great price!
I was hesitant to go here given some of the reviews. But I gave it a try since it is near my office.
The strap on a nice leather bag I have broke. I dropped it off. The store is cluttered with shoes and bags. The owner is nice but stoic and quiet. He said it would be ready in four days. I didn’t get a tag or anything confirming that I gave him my bag (which made me nervous).
Four days later, he had my bag fixed — looked great. Only $ 10!
If you are not in a hurry and appreciate good ol’fashioned quality work, give Tam’s a try. If you want fast fluff, go in town.
He has my business.

Gordon and his son are awesome. yes the shop seems crowded with customers’ shoes, bags, suitcases etc. but they get the job done. there are very few «old school» craftsmen around that do a thorough job. Gordon is one of them. he learned the trade from his dad at the same location, so you know this Kaimuki shop is a longtime business that has withstood the test of time. now his son is following his dad’s and grandfather’s footsteps… the 3^rd generation. prices are reasonable because he doesn’t have a flashy place in an expensive shopping mall with high overhead. I would recommend Gordon’s shop for any shoe or bag work anytime.

High Sierra sent me replacement wheels for my case and told me that Tams Shoe Repair store would put them on my case for free. I called to fix a time and the individual who answered the phone was very abrupt and not very pleasant. He told me that I would have to pay even though I explained that High Sierra had emailed me that he was their representative here and there was no cost. His manner was rude and he put the phone down on me mid sentence. I was polite at all times. I contacted High Sierra and they are going to follow up on this. A most unpleasant experience

I’m a fan, but beware. I saw Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop when buying Pokemon cards for my 8 year old son at Gecko’s right across the street — it looks exactly like what my father’s shoe repair shop in Waialua looked like, as messy, as dusty, with piles of boxes, no system of organization. My father, Chester, worked 49 years in Waialua, had a large number of customers who absolutely loved him and his service. He also had more than a decent number of haters who had good reason to never do business with him again. I saw numerous customers come back repeated times to get their shoes, (handbag, suitcase or whatever because he could fix a wide variety of things) and my father couldn’t find their shoes. If you were one of his valued customers and he «lost» your shoe in his shop, he would spend a couple of hours trying to find your shoe, then he would fix it beautifully and you would be very happy and forgive him. He was a good man, a great shoe repair man, a lousy businessman. Mr. Tam is like this. I found him to be very warm with little interpersonal skills. When I left my shoes with Mr. Tam to get my heel fixed and a tassel glued, he asked for my name and number and wrote it on the bottom of the shoe and I wondered how many ballpoint pens got clogged from writing on the bottom of a shoe. He told me it would be ready in several days, to come back Tuesday. When I left the shop, I hoped that I would get my shoes back thinking that it might get sucked into a black hole. I thought there was a good chance I would never get my shoes back, and even greater chance that the repair wouldn’t be done on Tuesday. When Tuesday came, I went back hoping my shoes were not lost. I also hoped that the shoes were finished. I showed up, Mr. Tam saw me, knew where my shoes were. The job was very nicely done and I was completely satisfied. I felt very good doing business at Tam’s. My advice: if you have a pair of shoes you absolutely cannot part with, beware of Tam’s. If you have the right understanding, Tam’s is great, I found it a joy doing business with an old mom & pop style shop.

For all the shocked customers posting negative reviews, here’s what I have to say. No, this isn’t a place that’s going to offer you a smile and a cup of tea while you wait. If you want that, go downtown and pay double for what you’ll pay here. For the last six years I’ve taken shoes to him, and he exceeds my expectations. From boots to leather bags, he makes my shoes (and my husband’s) look like new. I can sympathize with those who are frustrated that their shoes aren’t ready when quoted. That is frustrating. But again, I choose him over any other shoe guy (and I’ve tried many) who quote high prices, when Tam’s does the same work for much less.

Needed to repair a broken handle on my Samsonite suitcase. Got there at 10:30 on a Friday. Was asked if I needed the repair immediately and declined. Mr. Tam said would probably be ready on the following Monday and provided an estimated quote of $ 20. I said okay and left (not realizing I didn’t have any kind of receipt or claim ticket).
Around 4:30 the same day, I got a call saying my repair was done! Picked it up and paid $ 18 for the fix. Only thing is, the replacement handle is a dark navy blue, not black like my suitcase. Truthfully, the color isn’t that big of a deal on my aging (but still good) suitcase, but I would have appreciated a call telling me about this color mismatch and asking how I’d like to proceed.

I wasnt gonna Unilocal them because its an old man who probably really loves his store and I wanna support local businesses, but enough is enough. I went on Tues ³⁄₀₅ to drop off my boots to get resoled. He told me it was going to be $ 49. Cool. Came back on Tues ³⁄₁₂ and my boots were in the same place where I left them a week prior. Not even touched. And he said «I never get to do em. Come back next Tuesday.» I was in a good mood so I agreed and left. Today is Tues ³⁄₁₉ and I went to pick up my shoes. The store is closed and on the door is a handwritten sign that barely says «We will close on Tuesday March 19^th.»
Now I’m mad. I call the number on the sign and I get a voicemail that says they will be closed from 3÷14−3÷18. Well I guess they decided to stay closed one more day. I left a message that wasnt so polite but again I’m sorry because I decided to take a chance and ignore the bad Unilocal.
I could look past the filthy shop that’s cluttered and is screeeaming hoarder. I could look past the grouchy old man vibe because he is old school and my grampa is the same way. But I cant get past the fact that it seems like they just dont give a $hit. I guess they dont need money so I guess they dont need me. I just want my boots back.

With the wear and tear of travel, the backpack that I normally travel with on these crazy goal of running a marathon in each of the 50 states had a breaking point. Somehow, the zipper itself on one of the pockets jumped the line and I tried to fix it myself, but to no avail. After a few fruitless tries, I had almost made up my mind and just pay a skilled person to fix the bag and be done with it. Ikept putting it off for few months after the incident and looked on Unilocal for a credible shop who would do the work with great customer service.
After booking upcoming trips this year, it occurred to me that I needed to get that zipper on my backpack fixed or else use a larger roller board luggage to tug around airports instead of packing light. After getting recommendations from my mother about this shop, I quickly searched Unilocal and found some negative
reviews. Initially, I refused to go here and get my bag fixed. Eventually, I gave up and hoped that my experience here at Tam’s Shoe Repair would be better than the all the negative reviews would have you believe. Let’s just say that some of the experiences that a couple of reviews were spot on, but he got the job done.
Located on 12^th Avenue, off Koko Head Avenue, pretty much next door to the First Hawaiian Bank, this small shoe repair shop look on the outside doesn’t do much justice, especially when there is stuff piled against the window. The store hours are posted on the window of the door, so that’s comforting. The customer service I received was on point with the Unilocaled that received the unsatisfactory service. Not much of a hello or how can I help you. Not even a noticeable smile. Not even a grateful gesture that says thanks for choosing me to help you out with your shoe and (in my case) zipper problem. He took a quick look at it and went into the back to do his magic. His son was there, keeping an eye on things and I just had to wait for my backpack.
For what it was worth, I could stand the tactless customer service that I was presented with, but he got the job done. The work was great and I was happy that I didn’t have to take time and go elsewhere into downtown Honolulu and possibly spend more $$ for this problem. I’m not sure how to rate this one, but I definitely have seen better. I don’t know. To recommend or not, that is the question. If you don’t mind the silent customer service and just to get it fix, I would recommend this place to you. $ 20 for a broken zipper fix wasn’t a bad deal, but I would have gladly forked over the cash if the customer service was better and not shoddy beyond repair. Gotta work on that one.
Support local!
C–

Gross. Conned. Deceived. Dirty.
Those are some of the words that come to mind when I came here. My mom has been a loyal customer of this place for many years so when I was telling her that I was looking for a new shoe repair shop, she introduced me to this place. The place I normally go to is Joe’s Shoe Repair in Downtown, which I loved but the one time I week I head to downtown (other than for phở), it’s closed. Being the convenience oriented person that I am, I decided it was time to find a new place because heaven forbid I walk 5 blocks to Joe’s on a Saturday when I’m heading to phở!
First impression. Gross. I walked into the store and you’re immediately hit with the old shoe smell. Not as bad as the toe-​jam smell but you know that smell. Old leather that’s been rained on and dried off. THAT smell. At about the same time, you see the PILES and I mean PILES of shoes that are laid out all over their work space, along the walls… it’s amazing how they can keep track of what shoes are where. But I can’t complain about that since they found my sandals when I went to go pick it up.
Second impression. No customer service. No, «Hi, how can I help you?» from the old man. Nothing. Waited there a while before he stopped what he was doing and asked me what I needed. I handed him my Nine West shoes that I bought for about $ 25 as a BOGO (Buy One Get One — 50% off). The heels needed to be replaced and the soles could use some new life. «How much?» I asked. $ 16. WOW! What a good deal, I was willing to give this place a shot! I walked away, keeping my fingers crossed that my sandals could be found when I came back to retrieve them. With not even a claim tag that I could hold on to, to prove that I left something there.
Second and a half impression. I headed back to pick up my sandals and the young man, who I assume was the old man’s son, ignored me. Apple don’t fall too far from the tree. After a couple of minutes, he finally decided to acknowledge my presence. «Last name?» He barked. Miraculously, he found my sandals. Knew exactly where to go. Yup, back corner, second feet from left wall, second pile. No problem!
Third impression. «Your total is $ 33.51.» What the… REALLY? I didn’t even want to argue with him because I wanted my shoes back. (Not to mention now there was someone standing behind me so I didn’t really want to be «THAT» person.) So I paid and I mumbled under my breath that I would get my revenge on Unilocal.So here it is, folks.
I don’t even know how some people can give this place 5 stars. I mean, maybe if you have super duper expensive shoes and need to get them repaired, I can see the value. But to have to pay MORE than what I actually paid for my sandals? HELL to the NO!
I shall go back to not repairing any shoes and just buying more brand new shoes. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

Tam’s Shoe Repair is like going to your neighbor and asking for a favor. Mr. Tam Sr. is retired from Aloha Airlines and seems to do this more for a hobby. Mr. Tam Jr. fixed my Samsonite Luggage lock. He was very even, not pleasant or rude-​just was. July will be the last month they repair suitcases because people were being rude and trying to get them to work for free. What a shame. The cost was $ 17.20 for a $ 400 suitcase that I wish we never even bought even if it was on sale for $ 279. Samsonite Hardcase Luggage are junk and the warranty does not cover airline damage. Live and Learn!

When I find a good pair of shoes I will do anything to keep them going… and going. I’ve taken everything to Tam’s, from Manolo’s to the-​cheap-​no-​names I can’t bear to get rid of (that I should have bought several more pairs of). In this economy… I think everyone should try, at least once, to salvage their favorite shoes.
I’ve had entire shoe bottoms refurbished and even my wedding shoes dyed here. NOTE: There are so few places that you can actually get your shoes dyed at anymore, that it’s worth the wait by taking them to Tams. My darling white Kate Spades (that have been sitting in my closet with grass stains since I got married in 2007), are now a perfect and practical shade of ebony. Yay!!!
COMMENTS: I’ve been more than satisfied with my service here. I was taking my shoes to another shoe repair place near Pearlridge… which was fast, but my shoes always came back looking worse off. Seriously… one of my shoes came back with a «patch job» of sorts. Boo.
Tams manages to replace my designer heels with something comparable and for a few bucks, even ups the quality on my el cheapo shoes… hehe.

After reading Lyn L. 5 star review here on Unilocal,I gave Mr. Tam a shot.
This was the 3^rd time I used him. And the last time.
My mother-​in-​law came over from Los Angeles to stay with us for the holidays. So we helped her out with things she needed (new glasses, replace wristwatch battery, etc.).
Her Natural Comfort sandals were worn out and also one toe was dog chewed.
So I took it in to Mr. Tam, and as usual, he wrote a tiny note on a marked up, previously used blue tag (how does he keep track of all these piles of shoes in his shop, i thought) with my name and phone.
He told me it would be $ 16 – 18 and give him a week.
I come back a week later. He has a blank look on his face.
He starts looking around, but cannot find my mom’s sandals.
After about 5 minutes of looking, and my car is illegally parked as he has no parking available, he tells me to give him a day and he will do it. I offer to help him look for it in his pile of stuff in his shop, and he declines. As I’m walking to the car, I make a mental note, «I better call him to confirm before I come and waste my time and gas again.»
So I give him an extra day, and come back TWO days later, and he again gives me the ‘deer in headlights’ look. Sure enough, he asks me to describe the sandals. Why didn’t he call me? Why didn’t I call first? Stupid. So I know I came for nothing again.
He finds the empty plastic bag I brought them in. Finally, he finds them, cut up and on his counter among all the other piles of shoes.
I told him that my mom leaves back home to L.A. tomorrow. ‘What time?’ he asks. 1pm. OK. come back around 12 he says (doesn’t he know about 2 hour check-​ins?).
I call first, to make sure I’m not wasting my time. I get a answering machine, and I leave a message and my name and number. No callback. So I go over at about 3:30pm, and what looks like his son is also there. The son tells me that its going to be $ 29. WHAT?!
So I tell him I was quoted $ 16 – 18 and the son starts mumbling that he had to glue it and do extra things. [Um. Your dad looked at it before he quoted me. It’s illegal to change the price after you quote. YOU LOST TRACK OF THE FOOTWEAR AND I came back 3 times, and its over a week late AND NOW YOU WANT ME TO PAY YOU MORE?! I should get a discount or FREE, I thought.] Plus my mom already left, so now I have to mail it to her.
I almost left without them. I was ready to tell them ‘YOU KEEP IT. I CAN SEND HER THE MONEY AND SHE CAN BUY NEW ONES FOR THAT PRICE!!!‘
And then Mr. Tam, who seems to be afraid of his own son, starts whispering to me, «What is the meaning of ‘lost?’»
Huh?
I said ‘what do you mean?’ Lost is lost. You couldn’t find it so I had to come back 3 times and now I have to pay shipping to send it to my mom!
He says repeatedly, ‘what is the meaning of lost? We didn’t lose it. It was here…‘
OMG…
I was so disgusted about their attitude and not being apologetic after what they put me thru, I just paid and left.
I wish I thought it thru more. I now regret paying for it. I should have just told them to «KEEP IT!!!»
I love to support mom & pop shops, but this guy needs to retire, or his landlord needs to raise the rent to clear him out. I’m sorry.

My shoes were not repaired at the date indicated. Also, the shoes were not repaired very well. I was disappointed. Sorry, I really wanted to like this shop.

I’m giving Tam’s 3 stars because I just picked up the shoes and haven’t had a chance to give them the wear-​test. However, based on what I see, everything looks great, and looks like solid workmanship. I picked Tam’s because they are the preferred shoe repair vendor for Nordstrom’s.
I brought in 8 pairs of shoes, all in various states of disrepair. Most of the shoes are at least 8 years old, so they were resoled, heels re-​tipped, and insoles replaced. A pair of slingbacks had the elastic replaced, and a sandal strap repaired. The stitching could’ve been a bit finer, however, it’s not bad and I’m happy that my favorite shoes got more life in them still.
Note: Mr. Tam did everything I asked for, however I wish a full re-​conditioning were a part of the package. One pair of mary janes could’ve had the back heel cup scuffs touched up, but I didn’t think to ask for it/​notice it when I dropped them off with the rest of the bunch. However he did condition the toes and they look brand new! Otherwise, I’m satisfied with the job done. It took about two weeks total for all the repairs, and this included the Thanksgiving holiday. Total was $ 150 (I didn’t get an itemized receipt). I plan to follow-​up later to share how the shoes are holding up!

An airline broke the rollie wheel on my suitcase. I took it to Tam’s on Samsonite’s recommendation. Tam’s fixed it in no time! They called to say it was ready on my drive from their shop to Kaneohe.

Okay, favorite pair of leather work dress shoes from spain… in need of re-​sole. Read the review only 1 but thought heck sounds to be very good, gotta try it. Wrong… sorry but don’t do it. Charged me $ 40 some, replaced the bottoms (front and back), sole wore out in 2 months, first few days the rear sole coming off. Work man ship, I could have done better just get me the materials. Anyhow, need to have my shoes repaired, can’t wear them with holes in them.

Love your shoes??? Don’t want to give them up? Then Mr. Tam’s is the place you need to know about… Located in Kaimuki, next to 12 Avenue Grill is a little crowded shoe repair shop run by Mr. Tam and his son… When you first enter the place, you are met with the smells of a shoe repair shop… glue, leather, etc… and the place is LOADED with shoes… all over! Made me a little scared wondering how they would ever find my shoes again!
I «chanced it»…and YES! Great Job… I had my shoes re-​heeled at a very reasonable $ 9 and the job was done within the week…
Now that Kaimuki has gone to the attended lot, you can just drive into the lot, take a ticket, run your shoes over to Mr. Tam and be out of there within the grace period! Great! No charge for parking… this is actually better than before where I had to hunt high and low for a place to park and then pay the meter… I highly recommend Mr Tam… Just give hime a friendly hello and smile when you enter…