No more Shukey

One of my first assignments as a writer was to write about Shukey at Far East Plaza. There are a few Shukeys around but according to my editor, back then, that's the one used by many of the luxury brands when their customers bring in shoes and bags for servicing. Obviously, it's all rather hush-hush since he didn't tell me which brands patronise him.

Since then, I've gone to him a couple of times for random shoe matters. Even now, my article is stuck on their wall. I've always been half-tempted to tell him, "Eh, I'm that same girl. So can I get a discount?" But obviously, I've never dared.

Long time ago, they did a good job resoling my Anteprima heels. The adhesion was impeccable and the new sole was super thin and carefully stuck on so as not to disturb the exceptional curves and sleekness of the shoes.

So the other day, I dropped off three pairs of shoes for some maintenance work. I went back on Saturday to collect them, and I was not happy.

First of all, I do not appreciate how carelessly they throw my shoes around and cramped three pairs into a bag. One was glossy leather Prada, one was patent Topshop and one was freaking suede YSL, but they treat everything like they're from, what? Heatwave or some random shop at Far East Plaza.

They shoved one YSL shoe into the other (in a 69 position) and when I dislodged it, there was a line streaked across one side where it was stuck in. I swear I wanted to throw something at them.

The Prada loafers were as dusty and unglossy as the day I sent them in. So I made them polish it on the spot. When I came home and unpacked them, I found one tiny dot of polish cream still on the front of the left side. It had eaten into the colour, so now the green loafers are officially green-with-one-pale-dot loafers.

The Topshop pair was slingback platforms, and I had them change the elastic. They did alright, except the elastic is too long and now it's too loose.

I'm surprisingly calm about all this, although I was truly annoyed when I was still at the chaotic shop.

Suffice to say, I'm NEVER going back again.

You'd think that a place that handles so many designer bags and shoes would be more careful with how they treat their customers' items. But no, they're all very haphazard and blase about it.

So, if you know of any good shoe repair/ maintenance places that treat what is put in their care with more respect and do a good job to boot, please let me know.