True to Time Shoe Repair

I had the most horrible experience I have ever had in this shoe repair store. I am a local resident but never used a shoe repair store in this area of the desert.
I came in with a pair of Donald Pliner sandals that I wanted to be dyed black. He said ok and would do them for $ 29 to spray them. I thought that was a lot of money to spray them but said ok.
I came back two weeks later and the shoes were showing spots of silver through the black. He said in a very nasty and rude manner that this was what happened and there was nothing he could do about it. Then he said to me take it or leave it, if you want the shoes it will still cost me $ 29 and he wouldn’t give them back to me unless I gave him the money. I told him that the shoes were ruined and I could not wear them in that condition.
He refused me again and said he would not give me the shoes unless I paid for them and called me a B – ch and some other words I would never repeat.
He was terribly rude and unprofessional!!!
He would not give me my shoes back and told me to go to Hell.

Lost the bottom piece of the heel of my shoes. Took to him on Dec.22^nd in the afternoon. He asked when I want them back and I said as soon as possible. Told me to pick them up the next day. Showed up early in the morning and they were done! New pads on both heels, polished and he even painted the edges of the heels where it had worn off. All for only $ 15.00! Fast, especially at Christmas, and was extremely pleased with the job he did.

Lost the bottom piece my heel on my boot while at a business meeting. Unilocaled the closest shoe repair and called.
Not only was he accommodating to fix it while I waited, he was fast, friendly and reasonable!

I was in town for a special event and needed a pair of my favorite $$$ Italian wedge suede sandals shampoo’d. I took them to this little shop and the owner (from Manchester) was delightful. He politely told me they would be read the next day. I picked them up on Saturday morning and they were still a little damp (which was fine) and looked like brand new. Prices are reasonable and excellent craftsmanship! Thank you!

Ian is the best! I just took a pair of dress shoes in to repair the heel that came off. Because I kept the heel he took care of it in 2 minutes or less. Who can beat that service! I will be back!

I was quoted $ 8 for a simple repair, then asked to pay $ 15. I told the guy that I wasn’t happy with it, but he was rude about it AND made me pay $ 15. It is also dirty in there and he had no system to ensure that the bag I said was mine, actually was. He just asked me which one was mine. He also asked me what they did to it…
The repair itself did not match the other side of the bag. Disappointed with both the end product and service.

Super helpful and courteous, the owner here works quickly and goes above and beyond. I came in with my husband to get his shoes re-​soled but instead of over charging us for whole new soles, he pointed out that all we needed was new heels on the leather boots, saved us a bunch!
When we came back to pick up his boots they were shined and polished and looked even better then we we took them out of the box for the first time.
We will certainly be back for any of our shoe and boot needs, this place is fantastic and the owners English accent just makes the whole experience all the better.

Shoes turned out good but prices seem high and owner is very crabby. Will be looking around due to bad attitude of owner. Like to give my business to friendly people.

if i could give ian a negative one million i would! he ruined my daughters new shoes, and then started to yell at her like it was her fault. i don’t think these 5 star reviews are real customers. dont take anything to this unprofessional unethical poor business man!

Best shoe repair in town! Ian’s work lasts and it reasonably priced
Ian has helped me with everything from boots, heels, suitcases

Ian does a BEAUTIFUL job with all shoes, handbags and all leather products. Several years ago Ian had a shoe repair near my home in Bermuda Dunes. Once that store closed/​moved I was stressed and wondered where I was going to go for shoe repair. It has been my experience that all other shoe repair establishments in the valley are very flakey, the work is poor and never ready when promised. Recently I was in need of shoe repair and stumbled into the store on highway 111. The minute I saw Ian I was thrilled! I was happy to know he was still here in the valley and I knew immediately my expensive shoes were in good hands! He is a true craftsman who takes the time needed to do the job right. I appreciate the years he has spent honing his craft as well as all the sweaty, stinky, dirty shoes he has handled over the years — it’s definitely not glamorous. If you appreciate old fashioned craftsmanship and attention to detail, Ian is your guy!

I brought in 2 handbags, a cross-​body and a clutch, to have repaired. I was told they would be ready for pick up in 24 hours. I returned the next day and they are as good as new. The man who helped me was friendly and I would go back.

My first time here and so far so good! Quick and affordable. I had two pairs of boots re-​heeled. Haven’t worn either pair yet but from what I can tell, they look in way better shape. I was surprised by the fast turnaround, only a few days. Really glad I found this place and since it was via Unilocal,I figured I owed my own 2 cents. I’ll return!

I needed a zipper repair on a duffel bag, and my tailor (who is otherwise excellent) was afraid to touch it. ian not only repaired it without hesitation, he did it on the spot, immediately. he is clearly a master of his craft. i doubt there is another shoe repairman alive within 500 miles with his level of talent.

I’m not sure what the other reviewers are speaking of, my experience was far from what they described.
First if all, he was EXTREMELY impatient, rude and disorganized.
I had to find my own shoes. He gives you a ticket, which is useless because he had no way of finding them because shoes are all over the place in piles. If it wasn’t for me that I was able to scan them amidst the pile of shoes all over the place with no real organization, he probably wouldn’t have found them. Not only did he not know where to find my shoes with a useless ticket, but he separated my shoes, and kept them out of the box that I had brought them in. The thrift store has better shoe organization than this store. I seriously could not believe the pile of shoes all over the place, and then he wondered why I looked shocked that he couldn’t find my shoes until I found them myself.
Not to mention that his work was decent, not extraordinary, the zipper he replaced on my boot is just as bad as the one that needed work. And, you can see the glue on the back of my wedges where he glued them.
This man has no concept of what real customer service is, and no level of understanding what organization is.

Excellent service, fantastic work and great prices. Best in the Desert!

Don’t mistake this for the OTHER shoe repair shop, on the very same frontage road. Ian was raised a 4^th Generation English Cobbler and knows exactly what he can do and cannot do. I have had many shoes and watches fixed by him. His prices are very reasonable… for the level of quality you receive.
My cycling shoes had badly worn heel counters (heel cup linings) and he chose to restore them in genuine leather… easily outlasting the shoe itself now. He was also able to reduce the 8-​inch high heels on my girlfriends’ hooker platforms, giving them a much more conservative look and comfort. I spend a lot of money on my footwear, and I completely trust this Englishman’s excellent work ethic and quick turnaround times.

First of all let me say that the one star review that was left by Lee A was for the shoe repair down the street and not True To Time. It’s an easy mistake since they are in close proximity.
Ian of True Time is a fourth generation English craftsmen and his work is outstanding. If you’re in need of a good cobbling then Ian’s your guy. I have a closet full of shoes that were all brought back to life with simple polish, new soles or new leather. Whatever it takes he’ll get it done. He’ll even work on shoes that no one else will like Dr. Martens. Good stuff!

This place is great and luckily only found them because the shoe repair place near them was awful:
I first went to Palm Desert Shoe Repair which has to be the worst shoe repair shop in Palm Desert (maybe the world)! I took some shoes in for an easy repair, was quoted $ 20 and told to return in 1 week. No ticket and the store looked messy/​disorganized. Came back after a week and he said he needed more time.
I returned three weeks after I brought the shoes in, he had trouble finding them, and they still were not done. I left with the shoes and found a great place!
True To Time Shoe Repair now in Palm Desert, 73 360 Hwy 111, near Palm Desert Shoe Repair. He charged me only $ 9 and had the shoes done to perfection in a matter of days!
Andy Gilchrist

Ian has the best shoe repair in the desert. He just made an old briefcase better than new.