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tailoring question: fair? or did I get ripped off?

post #1 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys, I got my first suit altered, however to me the price seemed steep. It was done at an upper end clothing store, not an independent tailor. Any how tthis is what was done

1) FIx ripple under collar
2) shorten sleeves
3) Fix some ripples in the jacket sleeves; however the whole arm was not detached to do this
4) Ease waistband and release seat of trousers
5) cuff and hem trousers

I was charged 200 including tax for this work.
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post #2 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:38am
What city are you in? In DC, this would be maybe a little steep, but not at all outrageous for top quality work.
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post #3 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
providence, RI
I figure he has a mark up since its a clothing store and not an independant tailor. I was expecting the price to be around 120ish...but not 200, The work seems pretty good, but it was nothing complicated
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post #4 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:44am
Well if it's really a top quality tailor, you'll probably pay 25-30 for just the hem/cuff. This is an alteration that will cost you 15 bux or so in just a dry cleaner alteration place, and while it isn't complicated at all, you're paying for his time, which is just as valuable whether he's cuffing trousers or rotating a sleeve. To fix the ripples under the collar he probably had to lower the collar, which is probably a 50-60 dollar alteration for him. You can get to 200 dollars pretty quickly.
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post #5 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:53am
You might want to ask the tailor to itemize the charges. On a recent trip to my tailor, I found that I was accidentally overcharged and they quickly corrected it.

$200 seems a bit high. Without knowing more specifics, I would have guessed the price for your suit's work somewhere in the ballpark of $150 for a top notch tailor.
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post #6 of 8
9/17/11 at 12:30pm
That sounds the same as my tailor, Not a dry cleaner, only alterations.

I thought I was overcharged the last time I went, because a pair of pants. I basically had them re-cut and brought in about 4-5 inches came to well over a hundred. The first time I did this, to have matching pants to the jacket top and was shocked.

Usually a cuff and hem is about 25-30 alone per leg. A hem alone about 10$. I've spent close to 200$ just on one jacket before, I consider alterations at 1/3 price of garment at this point usually at end cost.


I have also found lately prices arn't congruent to previous times and have felt they went up slightly since I always pay and don't question it. I've been pondering the idea of doing simple procedures myself.

Overall I'd rather pay slightly more for a good job, nothings more frustrating than not getting it done right.

Plus my tailor's learned to put up with my fussiness.
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post #7 of 8
9/17/11 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Mystery View Post

That sounds the same as my tailor, Not a dry cleaner, only alterations.

I thought I was overcharged the last time I went, because a pair of pants. I basically had them re-cut and brought in about 4-5 inches came to well over a hundred. The first time I did this, to have matching pants to the jacket top and was shocked.

Usually a cuff and hem is about 25-30 alone per leg. A hem alone about 10$. I've spent close to 200$ just on one jacket before, I consider alterations at 1/3 price of garment at this point usually at end cost.


I have also found lately prices arn't congruent to previous times and have felt they went up slightly since I always pay and don't question it. I've been pondering the idea of doing simple procedures myself.

Overall I'd rather pay slightly more for a good job, nothings more frustrating than not getting it done right.

Plus my tailor's learned to put up with my fussiness.

How is a cuff about $25-30 per leg?
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post #8 of 8
9/17/11 at 10:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraMagnetical View Post

Hi guys, I got my first suit altered, however to me the price seemed steep. It was done at an upper end clothing store, not an independent tailor. Any how tthis is what was done

1) FIx ripple under collar
2) shorten sleeves
3) Fix some ripples in the jacket sleeves; however the whole arm was not detached to do this
4) Ease waistband and release seat of trousers
5) cuff and hem trousers

I was charged 200 including tax for this work.

This is tedious and fiddly work and I respect anyone who can do it and has the patience and sensitivity for it. Paying a skilled person well ensures that repeat business will be most pleasurable for both of you and in the long run you'll probably save money by building a good rappore with someone who's earned your trust with your clothes. I personally would have no problem paying $200 for this list of work.
If you are happy with the results then the price was fair.
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