Potential suit nightmare!

risky235687

Hi. New on here but beginning to fret heavily about a new suit that I bought. Basically, a few weeks ago I bought a new men's suit in store (off the rack) from a well established brand. I was really pleased with it and very excited. I went a bit over budget but felt it was worth it as I'd found one that I loved. The salesman suggested that I have some alterations. Trouser length, sleeve length and an adjustment to the back. I was happy with that as it was a well respected store with well trained staff.
When I went to collect the suit post alteration the jacket was a shocking fit. The adjustment to the back had caused a horror show. The sales assistant then said that they could make further adjustments to iron out this problem.
Now it could be that when it is ready to try on again that I have no problem and I will be happy. Instinct tells me that this will not be the case.
My question is - should it not fit at next fitting do I have any consumer rights?
I've now examined the small print that I signed where it states that 'once a product has been altered there can be no refund or exchange'. Now I was expecting the alterations to improve the fit. One of them did not. I have now been told that the alterations are not. Had I known this I might have enquired more about the adjustments rather than assuming that they were routine especially given I had gone somewhat over budget. Clearly, a mistake has been made in store - either in suggesting the alteration or in the execution and am worried that I will be lumbered with a suit that I cannot wear.
I purchased on my debit card.
So do I have any consumer rights here or any debit card chargeback options? Just wanted to know whether I have any cards in my hand should the next fitting go pear shaped. Any advice much appreciated.

bris

If the alterations are carried out properly then you will have no case.


The fit is subjective and would hinge on whether the alterations were carried out with reasonable care and skill.


If everything fits but just not to your liking then you would struggle with this, (buyers remorse spring to mind)if however they botch the job then you have a case.

risky235687

Thanks bris. I'm hoping all is ok when I can next try it on.

After original alterations it was horrible. I'm not being fussy with it. Salesman agreed it was not right. Creases along the back and all bunched up in the shoulders. Definitely, an error of some sorts. Judgement or execution I'm not sure.

InsideInsurance

risky235687 wrote: »

I've now examined the small print that I signed where it states that 'once a product has been altered there can be no refund or exchange'.

A contract cannot override your statutory rights. I would interpret the above to mean no refund or exchange for change of mind, which is legal and understandable.

Even if they want it to be broader if they goods are intrinsically faulty then you always have a right of getting the matter being resolved no matter what is in the contract.

To be honest, a salesman is a salesman, there to shift units - the one exception is the cutter in a bespoke tailors - and even in high end shops they are very poorly trained in actual tailoring.

With my first made to order suit I was concerned that the sleeves were riding up far too much. Reading online it mentioned a few possible causes but one of the ones continuously repeated is that the armholes were too big. Went back to the shop and happened to see the same sales guy and his view was that the problem is common to their suites because the armhole was cut small, the exact opposite of what experts online say and logically doesnt make sense. Secondly their only proposal was to lengthen the slieve which would mean that its too long with arms down and still too short with arms out/up. Its a pity as the fabric was really nice

In the future, buy a suit that fits well on the chest and shoulders as these are the most difficult to fix. Then take it to a good alterations place where the person whos going to be fixing it actually sees you in it and marks out the changes needed. May be a bit more expensive but a much better result.

In this case though, stick to your guns, they need to do the job properly and clearly you need to express your concern that the number of alterations are going to cause problems - if done well this is unlikely actually to be the case but it sounds logical and I doubt the sales guy knows any different

risky235687

A contract cannot override your statutory rights. I would interpret the above to mean no refund or exchange for change of mind, which is legal and understandable.

Even if they want it to be broader if they goods are intrinsically faulty then you always have a right of getting the matter being resolved no matter what is in the contract.

Thanks for your reply. This is very helpful. I guess they just try to cover themselves as much as they can and also hope that customers might think that this contract is final.

Does it help my cause that the alterations are included in the suit price? Does this make them part of the product that I have paid for?

In the future, buy a suit that fits well on the chest and shoulders as these are the most difficult to fix. Then take it to a good alterations place where the person whos going to be fixing it actually sees you in it and marks out the changes needed. May be a bit more expensive but a much better result.

Noted. Good advice. This has been a learning experience thus far.

Anyway, I sincerely hope that it fits well when I have my next fitting and that both myself and salesmen will be happy. I just wanted to be clear on my options/rights before I go back in.

InsideInsurance

risky235687 wrote: »

Does it help my cause that the alterations are included in the suit price? Does this make them part of the product that I have paid for?

It makes things more convenient that it is all dealt with under a single purchase/ contract with a single vendor and thus avoids finger pointing etc but ultimately even if it was a separate service purchased later from a different vendor they'd still have a contractual obligation to you and still have the requirement to indemnify you if they broke that contract.

The important thing to remember as you did buy it as a whole is your ability to reject the goods under the Sales of Goods Act as not fit for purpose/ faulty

risky235687

Ok. Many thanks for your advice.