The Shoe Service

Took my favorite platform heels to the Shoe Service because the heel was coming apart from the shoe. I was quoted $ 18 to glue and screw both heels back on. I also asked for my gel insoles to be glued into the shoe, since they were coming lose, for an extra 2 bucks. I paid the whole $ 20 up front, leaving only sales tax owed.
A week later, I go pick up my shoes. The owner isn’t there, only his non-​English speaking associate. The first thing I didn’t like is how my beloved stilettos were tossed into a pile with a bunch of other shoes, reminiscent of a scene from Schindler’s list.
I could see glue had leaked out visibly on both heels. Whether they stick remains to be seen. My gel insoles, instead of being glued into the shoes, had disappeared. I spent a good 15 minutes trying to explain to the guy that they’d lost my insoles and should just give me another pair. I took a pair of new gel insoles they had for sale and placed them inside the shoe. How much more clearly can I demonstrate?
He said to come back and speak to «El Jefe» after 6 PM. That’s way too late for me and why should I have to make another trip? He became agitated, took the shoes out of my hand and started walking away. At this point I realized these people were going to argue tooth and nail over a pair of insoles. Not worth my time.
I paid the $ 1.40 I owed in tax, even though technically they owed me. It then took another three minutes for me to assure him I already paid $ 20 as clearly shown on my receipt.
That’s simply not how you treat customers or other people’s property.

I guess Miamians are planning an Atlantis, because the cost of land continues to rise although it’s sinking. Nonetheless, I worry about the mom & pop shops that trail behind, eventually going out of business. With Brickell as the new downtown, and this location a stone’s throw away, I need for this zapatero to stay in business! So far, I have trusted him with my four most valued shoes, where he’s done a phenomenal job on each. Two pairs had actually seen a nearby cobbler before and the man who works here did a better job for well over half less. If you understand Spanish, he’ll speak in depth with you about what he plans to do with each shoe, what he notices about the material or finish, etc. On my last visit he educated me on the different types of leather finishes and how to care for them properly. You would never guess this gem exists because the suite’s window says «Locksmith,» which caused me to over look it several times! If you work in downtown, *this* is the place to take your shoes.