Quality repair and fair prices. He can make purses, luggage, and shoes look like new.

I took two vintage Dior for refurbishment. I specifically asked for them to be cleaned reshaped polish the leather and for to have a zipper replaced. He called me and told me he could not find a zipper so I asked him to just remove the broken zipper. I live out of town so I them off and my mom was going to pick them up. Months went by apparently the guy went into the hospital and I was patient and I waited a few more months for my bags. My mom paid for them, picked them up and left without inspecting them. When I picked up the bags her, they were smashed flat as if he had put something heavy on top of them and just left them there the broken zipper was not fixed. In fact it was just still hanging there and was not removed. I will give him a sliver of He probably put $.50 worth of shoe polish on the leather. However, my purses are in worse condition than when I off. At this point, I don't know how they will ever regain their shape. Do not use this guy he clearly has no idea how to refurbish a handbag. I could not be more disappointed. I paid $125 for this so-called repair now I'm less scrambling for someone who can actually my handbags. Do not take anything to this guy. read more

Rolando charged me an exorbitant amount of money up front to add flat heels and toes to 3 pairs of Tory Birch sandals. He justified it by saying that the sandals were 'very expensive' and he would clean them up as well and make them look 'brand new'! When I went to pick them up, he couldn't find them and made me go into the back room to find them. When I did, I immediately noticed that they had not been cleaned and looked terrible! I asked him why he didn't clean and polish them as promised, and he angrily snapped at me and told me that I hadn't paid him enough to do that! When I reminded him how much he had charged me to both repair and clean/polish each pair, - which he promised to do - he did not apologize but told me to either wait an hour or come back 'next time' and he would do it. I had brought two more pairs to have him repair, but instead told him there would be NO 'next time', took the shoes and I walked out! It was clear that he not only based the amount he charged me by the cost of the shoes (not the job), but he conned me to justify the total cost by lying to me that he would clean& polish them to make them look ' brand new''. As I told him as I was leaving. I was 'Very Disappointed' and I would not be back. I do not recommend this business if you want to be treated fairly and honestly! read more

It took 3 times to get my purse done. Each time I came It wasn't done & he looks all over the shop for it. The worker 2 weeks ago I saw was unbelievably rude and lacked professional courtesy! I will never go back again read more

Had the pleasure of dealing with Rolando. Needed to get my designer shoes cleaned, not repaired but properly cleaned. Just about every other shoe repair shop that I have dealt with in the Coachella Valley told me that it couldn't be done. At least not to the level that I was asking. Simply, I wanted to get the white parts of my tennis shoes.. white again... its more tricky than you would initially think! I know because I tried to watch some youtube videos and do it myself but it just didn't work out to my satisfaction so I had to enlist the experts... Rolando can also make custom shoes... leather, canvas... pleather... you name it... he can do it. These custom shoes can run in the vicinity of $2000 to $3000. He doesn't do it anymore but he mentioned it to me and I totally understand as I was looking into getting shoes custom made several years ago. After I found out how much it would ACTUALLY cost I realized that it was a "fools errand". Now, I'm ecstatic that there are companies that make shoes for all of us since it turns out to be very very expensive to make a custom shoe! Rolando was able to bring my very expensive athletic shoes back to or very close to a "like new" level. Thank you Rolando. Glad to have found you. At last. read more

See all

Great little shop, and the repairman has a great personality alone with reasonable prices. BL read more

MORE THAN JUST A SHOE REPAIR I was greeted by Roland, who happily accommodated my request for a quick turnaround time on my purse repair. This place has everything imaginable for shoes and purses--every kind and color of shoe polish, shoe laces, insoles, shoe horns, etc. The shoes/boots for sale are very reasonably priced. It's fun to take the time to see all of the shoe related artsy items around the shop, too. read more

This review is for First Step Shoe Repair in Palm Desert California. Terrible Terrible Terrible. The man at the counter couldn't find my shoes when I went in and asked me to come back the next day. I did and he still couldn't find my two pairs of shoes. I had to go in the back to find the first pair myself and they weren't done. He tried all kinds of maneuvers to shift the blame to me. He still couldn't find the second pair and went so far as to threaten to call the police when I objected. It was so far out of the normal range that I'm trying to make sense of it. All I can think is that he has some kind of brain issue. Don't go here but if you make a mistake and do go, take pictures of your shoes, keep your ticket, document everything before you leave because at one point he insinuated that he wasn't going to give me back my shoes. I was in a powerless situation because I had given him the ticket to retrieve them. At that point, he had the ticket and I had no proof. I did manage to get the shoes back (unfinished) but I was shaking with frustration by the end. Note- I have been here before and had no problems with a younger guy who helped me. read more

First Step Shoe Repair - Shoe Repair Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Terrible service!! I had my heels cut, took over week. I had to request they get done, as I needed them to wear to a wedding. When I picked them up the man at the counter said he just finished gluing them, if you have issues with the shoes come back. I put my shoes on just before walking out the door for the wedding, as Im walking to the ceremony the sole fell completely off my shoe. I was not able to walk in them at all. I took the sole and my shoes back and the same man told me he could glue it back on for another $15. He also said he nothing to do with the glue falling off. Then he suggested for me to buy another pair of shoes. Don't go here for shoe repairs!! read more

Great quality repair. Installed new insoles in boots. Comfortable needed rush job delivered on time

Great job! I asked Rolando to add 8" to a shoulder strap on a very nice leather purse. It came out absolutely perfect! He matched the leather and did a great job on the stitching, Thanks Rolando! read more

Rolando is a genius with the sewing machine. He had repaired my fanny packs, my satchel, my shoes, and he even repaired one of my magic props. He can repair anything that can be sewed. He has a grat little inventory shoe paints, shoe horns, shoe laces, and more. He is a wonderful gentleman and very professional. read more

See all

Quick and beautiful job! My new go-to shoe repair. So very accommodating! Reasonably priced.

Kind, polite and a safe environment! I would highly recommend First Step Shoe Repair every time! I love Rolando the Cobbler! Brilliant problem solver! read more

I totally recommend Rolando. He recently restored my damage LV wallet now It looks like new. Great customer service and fabulous work. read more

First Step Shoe Repair - Shoe Repair Near Me - Palm Desert, California

I had two purse straps that needed shortened. The gentleman fixed them perfectly. He matched the stitching and did an excellent job. Highly recommend! read more

Rolando who owns this shoe repair is so good repairing shoes and purse. This is my second time to come here and as always I am satisfied with the service. He altered my knee high boots because the calf was so wide. It was done perfectly as if no repair was done because it's seamless. He also repaired the zipper of my backpack and oh my it was beautiful. I highly recommend this place. Just be specific with what you need to be done :) read more

Lovely job in saving my older, but still attractive, sandals when strap broke. Reinforced other straps to ensure sandals last me still longer. Appreciated kind and quick service. read more

Instead of writing a review I should be writing a police report. This was the absolute worst experience ever!!!!!Anyone who has shoes. Belts or Leather goods that are expensive and worth something do not waste your money or time. I took my brand new Valentino Belt there to have 2 holes Added. I pleaded with the man to make sure the holes were the same size and the same distance apart as the rest. I got the belt back and the holes were Smaller and not in line with the rest Of the holes. I told him how upset This made me and he proceeded to throw my money in my face , tell me to go to hell and get The hell out of his store. Then he tried to intimidate me by getting in my face with such aggression. He is disgusting and terrible at what he does. read more

Mr. Rolando Cobbler does an unbelievable job with shoes. When I first settled in the Palm Desert area the sole on my Joseph Seibel sandals just came off as I was walking down the street. I was stunned and very dismayed. I found First Step Shoe Repair and took my sandals to Rolando. He told me not to worry because he could replace them with a more durable sole that would last forever! He did the job and I still wear my favorite sandals! Now I take me shoes to him only! He's a very professional, kind and caring gentleman. Thanks Rolando Michele G read more

I have been coming to this shoe repair for about 10 years, and always been completely satisfied. At this shop you can get a quality repairs for about 1/2 price then the next door one. Give it a try! read more

I brought a PAIR of sandals to First Step Shoe Repair for a minor repair - the adornment on the top of each sandal was loose, and both required re-glueing. When I went to pick them up I was surprised that only one was repaired. When I questioned why only one sandal had been repaired, the owner replied "you never said to do both ", which was a ridiculous reply. Then he said "you only paid to have one fixed". If what I paid was to have only one repaired, it was highly over-priced! I told him that if I had only wanted one sandal repaired, I would have left him with only one sandal, and clearly both of the adornments on top were hanging loose and needed to be re-glued. This is the second incident I have had with First Step Shoe Repair. I wanted to give them another chance, but unfortunately, after this, I will not recommend them. Clearly, from the photo of the bottom of one of the sandals, he was to glue 2 pieces. IMG_4795.jpg Sent from my iPhone read more

First Step Shoe Repair - Shoe Repair Near Me - Palm Desert, California

my friend just went to pick up her wedding shoes from this shoe repair guy and he was all "yeah we couldn't do the repair after all, oops" and she was like "omg why didn't you call me-they've been here a week, and you knew they were for my wedding this weekend!" and he was like "i did call, but you didn't answer so i hung up" and she and i were both like "why wouldn't you leave a message?!" and he just snorted with disgust like *we were the assholes. so...don't go here read more