Broken zipper after 6mths: John Lewis stating unreasonable

Spikeygran

I think its safe to say these days,  having a larger price tag does not make it a quality item or make sure it comes from a company who worries about their reputation.  

I've bought from JL a couple of times.   The 2nd time had some issues, and found their customer services fell very short of good service so haven't purchased from them again.

PennysIntoPounds

eskbanker said:

PennysIntoPounds said:

This is not helpful to you at the moment but Sweaty Betty are not good quality products, I had to return a sports bra because the metal clasps buckled then the replacement one did the same. Have never had that issue on any other clasp of any other brand.
I would suggest getting in touch with their customer service to see what they can do, but don't buy from them in future. Sorry you've had this problem, I agree a £375 coat should last longer than a few months!

When you suggest contacting 'their' customer service, are you referring to John Lewis or Sweaty Betty, both of whom have seemingly already said they're unwilling to help?

I haven't seen that contact was made with Sweaty Betty, I thought that OP was referring to their returns policy from the way it was phrased. I may of course be mistaken and wish OP best of luck in prolonging their purchase in whichever way they are able to.
I have no further advice or support to give so shall leave this thread now

Ergates

fluffypaws174 said:

It’s hard to get it repaired as it’s a very long non standard waterproof zip!  It was paid via credit card so I could do a charge bacj

who do I go to to prove zip was faulty? What is an independent? 

I suggest a professional seamstress - it sounds like you've spoken to one or more of them already.  Whilst they might not be prepared to attempt a repair, they might still be willing to offer a professional opinion on the "build quality"

Emmia

PennysIntoPounds said:

This is not helpful to you at the moment but Sweaty Betty are not good quality products, I had to return a sports bra because the metal clasps buckled then the replacement one did the same. Have never had that issue on any other clasp of any other brand.
I would suggest getting in touch with their customer service to see what they can do, but don't buy from them in future. Sorry you've had this problem, I agree a £375 coat should last longer than a few months!

Unfortunately I would.disagree with this. I've got lots of Sweaty Betty products, some of which are over a decade old. The leggings in particular are excellent.

I never buy full price Sweaty Betty, only in the sales.

I can't comment on the bras though as fundamentally they don't fit me - I buy my sports bras from Shock Absorber, or M&S.

In terms of the zip replacement/repair there seem to be specialist places you can try. Although I've never used them but it's worth enquiring. 

https://lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk/outdoor-clothing-repairs/

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/repair-and-care.html

MyRealNameToo

Emmia said:

PennysIntoPounds said:

This is not helpful to you at the moment but Sweaty Betty are not good quality products, I had to return a sports bra because the metal clasps buckled then the replacement one did the same. Have never had that issue on any other clasp of any other brand.
I would suggest getting in touch with their customer service to see what they can do, but don't buy from them in future. Sorry you've had this problem, I agree a £375 coat should last longer than a few months!

Unfortunately I would.disagree with this. I've got lots of Sweaty Betty products, some of which are over a decade old. The leggings in particular are excellent.

Something thats a decade old generally isnt a good proof that something they make today is going to be good quality. Hunter wellies used to be good but they went into administration, when they came out they moved production to China and whilst prices have gone up most have claimed that quality has suffered. 

Spikeygran said:

I think its safe to say these days,  having a larger price tag does not make it a quality item or make sure it comes from a company who worries about their reputation.   

The problem is that these big brands have big marketing budgets which the product price has to cover with added margin from the manufacturer and then the retailer typically bases their price on the wholesale price and their own marketing budgets. 

Emmia

MyRealNameToo said:

Emmia said:

PennysIntoPounds said:

This is not helpful to you at the moment but Sweaty Betty are not good quality products, I had to return a sports bra because the metal clasps buckled then the replacement one did the same. Have never had that issue on any other clasp of any other brand.
I would suggest getting in touch with their customer service to see what they can do, but don't buy from them in future. Sorry you've had this problem, I agree a £375 coat should last longer than a few months!

Unfortunately I would.disagree with this. I've got lots of Sweaty Betty products, some of which are over a decade old. The leggings in particular are excellent.

Something thats a decade old generally isnt a good proof that something they make today is going to be good quality. Hunter wellies used to be good but they went into administration, when they came out they moved production to China and whilst prices have gone up most have claimed that quality has suffered. 

I also have leggings I bought a year ago... and more recently... similarly great.

Haven't noticed a reduction in quality.

born_again

fluffypaws174 said:

It’s hard to get it repaired as it’s a very long non standard waterproof zip!  It was paid via credit card so I could do a charge bacj

who do I go to to prove zip was faulty? What is an independent? 

No chargeback right as not faulty at time of purchase & way over time limit anyway from date of purchase.
S75, you would need 3rd party report (seamstress?) & even then it is not a given.

Not sure why a seamstress could not repair it with a normal zip, just would not be waterproof. If it has a flap over the zip, then should be fine.

MyRealNameToo

born_again said:
Not sure why a seamstress could not repair it with a normal zip, just would not be waterproof. If it has a flap over the zip, then should be fine.

Or they could replace it with a waterproof zip... in practice I suspect it's actually water resistant zip and likely something like Aquaguard from YKK. It's not as if Sweaty Betty has created a brand new invention, they'll have bought it from someone, probably YKK given they have a 40% market share of the zips produced globally. 

Skiddaw1

Fundamentally, I'm with the OP though- the zip should have lasted longer than that. I'd be pretty peed off too if it was me. 

eskbanker

Skiddaw1 said:

Fundamentally, I'm with the OP though- the zip should have lasted longer than that. I'd be pretty peed off too if it was me. 

Of course, but this is in the same territory as many other threads on this board, in that there's a crucial distinction between having rights and actually enforcing them, so it's all about what needs to be done in order to prevail when the company concerned is, initially at least, uncooperative, as well as discussing pragmatic alternatives if unable or unwilling to jump through the relevant hoops.