Faulty fabric-shop won't refund

welshjenni

My friend purchased some chenille type curtain fabric from a long established fabric shop. They are known for selling good quality fabrics. It was around £14 a metre.

The fabric was given to a seamstress to make it up into curtains.

When they were hung it was noticed that there was flaw in the fabric about 6" long. It wasn't noticeable until the light shone through the (unlined) curtains. When the fabric is flat, the flaw is not discernible from the front and it is not that easy to spot on the back of the fabric unless you were looking for it. The seamstress hadn't noticed it.

The shop has a notice on display that says that 'Fabric cannot be returned once cut, please check carefully before cutting'

They have denied responsibility as the fabric was cut in 2 to make the curtains. They offered - without accepting liability - a 50% discount on blackout lining fabric as they said that these would stop the flaw showing. Rather galling to have to spend more money!

Before I had shown the flaw to the manager she interrupted me and suggested that it hadn't been visible until the curtains were hung.

I said that my interpretation of the notice was that people couldn't just change their mind about a fabric (colour, pattern etc) but that I wouldn't have expected to have look for faults in the fabric.

Is there any redress or does the notice mean that they do not have to make any sort of refund.?

Thanks

POPPYOSCAR

Your friend bought it but you took it back?

You have no rights to complain, your friend must do it.

welshjenni

We went back to the shop together - as she was so annoyed about it she asked me to deal with it so that she didn't get upset.

Isn't it academic which one of us made the complaint? I had taken her to help chose the fabric. She took a sample home to check the colour, placed the order over the phone and paid by card. I went to the shop and collected the fabric for her.

Oakdene

welshjenni wrote: »

We went back to the shop together - as she was so annoyed about it she asked me to deal with it so that she didn't get upset.

Isn't it academic which one of us made the complaint? I had taken her to help chose the fabric. She took a sample home to check the colour, placed the order over the phone and paid by card. I went to the shop and collected the fabric for her.

Nope, she made the payment they deal with her.

If their returns say that material must be checked carefully before cutting then I think you'll struggle to get anything more than what has been offered as that in itself is goodwill.

welshjenni

If we were there together I think that it is reasonable that I spoke on her behalf - not everyone is confident to make a complaint are they. Of course, if that is critical I guess I could take her back to repeat what I said. But if the notice is sufficient to cover themselves then there isn't any point in trying to take it further.

Personally I don't feel that the customer should have to check that fabric is perfect. The retailer should check that they are not selling seconds. It is so annoying.

Thank you for your reply :-)

lincroft1710

The seamstress who made it didn't even notice the flaw whilst spending time with the piece of fabric. A retailer is not going to spend hours checking each piece of fabric and if the fabric is on a roll they are not going to unroll it to check every square inch.

Unfortunately your friend will have to either live with the flaw or accept the shop's offer of a seemingly generous discount on the lining fabric

POPPYOSCAR

Even with lining the flaw may still show.

I bought some very expensive ready made curtains from House of Fraser.

It was not until they were hanging up that I noticed a flaw in the material which showed up with the light even though they were lined.

The store sent someone round to look at them and they agreed with me a discount.

Op your friend could write to the HO of the store if they have one to see if they will offer anything better than the store itself.

welshjenni

lincroft1710 wrote: »

The seamstress who made it didn't even notice the flaw whilst spending time with the piece of fabric. A retailer is not going to spend hours checking each piece of fabric and if the fabric is on a roll they are not going to unroll it to check every square inch.

Unfortunately your friend will have to either live with the flaw or accept the shop's offer of a seemingly generous discount on the lining fabric

Thanks for your reply - it seems that she will have to pay for the linings and suck it up.

The flaw wasn't obvious until the curtains were hung and the light shone behind them. The seamstress wasn't to blame in any way - I have been sewing for many years and didn't spot it (I was present some of the time when the curtains were being made).

lincroft1710

I didn't suggest the seamstress was to blame. But she didn't notice the flaw, you didn't notice the flaw, yet you complain that

welshjenni wrote: »

The retailer should check that they are not selling seconds.

How would you expect them to check for a flaw if 2 experienced seamstresses failed to spot it? They can't hold every piece of fabric up to the light.

LilElvis

If the flaw only shows when there is light shining through them then I can't see that its a major problem as curtains are generally only closed when it is dark and therefore the flaw won't be evident.

POPPYOSCAR

LilElvis wrote: »

If the flaw only shows when there is light shining through them then I can't see that its a major problem as curtains are generally only closed when it is dark and therefore the flaw won't be evident.

No it does not work like that!

Light still showed up the flaw in mine when the curtains were drawn back as it was near the edge.