Have switched to Van's after not having any success getting Jorge at the other cobbler in Watsonville to take my hints on running his business like a business. This guy at Van's is here when the sign says he will be...answers the flippin' phone...and does nice work for a reasonable fee. He now will get my business. Sorry Jorge. read more

I can't say enough good things about this family owned shop - I go out of my way to go to Van's for their top-notch work, on time or sooner, more than reasonable cost, friendly service, and willingness to accommodate the customer. Don't go anywhere else! read more

Great resole with Vibram soles on my boots very fair prices and fast turnaround once they get soles delivered. Nice people Ive been refering people to them as quality of work is excellent. read more

Van's Shoe Store - Great resole job with Vibram - Shoe Repair Near Me - Watsonville, California

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Awesome shoe repair shop. Have taken them numerous pairs of Red Wings and they always come back looking great. They have also repaired a bad welt on a pair of Aldens and resoled them with a very clean Vibram lug sole that had cleaner stitching than the manufacturers read more

I've been using Van's for my repairs for many years and have never been unsatisfied until today. My favorite pair of western boots HAD that vintage weathered look and now they have a yellow/brown shiny look. I never requested this service I only needed the rubber heel repaired. The employee stated that they didn't do anything else to the boots but what I requested. Who would know better what my boots look like than me? I'm really disappointed because they are now ruined. read more

If you walk in the store and see an old man on his 80's, Run for your money!!! I brought in a pair of boots to be re soled, got a quote for $85. I asked him do I have to pay now or after, when I pick em up? He says no, every job needs to be paid in advance. So I pay him. Couple of days later, a lady calls me saying they don't have the original soles so I need to come in to choose a different kind. When I show up, the man tells me that my boots are in such bad shape, it's actually going to cost $110 to fix them. I ask so how much do I owe you? He yells a hundred and ten dollars! A little bit confused, I say: no, but I already paid you $85 so I only need to pay the difference, don't I? He yells: you haven't paid anything, you owe me $110!!! After five minutes of me trying to explain to him that I had already paid (I even showed him the yellow ticket stub he had given me) he said "that's it, get out of my store"! I have a heart condition, I take nitroglycerin pills" get out! So I tell him I'm calling the police, I get out and wait for the PD to show up. When they came thirty minutes later, I explained everything and the officer goes in to talk to the old man and when he comes back out he tells me that there's nothing he could do, saying it is a civil matter and I should take the store owner to court since I did have the receipt. Then the old man comes out and hands me his phone, saying his wife wants to talk to me. I explain the whole thing again and the lady tells me to wait for her, that she's coming to see me in person. Apparently the old man forgot to write the word "paid" on the receipt, that's why he kept saying I had not paid. I understand that a person's mental abilities diminish with age, but if this kind of mistakes is a common occurrence (it has happened before, judging by other reviews) this senile gentleman does not belong at the front desk of a business dealing with customers on a daily basis. The only reason I'm giving one star is because the nice lady finally agreed to give me my money back after a ten minute debate. For God's sake, look in the accounting book or go watch the surveillance video from that day! It's going to show me handing the man a $100 bill and him giving me $15 in change! read more

Van's Shoe Store - Receipt proving I had paid. - Shoe Repair Near Me - Watsonville, California

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We go in asking if they had Vans shoes and was told no. As we were walking away, the man said, "but we have work boots if you are going to work in the fields." So rude and unnecessary comment! Was it because we were Mexican? Racist! read more

I got a resole through Red Wing shoes here, my boots came back resoled but the stitching was sloppy and the boots now feel much more narrow than they were. Not what I would expect from a "professional" and I would not recommend this service or take my boots here for a resole ever again. read more

I have been using Vans Shoe Repair for years! Like since the 90's! It is worth the drive! They can do anything! My shoes sing with delight (well, they would if they have voices) after being loved and cared for at the shop here! I live in Aptos and go no where else for my babies...I mean my shoes. Whatever your shoe needs, these people can do it! Highly recommend! Also, make note that they are located on a one-way street so plan accordingly. read more

I just had new Vibram soles put on my Danner work boots. The price was good and the work was excellent. They look brand new now. The service was fast, 3 days and the employees were super friendly. I'm going to bring in another pair of Danner boots soon. read more

I really liked these guys. I needed to get my heel fix becasue it had fallen off while going upstairs and they did it on the spot while my lunch break. They are very friendly too! resonable prices too ($8.00) read more

I have used Van's shoe repair for all my leather goods. I've had numberous leather bags, luggage and shoes brought to Louis, the Kobbler, and he has always done a trememdous job. I've seen them work on show saddles, pocket knive cases and my speciality designer leather bags. The whole group is #1 in the county for curtesy, and being timely. Highly recommended.. read more

I just had the worst The worst experience I've ever had with the business James van is the biggest complete !??!$&3 I have ever met. I dropped five pairs of boots off to be resold and heal capped. When I returned three weeks later to pick up my boots there was only four I asked them to look in the back they said no, no boots in the back you can even come and look I've been doing business in sending these people business for many years so I trusted them. I went home did my due diligence and checked to make sure it wasn't me. Lo and behold when I got home no boots, so I came back to the store and I meet James. Right off the bat this ?$$&?!3 tells me that I've already been shown this information and I'm trying to scam him... I try to assure him sir I'm not trying to scam you why would you think that and why would you say that, but that didn't go over well for him either. He asked me to leave ripped a receipt out of my hand and called me a scammer. Before I left he said you're just trying to get a $500 pair free boots! As I was walking down the street I realized how would he know how much those boots were worth. So I went back and told him and asked him that question what did he say I've been doing this for 87 years I guessed... (Since he's 70 I doubt that) Sure you did James, sure you guessed right. The sad thing is he'll probably stay in business because ?$$&@!$ can prevail in this world but let me tell you he won't be getting any of my business or referrals. Buyer be warned! read more

This is hands-down the best place to bring your shoes for repair - do not, I repeat DO NOT bring your shoes to A&B in Aptos - that guy is terrible. Van's is an excellent repair shop - I recently brought in 5 pair of shoes and they did an excellent job and the prices are reasonable. The only drawback is driving to Watsonville, but this is a place you can feel good about supporting - a great local business! read more

Great Service, put in a zipper in my boots. Couldn't even tell that the new zipper wasn't an original. Had them clean up and polish the shoes too. They looked twice as nice as when they were new. Will use their service again. read more

Apparently they do not like white people. The man was not helpful and did not want to help me with my shoes.

Ordered boots and when they came in they were defective. You could almost poke a hole in the leather with your finger. Returned them and asked for a new pair. Same ones were given to me when I went back two weeks later. Claimed they were not defective. Asked for a cash refund so I could buy a pair elsewhere. Was told no cash refunds, even though not posted.Owner's son was very mouthy and not helpful at all. When pressed about a refund all he would say was he had the right to refuse service to anyone. What Service ???? Have bought shoes/boots here for over 40 years. NEVER again !! read more