This guy is rude rude rude. Stopped by one day to get a quote on a pair of shoes I was wearing at the time He gave me a (high) quote, but I decided to do it anyway because of the convenient location. Came back the next day with the shoes, and he said the cost would be $10 more than the quote. I reminded him of yesterday's conversation and he got defensive and argumentative but agreed to the original price. I asked him when they'd be ready, and here he got his revenge. "It will be a long time...whenever I decide to get to it...I'll call you when they're done". Never got a call, so after 4 weeks I called him. (I was actually scared to call him.) He said they had been done weeks before and that he had called. (He hadn't). I picked up my shoes and will never go back there. There is something scary about that guy...not sure why, but just a scary vibe from him. read more

I would recommend this cobbler to someone who needs Prada's fixed but not hiking boots. I gave my favorite pair of italian nubuck leather boots to this shop, explained I was hiking the appalachian trail and would need them to be resoled with hiking soles. The soles were the correct soles and were more for city walking. Strange since I asked the cobbler if he understood what it was I was going to be doing with these boots. He agreed and acknowledged they would be fine. They are not fine and now he will not fix them unless I pay him another $95. I could have just bought a new pair for a little more and saved myself the headache. I will never go back, even though the soles he put on my boots are well done. I just don't think, even if a job is done well, but incorrect that it should be the customers responsibility. read more

This shop owner is not the friendliest guy and his prices are VERY high. He does good work though. I've been going here for way too long and finally decided to use another shop. read more

Pretty clear that people either love or hate this place. I found the owner to be very friendly and easy to deal with. And the work on my Atelier Voisin shoes (get them down the street as Pascaline Paris) was excellent. read more

If you are looking for a rude cobbler with high prices and slow service, then take your shoes to Sacramento Street. I have used this place a few times even though I cannot stand the guy who runs the shop. I used the place out of convenience but after my last visit, I decided to never return. He was so rude and acted as though he was doing me a favor charging me $75 for a thin rubber half sole on my brand new boots. I wish another cobbler would open up shop on Sacramento street. read more

Total ripoff. I came in with two shoes (one from each of two pairs) which needed sole repairs. After making disparaging remarks about how I treat my shoes, the proprietor told me I'd need to replace the whole sole, for over $100 _per shoe_! So I went to The Heel & I Shoe Repair, less than a mile a way at Clement and 8th, where they got the job done, and done well, for $12 per shoe. Don't waste your money here... read more

I had 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of cowboy boots to be repaired. One pair of heels had been scuffed up pretty badly and the leather was tearing. He said he could fix it. When I picked up the shoes all he had done was crazy glue the leather back onto the shoe!! I could have done that myself for a lot less than $7/shoe. The other shoes and the boots I had the heel and toe replaced, and while expensive ($48/pair), they seemed ok. Fast forward a few months and my boots (which I hardly wear) are already worn down completely. I should have known better than to go back, but this place is convenient, so I take them back to the shop. I ask if there is some other type of material he can use on the heel that will last longer (my shoe guy in NYC used to give me options) and ask "how long should I expect a new heel to last?". I am told that NO, all the material is the same no matter what, and that I have no common sense to come in and ask him such a question. I will never bring another pair of shoes to this over-priced shoddy repair shop. read more

I have lived in this neighborhood for many years and I like to support the local establishments. I once before walked into this shop to have a pair of my husband's shoes repaired . This time I needed the strap on my purse repaired. The guy's attitude is unbelievably rude, patronizing and completely unprofessional. I experienced this both times - the first time I left and didn't leave my husband's shoes, this time I did leave my purse. The job he did on my purse was simply standard ... not at all at the professional level some of these reviews suggest it would be. I really wonder if anyone would give this guy the time of day or put up with his horrible attitude if he wasn't on Sacramento Street ... There are plenty more better cobblers out there! This is my first yelp review - I felt that strongly I just had to share. read more

Dropped off two purses and a pair of boots here and was so pleased with the results. The guy who runs the store was super friendly and honest telling me he didn't know if he would be able to fix my purses (my babies!) but he said to leave them with him and he would see what he could do, when I picked them up a week later they were both fixed and looked great! My boots were nicely resoled and shined up as well. All for $22.00! I will definitely be coming here for all my shoe and purse repairs. read more

If you're looking for someone who will repair your shoes well, along with friendly service, you've found your place. My feet are happy and well heeled. read more

I've brought in boots, shoes, and dance shoes and each time I've been 100% pleased with the results! Zavo treats each customer like a friend, but he is one of those friends who will tell you honestly what the situation is and how to handle it. One time I wanted to do a crazy adjustment to a strap on a pair of heels and he gave me the straight dope: it was risky and expensive work and the result may not be what I envisioned. I respect his expertise and I respect that he cautioned me instead of just taking the job and the money. Highly recommended! read more

Zavo is a very skilled and knowledgable cobbler. I trust his assessment and recommendations and never has steered me wrong. I trust him with all my Louboutins and all my other designer heels for years now. He is very careful and extremely detail oriented. He takes his times, and never rushes. I like the fact that he tells you like it is, and does not "sugar coat" facts. I spend a lot of money on my shoes, and I feel his price is comparable to other cobblers in the city ...that is, who perform comparable work...but hard to find a comparable Cobbler. You pay for what you get!! I've gone to the Cobblers which was recommended by Saks, Neimans, and Prada - yes, they were a bit cheaper, but did not do a good job resoling- very sloppy work. Giving my shoe business to Zavo is well worth it. He truly is a "diamond in the rough"...but I would not trade him for another Cobbler! read more

Is it over priced? I don't know, although I am a believer in you get what you pay for, so, I go here, because what I get is always good, from replaced heels to making several fabulous but well worn shoes and bags look absolutely new again. I mean fabulous, like new or almost new, and when something costs $500+ in the first place I think getting it repaired is no place to try to do something on the cheap. read more

I brought in a pair of lime green clogs which needed a good going over which included dyeing because they were so scuffed. He did a fantastic job and matched this very odd color perfectly. This shoe repair shop can be a little pricey but when I have brought my shoes to other repair shops the job is not as well done and/or does not last as long. This is not a personality contest - I don't really care how he comes across as long as he does a good job which he does. I do recommend this shop. read more

The Cobbler's Bench has been the place for me to take my shoes, boots, handbags, etc for over a decade. I'll never go to anyone else. I've taken my Louboutins to be re-soled with the appropriate red soles; I've had boots shortened, zippers replaced, shoes altered to in ways, that are particular to my taste and needs, and lots more. Zahvo is always reliable, dedicated to solving whatever issue I come up with and will often work with me when I'm in a pinch and need something done in a hurry. I've been going to him for so long and see him as a friendly neighbor; he always asks after my family showing genuine concern if anyone is under the weather and remembering to follow up about their well being. I feel fortunate to have the Cobbler's Bench in my neighborhood. read more

I don't know what it is about this city and why it's so hard to find a decent cobbler shoe repair person. In my quest to find someone (that I hopefully can keep giving my business to for future repairs), I went in for a simple sole repair for two pairs of handmade Greek leather sandals. I was immediately met by the owner with a bark that he can't guarantee anything and tells me my shoes are plastic. I was met with a very rude response after I questioned why he thought that, since it actually says "Shoes made in Greece, Real Leather" on them (I'm no shoe expert but I do know real leather when I see it and I bought them at a leather shoe shop in Greece). The owner then pushes them back to me. I ask if he can't fix them and if I should take my business elsewhere, and he yells at me "yes." Well, alrighty then... I'm a pretty damn nice person most of the time, and it seems a bit odd someone would be that rude immediately to a potentially new customer who was simply asking him a question to better understand what he was saying, unless he actually gives zero &@$#s about his business. Or maybe he has so much business he doesn't have to care. Regardless, I won't be back there and I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

The owner does amazing, efficient and affordable work. I see other reviewers having some frustration with the owner's personality but I have never had anything but kind and efficient service from him. I have recommended his services to many people I know and will continue to do so! read more

ummm....how to say this....this guy is a JERK! there are words i would prefer to use to describe him, but i don't want my review removed because, seriously, do NOT go here! if you own a business and you cannot even manage to be civil to the people trying to GIVE YOU THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY then you really have a problem. I had a vintage bag, the straps of which my dog had accidentally chewed through will chewing a dog toy near it. I thought perhaps they could be repaired by winding leather around the strap to bind it back together. I'm a seamstress, so it seemed fairly simple and totally plausible. The guy looked at me like I was the village idiot and immediately stated he could not match the color exactly, a fact which he quite seamed pleased by! It was almost as if he was trying to run me off. I was shocked by how rude he was being but figured I must be misinterpreting his attitude, so I told him that was totally fine, in fact, a contrasting color would be great! He quoted me a crazy price for the work ($60?) but I said ok because the place seemed authentic and the location supported that idea. Then I made the mistake of asking, "So, what will it look like?" Without missing a beat he SHOVED the purse back at me and pretty much shouted, "Take it somewhere else!" "I'm sorry?" I asked, totally aghast at his behavior. "What?" "You question me! You go somewhere else!" I tried to reason with him for a second but he obviously had been pushed over the edge by my question. BTW, I took it to the repair place across from French Union Cleaners on Union St and guess what? The fixed it beautifully for $22. read more

I read alot of the reviews and am struck that some reviewers call him rude, others say they appreciate his directness and that he" tells it like it is." Seems to me this says more about the customers than it does about the cobbler. My experience is that he is professional, thorough, honest, tells it like it is (he scolded me for letting my suede shoes get so dirty) ... a bit on the expensive side... but no doubt his rent is astronomical in that neighbourhood full of rich folks who dont feel the difference between $3 and $30. read more

I love shoes, and I have a lot of them...expensive and inexpensive. I'm very tough on my shoes too, and I'm always wearing the heels and soles down. Zavo has always done a great job, and I've been bringing my shoes to him for over a year now. I typically only have him fix the heels that have worn down, but I have given him more difficult jobs as well. He always comes through, and my shoes come out looking great. My shoes are usually ready when he says they will be and many times they've been finished early. He is helpful too when something isn't right. When one of my new heels started coming loose, he fixed it on the spot. I don't get all of the reviews talking about how rude he is. He's direct when he speaks with you, but I wouldn't consider him rude at all. It's good to know that he prefers cash unless you have several pairs that you're paying for. I've never had any issues at all with this place, and I'm happy he's a part of my hood! read more

wow. always interesting to read reviews. he is not inexpensive. but apparently the market can stand it. he has always done a 5 star repair of all of my shoes and my experience with him is that he always tells me when a thing cannot be done. i have just picked up a pair of DSW booties that are my faves (just a fact, i have brought him everything from prada to dsw and everything in between). i had not brought them in when i should have because i wasn't willing to give them up for a week for fear i might have to wear them. he looked at them and said that he didn't think they could be repaired because the sole was too far gone. i must have looked heartbroken because he said "i could try, but if it doesn't work they will be ruined and i won't charge you". i figured it was worth the risk-where them one or two more times and then have to throw them out, or spent as much as i'd paid for the shoes(or close, i think it cost like $60 for sole and heels) i picked them up yesterday, they are perfect and i am so happy! do i wish it had been cheaper? yes. but do i have my most insanely comfortable 8" platform booties that look like a designer, whose name i cannot remember, back? yes i do! i have to say that i am fascinated by the one star reviews. is this a sociological thing? does he have a low tolerance as a skilled tradesperson when people treat him a certain way? i could imagine that happening in this neighborhood of privilege, although the scenarios described are startling. what is going on here? i will continue to bring my shoes here as i have for over 10 years, because my experience is that he is 5 star. read more

This guy does great work. He has worked on my shoes for years and his work speaks for itself - very good. Sure, he may not be the most friendly, but I'm not there for a hug, just quality shoe work. read more

The proprietor is difficult to deal with, does shoddy work, does not stand by his work, and is looking for opportunites to gouge the customer. I would not give him shoes to repair ever again. He recommended a specific (and expensive) fix on a pair of shoes. I felt like I was being upsold on the repair but went with his recommendation. 2 weeks later the heel fell off the shoe in a NY area airport. I brought the shoes in for repair expecting an apology instead he told me that he was not responsible and I had to pay for him to fix it again. To top it off, the same thing happened on another shoe that he fixed. I would not do business with this guy. read more

Zavo is truly a master. I've been coming here for what must be 15 years now and he has never once disappointed me. Even now that we've moved across the bridge I still come back here because he's the best. read more

I have to admit I was reluctant to go to Cobblers Bench based on some of the negative reviews I read. Thankfully, I decided to go anyway due primarily to the convenient location and I am SO GLAD I DID! While Zavo is definitely not a guy who is going to try to suck up to you in any way, he is an outstanding cobbler producing excellent work at very fair prices. I brought a pair of my daughters boots in yesterday and asked if I could pay extra for a fast turn around as my daughter is heading back to school on Friday. Zavo said he could only commit to a one week turnaround due to the workload on his bench. (I could see the shop was full of shoes needing repair.) I said something like "oh well, I hoped for earlier but I guess a week will do." First thing this morning, I got a call from Zavo saying he worked on the boots last night and they were ready! This way exceeded my expectations plus the boots, my daughters favorites and necessary for the still cold Northeast winter, look almost like new now. To top it off, the business is cash and I was short of cash when I picked the boots up. Zavo said not to worry, that I could just stick the money in the mail slot if I came when he wasn't there. Really wonderful experience and a good lesson for me to try to see beyond first impressions or beyond negative reviews. read more

for $28 a small piece of rubber was tacked on to the shoe with four small nails and the shoes were not even polished.