M&M Cobblers Bench

Review: I dropped off two pairs of shoes to the establishment and was given a ticket that my order would be ready by Wed., Oct. 22. The day after I dropped the shoes off I called with an additional request of service to the shoes. I was quoted a price of $30 and was told that I would be notified by email if the shoes were to be completed prior to the promised date. Thurs., Oct. 23 I called to check on the status of the shoes and the line remained busy for hours. I decided to stop by the cobbler's store, only to find my shoes in the same place they were when I dropped them off. I spoke with the associate asking what solutions he had for me being it is a day beyond the promise due date; he told me to speak with the business owner he would be in later. I had paid upfront and being a new customer was unaware of their practices regarding not having my product finished in a timely manner. The associate told me the owner was waiting to get more material delivered so he could complete my order and that the delivery would take place that evening and I could possibly pick the shoes up later. The associate said he only had enough material for one pair of shoes and that he could complete at least one pair for me. I told him I really did not want to make multiple trips to DC, although I had to anyway. He asked if the owner had called or emailed me and I told him, "no," he gestured by rolling his eyes and sighed and said he should have contacted you. He was very nice and so I just said well I hope he contacts me. Fri., Oct. 24 I received an email stating my shoes were ready and my remaining balance was $45. Today, Oct. 31 I went into the store and he told me $45 and I stated that is not what was stated over the phone because I would not have received the service. He then changed it and said I meant $40; however, when I initially went to the store I was quoted a price of $90 for both pairs of shoes to be re-soled and new heels. I wanted to hold off on one pair of shoes being re-soled and said I would call to add the service at a later date. When I asked the owner why the price had changed he told me that was always the price. There are no prices listed anywhere in the store, nor did I receive any itemized listing of services on my shoes so I am totally unaware of the price. I then asked why the delay in my shoes, and he responded his wife had been hospitalized and he is sorry that my shoes are more important than his wife. We bantered back and forth and then he snatched my shoes valued at +$2k, collectively and asked if I was going to pay. I was so afraid and taken aback by his behavior that reluctantly I paid. I believed that I was price gouged and being that the shoe is popular he could demand more money from me and if I did not pay he could sell my shoes and make a profit.Desired Settlement: I believe the business owner should have prices posted so there are not any discrepancies. Upon investigation with other cobbler's I did learn it was common practice to charge +\-$5 on various services, which is what I believe this owner did to me. I do not understand how consistency can remain if the prices are determined arbitrarily. When I came into the store to retrieve my shoes there was not any solution put into place so that I could make a decision for my product. I had paid upfront and was stuck and specifically needed the shoes for the weekend because I was headed out of town. There was not any empathy from the owner; however, he wanted me to be emotional towards his wife's hospitalization. I was very sad this took place but it has absolutely nothing to do with the business. Furthermore, the associate said he had not ordered the product he did not mention there was an ill family member. The differing stories are unsettling and I would hope that other customers would not have to deal with this type of behavior. I believe the situation could have been handled with much more sincerity and tact. He never acknowledged my inconvenience nor provided me with pricing of each service. I asked for an itemized of what I had previously paid for and it could not be provided.