Old Style Shoe Shine-Repair Co — Local services in Seattle

TL;DR: I waited 2 extra weeks beyond what was promised of me at the time of drop-off for two pairs of shoes; the owner lied multiple times about whether/how he contacted me for shoe pickup with an inexplicably rude attitude; the shoes were fixed and cleaned to an acceptable degree---the services I paid for.

The shop is located opposite ACT theatre. After coming out of a play one Saturday, I saw a sign outside of the shop saying ‘please support this local business’. Since I happened to have two pairs of shoes to repair, I bore this in mind and brought them the next time I came to the theatre. For one pair, the owner asked if I wanted it cleaned as well since they were walked through rain and muddy roads a few times, I again, against my better judgement, decided to support his business and paid for cleaning on that pair as well. I was promised they would be ready in 2 weeks. 2 weeks passed, I called and was told they weren’t ready. The wait time is now 3-4 weeks now. Another 2 weeks of silence passed, I called again. The owner said, verbatim, ‘oh my god, you finally called, I texted you three times saying they are ready’. I was gobsmacked and said ‘I didn’t receive any texts’. After some Kafka-esque attempts of confirming my phone number with me, he again said imperiously, verbatim, ‘don’t be mad!’. I suppressed the broiling ocean of darkness inside of me and asked if my shoes are ready. They were. I drove there, asked to see the texts from him informing me they were ready. He couldn’t produce them, told lies about how there were four people working in the shop so it could be any of them sending me that text, lies about the only time I received a text from him within the first 2 weeks after drop-off not being actually from him but one of his four employees. I said ‘why are you doing this? You could just tell me, I forgot to text you after your shoes were ready, so sorry my bad, but they are ready now! and I would be completely ok with it.’ Instead, he told inexplicable lies and tried to gaslight me into thinking it’s somehow my fault that I didn’t get his text. After I left the shop, he texted me his final version, that he put in the wrong number. Regarding the shoes themselves, they were repaired. I paid for them to be repaired, and indeed they were. The pair that was paid to be cleaned, was cleaned. But of course, in this text that he nominally sent to the wrong number, he had to point out that they were ’so dirty, what was even on them’.

I, based on my own experience, would strongly advise against ’supporting this local business’. I have used various other cobbler services in the city, this has been the worst. I regret being manipulated into being supportive by a sign and have decided to be a cold hearted person...

I'm a big shoe guy. I only buy cordovan Alden's or Allen Edmond's. I love my shoes. I came to Seattle a week ago from New York and originally come from DC. I have gone to a lot of shoe shiners and I have always found the same thing, people doing a cheap job to make a buck. Now don't get me wrong some people can be nice and some not so much but no one has done shining as a passion, a true craft. This spot is different. I spent an hour getting my shoes shined and completely redone. I asked all the normal questions which everyone else has failed to answer to test knowledge and saw the Saphir cleaning products which are the best in the world being used. I will be taking all my shoes here from now on. Its truly rare to find true craftsman who work to be perfect at their trade. This...

Old Style Shoe Shine uses only the highest quality products when doing a shoe or boot shine. The attention to detail is extraordinary. Clayne the business owner has spent over two decades mastering his craft of preserving shoes and leather accessories.

He can take an old pair of shoes and bring them back to life by re dyeing them, the same color or a fresh new look. I am amazed they are the same shoes with new soles and mirror-like finish. In a disposable society, it is so refreshing to see a local craftsman that takes such pride in the quality and creative aspect of his work.

Customer satisfaction is always the number one priority of Old Style Shoe Shine. If you have time his before and after photos are amazing. I love his slogan, Your simply not polished if your shoes...