Quick Cobbler - birkenstockshap If it fits on your foot, we'll take your money. Seriously. Bad Business Practices ripoff Vancouver British Columbia
I was deceived by Ronald Nijdam, the owner of the Quick Cobbler in Vancouver, and suffered a loss as a result.
I have a leg length discrepancy and require an orthopaedic build up in my shoes for my short leg. I also have biomechanical problems in my feet and wear stability shoes or use orthopaedic devices.
The Quick Cobbler advertises on their websites that they " can do short limb orthopaedic build-ups on virtually any shoe or boot." http://www.quickcobbler.com/repairs/therange.htm
As I live close by and require this service, I went in and ask if they could do a build up on a stability shoe without compromising the stability. I was told they could, and consequently was fitted for and bought a new pair of stability shoes that I could wear without any added orthopaedic devices.
I brought the shoes in and spoke specifically to Ronald Nijdam. As the shoes have a hard materials throughout, and different density of foam and a fair bit of technology inside I was skeptical if a lift could be put in without affecting the stability. Ronald stated that since it fits of my foot, they can do it - restating their slogan, and assured me he had done it many times before and it would not be a problem, than the stability features would not be compromised.
Based on his given word I paid him to do the orthopaedic build up.
After much unpleasantness my 225 dollar shoes are ruined and unwearable and I am also out what I paid him.
While acknowleding that he guaranteed the stability would not be affected and that it is now unwearable as a result of his actions, Ronald said it is my fault for going to him because I should have gone somewhere else.
If only he had told me that when I originally asked him - but then he wouldn't have profited.
So everyone, keep that in mind if your thinking of doing business with him.
Tim
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Quick Cobbler
Vancouver,British Columbia,
Canada
what really happened
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, December 12, 2008
First: I would like to thank the nice person who already filed a comment to this report, doubting that Tim's story is true. Thank you for that.
Second: Yes, we do do Orthopedic modifications for Paris Orthotics and a whole host of podiatrists, physiotherapists and many other health professionals. We have been doing orthopedic shoe modifications since I started my company in vancouver in 1984. I am a 3rd generation cobbler, born and trained in the Netherlands. My sister owns an orthopedic shoe company, manufacturing custom orthopedic footwear. I have 10 professional shoe repair people on the payroll, making the Quick Cobbler Ltd. the largest single-location shoe service company in Canada.
Third: what really happened.
'Tim' needed an orthopedic external lift made on his running shoe. He asked me if the stability features would remain functional and I replied that they would.
Tim had no prescription but convinced me that he knew his buildup measurements. He probably was not quite accurate, since the original work done by us, needed some fine tuning. Tim still complained about some discomfort and fitting issues. I suggested he should wear orthotics in his shoes, to improve comfort and fit. He then told me that he has custom orthotics made by Paris Orthotics, but refuses to wear them, no reason was given.
Since this complicates the orthopedic picture, I suggested that he see any of the certified pedorthists at Paris Orthotics to do an evaluation. Once they would determine the true cause of discomfort I promised to adjust his shoe modification any way needed, according to the instructions of the pedorthist. At no charge!
Being faced with having to do some legwork himself (pun intended) and not able to get a quick and easy solution to his problem, Tim started being very uncooperative and unwilling to listen. Obviously frustrated he filed this unnecessary 'ripoff report'.
Tim: don't assume you know things better, take advice from the professionals, be polite to people trying to help you, and listen carefully when someone offers you free advice and a solution at NO CHARGE!
Ronald Nijdam,
3rd generation Cobbler, OST (certified Orthopedic Shoe Technician), Owner of Quick Cobbler Ltd., 430 west 2nd Ave, Vancouver, BC. www.quickcobbler.com
Shoezanne
Vancouver,British Columbia,
Canada
Skeptical about Ripoff Report
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 11, 2008
I've been getting my shoes fixed at the Quick Cobbler for over 17 years. My aunt has a leg length discrepancy and has ALL of her shoes modified at the Q.C. She had the measurements done at Paris Orthotics and they sent the shoes to Ronald Nijdam for him to do the work. We have had nothing but good experiences -- he even does minor adjustments to the lifts for free if my aunt should find the original modifications uncomfortable.
It would be difficult to estimate the amount of orthopedic work he does because so many doctors and patients use his services. So, I'm not surprised to find that not EVERYONE likes the work that he does. I am, however, surprised that he said the fault was yours for not going somewhere else. This leads me to believe that he thought you were a bad customer and didn't want your business.
If his business practices are really as shady as you describe them to be, he would not have managed to stay in business for over 20 years and retain such an elite clientele (i've seen celebrities in his store many times).
Tim
Vancouver,British Columbia,
Canada
Correcting typos
#4Author of original report
Sat, March 31, 2007
Sorry for the typos and grammatical errors. I can't figure out how to change them.
Quick Cobbler also operates as the birkenstockshop at birkenstockshop.com