Avenue Key & Heel: Royal Avenue Belfast

wesley4

I have GOT to share a review of Avenue Key & Heel locksmith and cobblers on Royal Avenue (Number 82, near North Street).

I dropped in a single work shoe on Saturday morning (15th), to have the heel re-fitted as it was hanging off.

The guy behind the counter, David, who I think is the owner, thought about it and reckoned it would be too short notice to have it done by the end of the day so we agreed I would pick it up at Monday lunchtime (yesterday). (I explained that I started back at work on Tuesday). Fair dos. He wanted to drill a few screws from under the insole of the shoe downwards. Again, whatever it took.

So Monday lunchtime came and I turned up only to be told by this David that as he had left his drill in his car (or some similar story) the day before he didn’t have my shoe ready.

A little annoyed, I asked what time he closed; He said 4.30pm (though for whatever reason he didn't seem that sure of himself), so I agreed with him that I would show up later that day to pick the shoes up.

At 3.30pm I turned up at the shop only to find it closed and shuttered. Unsurprisingly, I was pretty annoyed and tried asking the neighbouring shops to see if I can find contact details for the shop. (big shout out to the guys at the vintage clothing shop next door). I didn’t know the name of the shop even as there was no sign above the door.

As a last resort, I left work this morning to go one errand to pick up this shoe this morning and arrived just after 10.10. Again, the shop is closed and shuttered.

I waited and eventually got a number for this guy, David, through the landlord (sign above shop). I called and called – no answer and no voicemail.

I tried again and it rang and rang but eventually got the fellow. He tells me he is "5 minutes away" coming back from a call-out.

10-15 minutes later, I called again (desperate to get back to work) and he assured me he is just around the corner. This call was at 10.42.

He arrived several minutes later and has the cheek to ask me why I was looking a 'little grumpy' and that 'I was lucky as a lot of shops won’t do this sort of thing' (refit heels I suppose he meant, but who cares..). :mad:

First and last time I was use this shop for anything. I guess he is the only employee - but no excuses for lazy customer service. Shoulda asked for my money back but lesson learned, I supposed...

absoluteutopia

Isnt there review sites for rubbish like this?

donnac2558

I got boots heeled once by him. Awful job they started coming off.

D.A.

What a load of cobblers.

NAR

So sorry I "shared." :doh::wall:

Benet

If you're out that way next time you need shoe work done, Robert in Holywood Heel Bar (93 High St) is second to none.

Often same or next day service, and highly professional to boot (Couldn't resist the shoe pun, sorry ) Only thing I should mention is that he's closed wednesdays.

D.A.

Is he a sole trader?