Terrible Talbot's Top Reviews--should I return? - YouLookFab Forum

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Terrible Talbot's Top Reviews--should I return?

unfrumped

Veteran

I was returning a Talbot's online purchase and came across this linen knit top in-store, which I had not seen before. It has a lovely drapey fit, feels great and is not see-through for me, and the pattern piecing is flattering.
I have been carefully collecting linen knits in more neutral or nearly-neutral colors and finding them very useful, and the rate-limiting step for some has been too see-through, too bright, neckline too low. But this one seemed very good.

So, I bought it, feeling very proud of myself, that I can wear to work this summer and since not much $$ invested, if it got a little baggy or something, then could always downgrade to a casual top with jeans or shorts, because the fabric is so comfortable.

Thinking I had really come across something, I was doing the Find to share with YLF, and lo and behold, read the most terrible reviews I think I've ever seen, about the top's developing holes with minimal wear or washing. Of course reviews can have reporting bias one way or another, but this sounded bad.

What would you do? Return immediately, pointing out the reviews, or take your chances? The holes part is what got me, since that is way worse than if it were a shaping thing that was okay for casual. I wish I'd never put it on ! Probably will return and say, better to try "next" than worry.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

unfrumped

Veteran

I guess I could add, I could wear and if it got holes, then return for refund based on quality, but I don't know if Talbot's puts up a fuss.

Anonymous

If you keep the receipt, wear and wash the top as normal and find it develops holes, would Talbots not give you a refund? I know some stores have poor return policies, but in these days of social media the store's reputation is at stake and customers shouldn't be penalized for product defects.

unfrumped

Veteran

Aliona, that's what I'm debating, The worst case scenario would include the top's falling apart while I'm wearing it! Attached FIND, sorry forgot to to do that.

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catgirl

Veteran

I'd return - those are pretty consistent horrible reviews, and Talbots should be better quality.

unfrumped

Veteran

Una, I think you're right. There is no reason for me to feel desperate to add another top that IS just another top, not some kind of magic outfit- maker I'd take a chance on. I'm just bummed to go from yay to nay in less than 24 hrs!

crutcher

Veteran

Since I am a doubter...I would return it...The reviews are my guiding focus on a lot of my shopping...If someone took the time to write a review, I have to believe it is an honest response to the piece...
Best...

retailgirl

Veteran

I'd take my chances with it...save your receipt and talbots will take it back. I shop at talbots a lot and I find many of their reviews very harsh. I think people are judging talbots by the "old" talbots. It's not the same, quality is not the same, but they still have some nice things. So I take it all with a grain of salt.

Elle

Veteran

I'd return. There are just too many negative reviews.

Thistle

Veteran

I don't know. I shop Talbots a lot and I pay little heed to the reviews on line. Yeah, sometimes you get a dud, but overall, they have been fine.

I guess I didn't know the "old" Talbots, but I find a lot of people that post reviews do it when they are upset, so the reviews skew negative. They make it a pain to post a review, so I seldom do even though I have mostly good experiences.

Quality across the board at most mall stores has gone down as its the only way to keep the prices where consumers want them. The fact that tops are selling for roughly the same price they did 20 years ago tells you that something had to give.

You have it in your hands and can judge the quality and based on what you paid how upset you'd be if it didn't last more than a season.

Anonymous

I agree with AlaskaGirl. I do pay attention to reviews, especially if they are consistent. I am actually pleased when some else finds a product flaw and alerts me to the problem.

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, I take all reviews with a huge grain of salt.

If I were in your shoes, I'd closely inspect the item for flaws. Some linen fabrics have irregular weaving so "holes" are just the differences in yarn width instead of actual breakage. The more expensive the linen, the more uniform the fibre. Inexpensive linen can have a mixture of short and long fibres spun together. Washing can shed out some of the short fibres making the weave more irregular.

I have a BR linen top in a dark fabric that is constantly shedding when it is washed so the weave is becoming more irregular in places but I am still happily wearing the top this summer because I like the style and it is cool and comfortable. I bought the top on sale, and, even though I doubt it will last for more than a season or two, I'll have my money's worth.

I guess what I'm saying is I wouldn't let reviews from people I didn't know dissuade me from buying something I liked. I'd consider it an alert, but nothing more.

unfrumped

Veteran

Hmm, an initial close inspection of all existing seams and any tell-tale flaws is an option. You'd think I'd do that routinely, but I don't.

Anonymous

Gaylene makes a good point about linen weave with its wonderfully natural slubs and gaps. Some of the reviewers may be so used to more uniform fabric weaves that they see holes. Of course, if a fabric is poor quality or badly woven in the first place, the fibres could unravel or break and leave true holes that keep growing. If you love the top, I say keep it for now and return it if there are problems. Given that so many reviews suggest this flaw, I can't imagine Talbots turning down a request for a refund even if you've washed and worn a few times. (Maybe print out the reviews just in case they disappear from the site if the item is pulled or sold out).

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I know nothing about Talbots, but if you like it I say keep both it and the receipt. If it fails after a few washes they should refund based on a faulty item. If it doesn't, no problem. Win win.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I shop my local Talbot's a lot and at least in my store, there would be zero pushback on a flawed item being returned. You can ask them in advance, if you're concerned about their policy. They refunded me on a pair of chinos that bagged terribly after about an hour of wearing. (Lesson: lovely soft drapey pants with too much tencel will bag out. into clown pants.)

unfrumped

Veteran

I do like Aliona's idea of printing the reviews and keeping with receipt. I doubt they'd balk, though.
I might wait a bit and as I give my current crop of linen tops that are in rotation a good wash and see if any of them "wash out" unexpectedly.

Gigi

Veteran

I would call Talbot's and ask them whether they would give you a full refund if your top develops holes like the reviews say. My guess is that the top may very well develop such holes.

I once bought a skirt from Anthro that had online reviews stating that the skirt would become see-through at the seams after just a few wears. I took my chances because I loved the skirt. Well, it did indeed become see-through, so I returned the skirt. I got another, hoping that some of the skirts were just poorly sewn. Well, it happened again! Apparently it was a construction issue—they had chosen a fabric that didn't work well with the tightness of the seam sewing. It was a downer, because I loved that skirt. But Anthro took it back a second time and refunded my money.

If you really love the top, give it a try. (I'm glad I made an effort with my skirt.) But if the top is only so-so to you, then I wouldn't bother and would just return it now and save yourself the hassle.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

One reviewer mentions that it is a hand wash top. The reviewers that said the top developed holes mention machine washing it. If you really love it on, I would keep it but definitely never throw it in the machine, just always wash it by hand.

Archer

Veteran

The way I look at this is the price check then is how much of your time you spend anticipating a problem that may not occur. Makes it not a bargain after all in my figuring.

Archer

Veteran

Forgot to add. It is quite lovely and worth a gamble though.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks for the various pros and cons!

I think after getting over my initial dismay, I will keep it, with receipts and reviews, and see how it goes, with expectation of refund if it goes to pot prematurely.
It has been hard to find linen knits that do not require a cami. I prefer non-cami option, at least, both for temperature options and because on me the tops drape differently if worn over a cami and something is "lost in translation". Also so many are V or scoop neck, same issue. This one is billed as scoop neck but it's more of a generous crewneck.
So the way I'm looking at it, I've noodled to be okay with the idea that it might do poorly, and I'd have to make the refund trip & hassle either way, so will wait and see.