Cliff’s

Don’t put yourself through this.
They lost my shoe for literally 5 months and told me to call weekly to remind Them to try to find it.
Finally, after they found it and fixed the minor issue, the fix broke within 3 days. I asked for my money back and they said they didn’t have any money in the store.
Unreal.

Why aren’t «negative» stars an option?
I wanted to try and give a small business near my office a boast but sadly, this was just the WRONG choice.
I gave them a pair of my daughters Dr. Martens to repair. She had a tear in one of the straps that went across the foot. I realized that with the shoe being patent leather that any sew job would be somewhat obvious. The older gentleman told us that it could be done and he even explained how he would do it. We understood that it wouldn’t be pretty but as long as the stitches were neat and sturdy, my daughter and myself would be happy with that. So we paid the 15.00 for the repair. Afterall, they were her favorite Docs, she she wanted to keep them. We dropped her shoes off on Thursday afternoon and was told to pick them up Monday@3pm. When she tried to pick up the shoes at 2:30 on Monday she was told her shoes were not ready and the «older gentleman» was not there. She was told that they would be ready at 4pm.
She decided to leave and just come back the next day.
When she picked them up the next day and called me, I could already tell that she was upset… in her words «He didn’t even try».
I didn’t realize until later what she meant. It honestly looked like he slapped a patch on the underside of the strap, glued it down, then decided to sew it shut with his eyes closed. The stitches are uneven, jagged. In fact he didn’t even close the tear completely, its still open at the end!
It is a completely horrible and slipshod repair. (See photo)
Not only were they late with the repair, they were incredibly over priced and did a truly crappy job. I will never, ever, sacrifice a pair of shoes to this «cobbler»

Once you get a shoe shine here you won’t want to go anywhere else. And if you do get a shine elsewhere you’ll quickly understand just how good Cliff’s really is. Their shine is simply extraordinary! The cobblers are so gracious and attentive to their customers needs. They are focused on their work but are always quick to engage in friendly conversation. The quality of their shoe repair is outstanding and fairly priced. Oh, by the way, I’ve been going to Cliff’s for over 20 years! There’s only one reason why… They’re simply the best!

…on return, despite poor service there is just no other place comparable and open on Sat., I have found the key, DON’T LEAVE YOUR SHOES (particularly with «Jerry») if you must, add 2 – 3 DAYS to whatever ready time he gives you… I’m sitting here getting a few pairs done (by another guy the shop who does FABULOUS work by the way) and I’ve seen no less than 6 people told their shoes are not ready yet and to come back Tues/​Wed (I’ve been one of those people, more than once I’m sorry to admit)…great work but it’s unfortunate that it is done in such a manner…

A pair of my suede shoes were getting worn at the heels so I came for a replacement. Overall the experience was good — for $ 35, I got the bottom part of heel replaced, added a plastic/​metal heel-​stopper (or whatever it’s called), and got the suede briefly cleaned as a complimentary service.
I do think the price tag I paid was high but ultimately, this is the only place I could find near the university. The staff in the shop was friendly and shoes were repaired within the time frame they specified (5 days, I believe, as I wasn’t in a rush).

I came upon a pair of discarded welder boots that were totally styling and my size. I instantly fell in love with them. They were however almost in complete disrepair. I brought them to Cliff’s, asked a bunch of questions about the feasibility of repairing them to the point of being worth wearing and worth paying for them. They gave me some options, a reasonable price and a faster than stated turn-​around. I am very happy with their work.

Cliff was really nice and did a great job on repairing my broken heal and cleaning up my shoes for a reasonable price! I will definitely come back here again.

Terrible, in terms of service and skill set.
I brought my brown leather boots in to have them re-​soled and to have some cracked leather at the base repaired. Gave them my deposit and phone number. They said they’d call when it was done.
A week later after hearing nothing, I stop by and see. They spent 15 minutes looking through the entire store for my boots, then said that they seemed to have «misplaced» my shoes. Two days later, I get a call that they’re ready and they found them somehow.
I’ve worn the boots maybe four times since then, once in the rain. The sole is now split in half on one of them, exposing the inside of the boot. This is absurd.

I brought in a pair of boots to have what I thought was a smallish repair (sewing a tear on the inside). He looked tthe tear, said it would cost $ 25 and I would need to pay cash up front. I told him I would come back after visiting the ATM. When I returned, he said it was actually going to be $ 30, because «He didn’t really look at it before.» I should have taken my boot and left at that point. I told him that made me uneasy, and he agreed to do on the original price of $ 25. He said it would be fixed in four days.
When I returned, he wasn’t there. Nor was my boot. The other man (his brother) told me that I will have to come back later, when his brother is here. I eventually went in a few days later. My boot was still not there, and the brother gave me a number to call. However, when I called no one would answer. I came in a full week later, and my boot was still not there. But after I called a couple of days later, I finally spoke with someone. He said they needed to order something for my boot, which is why it took so long, and it would be ready in a few days. Of course, it took two more times for me going into the store for me to get my boot.
In short, it took me almost three weeks to get my boot, but several trips and time out my work day to call. The two workers (owners?) don’t communicate, so even though one guy was always there, he didn’t know what was going on with my boot. And, I can’t be sure I wasn’t overcharged (or would have been).
I will never go back, or recommend that store to another person.

I had to have a backpack repaired and took it to this place because of the convenient location. I had a hole in the bottom of my backpack and I use it everyday for school so I really needed it back asap. He gave me an estimate, I think maybe it was a couple of days and I prepaid. However, if you’ve been reading the previous posts for this establishment you can probably guess what happened. I returned and it was not ready. I think overall it took me over a week to have my bag returned. There were constant excuses:“my needle broke…” ok things happen but then pick up the phone and let the customer know! It’s just common sense and good business practise. Terrible service. On top of that he kept asking me personal questions-​creepy.

Cliff does good work at great prices. That said, this place is not dependable.
I brought my shoes for repair before an important interview. I was promised the shoes would be ready the following morning at 9:30am, as I had told them I had a meeting at 10am. I arrived at 9:30am to find the shop closed. I waited for 47 minutes and am glad my meeting had been postponed! I was desperate because I had an interview at noon and no where to go.
Cliff let me know he had an unexpected reason to go to his child’s school. That said, at the end of the day, it just shows you that you can’t count on this place. I would go here if I wasn’t on some kind of time limit… Otherwise, go somewhere else!

I had one pair of boots repaired at Cliff’s and had the same experience as many posters here. I was told that the total cost would be $ 30 to replace a zipper as well as re-​heel the boots. The men at the shop said the boots would be ready in 5 days, and I informed them that I needed to pick them up before going on a trip. Like many other people, I called to check on the progress, and was told I would have to wait an additional week! After returning from my trip, I finally went by to get my boots. They had replaced the zipper very poorly. The stitching was in a totally different color (dark brown, the rest of the stitching on the boot was more of a caramel color) and the stitching was so sloppy it looked like a child might have done it! To compound matters, they never reheeled the boots, but charged me the same $ 30! The whole experience was totally unacceptable and I would never return here.

I agree with earlier reviews. I brought shoes here since I live in the neighborhood. The price was high compared to the place I had taken my shoes in center city. On top of that, when I went on pick them up there was a scramble to go thru all the shoes trying to find them which took quite awhile. The heels were done but they didn’t even wipe them down or anything. Looked pretty much just as dusty as when I dropped them off. Now looking for new shoe repair place…

My friend from Argentina had bought some winter boots in NYC and not long after a big rip appeared in the front of the shoe. We stopped into Cliff’s to see if he would be able to fix it for her. When he learned that the boots were bought from Burlington Coat Factory and only cost $ 29 he encouraged my friend to take them back to Burlington Coat Factory for a receipt, because that would be more economical than paying him to fix them. He then took the time to explain to her where the nearest Burlington Coat Factory is and how you return the boots. I thought it was really kind of him to think of her best interests rather than gouge her on the price for a cheap pair of boots.

I wish it were possible to give this place zero stars.
Went to get my boots re-​soled. It took a 6 weeks when they said it would take 5 days.
When I got them back, the soles they used to replace the originals were black, military-​style combat boot soles and there was hard glue all over them. It looked like a child repaired them. Then, after all that, they DID NOT FIT! On my way out the door they tried to sell me a pair of insoles that looked like they had been sitting in a water damaged box in the basement for $ 20. Why? Because they didn’t put any insoles — at all — inside. Nothing. Just bare rubber. Are you joking?!
I essentially paid $ 75 for them to ruin my boots. I threw them away.
Shut this place down.

I’m a big supporter of Small business myself, but I can’t justify telling people to go here. Overpriced, and they take way too long to repair anything. You want to like these guys, but the service is pretty horrible.
I dropped off a pair of my boots to be resold, and was told they’d be ready in a week-​the cost was $ 40, which for a non-​leather and partial replacement, seemed a bit high. Regardless, I paid in full for the repair in advance, and came back the following week. Not only weren’t my shoes ready– they weren’t even at the location where I dropped them off.
For two weeks, the proprietor gave me excuses…“his brother was out of town” «they were at the other shop» they were waiting on more neoprene” (are you serious?) I tried to be patient and understanding, but After nearly three weeks I demanded my shoes back, and maybe amy money back the next day. When I arrived, he was telling another young lady the same garbage he told me! Clearly nervous that I was going to call him out.
They agreed to give me my boots back the next day– and were an hour late to meet me.

I have brought 2 pairs of shoes here. One was to get a pair of dress shoes shined, a few scuffs buffed and a new heel put on it. Turn around: A WEEK?! Not to mention the cost: $ 30. I will say they did look good though.
I figured I’d give Cliff a shot to redeem himself so last week I dropped off a pair of Timberland Earthkeepers that I had really worn out and needed a new sole. I dropped them off on a Monday. Turn around: yep, a week. Cost: $ 65!!! I needed it done and was short on options. I went Tuesday and they weren’t done! Cliff didn’t even know where the boots were!!! I left my phone number and told them to call me. Wednesday I got a call at 4:50pm…I picked them up today (Thursday) and the sole is not the same color as the original… whatever it’s not that big of deal but it’s just the point. To top it all off I get home and the insoles are not in the boots!!!
No chance I ever go here again. The cost is ridiculous and they have no idea what customer service is. Unless you like headaches don’t go here…

i want to like this place because they seem like nice people but i was really annoyed with the (lack of) service i experienced recently.
brought two pairs of boots needing simple repair. was told to come back on day X. came back on day X. couldn’t find the guy that made the order or my shoes. finally after about 20min of rummaging they called him on the cell phone. shoes aren’t ready, was asked come back on day Y.
i came back a few days AFTER day Y. two kids are sitting there looking at me like i’m crazy. finally one girl, who was eating chinese food with her fingers, gets up to help me. takes her chinese-​y food fingers and greases up a bunch of other shoes in a listless attempt to find my shoes.
«we can’t find your shoes can you come back?»
«no i can NOT come back. this is my second time coming back»
«oh.»
she sits down and asks the other kid to find the phone number for the guy. returns to eating chinese food.
meanwhile i notice ONE of my boots (one boot, not the pair) just chillin on the shelf alone — wtf
after an eternity of waiting, an adult finally shows up, goes digging around and finds the rest of my shoes. with no apology.
they do an okay job but for the money you could go somewhere else that does a better job and has better customer service.

I really like Cliff’s.
Cliff himself may be a creep, but he knows what he’s doing. I took in a pair of vintage leather boots to have re-​heeled and cleaned up. It cost me $ 20 for new heels (which he blended really nicely onto the shoe and shined up the wood heel), a pad for where part of the boot was rubbing my foot, and shine.
I have a soft spot for small businesses, so I definitely recommend going here. The people are really, really nice and they do good work.

The cobbler on 40^th and Sansom is a great place.
I was in dire need of a cobbler. After a couple months of Philly’s wear and tear, my nice pair of oxfords’ and beautiful Italian boots’ insoles were fairly worn down and their heels were quite uneven in the back. I decided to try a place in my neighborhood, and brought my oxfords and boots to Cliff’s. I wanted the heels and insoles to be replaced on both pairs and wanted taps added to them to preserve their heels better in the future.
Since, I wasn’t in a rush to get them back, the cobbler had them done for me in a week. It cost $ 48 /​pair (including taps) and my oxfords were beautifully shined. They workmanship was good and I was pleased with their services. Although on my boots, he had started to paint the sole (the thickness part), but he realized that I wouldn’t want that because it would cover up the soles’ beautiful dark wood layers. I didn’t mind… because honestly few people ever look that closely at your boots’ soles.
In addition to being great at repairing shoes, Cliff’s almost felt like an old barbershop (or what I think a barbershop would feel like). When I went to pick them up, I had to wait a bit because the oxfords hadn’t been shined. I sat in the shoe shine chair, and everyone who came into the place seemed to know the cobbler or the other people in the shop. It just had a really good friendly vibe.
To speak more on the quality of their work, Cliff’s definitely has a pretty devoted clientle that consistently comes back to his shop for their shoe repairs even if they don’t live in West Philly anymore.
I highly recommend them for shoe repairs and shines. They do a fantastic, beautiful job.