I am signing up as a Yelp reviewer solely to offer a dissenting opinion to the negative reviews I've read here. I will review other businesses as appropriate in the future, but my first post is in defense of Without a Trace Weavers. THEY'RE EXCEPTIONAL! My cashmere camel-colored topcoat looks as good as new. They repaired the 17 moth holes I identified, and two others I had missed. It was a hassle to have to clean the coat, then mail it to them without even a hint what it would cost to repair, but I can guess their reasons. Too many cranky customers would take a "ballpark estimate" as "written in stone gospel," and would feel cheated when told the damage was more extensive and repairs more expensive than originally thought. So I took a chance, and followed their procedures to the letter. After a week, I had a telephone call from a pleasant lady (I've forgotten her name) who discussed the required repairs in detail. She told me to expect the coat in three weeks (it took five), and that was that. No additional communications, no newly-discovered expenses, no emails. Just a charge to my credit card, and shortly after, a box on my doorstep. I hope to never need their services again--moth holes are frustrating. But if I find one, rather than trashing an expensive piece of clothing, I will sent it to them without hesitation. They have not asked for my help with a review, but I could not let the bad comments stand unchallenged. As Margit B. said on 9/17/2013, "let craftsmen do their work." Thanks, Without a Trace! read more

I'm so impressed at how well my bag was cleaned! It had quite a few scars from travels;-) and looks pretty darn new. Thanks guys!

I Have Just sent two leather jackets one from Just Cavali Black Blazer, one Dsquared Red Ranger (which now became more like brown faded). I have done some goggling and sent them all the way from California.shipping cost me 45 $. So is this worth it are they real? Is it just Google hype? And we could just go to next door cleaners? Well I have to see. I actually sent them this to test as we own one of the big Boutiques in Pasadena and we do about 8 mil in business every yr in leather goods alone. My experience to date Product 1:- Dsquared Red ranger horsehide leather jacket it's very unique has a vintage look, very worn off (no damages though) leather looks pretty awful color faded and looks brown Product 2:- Just cavali Black leather Blazer , has two rips one on shoulder and one side of chest pocket couple of loose buttons other than that its pretty clean. Pre Shipping: - I took pictures of the jackets in all angles (used cannon t3i and canon 16-35 mm L series lens) Filled the shipping forms. Shipped on 8th Sep by priority mail Emailed them explain what need to be done included copies of shipping forms and the shipped USPS receipt. 1. Red jacket want it cleaned and restores open to any suggestions to make it look new 2. Black jacket fix holes and buttons and clean. They received on 10th Sep. No response for email I called them on 11th "Guy who picked was nice and gentle and told me they received many packages over the weekend and they are still opening and most probably call us next day" On Sep 12th They did call I was not there but somebody else spoke for me and asked them to send me an email guy responded no email just call tomorrow. On Sep 13th I called a woman picked up. And traced my package and asked me what is that you want to do with the Brown jacket (umm so they didn't bother reading email??). I explained same what I requested in email. Her: "85 for cleaning and 45 for repairing black jacket. Red jacket has vintage look if we spray it might become stiff". Me: "so what do you suggest that should be done to restore it?" Her: "what do you want to do?" Me;" can u fix the metal rivet on the pocket one of it is missing" Her: "No" Me: "Can you press it its pretty wrinkled" Her; "we can but wrinkles won't go away its leather not cotton " Me: ok then do what you can do Her: it will take 2 and half weeks though Me; Ok Her: CC? Me: XXXXXXX Her: ok you will get email from ups once it's done we won't charge until it's done. My opinion. Do I have to ship all the way to Chicago spending 45 one way when all they can do is cleaning? It can be done in million stores in Los Angeles? So they can't restore color? All they can do is just spray?? They don't take effort to fix your item's missing parts. They have no suggestions. For me it just sounded like dry cleaners.not something that all these people talked about. But I have to say nobody was rude and I have not seen the service yet .so I will post once I see the service. As of now it's just a dry cleaning store nothing much. But who knows they might surprise me with results. FYI; Red jacket can be painted rejuvenated it needs special skill and knowledge of color and leather wrinkles can be removed rivets can be made new and new ones added but all these are professional work. If they can't do them.what is that they are good at when any other cleaner can do the same cleaning. But let me wait and see the Results For GQ its just load of crap. Magazines publish who ever pays them to do so.We do it for our store as well. SEE THE BEFORE AFTER PICTURES IN MY PROFILE ( I WILL POST AFTER PICS AFTER THE WORK IS DONE) i will write another review once work is done regarding their work if its really worth it or you can do the same in 20 mts at your home spending 5 dollors Here is the Update: ----------------------------- after seeing this post on yelp they refused to do the service . reason given you posted about us on yelp and may be we cannot meet the expectations . thanks for honesty and returning the shipment . after all they seem like just another dry cleaner ..try finding someone close by i dont see any incentive of shipping all the way there . may be their skill is in weaving and leather is just somethinf they trying to cash on the name they have for weaving . my advice if you are chicago you can try its no harm but if ur away there are plenty of leather cleaners who can do same job or better right next to your place. chao read more

Michael: Thanks for making my high school letterman's jacket look like new! You replaced the damaged white leather sleeves and it looks great! Just in time for our 50th high school reunion. read more

Please, please, PLEASE do not go here! I cannot stress this enough and I would give 0 stars if I could. I took a beautiful brown Veda leather jacket to get cleaned here. They originally said 2-3 weeks to clean it. I said that was fine and asked for it to be cleaned and waterproofed. After 3 1/2 weeks, I called to check the status. They said it would be ready at the end of the week. Friday of that week, I called AGAIN and they said it would be in next Friday. I was a little annoyed, but dealt with it (this was now 5 weeks after the original 2-3 week quote). I went in the following Friday and asked for my jacket. What they brought out was so far from my jacket I burst into tears right in the store. It was the wrong color (how does this even happen?) and instead of the beautiful, buttery soft leather it once was, it was rough and plasticky. I was so incredibly disappointed. They said they could fix it and that it would be ready for pick-up the following week. So I let them try to fix it and called back the following week. Whomever answered the phone was so rude and told me that I was wrong to thing it would be ready in one week. Ummm, excuse me?! When it finally WAS ready 2 weeks later, it was still not the right color nor texture. My $1000 leather jacket was officially ruined. While they didn't charge me for destroying it, they didn't offer to replace it either! (not like they could; this style of jacket hasn't been sold for 2 years!) Please, do NOT take anything here. The person I spoke with on the phone was so rude (as others have mentioned) and they DESTROYED my beautiful jacket! I am so sad that I took it there and I wish I would have done more research. (speaking of - anyone know of a GOOD leather cleaner in Chicago!?) read more

If I could give this business no stars I would. I brought in a suit jacket to have the ripped fabric around a button repaired. I was told I would see the outline because it would be a patch and I signed off on that, So, I picked up the jacket and first of all it wasn't pressed and the fabric is puckering... It is a much larger patch than it needs to be. We called the owner of the shop and this man knows nothing about customer service. All he did was yell and say that I was shown a picture of what it would look like. Well, that absolutely never happened!!! He actually called me a liar!! I'm not sure how this man does business like that... but we were in a "shouting" match for 20 minutes on the phone because all he did was yell and talk over us and never let us finish a sentence. It is an expensive suit with an expensive "repair" that cannot be worn again. read more

GREAT, GREAT,GREAT, DO NOT HESITATE. Well, I must admit that I was very concerned after reading all of the negative reviews but was also not ready to throw my shearling coat into the garbage after McElroy furs in Winnetka told me that their expensive cleaning could not even get out the large stain on the front of my coat. So with trepidation I brought my coat into this store in addition to my husband's leather coat which had a tear. Michael, the owner, was a lovely person to deal with and completely honest throughout the transaction. He quoted me immediately and was positive that both articles could be fixed to be more than wearable. I was thrilled when I came to pick up my coats after getting a prompt phone call that they were ready. My shearling was incredible and I found it amazing that this furrier in Winnetka had given up on my coat which is also where the coat was purchased (curious what that is about.) The coat was beautiful, looked brand new and my husband's coat was fixed without any real marks. I can only rave about my experience and makes me wonder about the motivation behind some people who use yelp to create negative press. read more

I find hard to believe the hostile reviews for this company. I have had zippers replaced on several coats, the lining of a leather coat, ditto and a repair to a fine wool sport jacket. In all cases, I never had a problem. I don't think I have ever payed in advance nor had an unpleasant word. In each case, when the item was ready, I received a polite phone call and I went to pick it up. All in all, every transaction was exactly what it was supposed to be. I feel lucky to have the outlet or store in my neighborhood. read more

I have used Without a Trace many times over the past 6 years. Each time they have done a wonderful job reweaving some very expensive clothes. They are a lifesaver and I would highly recommend them!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Wizards! This company is simply amazing! I have had three sweaters re-woven by them and the pieces look absolutely like new. One of the last ones had 6 holes created by moths! I live in California so the first time I sent them something I asked for a written estimate. The next time I didn't even bother - I was so impressed with their work and with their reasonable pricing that I trusted them completely. They have a reasonable turnaround time, and if you need it faster can probably accommodate you. I recommend them absolutely and without hesitation! read more

I have worked in luxury retail for nearly a decade and officially declare Without A Trace to be the best in the business. We have often referred clients from the boutique where I work and have always heard rave reviews. Recently I decided to test the waters myself and brought them a $2000 handbag that I suspected might be dead and gone. It was an unusual color (cobalt blue) and had an oil stain on the bottom from a renegade perfume bottle. I picked up the bag today and am floored by the results -- in the best way! It literally looks like a brand new bag, and there is absolutely no trace of the oil stain, or any other wear, for that matter. They went above and beyond to ensure I was happy with the results and I am beyond thrilled. As an industry professional I highly recommend their leather services. read more

Very expensive but they do a great job fixing/cleaning/repairing expensive bags. Would have no hesitation leaving anything with them. They will call you if they aren't sure about a repair and are very careful. read more

I had a terrible experience with this company. I sent in my jacket to get an estimate. When I thought it was too high, I was screamed at and called "crazy". I was given the choice of having it thrown in the trash or pay even more to have it mailed back. I tried to get a minimum cost of reweaves before I sent it, but they wouldn't do it. Be very careful if you try to deal this company. read more

I have never been compelled to sign up to write a review in the past 3 years I have been using yelp. However, 'without a trace' has finally done it. It's unfortunate that the staff is completely unprofessional and and unhelpful. I went to them after reading about them in GQ, time out, etc. in hopes of patching up my jacket. I expected it to pricey. However, their work does not match up to anywhere near their claim to excellence. I should have gone to another professional reweaver (I do not mean dry cleaners, but another professional) that could have done the same, or better work for far less and with much better customer service. Even if you love your sweater, jacket, coat, pant, you should go to a good, professional re-weaving service instead of buying into the hype that surrounds this place. I didn't and I can't express how much I regret it. They take your cc number and just charge you. read more