Alterations liability?

[polar-lemon]

Ok, so there have been threads of this nature ad nauseam, so I'll make it brief. Alterations person shortened sleeves on a shirt too much in disregard of my instructions. Shirt is french cuffed, and as a result is now unwearable. Is it unreasonable to ask them to cover the cost of the shirt ($70, what I paid at about 30% of retail), since it was brand new? Do I just not pay for the alterations and cut my losses? I've been going to this place for many, many years, so I feel as if that gives me more of a reason to ask for some sort of recompense.

 

[voxsartoria]

If you've used them happily before, you could suggest that you receive $70 in complimentary alterations in the future.

**** happens with alterations.


- B

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

If you've used them happily before, you could suggest that you receive $70 in complimentary alterations in the future.

**** happens with alterations.


- B

I'd say demand. They are there to perform a service. I cant just say 'oops' at my job, I gotta fix it... so do they.

 

[RedLantern]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

If you've used them happily before, you could suggest that you receive $70 in complimentary alterations in the future.

**** happens with alterations.


- B


Good idea.

 

[polar-lemon]

Originally Posted by RedLantern

Good idea.

Yes, great idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

**** happens with alterations.

+1

Anyone who's been going to a tailor for a significant period of time will eventually be on the receiving end of a big mistake due to human error. It happens.

A tailor with whom you have a good working relationship will be sorry & embarrassed and will certainly make appropriate amends if you just nicely point out the error. It will often come in the form of a discount, credit or a nice free item.

If it happend with the first item you took to a tailor, things might be more difficult, but since the OP has been using this tailor for ages, I suggest just pointing out the error and letting events take their natural course. I wouldn't even suggest a remedy of your own to begin with; let them make the first offer.

 

[stickonatree]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

I wouldn't even suggest a remedy of your own to begin with; let them make the first offer.
i agree with this. this past summer in august i referred a friend to my tailor of a few years to do some basic alterations on a few pants and shirts. i went out of the country for about a month, then when i came back, i called my friend to see how the alterations went. he told me that my tailor had not even called yet, after a month! i called my tailor to see what was going on, and apparently he was in the process of moving so had to pack everything up from his workshop to do at his home, and had not gotten around to unpacking some of the alterations boxes (not sure if this was an excuse, but it doesn't matter). this went on for about 2 more months, before he finally finished them. i was about to demand a large discount for my friend for this unprofessional behavior, but before i could he apologized first and gave my friend a heavy discount on the finished alterations and any alterations in the future.

 

[GBR]

If specific written instructions which were fully understood were ignored than make them pay. Other than that you need to be certain just how right you are and how wrong they are.