VANCE SHOE REPAIR

went above and beyond for a $5 repair - she made the effort to match a rivet on the strap

Excellent, soles have not separated anymore.

This is more like a shoeshine shop than a true shoe repair shop. I took in 2 pairs of shoes. 1) I took in a pair of favorite pointy-toed patent pumps that had damage on the points and needed new heels. It was a long shot, but I really wanted to salvage the beautiful shoes. I asked if the pointy toes could be capped with black or brown leather, which would change the look slightly but cover/repair the damage to the toes. The manager or owner said no, but she would fill in the tips with "matching brown". The shoes were tortoise, not brown. When the manager/owner called to say the shoes were ready she said the shoes were "better than new." That was surprising. How does a pair of truly exquisite Stuart Weitzman patent leather pumps become "better than new?" Well, allow me share. The semi-gloss goop she put on the toes looked like wood filler and didn't in any sense look like a smooth glossy part of the patent leather. There was a huge glop of shoe glue dropped INSIDE one shoe and I couldn't wear them even if I wanted to. I don't. The new heel caps looked good. That's the best I can say, but any shoe shop can do that. This phrase "better than new" is probably how you can identify positive yelp reviews that were added by the owner and her friends. 2) I also took in a pair of brown leather casual but upscale style shoes that were scuffed. I asked if the finish on the leather could be repaired. That is to say, I meant that the tanning should be repaired and the texture made like the non-scuffed part of the shoe. They came back looking like a novice (like me) had applied a home shoeshine kit with a DARKER color of brown!! What a waste. Both of these pairs of shoes were expensive but favorites, and I took them in on a long shot, so I consider it a cheap lesson at $26.

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The workmanship on the sole/heel replacement is excellent, and I was absolutely pleased with the quality of that work. However, some of the materials used were not when I specified or initially paid for, and a service was provided that I did not desire or request, which has likely altered the appearance of the shoes permanently.
The shoes had a split or half-leather/half-rubber heel pad as originally manufactured. When I dropped them off, the repair person asked whether I wanted to go with a full-rubber heel pad, or pay $5 extra to replace in-kind. I opted to replace in kind, but when I picked the shoes up they had been repaired with a full-rubber heel. My ticket clearly specified the split heel pad, and I was charged the higher amount. When I pointed out the error, the repair person (the same woman I spoke with when dropping off the shoes) first questioned whether I had really specified the split heel pad - then after we checked the ticket and confirmed I had, offered to redo the repair or refund me the difference. The store has moved since I dropped of the shoes, and their new location is about a 40-minute round trip for me, so I decided to take them with the full rubber heel.
Had this been the only issue, I probably would have looked on the transaction as an overall positive experience. However . . .
These shoes had an and quot;antiquedand quot; leather, which looks aged and has a patina in places to suggest wear. I often received compliments on the shoes, even after 3 years of almost daily wear. Here's a link with photo: www.thefryecompany.com/james-oxford/d/84615
When I picked them up, they had been polished brown, and no longer look anything like they did. The same repair person mentioned above said that the shoes looked like they had not been taken care of, and that she had tried to restore the leather. I explained that this was how they were intended to look. She offered to try to take some of the polish out, but I declined. Even if she could remove some of the brown polish, the original patina is gone. I don't believe these shoes will ever look the same again. She added that, if I don't want shoes polished when having them repaired, I need to say so when I drop them off. Regardless, I do not expect to receive services that I did not specify or pay for. If there are unwritten conventions of shoe repair that specify a polishing is automatically performed for free, then the onus is on the store, not the customer, to verify that this is desired.

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Been using this service for 20+ years, always reliable.

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I was so pleased with the work that was done and the price that I paid. Great place, great people

Did an excellent job and suggested a way to do one repair that would save me money. Family business, nice people. Will use them again for sure!

I just picked them up and they look amazing!!!! they absolutely look brand new. No sign of the scuffs at all. I would definitely use them again and I will refer my friends to them.

Shoe was fixed on the spot, no charge.

The job was beautiful and lasted as long as he said it would. I asked for new soles and he suggested just putting on pads, which was much less expensive and much quicker to do. I have had boot repairs done several times so far, and he has even repaired my horse's bridle for me.

I just love going to Vance's. They are able to do what no other place would attempt to do. They have put new soles on shoes, repaired my leather purses and have restitched sandals that should never have come apart. Most importantly, they are friendly, honest and do quality work. They don't overcharge and the work thy perform lasts. I never think about going anywhere else to have work done.

They did a great job and would definately use this company again.

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This is a mom and pop store and in some ways it may not seem as stream-lined as a chain store. On the other hand, the mom and pop work well together. On my first experience, pop was grumpy and mom had to take over and I got what I needed. I have since only had good experiences. It is a very good business.

They have fixed my shoes, to leather sofa cushions and purses. They are very reasonable and timely.

It was excellent work. My wife has taken stuff there all the time in the past. They did an excellent job. I've never really priced around but the quality was so good. I have a really narrow foot and I've had these loafers for over 25 years. They are like in brand new condition. I have another pair of shoes that I'm going to be taking very soon.