Paolo Shoes
Category: Shoe Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley524 Hayes Street
(between Laguna St & Octavia St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 552-4580
- Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
48 reviews
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
"I *just* picked up running this last summer. I had been told by at least three friends that I should go to Fleet Feet on Chestnut to buy my…" read more »
36 Reviews for Paolo Shoes
Paolo has beautiful Italian leather shoes... The boots are all insanely sexy! Hung out in Hayes Valley yesterday and walked in with the BF.. It was his b-day so I bought him a pair of shoes.. oh yeah and a pair for me too.. It doesn't need to be my b-day for a new pair of cool shoes. Both were on sales - 50% off - awesome!
The service is pretty crappy, but whatever I shop for the cool shoes - good service is typically the cherry on top.. This place doesn't get the cherry. :)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
The shoes look beautiful.... All I could swing was a lovely pair of silver leather flowers that clip on to the black heels I already own. Its a great way to turn them into a new pair of shoes for $25.
NONE. No stars for Paolo. I've met the designer himself, (he is a pompous ass) but that is not even of consequence here. I bought a pair of "testa di moro" brown leather 3 and 3/4 inch sandals to wear to a wedding. When I got them home, they really didn't match the dress I had planned to wear - so I didn't wear them. Having spent a record amount on them ($215.92) I held on to them, thinking I'd find build an outfit around them. That hasn't happened. Admittedly, its been a year - and I finally decided to take them back. The receipt says their return policy is within seven days - but I thought - I can only try. I went in today and saw the same shoes still on display! Great! They should ignore their policy and keep a satisfied customer. I mean, I would accept a store credit, or an exchange! But no. The rude and not-very-smart sales girl, who was yapping on the phone for 20 minutes before she even pretended to help the 3 other people in the store, shut me down after looking at the receipt. No, it has been a year, our policy, our policy, our policy was all she could say. I tried every imaginable defense, and I was NICE, smiling, joking and sweet talking the little runt the whole time. I asked to speak with Paolo. "He is out of town. - You don't live in the city, do you?" The runt asked me. Yes I do live in the city, what difference does that make? The shoes are still being sold! They are on the shelf today! You can sell this pair again and did I mention they've NEVER BEEN WORN? I mean, I could understand if they were extremely seasonal and not selling these shoes anymore. But they are, and the little runt - whose name was CHEETAH - finally told me to talk to a manager - who won't be in until the afternoon. I will go back and try again. But I don't expect much from these snobby, pretentious fashion whores. In fact, if anyone wants to buy these shoes from me, I'll let them go for dirt cheap. Did you know a satisfied customer tells 3 people, but an unhappy customer tells 3000? YELP THIS Bitches! Sadly, this rant does not make me feel any better. Consider yourself warned.
I've purchased an number of shoes from Paolo, and each one fell apart within a few months. The designs are beautiful, simple, sophisticated, the quality...well. Maybe they are jst not designed to be worn!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
paolo carries luscious italian-made shoes that haunt me in my dreams. yum yumness. sort of on-trend and past it. funky and classic at the same time. actually not as expensive as other shoes i've lusted over, but i suppose that sort of thing is relative.
i bought a pair of fab yellow t-strap flats at paolo last summer. i've worn them fairly frequently. they are still holding up quite nicely, and still look beautiful. and...i walk everywhere, so they have some miles on them, too. worth the money, in my opinion.
i bought another pair there this past saturday. the service was decent. kind, helpful, not overbearing. they seemed quite busy and were juggling a few customers, so i understood a little wait. i've worked retail...i know it's not always easy to do and i don't expect someone to kiss my ass just because i'm spending money...that doesn't make for good service for me, anyway.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Ironically, I headed in there with my sister preparing to wait as she looked at the vast selection of knee-high boots. For one reason or another, they had a clearance on men's shoes, so picked up a few pairs. Probably wouldn't shell out the original $229, but $69 is a good deal.
Best shoes I've ever had. I bought some dark brown leather laced-up casual kicks - they feel like slippers. I feel bad for the lamb-skin, but damn that is a soft upper with a cush lower.
My friend bought a pair of boots here and they broke 2 times. She had to send them back and then they broke a second time. They were her favorite boots and they didnt' want to take them back the first time! She spent 300 something on them. I have met Paolo back in the day. You are paying for his rich lifestyle. Believe me he lives well. So the least her could do is have a fast and easy exchange policy. The customer service is a bit on the snooty side.
For those prices please extend good service.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
The shoes are very pretty, but to date they have never had anything in my size in stock, and the saleswomen at the Hayes Valley store are shockingly indifferent...in fact, shockingly just plain bad at their jobs. It's not fun to shop there as a result. To everyone else who has shouted out to say how bad they are, I feel your pain.
I also had a nutty experience once, getting a gift certificate here, where it took them like half an hour to get the "certificate" ready, and then it turned out to be just a receipt. They didn't have anything nicer. They also warned me that if the receipt was lost, there would be no way to track it.
Overall, the service doesn't match the shoes. Can't you find some more-competent and friendlier staff Paolo?
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Sometimes, when I walk into Paolo, I go into some sort of shoe-induced fuege state, my fingers drift over the soft leather of the gorgeous shoes and I may find myself with a trickle of drool coming from the corner of my mouth.
Such. Gorgeous. Shoes.
Also, fairly unique -- not gonna find these on every other gal at the party.
I understand these shoes are made at the Prada factory in Italy. I bought a pair of orange eelskin flats (which I sometimes cuddle with in the evenings), and they're both comfortable and beautifully made.
I only wish I didn't have to fork over two months worth of grocery money to get a pair.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
As seen in other reviews, Paolo really does have bad quality products and poor customer service.
I spent over $350 for a handbag (don't ask how i justified that to myself) and less than 4 months later, the dye on the leather was coming off. For that much $$ I expected better quality.
The girl at the shop said she could get it fixed. 8 weeks later and repeated calls from me (not from her, as promised) resulted in her telling me that there was nothing she could do to fix it, the owner would not take it back and the manufacturer did not return her call. Thanks for nothing. Needless to say, they will never get my business or recommendation again. If you want to spend money on sassy shoes or bags, go somewhere else (john fluevog)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I don't completely understand Paolo shoes, but for those who crave undeniably funky and fashion-forward styles, this is the place you might find what you need. I love their boots (which I can't wear because I have man calves), the cute flowers that you can attach to any shoe to spruce it up, the covers that go over your regular heels that can turn them into knee-high boots, and all the great colors they have for women AND men.
Not too crazy about the service (somewhat non-existent at times), but definitely very artsy and cool. If I'm spending over $200 for a pair of shoes, I expect a decent amount of ass kissing.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
If I could give this place half a star, I would. After reading several of the previous reviews, most people either LOVE Paolo or HATE it. Yes, if it wasn't for the great boot selection and the store credit I accumulated due to their horrible return policy, I would NEVER return.
Here's why:
1) WORST customer service in a shoe shop I have ever received. It surprisingly comes from the same woman every time. She needs to be replaced with the sales associate that she belittles.
2) Return policy is far from accommodating. One week to return? The way I see it is if you spend THAT much money, you should be entitled to at least another week or two.
I need to hurry up and use my store credit before they create another policy that prevents me from using it!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
My friends and I were browsing along the stores in Hayes Valley on Saturday, decided to go in and check out the shoes and purses. One star for the nice selection. My friend was interested in a handbag that was hanging above the 50% off shoe section. I reached up to check the price. It was $300. A bit more that what she wanted to spend that day on a handbag. Then the sales woman asked me in a amplified voice, if I was interested in anything in the 50% off section. LIke it is a faux paus to look at something at this priced at 50% off. My frienda and I just shook our heads at her and walked out. What ever. I think they need to work on their customer service skills.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
Buyer beware: Cool shoes, but watch out for the extremely poor customer service at this place. Salespersons had no authority for any exchange or refund, so wait for weeks to speak to Paolo. Paolo himself is a pretty shrewd guy, and will not give a refund even when the problem was obviously with the store. "I won't eat this" were his words. This phrase could mean you traded 300 bucks for two worthless pieces of leather.
You probably don't make it in the shoe business without being careful, but this guy happily threw away two customers with a large surplus income. Bad move Paolo.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
I love boot shopping in the spring time!!! Oh wait....no I don't!
Quite frankly shoe shopping draws me to the point of crazy excitement!
Oh, I love me some shoes....I shit you not.
So after hopping frantically from DSW, Macy's, Nordies, SFSC, Nine West, Kenneth Cole...I gave up and went to Paolo.
Yes they are expensive but dammit I found my shoes in five minutes. They were destined to be mine and I truly believe that since the only ones left in my size were the display shoes.
Black leather boots that go up just under the knee. My fat ass calves were fighting the zipper at the top but the lovely Paolo shoe girl said she had a nifty-thrifty contraption to pull and manipulate the leather to fit.
I get them tomorrow!! Woo hoo!!! Hells yeah, baby!!! Sexy cockroach killers come to mama!!!!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (5)
Cool (4)
paolo has some great looking shoes, & i know italian leather is their thing, but...
i wish they'd carry just a couple of vegan lines. YOU HEAR THAT SAN FRANCISCO??--VEGANS LIKE STYLISH SHOES, TOO (& I"M NOT TALKING ABOUT NO FUCKING CLOGS!!). Seriously, carry good vegan (non-sneaker, non-clogs, non-crocs) shoes for men in this city & i will personally keep you in business. dig?
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Very cool, beautifully designed, and can be purchased online...out of towners should get it together and order a few pairs...you may be the only girl in town with such fantastic and unique details....
Every woman must have a pair of boots that announces to the world that she is an incredible bad ass, that she can rock your world like a tiger and pump her own gas. Um, did that make sense? Maybe not to you, but to me that's what happens when I slip on my boots from Paolo. A few years ago an ex took pity on me and bought me some boots here when I couldn't afford them and clearly REQUIRED them. I have had them since and keep polishing them, getting the heels replaced and receiving compliments. This store rocks, and if you're a bad ass with a feminine side, this place is for you.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
NOBODY 'requires' a $600 pair of boots. $200 is not a bargain either, especially if the shoes don't last a full season.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
they have good looking shoes, but the quality is questionable. They have lousy return service - just make sure there is nothing wrong the shoes before you buy it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
I bought a pair of shoes from these guys 6 months ago and they are still my favorite. Beautifully soft leather, perfect for work or casual wear, super-comfortable, and it's also nice that they only make a limited number of copies of each design. Definitely more interesting that Gucci or Prada unless you're just a label whore.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
They definitely have a unique selection and you won't have to pay outrageous prices, but I'm a stickler for customer service and let me tell you...it's just not there. They also don't have an abundant choice in sizes. Every time I try to shop there, I usually won't end up with anything because they'll be out of my size.
Looking for great quality Italian shoes? Want comfortable shoes (well relatively)? Don't want to look like everyone else with the same old same old? Don't want to pay Prada prices? Go to Paolo!!! (And when you buy shoes, they'll mail you a 25% off coupon on your bday that you can use any time).
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Update: I went back and got the shoes. I am in love and the sales person even gave me a gift card for my next purchase. I will be going back soon.
Great selection but the staff is a bit aggressive. I walked in and was checking out a pair of boots I saw and as soon as I picked the shoe the sales person asked if she should get my size and if I wanted to try it? Now I just wanted to fill the shoes not buy them okay... They will get an extra star because Paolo and I were born on the same day and he sends me a discount card every year.. and yes I will go back and buy the boots I saw... so back off heffa... If I need my size I will ask for it my self thank you very much. (somebody has ruffled Bambi's feathers today)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Ah, Paolo. My favorite boots are from here. Love, love, love them, and I wear them so often that I've had to replace the taps close to a dozen times, but the rest of the shoe has really held up well. No rapid changes in merchandise, but the offerings are indeed exquisite and varied.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Boots so pretty *I* wanted to lick them. Those that know me can attest that those are indeed 10 star boots. Really fun creative shoes. Everything made with very nice soft leather. I nearly took a star away for service though. I was in there in my comfy jeans for 20 minutes drooling on things and no one paid me no mind (although that can be a bonus at times when you just wanna drool, not buy). My boyfriend walked in in his button down and slacks and someone was On His Shit Immediately. I've not seen a net worth evaluated so quickly since my last visit to the O'Farrell Theater.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
UPDATE: The sales associate/store manager in Hayes can learn a lot about customer service for the other store. She was yelling and fighting on the phone. She didn't even notice me standing in the store...I think she needs help and this store needs more shoes that fits.
I was at Harry's bar on Fillmore watching a football game last week Sunday. Checked out this shoes store on the way home. Tried on a pair. Unfortunately, they didn't have my size. A beautiful and exotic Asian sales lady was assisting me. She offered to have the shoes stretched, but it was still too small for my feet. She was very pleasant and displayed outstanding customer service. The 5 stars goes to the gorgeous Asian. I'll try Paolo shoes again and hope to find something that fits.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Great shoes, great service. I get tons of compliments from Paul's swanky shoes. This is not a poor man's shoe shop however. Expect to drop some cash for comfort and quality. Paul was like a frenetic mad scientist running back and forth hammering out a bump that I didn't like in my shoes. It made me feel real important having my friend roll her eyes at me while I continually asked for more hammering. A little princess and the pea. All in all a great experience and some great shoes.
Don't expect a John Lobb quality, but if you want some euro style shoes, it's a good place to drop by.
Leave your best lace-up at home and try Paolo shoes for your next club visit.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I own far too many pairs of Paolo shoes after a particularly flamboyant spree. Really though I need them all, you'll probably feel that way about the ones you buy too. Beautiful all leather Italian construction, and exquisite details, mmm. Oh, but it's all in the details.
One of the few good places in San Francisco to buy quality Italian footwear. The store itself is nothing special, but the selection and quality of the gear is great. Mostly women's models, though.
Dudes, you want to rock some serious style then bring $200.00 to Paolo and get yourself something on sale. But check it out, these delicious Italian leather goods are built like an Alfa Romeo, all style and no comfort. Go get some custom shoe trees and expect your dogs to be barking till you break em in.
This store is pretty cool. The styles are very creative and unique so you can't be a conservative person to wear their shoes. I'm a fence straddler so I'm able to shop there but I don't have many of their shoes. My boyfriend, however, has a ton and they're all great. Very sexy, unique and stylish. There are definitely more women's shoes in this store than men, but the men's section is definitely impressive.
The leathers on these shoes are outstanding with being soft, durable and comfortable. We joke they may be alive as I stratched my boot on something (it was obvious and ugly) and several weeks later I went to wear them again and the gash was gone. Literally. Only a small, light mark was left where the gash had been.
They usually have a big sale around the Fillmore Festival (of course) but by then all the good stuff is gone. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and invest - especially with shoes that seem to last forever.
Don't let the cool looks fool you! From dealing with the owner Paolo himself for mismatching color boots due to discoloration from the store not by me leaving one shoe out in the Sun and the other in the closet for 3 days, I can tell you their customer service sucks. It took 3 weeks to get them back with sloppy job making them totally two different texture leather, and refuse to exchange or give store credit. I wouldn't pay a dime to buy a single item from them.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
I went in last week after convincing myself that I do, in fact, need the expensive and gorgeous pumps I had seen in the window. I couldn't find a salesperson at first, and then when I did, she just looked at me standing there holding the pump and went on to help someone else. I waited for about 10 minutes, walking around the store holding the coveted pump, but I couldn't get any service. I finally gave up and walked out. I was frustrated because it looked like other customers were getting service, even if they walked in after me. I wasn't in the mood to be aggressive about it. The next week, I just happened to be in the neighborhood again. I remembered the beautiful shoes and decided to give it another try. Same thing. The saleswoman helped others but when I tried to make eye contact to ask for assistance, she averted my gaze and hurried on to someone who had just walked in. The only difference between myself and the other customers was that I happened to be dressed up a bit (which shouldn't affect service) and I'm not white.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Man Shoes
no, crocs are toys from our friends at… -
I don't live in your…
How touristy are my travels? Not very. But I'm… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Hot and New
- Yamo
193 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
- Muracci's Japanese Curry &…
49 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District
- Kokkari
604 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District
- Dosa
710 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
- Shabu House
115 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
