This might belong in Crafts more than here, but I wasn't sure... does anyone know how to repair a zipper?  I have a full-length down coat, and it's in great shape except that the bottom of the zipper is broken; I have it temporarily repaired so that the zipper works (I have to not unzip it all the way, and then step in and out of it), but I can't completely unzip it, which is awkward at best.  The little metal piece at the bottom that keeps the zipper pull from falling off the bottom of the zipper jammed, and then it came off - does anyone know how to fix just that piece?  For what I paid for the coat ($100 new, at a clearance sale, 15 years ago - and still in great shape except for the zipper), if I have to I'll take it to a tailor and have the zipper replaced - but if I can repair it instead, that would be better.  I've seen some zipper repair kits in the 'net, I'm just not sure if they have the right parts.  Does anyone know how to fix this?  Thanks!

 Sometimes a dry cleaners will have a seamstress working for them to do repairs or things like new zippers. Babs

 The Zipper Rescue site states that "If the box or pin on the bottom of a jacket are damaged, they cannot be repaired. The entire zipper needs to be replaced." (http://www.zipperrescue.com/faq.asp) If you're handy at all, you may be able to replace the zipper yourself. Place it carefully with pins or baste it in place. I've had good luck sewing zippers in place by hand.

I am a seamstress and have been mending and fixing things like that for many years.  My advice would be to take it to an experienced seamstress and have the zipper replaced.  It may be expensive because some coats are difficult to work on (especially down with all those feathers flying)  and your seamstress may have to special order a long coat zipper if she can't find one at the fabric store that matches (they don't usually carry those).  See if she can give you a price quote before you give it to her.  If it is a very good coat and you love it, then it is worth it.  Be careful who you let work on it, as I have seen some lousy work that another 'seamstress' did, and the garment's owner brought it to me to fix---sometimes it is beyond help.  This isn't a place to be penny wise and pound foolish. 

I have used this trick to fix a zipper on a pair of pants.  If the piece of metal on the bottom has come off you can hand sew the zipper back together where that piece was to keep the zipper pull from slidding off at the bottom.  You might be able to sew over that spot several times on that piece of your zipper to keep the pull from coming off. I wish I could explain it better or show you.  I think I read about this in one of the Tightwad Gazette books.

That  works on a regular zipper, but this is a separating zipper, so I don't think it would work.  Hard to tell without looking at it, though.