My first experience with Cohee’s Shoe Repair on Nolensville Road in Nashville will also be my last. I dropped off a pair of high-heeled boots and another pair of heels that both needed the taps replaced. I called Cohee’s before visiting the establishment to check hours, etc. The person who answered for the business wasn’t very friendly, sounding a bit like I was an interruption. I should have known better at that point than to actually visit the place. However, I brushed my concern aside and went anyway, as this was the closest shoe repair shop to my home and they were open until 6 pm, making it easier to get there after work.
When I actually visited the shop, the worker there treated me much the same as the person who’d answered the phone days before. I suspect they were the same man, and I fear he may actually be the owner or at least manager.
I explained that I needed taps on the shoes and was brusquely told me the total and that they only take cash and check. First, I’ve never been to a similar type of service shop where they charged you up front, and I was a bit taken aback by this. Every dry cleaner, alterations shop and shoe repair service I’ve ever used previously charged upon pick-up. Not only that, but I didn’t even get a receipt, only a claim check. I always want a receipt for purchases, but especially having paid up front. The claim check didn’t even have the name of the business on it, so I had to write it on myself so I wouldn’t forget where the ticket was for.
The fact that they don’t take my preferred method of payment (Mastercard) or any form of credit or debit cards was enough for me to hesitate to return. I never use checks, preferring to pay via debit card or online bill pay whenever possible, and I don’t keep a lot of cash on me. I was lucky that night I actually did have enough with me to pay, but I really felt this is the kind of information that he should have told me when I called to find out about this business. I can’t remember the last time I encountered a business that did not take credit and debit cards – something so highly unusual should be made apparent to potential customers so they can adequately prepare before they visit the store – ESPECIALLY when you require payment up front.
The worst and final straw came when I picked up the shoes. I will say that the taps I had replaced look fine and seem sturdy. My issue started when first he couldn’t find either pair of my shoes. Then when he finally found my boots (slender, knee-high, high-heeled leather boots that pull on – no zipper or fastener) and then told me my heels were INSIDE my boots! I checked and yes, he really had stuffed my heels down into the toe of each boot. I would NEVER have done this to my shoes, as I would not want to take a chance on stretching the leather at all and have it become baggy around my ankle area.
I mentioned that I was not happy to see the heels stuffed inside the boots and would never have done this to my shoes. He said it was necessary to keep the shoes together. I think the bag I brought them in would have served that purpose much better and told him so. I also stated that customers expect their property to be treated better when they bring it for repair and I would not be back.
That’s the point where he started yelling at me to “Leave now!” Then he repeatedly yelled “Get out!” and “Go!”. As I left I told him his customers did not deserve to be treated like this, that I would be detailing his behavior at online review sites to warn others and that he would not keep business if he continues acting this way.
I have to say, judging by his attitude from the phone call to each visit, I have to think this man is deeply sad and possibly disturbed. It is just not normal to treat people this way – especially when you are in the service business. A little common courtesy goes a long way. I feel sorry that his life is so bad that he takes it out on his customers – just not sorry enough to return. Hopefully I can save a few others the same terrible treatment by sharing my own experience with this man and this store. Only a masochist would give Cohee’s Shoe Repair repeat business. There are plenty of other shoe repair stores in Nashville that will treat customers with decency and politeness and not disrespect their property.