Monsoon - problem with swimming costume

polesana

I have just been speaking to my Mum about a swimming costume she had bought from Monsoon. She bought it a few months ago and goes swimming a couple of times a week (in a low-chlorine pool as she has eye problems). The problem is that when she bought it it was really bright blue, and now it is a very pale grey (almost "dove" grey). Obviously a little fading is acceptable but she was so disappointed as she loved the colour and now doesn't want to wear it as it has gone such a horrible colour.

She carefully packed it and sent it back to them with a long letter of explanation.

This morning she received a letter from them saying that they weren't prepared to offer her a refund or exchange and had enclosed the original costume. They didn't offer to refund her postage.

She is quite unhappy as she wasn't just out for compensation or a refund, just disappointed that an item she liked was no longer useable.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with Monsoon or have any advice what she can do? (She can't buy another one as the style is no longer available)

Thanks for any advice P

Sooler

polesana wrote: »

They didn't offer to refund her postage.

Why ought they? They didn't ask her to send it in. If they receive an item out of the blue in the post that has nothing wrong with it I don't think they would be expected to pay to return it and refund the senders postage.

She doesn't want a refund or compensation and the item is no longer available.
What could they do?, no point offering a refund as she doesn't want one, no point offering compensation as she doesn't want any, they can't offer a replacement as they don't have any.
Seems she just sent it in for them to look at it, they looked at it, they sent it back.

polesana wrote: »

Has anyone had any similar experiences with Monsoon

They sell overpriced tat that looks good on the hanger but it's designed not to be worn more than a few times. It will be ruined after just a few washes - because of this but most of their stuff is dry clean only - more ongoing expense.

polesana wrote: »

any advice what she can do

Don't buy stuff from Monsoon just because it looks good.

pinkshoes

Surely the fit of the swimming costume is the most important thing? Will the shade of blue make any difference to her swimming?

Swimming pools aren't really the most fashionable of places... personally I'm usually more concerned that one of my boobs hasn't fallen out rather than whether anyone has noticed my costume is a little faded.

As for the postage, they didn't ask her to send it (they would have no doubt sent her a pre-paid envelope), so I'm not sure why they should refund the postage.

Ms-Pacman

If the colour has faded a huge amount then there must be a problem with the colour dye used. I used to work as a manager for a retail clothes shop and this was quite common in things like swim wear and underwear of certain fabric - eg lycra.

We would accept the item as faulty as it clearly is. Whether the swimsuit fits or not is not the issue, the complaint is for an item purchased which is now significantly different due to no fault of the buyer.

Whether or not they refund for postage, to be honest I guess is up to the company but they certanly should replace the item.

I would not just let this drop.
Can she take it to a local Monsoon shop and ask them to exchange it for omething similar? Shop Managers tend to be more sympathatic I find (rather than Head Offices who like to send automated letter as they don't need to face the customer), especially if they care about their shop which the smaller retail managers tend to.

Good luck

VfM4meplse

Sooler wrote: »

They sell overpriced tat that looks good on the hanger but it's designed not to be worn more than a few times. It will be ruined after just a few washes - because of this but most of their stuff is dry clean only - more ongoing expense.

I completely agree. Monsoon merchandise may look dreamy and gorgeous but it is made with the blood, sweat and tears of low-paid workers in developing nations and the mark up is scandalous. In this day and age there is no excuse for disposable fashion, whether sold at disposable prices or hefty premiums.

Becles

I've found all swimsuits fade and the lycra goes saggy with regular use in a swimming pool. I just buy really cheap ones as it's not worth spending a lot on something that is going to get ruined. I'm currently using a one I got for £2.50 in the sale in Tesco!

VfM4meplse

Becles wrote: »

I've found all swimsuits fade and the lycra goes saggy with regular use in a swimming pool. I just buy really cheap ones as it's not worth spending a lot on something that is going to get ruined. I'm currently using a one I got for £2.50 in the sale in Tesco!

Just be careful as the material and will disintegrate quicker than most and the saving may be a false economy of you end up providing poolside entertainment with your transparent cossie!:rolleyes:

peachyprice

In all honesty a Monsoon swimming cossie is designed to look good on the beach/around the pool on holiday, it isn't necessarily designed to be used a couple of times a week in chlorinated pool (even low-chlorine ones, didn't know there was such a thing?).

Your mum would be better off spending her money on something designed to withstand regular pool use such as a Speedo or Zoggs.

Markyt

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Monsoon merchandise may look dreamy and gorgeous but it is made with the blood, sweat and tears of low-paid workers in developing nations

Sure about that?

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/pcat/cultureandcommitment

Becles

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Just be careful as the material and will disintegrate quicker than most and the saving may be a false economy of you end up providing poolside entertainment with your transparent cossie!:rolleyes:

I've been swimming regular since I was about 12, and I've never had that problem! I do check the cossie regular though, as my Mam's friend had one that had the seam burst round her bottom as she was climbing out the pool