Instant Shoe Care

Ok this place may have more terrible reviews than any spot in alameda. And some of them make me giggle, they’re so intense. But I have to say I had a great experience here when I brought my scuffed dirty grey boots here to be cleaned. They were expensive Uggs and I was nervous they might destroy them:)
But in fact the sweet owner guy suggested they dye them black and tho scared to trust him, I did. They came out perfect 48 hours later, like brand new boots. And no rain or storms is making the dye bleed. So it’s like I have new boots.
Plus the guy is funny. I don’t know, maybe I just got lucky. But you might too!

Saved my boots that my dog thought the heels were a chew toy. They removed the material and were able to paint the heels. They look great!

Asked to replace zippers in boots. A price was quoteVwed. Two zippers were to be replaced, only one was replaced, he had such a difficult time, it is not functionable at all. Zipper gets stuck in leather that should have been sewn in. Crappy job, do not go here at all. He had them for a week. First review I have ever written„ but I will take the time to write this to save someone else. He should not be licensed. Warning! Do not go here. I will tell everyone I know. Alameda is small town. Word spreads quick.

**Beware**
Stopped by here yesterday after doing a quick google search. Man said he could shine my boots for $ 6.00. Price was fair so I came in. His wife works the register. Handed over my boots and he said it would take 30 minutes. I could leave my shoes or come back another day. I told him I would wait. After less than 5 minutes he brought them back. Shocked I was… Looked at my boots and there was NO difference. I asked him if he even put any dressing in the soles, figuring even if you did a crummy job, you would at least make them look shiny! He said, we normally don’t do that! Judging by the looks of my boots and the amount of time you spent on them, you don’t do anything. He asked if I wanted the dressing. I thought about saying no but, I knew I got scammed and just said yes. The wife then tells me I owe $ 10.00. I was going to say for what??? I said well, he told me $ 6.00. She then said, ok…
Boots look like they were just wiped with a wet towel. Not sure how the other services are here because this was my first experience and definitely my last.
For shoe shine at least, there are so many other places out there that won’t scam you. I felt used when I left this place after less than 10 minutes. Hope this was helpful.
**Beware**

OK, these reviews were scary, but still I went there, having no choice. I brought such bad quality shoes, bought on eBay, but model that I really like. They had a hole inside already and they were damaged on the bottom because of poor materials. These guys fixed my shoes from inside and outside and they are better than new! After 3 months and lots of walking, still no damage. 50 $ total. It was more than I paid for the shoes but my favorite cheap shoes are in such good shape now. Otherwise they would end up in garbage!

Contrary to the negative reviews here, my experience with this shop were fine. However, I will say if you’re in dire need of artistry repair and craftsmanship, this isn’t really the place to go, this is more of a quick fix stop & shop kinda place (Hence the name, INSTANT SHOE CARE).
I came in three times before, one because I had a broken Steve Madden Handbag shoulder strap (the small metal linking holding the bag together broke) and the husband took it and fixed it within a few hours, good as new, and if I remember correctly charged me a really low price (Under $ 15??? It was awhile ago, sorry). Really satisfied with his service, and my bag hasn’t faltered or had issues since being fixed here.
The second time I came back, I came in asking for advice on waterproofing and adding scratch resistance on a couple of pairs of shoes I had, all varying in textures from leather to suede. I came in needing consolation on what exactly I should do and what kind of materials I would need in waterproofing my shoes and the husband helped shorten my list of things I thought I would need. He recommended to me a few products and instructed me on how to properly care and prepare my shoes to be water-​proofed and scratch-​proof. Since taking his tips my shoes have definitely lasted a lot longer than what they would be without the products and his help. Really appreciative for his help!
They also have Key Copying available, so I went and they had a copy of my keys ready in virtually less than 5 minutes. Super cheap and really appreciated the fast service!
The couple that own this business are really sweet people and are simply adorable. Plus, the fact that this is a locally run business makes me happy I’m supporting a smaller business. Though it is a small, hole in the wall business and it’s probably one of those shops you wouldn’t really bat an eye twice at, I would come back again in the future for any future needs.

I went to this location to have a pair of shoes fixed. The workmanship was flawless and the shoes were ready on time.

I am so laughing. Need a shoe repair place, talked to husband, and he said, «Anywhere but the one at South Shore». Seems he took in two pair of shoes, one black, one blue. Both came back black. When he commented on the blue shoes being black, he was told, «Sorry». Never again!

I had my soles replaced on my boots and within 2 weeks the «repaired» sole started separating from the shoe. I’m just hoping that the boot is easily repairable somewhere else.

Totally amateurish. This place is a mess – literally. There are things stacked in piles everywhere. Like a hoarder’s house. When you come to pick up shoes they root through piles on the floor in the back. Total lack of professionalism. I had the guy argue with me that I needed a half sole when I just wanted a shine. There was 6 more months of wear but he just kept arguing with me until I had to walk out.

Do not go here! My $ 300 purse strap needed to just be sown together a 4in strip he was nice at first so oh no problem come back in a half hr. ok great thanks come back to my purse dirty and really crooked stitching holes all over the sides leather ripped and a hole were he missed the stitching I was in shock pointed out the hole and he said oh I didn’t see that took it back came back out and it wasn’t fixed! I pointed it out again and again same thing and he used glue and I guess my face said it all cause he said no charge. And I walked out in shock and dismay. No I should have charged him for ruining my damn purse! Do not go here if u value your belongings! I will post picture so you can see for yourself. This place should not have a license.

I haven’t had much luck with finding a shoe repair master yet. I went to Instant Shoe Care to get new heel tips put on 3 pairs of stiletto style leather boots. The lady behind the counter seemed very apathetic and just took my boots and told me they’d be ready the next week. She charged me $ 10 per pair. Not bad.
When I went to pick up my boots, I saw them sitting in the corner of the store in a small bag just stuffed in there. My poor babies! I would never just throw any of my shoes together in a bag. They’re leather and can get all scratched up. The lady gave me the bag and I looked at the boots. They replaced the heel tips but the job looked like it was done on 5 min. Pop off the old tips and just nail in the new ones. Some tips were not exactly the same size as the heel and looked messy. Also, no shoe shine at all. The people here do not treat your shoes with TLC that I expect from a shoe repair shop. Too bad, so sad.

Beware beware beware! As good as the intentions are in this shop, the artistry does NOT back it up. I brought in several Charles Jourdan pair as well as a few Bruno Magli, and most of the shoes were ruined. The price was very high, too. I should not have even paid, but I was in a rush — there were black dye marks all over all pairs and even some of the heels he replaced were crooked. NOT good. Anyway, I would not do there again. If the price was low low low, I would understand, but it was not. I was saddened. Siiigh.

I was initially hesitant to come here because of the Unilocal reviews. But I had to get my heels fixed for my work shoes ASAP and this was the closest place. The owner was really friendly and helpful. I told him I needed the shoes fixed ASAP and he was more than glad to accommodate. My shoes were ready in a day and the shoes looked great!

Contrary to other reviews, my experience was fine. Shoes were ready in less than half an hour. By the time I walked to Starbucks & back, they were done. ;) Friendly service too.

How is this place still in business? I took my favorite hiking shoes here because the heel was wearing thin and needed to be replaced. They very poorly glued a huge piece of swede on the back. My foot now barely fits in the shoe and when I do get it in my sock gets pulled down into the shoe because of the swede. I am in the process of trying to find a cobbler to repair this. (I really wish I read these reviews first)

I really hate giving a totally bad review. But it’s their own fault that a customer being honest about their experience doesn’t work in Instant Shoe Care’s favor. TRULY THE WORST SHOE REPAIR EVER.
They are right by my house but my shoes, my time and my money are too precious to waste giving this place any further chances. Bad attitude, shoddy workmanship, no sense of professional pride or personal responsibility. And then, of course, the customer is always wrong. ALWAYS.
It’s weird, because they’re in a prime location which must be costing them a pretty penny. Yet they don’t seem to care whether they have any customers. It’s almost like they don’t really make their money on what they’re doing in the front of the store!
Whatever. Save yourself the aggravation.

Run-don’t walk AWAY from this place. They ruin shoes! I brought a boot there for heel repair and i had to bring it back 3 times. I kid you not. And they argued with me that it was fixed properly and that I shouldn’t mind that they move the heel entirely. Then, mistakenly, I brought it back again when it broke again. And they charged me for it. Glutton for punishment I guess. Again, it broke again, and i took it to Ike’s on Lakeshore. Now that cost me a pretty penny, mostly because they had to fix the mistake. But at least the dang boot is fixed.
The capper is tho, that 2 of the 4 times when i went there, there were other customers complaining about their work, and one woman who was crying cuz they ruined her favorite boots (that was of course the last time i went there).

I would love to give them negative stars if I could.
They get one star for being reasonably priced for heel tips.
Make the drive to Ike’s and make sure to ask HOW MUCH before you leave.

Ok, so I work in Alameda took a pair of Guess shoes for a Heel to be replaced and to see if maybe they could do an overlay on the sole, Shoes are great but hey why not make them last! When they are so comfy for summer, Pick date was a Monday, took them on a Wednesday! ??? Price was $ 33 Hello I could but another pair with another $ 30 so forget just the heel, pick was stiill monday!
So now it’s Tuesday wearing my shoes and guess what the Freaking Heel comes off! And they can not fix today! drop off pick up Wed. Hello I’m wearing them now and I’m at work! so now what! Will not go back again!

I took a shoe here today for repair. When I walked in the front door, there was no one behind the counter to help me. I looked in the back and saw a woman with her back to me watching TV. She appeared to be the only one in the shop. I made a fair amount of rustling/​throat-​clearing noises to get her attention, but finally had to say «Excuse me!» to tear her away from her TV.
When I explained what needed to be done (a simple hole fix right along the stitching), I was told to pick the shoe up on Tuesday of next week. «Umm,» I said, «Is there any way it can be done today? These are the only shoes my fiancé will wear.» (Ladies, you know how it goes…) The lady then said that there was no way because no one was there today to do the work.
Hmmm…this place is called «Instant Shoe Care» and the only person in the shop was qualified to do nothing more than watch TV? Interesting.