Quality Control Issues and Customer Response: UPDATE

Not long ago I wrote about an issue I encountered when I laundered (according to care instructions) a dress I purchased from the website of Urban Outfitters. I am happy to report that I was able to return it to the brick and mortar store without a hitch. The salesperson was very understanding and apologetic. And although this isn't the sort of thing I would do unless I was extremely disappointed in the wear and longevity of a garment, I am glad to know that it is possible at this particular retailer.

It is disappointing when we encounter quality control issues in the places we shop. Receiving something that turns out to be shoddy or defective can compromise consumer confidence in a brand. But knowing that Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters (both owned under the same umbrella) are willing to take responsibility for quality issues when they arise is enough to keep me coming back in the future.

Quality Control Issues and Customer Response

I bought a dress from Urban Outfitters back in October and am having a dilemma. Although the dress is very cute, the button loop at the neckline broke immediately and after I laundered it (exactly according to the care instructions, although I did not tumble dry like it said I could for fear of shrinking) the already short dress shrunk considerably. Now I realize it was not the world's most expensive dress. But even for $44 I expected it to hold up for longer than 2 short (dinner-length) wears and 1 wash!

I am still within the holiday return window and need to decide whether I should take the dress to the store or call and ask if I can mail it back due to defects. Or should I just eat the money and be annoyed? What would you do?

Do you ever feel timid about asking retailers to stand by their products? I normally wouldn't but the idea of staring the hip Urban Outfitter customer service staff in the face, explaining that "I simply cannot wear a butt-displaying former-dress-now-tunic, therefore I want a refund," makes me nervous.

This entire experience is also a lesson about the futility of buying cute but cheap thrills. It is a lesson I have learned too many times over!

Russian Rose Dress Review from Urban Outfitters

With the lure of stackable coupons, I decided to order from Urban Outfitters. As I get older, I find myself shopping there less and less. It isn't just that I have outgrown a lot of the trendy styles and super short hemlines, but I also find their quality to be lacking. Still, I wanted to grab a pair of the House of Holland Suspender tights and in order to reach the coupon use threshold, I had to add another item to my cart. I would up grabbing the Russian Rose dress despite its mixed website reviews. They were out of large so I ordered a medium with a bit of trepidation about fit and length.

My order arrived quickly and the dress seemed nice upon first glance. The embroidered bodice was rich and textured. And the fabric was less sheer and flimsy than the reviews had me expecting. It reminded me very much of my H&M horse print dress, which is a go-to garment for when I visit establishments that still permit cigarette smoking. Generally anything I can throw on and feel pulled together, then throw into to washing machine works in that context. This dress should function similarly. The shape is certainly similar. Although the bodice detail draws attention to an area of my body that is already pretty ample, I think the dress is cute and relatively modest. The length is a bit of an issue, which I assumed but the fit was otherwise fine (aka true to UO sizing which is slightly small). I wore it to dinner on Friday with relatively opaque tights and a slip underneath to add coverage. I hope I don't regret keeping this one.

Urban Outfitters Haul

I am not sure what it is about this season's clothing offerings but I find myself wanting for very little. This is a wonderful thing because typically, (since fall clothes are my favorite) I find myself waist deep in wishlists of items to sale stalk. Perhaps the lure of new has waned after a few months of conscious consumption constriction? I think it might have.

Having said that, I haven't been completely haul-free... This week, thanks to a heads up from the gals on Fashionism.org, I learned that there were some current Urban Outfitters coupon codes that were secretly stackable. TEENVOGUE offered 20% off non sale items and DAWNOFTHEDEAL took another $25 off $75. If you filled your card strategically, you could get 45% off an order. I did just that when I purchased the above items. Although I am concerned about the fit of the dress and its general frump factor, I really adore it and hope it works on me. It's online only so trying it on beforehand wasn't possible. And the tights (which I ordered in black) were on my wishlist for months and months! If you want to stack the codes for yourself, follow the instructions here. Remember Ebates yields another 2.5% in cash back.

Mad for Plaids: More New Orleans dressing room photos

It was pretty cold while I was down south. With highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s, it barely felt like a break from the bitter cold of SWPA. And in my silliness, I actually thought I might get to swim in the unheated pool at the W New Orleans, where I stayed.

View from my room on the 22nd floor. I could see the casino, the Mississippi River, and the World Trade Center.

The sun made everything more bearable, at least. And compared to 2+feet of snow and highs in the high 20s, 50 did feel almost tropical. 

But spring fashions were ubiquitous on racks of boutiques and local outposts of familiar shopping haunts. I did manage to find a few warmer flannel options to layer for when I'd return to Pittsburgh.

 

This dress is a size medium and it was snug around my hips and thighs. I didn't buy it but I really liked the dark colors. 

This blue flannel dress had a flattering shape and was marked down to $19.99. I took a medium and have worn it many times since!

I also bought this foofy lace skirt from Urban Outfitters sale section and have worn it a few times already. If I wear it with too much black it can look a little more goth and witchy than I want. So I try to soften it with colored tights or a lighter cardigan.

Dressing Room Report

One thing I like about traveling is how easy it becomes to rationalize otherwise indulgent luxuries only reserved for bad days or special occasions. For example, I wouldn't usually eat a plate of beignets for breakfast at home, but while traveling, it becomes an entirely reasonable meal.

Beignets from Cafe du Monde

And meandering around a fairly empty department store, opting to try on full price stuff with little intent to buy becomes a way to kill an hour of spare time.

 

I've always been drawn to polka dots, even though I can't recall the last time I wore them. But when I saw this silk and ruffled dress by Nanette Lepore I decided to move from being the customer who was "just browsing" into one who, "would love to start a fitting room." This is a size 8 or 10. I can't recall which. But it fit loosely on top. This dress also had substantial shoulder pads which was an alarming surprise. Although I liked it, it didn't wow me.

Nautical sails and seagulls enticed me to grab this silk Tibi dress. The size 10 was ill fitting on me.

The next few dresses were from the Urban Outfitters sale racks in New Orleans. This dress was cute but a little more body conscious than I wear.

This heavy corduroy dress by Lark and Wolf by Steven Alan reminded me of an APC dress. But I didn't buy it because it was a little big on top (particularly when I turned to the side, the back bloused strangely).

I'll post the remainder, including things I actually purchased, tomorrow.