Frank's Shoe Service

Doesn't Recommend

Pandorabox

Joined 2 years ago

They Use to be Good But Not Anymore.. The quality of their work has gone down hill and so has their one friendly attitude. Rude staff. They make u feel like they are doing u a favor. Services that they could once could do in the past, they no longer even want to bother with. Frank is obnoxious and the staff is unfriendly. Go to Tiger Shoe Repair right down the street on Maple. His quality of work is much better and he is extremely nice and charges way less.

Doesn't Recommend

DetroitSartoria

Joined 4 years ago

I've never understood why people like this place. If you ask anyone in Oakland County to name a shoe repair place, they will undoubtedly mention Frank's. And what's not to love, they're in downtown B'ham, and have been in business forever. The problem is, they are the cobbler's equivalent of a fast food restaurant. This place may be fine for women (and perhaps men) to take their low quality but high priced designer shoes in for cheap glue repairs, but if you wear REALLY good shoes (English, Goodyear-welted, channeled-sole type of stuff), then don't consider this place, they're not up to the task, I assure you.

Even if they could do a full resole the right way, the last time I checked, their choice of replacement soles was poor quality stuff.

Doesn't Recommend

Roko

Joined 4 years ago

Don't Bother with Franks. Franks was recommended to us for a repair we needed. I read the reviews here but decided to give them a try anyway. Called and was told they do the replacement work we needed. Made the drive and was told by the counter women they don't do that type of replacement but they could attempt to repair it. When we told the women we had a place that would do the replacement she threw the back at us and walked away. We'll go to Cobbler's Corner in Northville, forget Frank's.

Doesn't Recommend

chovaleoni

Joined 7 years ago

No longer the best...I gave Frank's the boot.. If you want a shoe repair that walks all over you, go to Frank's. I WAS a loyal customer for years -- and challenge the reviewer below who said "no longer quality work" is the product of a single bad experience. Wrong. I 100% agree with mbromwell. Again, I was a fan for years. But, recently, I took a pair of shoes in to get stretched. Since they were made of satin, I first asked if it was even possible to stretch them ... the woman at the desk said yes. After paying, I tried them on in my car and realized they hadn't stretched AT ALL. I went back in and asked if there was anything else they could do. I did not ask for my money back, rather, just politely explained they didn't stretch. The woman at the desk informed me that, because they were made of fabric, they wouldn't stretch. Hm. I inquired as to why they didn't tell me that initially. No answer. She just went back and got the beast: Frank. Frank stormed out, told the woman to give me my money back and became extremely confrontational. He pointed to the sign that says something along the lines of "shoes repaired at own risk" (red flag) and asked me if I had read it (wish I had), continued to try and bully me ... I could go on and on. Over $8! I couldn't believe it. I didn't even ASK for the money back. After Frank's unnecessary tirade, however, I was happy to take it ... and my business ... elsewhere. You should too.

Recommends

dlrogers

Joined 5 years ago

Best Shoe/Leather Repair in Oakland County if not Michigan. "No longer quality work" is wrong. It sounds like a single negative experience in a mostly terrific shop. As a friend of mine sometimes reminds me: Only the mediocre are at their best every day. Frank's work is consistently of the highest quality, done on time, and they stand behind their work. If you think a major repair is needed but they see an easier/less expensive way, they will recommend the lower priced work. If you are looking for a repair they can't do well, or results they can't deliver, they will tell you so rather than just taking your money and leaving you unsatisfied. If a repair they've done isn't right, they fix it without hesitation. The staff is friendly, though if you go at their busiest hours they won't have time to chit-chat. I highly recommend them for shoes and other leather repairs. This is based on many years of patronizing Frank's, and many repairs of consistently high quality. I have absolutely not seen any decline.

Recommends

mbromwell

Joined 7 years ago

No longer quality work. Frank's use to be the one of the best places in Metro Detroit to get your shoes repaired. Unfortunately, times have changed and so has the service at Frank's. If you are simply looking to have the sole of your shoes protected with the hard vibram plastic sole, then they are fine. However, I have taken a pair of shoes to simply have the buckle replaced and have recieved them back twice with the repair not completed. When I went back in to let them know, they questioned me as though I was lying about it and trying to receive free work - a lot of trouble for simply a $10 buckle. Additionally, they do not do heel repairs any longer and finally their once-friendly, small town, attitude has disappeared. They tend to be curt, dismissive and rude - kind of like their workmanship. While I thought this might have been simply my experience, I have learned most of my colleagues have stopped going there for the same reason.