Maida’s Belts and Buckles

While we’ve used them for years, I’ve got serious issues with their organizational skills. The last two times I’ve taken belts in for re-​sizing, I’ve had a problem. The first time, they took a Gucci belt to cut a couple of inches off of, promising it about a week later. When I called, Jason was very apologetic, telling me they had lost the leather, but he’d make me a new belt and put the original buckle on it. I got it within another week.
This last time, I took another belt in to get a too-​small belt replaced with a longer piece of leather. Jason promised me «two weeks.» I called back three weeks later, and was told by Jay that it would be ready in one week. When I called on the appointed day, I was told that the belt was re-​made as the original length (i.e., too short), but that Jason would «personally make it and have it ready the next day (Friday). Friday about 4:15 PM, I finally got the call saying it was ready. $ 108.25 and 4+ weeks after depositing it, I had my 35» reversible belt – finally!
My wife took a belt there for repair once. Jason told her they could repair it, but after roughly six months, she finally went over to pick it up because they couldn’t do anything with it.
Anybody got a good leathermaker in the Galleria area?

I have been a customer of Maida’s since their first year or so and the old location. I have always received the best service from Jason and his staff. Over the years I have bought numerous buckle sets, belts, cuff links, money clips, wallets and silver jewelry for my long time bride. I have referred friends here.
This is THE place to go when you want unsurpassed craftsmanship and quality.
I cannot give a stronger more positive review than I would give this establishment. At Christmas or during Rodeo they may be busy but they go above and beyond to help everyone.
Make no mistake.. A purchase from here will be an heirloom that your grandchildren will cherish.
–Sweatt

Jason is the king when it comes to alligator belts .
The belts are not cheap, but they are superb quality.
I had 2 belts custom made and purchased gorgeous silver sterling buckle.

I had a couple holes punched in belts in the past and they seemed to do a relatively decent job. I also took in a belt to have it resized and that came out ok. However, I took in a Louis Vuitton belt to have it shortened by an inch. The woman did all kinds of measurements, had me try on a sizing belt, compared the belt I was wearing to the one I wanted adjusted, etc. She mentioned cutting 2″ off and I told her I wasn’t comfortable with that and I want it to be 1″. She explained how they adjust them and took more measurements and wrote things down. I asked how much she is going to suggest removing after all the additional measurements and she said 2.5″. I agreed that 1.5″ would be as much as I would be comfortable with since I can always pay $ 20 again to have more removed, but they cannot add anything back if too much was cut.
I also asked to have it done by a certain day since I was leaving out of town. She agreed that she’d try. I then called an hour later to ensure she was able to have it in the queue to be completed in that timeframe and she again assured me so. When I showed up on that day, nothing was done yet.
Since it was an easy adjustment, they took it to the back and the leather person agreed to do it right then. When I got it back, it seemed quite short. I asked for the piece that was removed and it was 2.5″ long! I spent 45 minutes trying to find out how they went from 1.5″ to 2.5″, especially when I initially only wanted 1″ removed.
Anyway, to «make it right,» they agreed to make me a new belt out of any leather they had. After I picked out one and the worker wrote it all up, the owner came out and said it had to be different leather. He mentioned that I was killing him. I reiterated that they are the ones that misadjusted my very expensive LV belt and I didn’t request a new one, it was his offer. He then walked away with his back to me and arms in the air yelling things.
When the belt was finished and I arrived to pick it up, the same worker was being extremely rude to me. She measured me with the new belt and asked if 3 holes were ok. I reluctantly agreed. It came out with three holes in it and I tried it on, but in the meantime, I looked around at their other belts and my belt and they all had 5 holes. I asked if they would put in the additional holes like any other belt would have. The worker gave a long, mean stare and walked to the back to have it done. She came back and I noticed the holes were not even in a straight line!
A few things I took away from this experience is that the customer is never right at this place, customer service is not of any interest to them, workmanship is hit or miss at best, you may not have it ready when you request, and the owner doesn’t care about what the customer wants either. He tried to make it sound like it was my fault the belt was done wrong, my fault they are making me a new leather strap and when I tried to explain to him, he just talked louder to shut me out (before walking off yelling). Not a professional atmosphere in the slightest. I will certainly find somewhere else to go for any leather work in the future.

I brought some various leather belts in to be re-​sized recently. When I came in to drop off, they were unbelievably busy. People were milling about throughout the store grumbling about not being helped yet. There were 3 attendants working the counters and they were trying their best to get through the pile of folks and I took a number. Eventually, one of them got to me and took my measurements and let me know the belts would be ready in a week.
A week later I got a call that they were ready and went and picked them up. The belts were re-​sized well and the work seemed top notch. (belt pun) I think they cost me around $ 20 a belt. Considering these were extremely expensive belts, that price seemed to fit, especially considering the hand work they had to do.
My experience was pretty straightforward and I would refer their service to others looking for skilled leather work in Houston. Just watch out for very popular hours of business when they seem to get bottle necked.

I went in and browsed for about 15 minutes. Their belts and buckles looked really nice. I just wish I would have been given the chance to see them up close, however, during that time, not one employee acknowledged me or asked if I needed any help. It was a waste of my time.

I would like to thank Mr. Howard for getting my favorite red shoes fixed and back in time for a very important speaking engagement.

Was there to buy a few belts and buckles. No one even said hello or acknowledged me. I brought in a buckle to match to a specific belt, but obviously didn’t get any. First rule in a business/​Greet the customer.

I was going to leave an awesome review, but after having my services done, I don’t think I can…
i had a purse that had its swivel buckle head broken & found houston shoe hospital on Unilocal whothen sent me next door to maida’s, where they had a larger selection of buckles. they try really hard to accommodate you, but it seems like they just go off a tally list of what to do when a customer walks in instead of really listening & being genuine. also, if you’re giving them a less than $ 100 job, they make some person that doesn’t have a clue to help you out.
the work they did was ok, it was $ 20 to attach my new buckle on including sewing & about a 5 day turnover. well, they decided to keep the original buckle that was NOT broken from my purse, while giving me the broken one back… uhhh strange much? then they proceeded to tell me that «we only return unbroken buckles if you specifically ask for it.» so basically, they keep your stuff that is in great shape & give back your junk.
not a happy camper… i won’t be back here nor will i recommend. i’m sure there’s somewhere else that is MUCH better & just as reasonable with people/​owners that actually listen & are being genuine.

For years I have been admiring the different custom belts and buckle sets that I see in certain Texas magazines and I finally decided to have some done. If you lived in Austin, you could go to Rewards, but if you live in Houston, you have to stop in to Maida’s Belts and Buckles.
Jason Maida who just celebrated his 20^th year in business is the fourth generation American who owns and runs this family business. You will find the finest buckles and buckle sets from artists around the country. You will also find great leather products as well as alligator and lizard belts and accessories. Their retail store sells beautiful jewelry, cuff links, knives, money clips and more.
Their selection of sterling silver buckle sets by Greg Jensen, Sunset Trails and even Jason himself is outstanding. Once you pick out a set, pick out a custom belt to match business or casual wear. You will be hard pressed not to be able to match any shoe or boot you have.
If you are looking for that special gifl for someone or just want to indulge, do yourself a favor and stop in at Maidas. Its not cheap, but top quality never is.