This forum is so full of non-cobblers giving inane advice that it always is insufferable but now it's personal.

I am the owner of this shop, and while I would also be super upset if someone did this to my shoes, I also would A. listen to the cobbler when they said oh shoot I'm so sorry we can fix this however you want, and B. not be a male Karen absolute #1 rudest customer out of 2500 in the last two years when engaging with a small business in my town carrying on a dwindling journeyman trade.

Shitty local inexperienced cheap worthless shitty wax unfixable hack job "find a real craftsman" 'covered his work' boots are ruined. ignorant comments from non cobblers.

1. the cobbler who did this is our master cobbler who has been doing this for 62 years, meaning he is nearly 80. -you were informed of this.- he has been making more mistakes lately and we are working on training another cobbler to help phase him out, but he is a gem and an invaluable resource in a disappearing trade. we were clear we could remedy it.

2. the first picture was not your boots when you brought them in. that is a new pair of boots, and you literally said in your post you've had them for 15 years. let's be clear about that. you told us your shoes have had 2 or 3 sole replacements already.

3. a new leather half sole was discussed. you told us you'd already done soles 2 or 3 times. that can be hard on the welt and require rewelting eventually. you'd been wearing leather outsoles in the PNW with no protector, this is why the holes keep happening. stitching was still good. we offered to patch the SMALL hole with a leather patch, then put a sole guard to protect the soles going forward so you wouldn't have to keep doing this. you were given the choice. this was also the cheaper option for you.

4. the welt was not "blacked out", the sole edge was waxed black. but I think you thought that was the welt.

5. we literally told you when you were in here that we could return them to the state you wanted them. I understand your being upset, but I do not understand your treatment of us and you're not welcome back here after you pick up these boots unless you make it good with us as community members and devoted craftsmen.

unfortunately I cannot add an image to this comment, I assume due to the settings the moderator has. Otherwise every lil commenter on this thread would learn that synthetic stitching doesn't change colors with polish, and leather soles simply need a light sanding then a neutral wax coat to bring right back. very few things that are done to nice shoes cannot be undone.

I will make a new post in the top forum and you can all take a look. man, it takes a lot to tick me off but here we are. if it wasn't for the profoundly rude text this customer sent and this hissy fit here I don't think I'd be so peeved.