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Team Fail :(

Helena

Veteran

Hi friends ... I feel I like in mental chaos and so have been quiet and not focusing much on clothes the last few weeks ... during this chilly and dark time of year, it's leggings and sweatshirts for me

BUT two recent fails have been REALLY bothering me, so I'm entering the YLF confessional to share

1. The Frank & Oak fuzzy scarf. I am really sad about this one. It was a splurge-for-me to spend on a scarf. The colour is absolutely lovely but the volume is just not working ... my lifestyle involves practical errands in and out of the car, and outdoor activities that need activewear and puffers ... just not the vibe for this swooshy scarf, or perhaps the style just doesn't work for my personal taste and comfort? And then, to top it off, it got dirt on it and when I washed per instructions it came out very pilled and messy-looking All in all, this was meant to be a treat but I feel I just flushed this money down the toilet and added to landfill. I will keep it for the remainder of the season to see if it can be salvaged but for now it's a sad thumbs down and I don't even think I'd donate it. *sigh*

2. The Blondo taupe booties. Haven't worn these more than once - sadly just enough to make them non-returnable. I have almost the exact same pair in burgundy and they are a comfy as can be but alas, they've changed something in the design. These are hard on my feet and the toe box is super uncomfortable for some reason. Again, annoyed because these ticked all the right boxes and yet still ended up a big waste of money. Again, I'll keep them a while to see if they are salvagable or fill an occasional need where a little discomfort is tolerable ... but I suspect these are also going to donation (at least they are in perfect condition for someone whose feet they'll agree with better).

GRRRR!!! Okay I've had my whinge and feel better now (kind of lol). On the bright side my bargain camel coat has been getting loads of wear which is good!

Any successes or fails you'd care to share? xoxo

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

LaPed

Veteran

Per F&O’s return policy, I think you should contact them about quality standards and request a refund. Pilling on the first wash, following instructions, would have me reaching out to customer service!

“Frank And Oak apparel and accessories are quality guaranteed for 30 days after purchase. If you have any concerns about the workmanship of our products, bring them back to one of our stores or contact our customer service team online. We'll be happy to work with you to find a solution.”

Footwear is really the worst, so I feel you on that one. I don’t buy many “cute” shoes at this point, precisely because I know I won’t wear them if they’re remotely uncomfortable. I think the options are either resell (someone will be excited to get a great deal on nearly new shoes), or donate and know that the money and the shoes will be helping someone else.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks La Ped ... I will try customer service, the worst they can say is no! And yes it is a consolation with the boots that they will serve someone well. Thank you

lyn67

Veteran

Damn... but I commiserate....and am very sorry:-(.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Helena! Don’t worry! It happens. We can’t win all the time

The scarf was a fun experiment that did not work. It’s so okay! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Now you know. Onward!

The boots seem flawed. I vote try to return them. Call customer service. You made a very informed decision, and it’s not your fault. It’s the fault of the shoes!

Helena

Veteran

Thank you xoxox

Going to try customer service ... nothing ventured nothing gained ... and if that doesn't work, I'll put them out of sight for now and plan to donate/dispose of in the spring if they don't redeem themselves

Thanks for the encouragement!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That’s so disappointing! The mistakes were not yours — the items are flawed. I’ve had some unsuccessful footwear purchases in the last couple of years too — some things just feel fine with a substantial try-on but fail once they’re out in the world. It’s maddening. Can the boots be stretched in the toe box, I wonder? The scarf is just too unfortunate. I avoid oversized scarves for the practical considerations myself, so I understand!

Helena

Veteran

Janet, the toe box is spacious but SO hard - when I step it's like stubbing my toe lol. I don't know how I didn't notice during testing ... as you say it's a different story when you try to put some real wear into them. I guess I've worn my other Blondos to pieces, so on balance I'm doing pretty good ... the scarf is just one of those things ... it happens and it sucks Catholic guilt kicks in with the waste lol ... but ONWARDS.

I did see your comment the other day about the oversized scarves not working for you and really related ... although I had to try to find out I guess! x

cat2

Veteran

I had an epic fail this year. I bought a final sale dress from a brand I love that has never let me down, and instead of having the body skimming drifty cut of their other silk dresses it had a very oversized cut. My tailor had no solution, given the way it is paneled. I know that on balance my sale shopping this year has saved me far more than I spent on this dress, but it feels like such a waste. Anyone out there want a very billowy burgundy silk chiffon dress?

Irina

Veteran

So sorry, Helena! Not your fault, these things happen sometimes.

I had my share, too. I bought a pair of orange flats from COS and love them so much that bought a second pair in black before actually wear the first one. It turned out that shoes are very comfortable but the soles looked like they were painted! It looked awful after the first wear and had to pay a cobbler to resole new shoes!

phoebe

Supporting contacting customer service for both items. There's no way you could have anticipated these issues without wearing the items

I've had clothing malfunction and been refunded because I have a history with the company and more than once, because the company is aware that a product manufactured at a particular time proved to be sub standard.

pirouette

Helena you are not alone. I could write a book about the fails I’ve had. I know what you mean about the guilt. I have a sister and a friend the same size as me so they get all my mistakes. Usually I buy something and then after wearing it I find it uncomfortable or something not quite right and as I can’t return them I pass them on. On the other hand I am very popular with my sister and friend so it’s not all bad.

slim cat

Veteran

I'm so sorry - I had a few of fails this year as well and it's getting worse.
My previous return ( in perfect condition, through their website and with $10 for restocking ) took 4 months to process. I'm waiting for another one - nobody knows when it'll be completed.
I stopped trying pretty shoes - I feel like it's all torture devises - ( at least for me - lol ).

Dee

Veteran

Oh Helena such a shame, hopefully customer service will step up and offer you some type of compensation with regards to the scarf.
Footwear on the other hand is such a crap shoot these days. I have a pair of Clark booties in a similar taupe shade that I just can’t wear anymore. They seem comfortable when you first put them on but after awhile my feet just cripple up from wearing them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, gosh. Please try to forgive yourself. You are a very careful shopper and these things happen.

I'm glad you are going to try customer service for both. Let us know how the companies respond -- useful info for us all! I do think if an item fails after you wash it according to instructions, that is a quality control issue and not your fault. And footwear is just so hard to predict!

My biggest fail this year was footwear. My fab (haha) white sneakers that turned out to give me awful blisters no matter what I did -- socks, bandages, different insoles, heel guards -- the works, but nothing, nothing worked. There is nothing for it but donation.

Another fail: an Aritzia shell top, thrifted -- not worn. Not expensive, true, and theoretically a useful item for me, but I don't know...every time I put it on, I ripped it off. I have an identical top in off-white and wear it a lot. Why. not this one? Something about the fit is slightly different. So it is a similar situation to your boots. I thought I had a slam-dunk, and instead I have a big miss.

Oh, and I bought the Cole Haan loafers on sale as inside shoes (slippers with better support) because I loved the oxfords so much. But guess what? I am not wearing them at all. I just don't enjoy them. They fill the easy/on/easy/off box but they feel frumpy on my foot and they slip off quite easily. And look cheap. Whereas the oxfords don't (to my eye). Anyway -- there it is. My confessions.

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Ket

Veteran

I had a blouse shrink after washing it exactly as directed by care label. Immediately contacted the company. I got a full refund immediately. And they told me to keep the blouse, versus hassle returning it to them. I def would call asap and tell them what happened and your great disappointment. See what they say!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You have Catholic guilt, I have Protestant guilt- just a function of upbringing I think and I am slowly getting better at accepting the odd fail since I am so very careful about purchases these days. I know you are too.
Overall I try not to donate much, I worry about landfill, but my churn is so much less than many that when I need to get rid of a fail I do feel better when it has gone

Anonymous

Yes to contacting customer service!
I just returned a pair of earring that unraveled within a week with no problem. They were from a local boutique though- where they know me (too) well!
I also had a situation a while back where a "chlorine resistant" rashguard faded straightaway. No issues to return.

Jules

Veteran

So disappointing and irritating! I agree with the comments to try returning both items. I feel that blondo at least is banking on quality and comfort as part of their brand so hoping for the best!

I’m currently annoyed about some Old Navy wide leg jeans - the hem on one leg persistently turns up, one side seam doesn’t seem straight, and they are just too short with most of my footwear (whether they are technically the new shorter length or not I’m not sure but I don’t like the effect so it doesn’t matter). Once again I overlooked quality and fit issues because I was in love with a new trend and the price was right! And only in the following season am I fully seeing the issues.

Runcarla

Veteran

My big fail this year was footwear too! Everyone seems to love the Ecco brand so much. I ordered a pair that were a slam dunk match for my beiges and bookended my hair. I’ve had them since spring, but find the sole hard and inflexible when compared to my bouncy, rubbery Converse. Also, the plastic bottom, though nubbly, is slippery on some concrete floors (airport, community centre, hospital!) and in wet conditions. Two weeks ago I lost my footing whilst walking on a wet wooden surface (bridge over river) and wrenched my shoulder whilst saving myself from a fall. As soon as I got home I put them in the donate pile!

I think it’s a bit early to appreciate the possible practicality of the big scarf trend. We haven’t had cold enough weather to really need a scarf yet. On the other hand, pilling after one wash sucks. Contact customer care - as others have said.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone ... appreciate the encouragement! And thanks for sharing your fails too ... or should I say, the clothings/shoes/brands fails! That we just happened to be the recipients of.

Blondo shut me down straight away unfortunately, since I bought at retail rather than directly through them. And the retailer has a (fair enough) strict policy about worn items. Sigh. This one isn't so bad as it will go to someone I'm sure!

No word from Frank & Oak yet ... here's hoping ... and you're right Carla, it hasn't been cold enough to justify this level of a scarf hahah ... so maybe there is hope ...

pirouette, I'm laughing at your comment ... I just inherited a sweater from my sister than randomly shrunk on her for no apparently reason *facepalm*

Indigoprint

Veteran

It is so hard when purchases do not work out.
If the customer service on the scarf does not work out to your liking, you could cut the scarf in half lengthwise to decrease the bulk, or if the length is bothersome take some of that in.
It is such a lovely color....

Laurie

Veteran

So sorry, Helena. I've had more fails than I care to mention here.

Here to empathize about Blondo fit - I had a heckuva time replacing the black Villa booties I left in a hotel room. They'd been such a bargain on eBay, but I even sucked it up and paid full price to replace them because I loved them so much. I literally had to order 4 different sizes to get the right fit, and it was not the same as the other 3 pairs I have/had of the same shoe! Something is very off with Blondo lately. It was totally not your fault to expect the exact shoe to fit just like the first pair, but I think we duplicators now have to be really diligent.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Both of these fails have nothing to do with you and everything to do with quality control! Shoes in particular are impossible to judge until they are given a work out - and by then they are unreturnable. Bad for the consumer, good for the second hand shopper. There is no excuse for the scarf to behave that way after you followed the care instructions. I hope the company gets back to you.
(My own fails are legion, another reason I prefer not to spend too much in any one untested item that doesn't have decent resale value.)

Peri

Veteran

I don't have a large scarf but I've seen a few short demo videos on Pinterest that show different ways of wearing them. If you aren't able to return it, maybe one of them will make it tolerable for the rest of the season.

RobinF

Veteran

Such a bummer! Sometimes I just can't tell right away if something is going to work for me. Mistakes happen.

As Indigoprint says, maybe if you are not able to return the scarf you can make it work by making it less wide. I have done that and it makes a huge difference for me.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m gonna make you all feel better about sunk costs and mistakes. My lovely top from Zero + Maria Cornejo is a mess thanks to a trip to the dry cleaners. They’ve given me a credit but nowhere near what that top cost, and it’s no longer available in the color I got. I try not to beat myself up about taking it there, and about how expensive it was.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Aww I'm sorry about the boots, that sucks! Thanks for letting us know about Blondo though, that's important - have a pair of their Mady combat boots (which I *love*) so was considering buying more of their waterproof footwear (international fees & all!) but this has given me pause.

On the flip side, I recently rescued a pair of loafers destined for the Donate pile (hard, unsupportive soles - despite being FitFlop, a brand I usually love!) By adding a pair of removable Sheec insoles to the balls of my feet (they're secured by toe loops), I was able to wear the loafers for a 10+ hour workday!

kkards

Veteran

grrr indeed
there is nothing worse than duplicating a beloved item, only to find that 2nd one doesn't fit or wear the same as the 1st.
and nothing worse than stretching's your comfort zone on something and it not looking the same after a wash. your already unsure about it, and then to be looking at it even more cross eyed because its not a sharp as it was when you bought it....

Sal

Veteran

Very disappointing. But it does happen. And with the best intentions sometimes things are beyond our control.

Two fails for me.

Pants that were too short - I wore them about 12 times and then sold them. i only recouped about 1/3 though!

Sandals where the back strap kept on slipping down - I even spent $25 at the cobbler to tighten it. It didn’t work so they are being donated after one wear.

I should have picked up my flaws in shopping but because I liked the pieces I overlooked fit - I had shopping goggles on!!

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