Mardy’s Shoe Repair

Unreasonable expensive, after some negotiation agreed to cut the price in half! But asked for cash in advance. Did reasonably good job from the outside and very poor job inside the shoe (replacing the inner sole). So I had to tear it off later at home. Brought him another pair — to cover the snow stain on winter wedge boots — asked $ 40, then agreed for $ 30, but I decided that I don’t want him to do my shoes. I don’t trust him as businessman. He even complained that his daughter goes to private school and this is very expensive. I couldn’t care less. My kids go to public school.

I’ve been going to him for 5 years. Guy does an outstanding job. Granted, you are able to have it done less expensively elsewhere. However, I have $ 300-​$ 800.00 shoes and I want them done right when putting on new soles/​heels. He just did a pair of ¾ high boot/​shoes made from alligator I use in the winter. They are 10 years old and he has them looking brand new.
Not sure what some of these people think the cost should be, but come on $ 10.00 for an hour’s worth of work. HELLO, are we in China? Have you seen minimum wage lately? And what about material cost?

Took a pair of walking shoes to his shop to have them polished. He said that because of the scraping on the toes, they would require dying. Ok, but how much? When he responded, «$ 40!» I walked out. What a complete rip off joint. Would never go there again.

I drove by this place on Sunday to check out the hours and there’s a sign in the window stating they repair heels while you wait. I went back on a Monday as my wife had a copy of pairs of shoes that needed to be reheeled. First — had to leave the shoes. I guess the «while you wait» really doesn’t happen. Second — $ 38 to reheel two pairs of shoes? We decided not to run around and pay the price. He said that we could pick them up later in the week and I had planned to go back on Saturday. He called me on Wednesday and said they were ready to be picked up. Just got them and he really did do a good job. But is it worth the expense? Not sure. Only time will tell…

The first time I went to Mardy’s I found him a little gruff — I later realized it was more of a language barrier — and his prices high. Then I got my shoes back and realized he was a shoe genius. If you want something simple, perhaps you might want to take your shoes to someone cheaper. And depending on what you need done, sometimes it might be easier to buy new shoes. But if you have an irreplaceable pair of shoes that need a miracle, take them here.
For example, I have uniquely colored taupe/​vanilla boots that accumulate black scuffs and cat-​claw perforations. Once a year, Mardy manages to dye (not polish) the scuffs away and fill in those holes. His dye color matches exactly, whereas other cobblers just throw on whatever canned polish roughly matches the shoes, changing the color. I think it might cost $ 40. That’s a fair price considering.
Why not 5 stars? Because I think he’s a perfectionist who sometimes makes a job more complicated than it needs to be. He really likes to resole shoes at the tiniest bit of wear.

Mardy’s can KISS IT. I was so excited to find a shoe place near my house — so I rushed into Mardy’s with a couple pairs of pumps and flats that I was dying to save from throw-​away status! THIRTY DOLLARS TO RE-​HEEL A PAIR OF FLATS? I’m not sure I paid that much for them to start with! And the pumps were almost twenty bucks a piece… are you serious?! I was also going to have to wait several days to get them back — the gruff man I imagine may have been Mardy told me while giving me the look of complete annoyance.
I walked outta here with my shoes just a few minutes after I walked in. Then I went to Brighton Shoe Repair in Brookline (see my review)… half the price, friendlier, well done, and back to me in an hour! Totally worth the extra 10 minute drive! Forget Mardy’s unless you’re cool with getting ripped off for convenience in Newton.

I took three pairs of heels to be re-​heeled. Despite the sign in the window that says something along the lines of, «heels while you wait,» that wasn’t the case. I dropped them off I think on either Tues. or Wed. but they wouldn’t be ready til Sat. Not a big deal because I wasn’t in any rush, otherwise I might’ve held them to their advertisement. They did a good job, but I found them to be expensive — $ 18/​pair. Seems excessive just for heels…
Be aware that they only accept cash or check, and I was actually asked to pay – but refused – at drop-​off.

I don’t get my shoes reconditioned very often, but the few times I have I’ve gone to Mardy’s. The do a great job matching colors and my shoes are better than new cause I don’t have to break them in and they look new. Good turn around and the prices are fair.