Mario’s Shoe Repair

Stopped in to get a quick stitch put in a casual shoe. Made the mistake of not getting a quote… The work took two minutes so I waited… She came back with a smile on her face and charged me $ 10… Two minutes and some thread… Make sure you get a quote first as this place is a rip off… there are two other repair places within a couple blocks and I would definitely try them first!

If I had read the Unilocal reviews before I brought my shoes in for repair, I wouldn’t have brought my shoes in for repair. I brought in two pairs, both expensive but were fairly well worn. I was very pleased with the work. (new rubber heels and completely refurbished) It was done in one week as promised.
The gal who works in the front (can’t remember her name) told me they are under new management and are working very hard to overcome the poor service in the past. She even gave me a loyalty card (after 8 services,$ 15.00 off the next one)
I don’t know if they accept credit cards, I paid half in cash leaving a balance to be paid upon receipt of the shoes. I left another pair of shoes, (suede Armani) that will be more difficult to
repair. I will post after I pick them up.

I think that Mario is real because he was there when I dropped off my boots, and had no problem taking my money up front. Here IS the problem: Mario is NEVER available during his posted business hours. Fingers crossed he will be there SOMEtime soon, or will return phone messages asking for the same. Do NOT recommend and am beginning to believe that I will not again wear my favorite boots.

I had to search around to find a shoe repair store that would do what I asked (add an inch to a pair of shoes). Also, he charged the exact same price I paid in Lacey, WA. Previously, I went to another shoe repair in Palm Desert was charged twice what I would pay in WA state.

Ok, I read the reviews below AFTER I dropped off my shoes (two pairs of Louboutins). I needed one pair stretched and I needed to replace the bottoms of another and get the heels fixed. The leather scrunched up because the heel got stuck in between concrete.
I think my GPS got confused and directed me here instead of the place a few doors down, which was my intended place. I read the reviews for Mario’s while my shoes were in the shop and was having a mini-​panic attack.
I dropped by to see if he could have my shoes earlier than the quoted day and he said yes. He told me to come back before 2 and I did and was out the door in a minute.
Now, the work. Comparable to what I got done in Los Angeles and for less. To replace the soles ($ 29), to fix the leather on the heels of two shoes ($ 20), and $ 10 to stretch out my other pair. Work was fine (I wasn’t expecting miracles but I have no complaints). Service was great, FOR ME. I am not discounting the other reviews since I only had one experience here but I felt compelled to speak up. I think that if you don’t have a strict time-​frame (I concede that over a month, or even three weeks is ridiculous but 2 weeks can be reasonable), this place is great. Perhaps if you are concerned about time, have them write on the receipt that, if they do not have them ready on time, they must refund you some portion of what you paid – $ 5 or $ 10. If they refuse, then move on.
They only take cash or check, FYI.

I agree with everyone who wrote a less than flattering review here. I went into Mario’s to have a designer bag (cream color) «re-​cleaned». To clarify, I had first taken it to the place on El Paseo that was owned by the nasty husband and wife team. The shop has since closed or moved. The bag was a very soft, creamy white lambskin. After talking to «him» about how or if he could clean the bag and still keep its’ suppleness, he said it would be no problem. Long story short, when I picked it up, it felt and looked like cardboard. It was obvious he put some kind of shoe polish on it. Disgusted, I grabbed my PREPAID bag and took it to Mario’s. He started by telling me he used to work with the nasty couple and he couldn’t stand how they had zero regard for people’s items that were left to be cleaned or repaired and how many times he saw them ruined. He also said he’d have to work really hard (lots of hours) to soften up my bag again but he could do it however he needed 10 days. He was so convincing I PREPAID my $ 80 and left. I returned 10 days later and he said he had been busy and to come back in a week… This went on and on and on for a month! When I got the bag, it was no different than the first jerk’s work! HE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN!

This happened a couple of years back, when no reviews even existed. I brought two pairs of shoes, both very expensive.
He charged me about 70 $, upfront. He charged what seemed to be a regular customer way less for the same amount of repair (in front of me).
I went to pick up my shoes on the day he said it would be ready for pick up, about 1 – 2 weeks. He told me he was sorry, and that I should return the next day. The next day, my shoes had not even been touched. He didn’t greet me, went to the back and started fixing my shoes… at this point, I was furious, went after him in the back and started yelling at him. I demanded to have my shoes in whichever state back, together with my money. I never got the money back, and I lowered myself to his level on top of that (very uncharacteristic of me). I wonder how someone can live with themselves like that, cheating people and lying.
Not to mention, horrendous job on top of that.

I didn’t check Unilocal.What the hell is wrong with me?
I took in a pair of shoes, simply because they would seem to hold a shine. I thought maybe he would be able to throw a quick shine on them that would last for a few wearings. I had to pay in advance… which was a little weird. I picked them up the next day, and they looked the same. I didn’t want to argue about 15 bucks, so I left.
Don’t bother, really an odd experience…

NEED TO BE SHUT DOWN!!! Everything that is in the previous reviews & then some. I had to call the POLICE. To escort me to retrieve an expensive purse I gave him to dye. I am notifying the City of Palm desert of this complete & total Mess !
STAY AWAY !

I am sure the shop does great things unfortunately timing is not one of them — the shoe dr. used to be here in this location and I believe built up a much better representation but now he is next to cargo consignments in rancho mirage. I brought in Ralph Lauren loafers and they were redone very rushed and cheaply. I know if they work at it they can make the business thrive I just won’t be back till then.

There’s another shoe repair shop a few doors down (to the right) that is a whole lot better and can get the shoes done on time. Shoppe is clean and tidy, and the owner/​cobbler is always there and greets all customers with a smile. He only charged $ 24.00 to fix my wife’s shoes, and he was done the next day.
(The name escapes me at the moment, but it’s worth a few extra steps)

NEVER NEVER NEVER go to this repair place. Everything written in these reviews and more… Bottom line: 5 WEEKS and he had not done the repairs. Luckily I did not pay in advance as I didn’t have my wallet with me. I took my shoes and ran.
I have verbally heard at least 4 other complaints from neighbours and friends. And every time I went back over the 5 weeks, there were pissed off customers in the shop. Stay away!

ALARMING! And the alarm that sounds when you enter should have been my first clue. It’s such a shame to have to even choose one star! I too wish I had read the reviews before choosing to go there. An absolutely FILTHY place! Making me pay upfront, should have been another clue. Couldn’t return until after a week from when he said my boots would be ready. He literally played dumb about being able to find them!
From behind the curtain (Lord knows what’s behind the curtain …) he asked me to describe them, kept saying he needed to finish something and needed a few minutes. I had to ask at least three times to see them! When he finally brought them out, they had never been touched — since drop off. I told him forget it and to give me my money back. This man told me I would have to WAIT until the owner returned to get my money! After waiting for shoe repair that never happened … Wait some more???
I really don’t know how this place is still in business. STAY AWAY!!!

I rarely give bad reviews as I know how important Unilocal is to local businesses, but Mario’s was really terrible. It took an additional three weeks to get shoes that were promised for an event, and they were executed poorly at best. The customer service was horrendous and the reasoning was «I’m so busy I just couldn’t get it done.» Things happen, but the right thing to do is call and let the customer know. Of course there were no phone calls, and excuse after excuse. Terrible store; would never ever go back.

I had left a couple of shoes to get new heels and soles and was giving a claim check to return on Saturday. When I came back that Monday (notice two more days after they were promised), I was told that they would be ready the following week. I said that I would call to check and see if they were done.
The following Thursday (3 more days later), I called in the morning to find out if they were ready. No one answered the phone so I left a message to have them call me to let me know if the shoes were ready. After no return call, I decided to drop by since I would be out running errands– only to be told that they’d be ready the following day (Friday) at 2pm.
A little aggravated, I gave them an extra day, and went back on Saturday afternoon, only to be told to come back in 30 more minutes.
Since you pay in advance, there’s no hurry to get your shoes done.
If you don’t mind leaving your shoes for 1.5−2 weeks and paying by cash or check ahead of time, this might be a good place for you to go however, I will try my luck elsewhere next time.