Advice sought on a matter relating to a suit bought from Booksters two years ago...

[Reformado]

I have a three piece suit, in Lovat Tweed with trousers that were cut to my size (I subsequently lost weight) and lined half front, made for my wedding two years ago. I subsequently wore the suit two weeks later to a social function in North America. Walking up some stairs I felt the trousers crotch seam come apart. My wife, a seamstress, was able to repair the trousers as just the stitching went.

I wore the suit exactly six times after that.

The last time was a few months ago. Once again, raising my leg up to the edge of a box, so as to tie my shoelaces, the entire crotch area ripped to shreds. There were tears and holes all over the area. The trousers are now unwearable.

I am right in thinking, am I not, that a decently made tweed suit is for life? Not for less than a dozen wears?

I sent the trousers to Booksters new Leeds address and requested that they explain the epic fail of this garment, and that repair was out of the question ( a friend, who is a highly regarded professional tailor said it would be impossible as there was too much damage - and he also cast grave doubts on the material and the "tailoring" of the suit trousers)

I asked them to please replace the trousers. I was told that they were not at fault at all, they would not replace them and that if I wanted them back I would have to pay for a courier service. They then told me that it was due to wear and tear… In a tweed suit worn less than a dozen times...

I will be collecting the garment from them in January.

But I paid £800 for the suit. There is NO wear and tear at all on the waistcoat or the jacket. Must I now have to pay some £200 plus to get a replacement pair of trousers made (and not by Booksters, that's for damn sure!)?

What are my options in such a situation? Can anyone throw some light on the for me please?

Reformado

 

[GBR]

You have no rights whatever. The company from whom you bought this suit no longer exists having collapsed into insolvency two years or so ago (search here). You would be an unsecured creditor if you could prove your claim - for that you will get nothing anyway.

Any new company trading as 'Bookster' is namely that. It may have bought the name but it has no responsibility for warranties/problems it did not cause ie it has no duty in law to deal with your claim or that of anyone else arising from the failed business.

Put it down to experience, if a local tailor can do something, go that way - or else you are left with burning it.

 

[Reformado]

Yes, I had a feeling that this might be the case. Looks like I shall have to find someone to make me another pair of trousers to match the damaged pair...

And put it down, as you say, to experience.

 

[GBR]

You may be able to find the cloth but it might be better trying to convince yourself that it is a sports coat. Such orphaned things rarely work but a more leisure oriented style might just be tolerable.

 

[MisterFu]

Being tweed, both the coat and the waistcoat can be used in other applications, so it's not a total loss. I would avoid trying to get the materials matched for a new pair of pants because the result will likely be poor.

IIRC, the Bookster collapse was pretty messy, with lots of unfulfilled orders without refunds.

 

[Reformado]

Gentleman, you are, of course, correct.

I shall assign other duties to the remaining garments!

And so plan my next tweed three piece...