https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 22 May 2026 18:26:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911413 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 16:57:48 +0000 Joyce B 1911413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you VERY MUCH to <b></b><b>everyone</b><b></b> who replied. Your advice was accurate and most helpful.<br />WHY did I even think of trying to fix it? Because I really wanted to have my interview capsule all sorted out and because it took me a lot of time and work to find these items. The only problem was, a shoddy alteration does not belong in my interview capsule or anywhere else.<br />If any of you had asked the same question on the forum, I would also have repplied to return ASAP but I was stuck on not having the good interview capsule that I thought I had.<br />SO I listened to all of you, went right back to Nordstrom's. I checked the repair and the second seamstress did a pretty good job. I *almost* brought the jacket home but I kept on thinking about what you all advised. I hung the jacket on a hanger by the little rack at the register and took a few steps back to settle my thoughts. That was a good thing because as I stepped back I saw a slight puckering on one of the sleeves, surely the one that had the initial lining cut too short. As soon as I showed the SA the pictures of the botched alteration, she got me the manager and since I (thankfully) had the receipt she promptly issued me a full refund. I also returned the two skirts that I had bought to wear with it.<br /><b>Gaylene, </b>I agree that the original seamstress was an amateur. I also wonder if they have *any* criteria when they hire a seamstress. That one has been there over a year, I was informed, I don't know how or why such a poorly trained person is still there.<br /><b>Barbara Diane, </b>your advice was sound, if the second jacket was not at least as good as the first, it was not to be accepted. I also took the good alteration with me as support, as you suggested. Good thing that they refunded you for your purse with the problem with the handle.<br /><b>Sterling, </b>that is so bad about your fine jewelry. I was afraid that I would be angry at myself if I kept the jacket and was unhappy about it.<br /><b>Isabel,&nbsp;</b>what a horrible experience that must have been for you, with the botched alterations for your DD's wedding! Glad they made good on it for you but not without aggravation unfortunately. I will keep in mind what you said as it is vert sound advice: "<b></p> <p>Return immediately. You're not "being nice" by accepting substandard work, you're facilitating the idea that bad is ok. </b>" That can apply to many things, not just shopping.<br /><b>Jorja, </b>they don't have the jacket anymore. Glad that you were able to get another jacket that worked for you.<br /><b>efbgen, </b>&nbsp;your advice is spot on, I will be sure to keep it in mind. My taylor also shows me what the did and there is pride in his work, just like there is in yours. I may have to just stick with my taylor and not go with the Nordstrom's repairs.<br />If I ever go back to Nordstrom's for alterations, I will take the receipt of the botched alteration so that they do not give me the same seamstress.</p> <p><b>The lessons learned are:<br /></b>-Think how I am going to feel if I accept a botched item.<b><br /></b>-Continue to always save the shopping receipts and alterations receipts, they may come in very handy.<br />-Always try on the alteration before taking it home.<br />-Always look at the site of the alteration, like <b>efbgen</b> said.<br />-Always hang on a hanger and rack and take a few steps back to make a final assessment of how the altered part falls and to rule out any puckering of the fabric.<br />I think I should be good with this from now on. Please feel free to add if you would like to.</p> <p>Now I shall begin the hunt for my next charcoal capsule...</p> <p><b></b></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911318 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 11:57:42 +0000 Anonymous 1911318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You pay good money for an item of clothing and have to pay for alterations - you never settle for shoddy work. It is shameful they let it out of the alterations department that way.<br /> Always always check before you leave by both trying it on and looking directly at where alterations were made. I alter clothes for friends for free all the time. I never let them grab and go. They are shown what I did and made to try it on to make sure it passes muster for both of us.<br /> I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope they make it right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911273 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 06:13:51 +0000 Bijou 1911273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A unanimous decision RETURN - this is a dreadful alteration and a good lesson for us all to be vigilant regarding alterations. They have completely ruined the jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911266 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 04:02:25 +0000 rachylou 1911266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is really bad. Looks like it got mangled in the sewing machine. Has to go back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911257 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 02:44:19 +0000 Colette 1911257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That stinks. I’m not sure the repair of the botched alteration would be satisfactory for me so I would probably return it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911157 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:23:30 +0000 Style Fan 1911157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Add my name to the list of take it back.&nbsp; How unfortunate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911152 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:12:18 +0000 Anonymous 1911152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah - add my name to the list of "take it back" s. This is horribly unprofessional alteration job . &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911118 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:09:38 +0000 Jorja 1911118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So sorry this happened! I had a similar experience at Nordstrom’s and there was no problem with the return plus credit for alterations. The sales associate then found another jacket in the same brand, color and size and said there were to be no charges for alterations. I requested a different seamstress do the alterations. The sales associate handled it all - no need for management.<br /> I think Nordstrom’s would agree that your alterations are unacceptable.<br /> I also learned to try on the item when you pick it up following alterations! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911114 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:46:58 +0000 Anonymous 1911114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Return immediately. You're not "being nice" by accepting substandard work, you're facilitating the idea that bad is ok.</p> <p>I had good luck with Nordstrom alterations until I needed to have a dress altered for my daughters wedding. They took a long time to do the work, botched it, and then botched it again.</p> <p>I was so disappointed but it was too late to change course. To their credit, they did apologize profusely, give me a credit, offer me a session with a stylist, etc.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911109 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:42:46 +0000 Barbara Diane 1911109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the fix isn’t as good as the alteration on your other jacket don’t accept it. You might want to bring the other jacket with you to show the difference.<br /> If the jacket is no longer available perhaps request a different tailor make a new lining but approve the material first. </p> <p>It was hard for me, but I refused to pay for new handles on my purse even though they special ordered leather for the replacement. I initially paid but immediately changed my mind and told them I would never carry it again and I got my money back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911108 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:42:22 +0000 Suz 1911108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely return -- and so sorry this happened!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911096 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:13:48 +0000 Gail 1911096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks terrible I would return, totally unacceptable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911091 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:55:28 +0000 Lesley 1911091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fortunate that it was Nordstrom's! They have the best customer service and will certainly take it back (as they should if they did the botched alteration). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911089 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:49:37 +0000 Gaylene 1911089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a seamstress, I’d say this was a very sloppy alteration. Definitely take it back. If the jacket fits well and looks fine on the outside, a skilled tailor or seamstress should be able to redo this mess of an alteration so the jacket looks as good inside as outside. The person who did this work was either in too much of a hurry, or, more likely, an amateur who needs to improve his/her skills. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911086 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:37:07 +0000 LaPed 1911086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yikes! I'd definitely take it back; I expect Nordstrom of all places will want to make it right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911083 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:13:27 +0000 Chris987 1911083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup, take it right back. If you are feeling awkward abut doing that, remember it's probably just&nbsp;one employee who made this mistake. The Nordstrom Customer Support manager and the company representatives as a whole will want to do something to keep you a satisfied customer and should fix it for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911079 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:07:40 +0000 anchie 1911079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It does look bad, it would bother me too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911077 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:05:17 +0000 JAileen 1911077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a mess. Don’t accept sub par work. Be firm with your displeasure. I’m sorry they wrecked your jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911074 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:53:30 +0000 Angie 1911074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Head STRAIGHT back to Nordies right now. Unacceptable.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911070 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:38:21 +0000 Cardiff girl 1911070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I m with Janet on this one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911048 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:41:57 +0000 Janet 1911048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no! I would definitely go to Nordstrom and bring this to the attention of management. I would consider returning, but is that jacket still available for you to get a new one? </p> <p>I feel like you’re always going to feel less than fab in this jacket because it doesn’t feel right. I would want Nordstrom to make it right either with a full refund or a replacement with a free alteration. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911041 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:27:26 +0000 Anonymous 1911041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Truthfully, I would return the garment and look for a new one.&nbsp; </p> <p>I say this because years ago I accepted a sub-par adjustment on an important piece of jewelry.&nbsp; I was wrong to do so.&nbsp; The store was wrong to have tried to take advantage of me.&nbsp; I regret it to this day.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/botched-alterationwhat-would-you-do#post-1911036 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:14:00 +0000 Joyce B 1911036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got two sets of separates to wear for job interviews, one in grey and one in charcoal. The jackets are the same style, because that was the only one that pretty much worked although it was not “perfect”. I got the gray one altered and they did a good job. Then I went to get the charcoal jacket altered (shortening of the sleeves). I did not try it on as I figured they did a good job with the first one so what could go wrong.<br /> A few weeks ago I went for a job interview and when I was putting on my jacket there were holes inside the sleeves, at the end of the sleeves, and my thumbs got tangled in them. That was not a surprise I needed on an interview day. I still wore the jacket as I was running out of time and the outside looked OK.<br /> I took it back to the store (if I can say what store, it was Nordstrom’s) and they took it back and said they would fix it. Maybe they can fix the holes but they cut the lining too short in one of the sleeves and then they sewed a bit extra for the length. I don’t think they can fix that part.<br /> A jacket for interviews is supposed to look professional an feel that way as well. Even if it looks good from the outside, the lining will always be wrong.<br /> I will pick up the jacket today or on the weekend and will see how it looks and will try it on.<br /> What would you do? Just compromise and accept if the repair is not too bad?<br /> Or return the jacket and proceed to look for a new one? Jackets that fit right and work for interviews are not an easy find but the jacket has to make you feel your best and I don’t think a botched jacket will do that for me.<br /> The take home message for me is to never receive an alteration without looking inside out and trying on the garment. They just made me even more discerning (like I needed that )<br /> I am enclosing pictures of the inside of the sleeves.<br /> In all fairness, I am very surprised that this happened at Nordstrom’s. They had done good alterations for me in the past, they shortened the sleeves of a leather jacket that has zippers and they did a perfect job.<br /> I will appreciate your input. </p>