As a 19 year old who repairs shoes for a living, I think I am one of few who can claim that I can crease a cowboy hat, replace a sole, and has never lived through the great depression. It is pretty clear that there are not too many people who work on shoes, and even fewer under the age of 88. I would seem that the art of my job is leaving based on the ease of just buying a new version of what is broken. It is rare that I don't hear that this is there favorite pair, as they try to justify to me why i should fix it for them. You would be surprised how many favorite pairs of shoes some old ladies really have. Another reason my business is becoming less and less common would be that my clientele is dying. I know it sounds a little harsh put that way but unfortunately it is the truth. Only the penny pinching old people get their shoes fixed. (This makes me respect the power of a grandchild to get their grandparent to buy anything for them considering they are unwilling to pay me $6.50 to fix their purse strap.) Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoy talking to a lot of the people who come into the shop. There is always that cool old man who seems to at least want to believe that i am not a worthless youth and there might be some hope for my generation. They are fun because they want to tell you all about how it was back in the days of their childhood or try relate to my current situation. Of course i smile and crease a little on their hat to where they can tolerate it (its never perfect) hoping the entire time that "she left me for Jesus" doesn't end up next on the playlist. Now for every 3 or 4 of those you have the bitter old man who thinks that i am completely inept and that there is no way i can fix what he needs. Unfortunately he seems to like to ask to see the manager, i simply smile and say "Well, I'm your man then." This inevitable disappoints him but humors me by showing me the problem and asks if i can fix it. This is always followed with "I think I can do something for you." Now this is where it can get a little nasty from time to time. Next, comes one of two things.....How much will that cost?......or are you then one who will be doing the work? The answer is yes i am the one going to do that for you. I have actually had one of these guys walk out because he didn't think i could fix his worn soles to his satisfaction. As far as i know he based that decision on the fact that i was not over 50. The other question is the real fun one. How much will that cost? Nothing is ever cheap enough for these guys. The best story with this one comes from about a year ago when I had this guy come in to fix his wife's high heels. I politely told him that it was going to be $9.95 to replace the heel tap on the back. He looked at me and said "Are you kiddin?" I said no sir.
"You must be, that is a tiny piece of rubber"
"No sir, and it takes work so i have to charge a little labor, not to mention we are trying to make a little money around here."
"Well thats just rediculous"
"I'm sorry sir i dont make the prices"
(This is where it gets funny)
The man looks me right in the eye and says "you have never lived through a great depression have you"
Fighting back a smile I mumble no. (do i look like i have)
After this he decides to tell me that it was me charging that that was sending our country streight to hell and that if i continued to do this we were doomed. In the middle he told me that it wasnt my fault but then proceeded to blame me for everything. So I apologize for crashing our entire economic structure because of my outrageous prices. Oh but that is another subject for another time. Anyway i do get a little boost in life fact that i am pretty sure i am the only student at TTU that can fix a pair of boots or put a zipper in a purse. It is a nice thought at least and it never hurts to have a trade to fall back on. Im afraid that is what is really dying out.
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