Salwar kameez: draft letter

[redbird]

This is a first draft of what I want to send to the salwar kameez vendor. What's missing is a statement of what I want: refund? Replacement? I'm not sure, which is why that's not in there yet. Other than that, have I left anything significant out, based on my posting earlier?

Unfortunately, the salwar kameez you sent does not match the measurements I gave you, with the result that it does not fit me.

The salwar trousers are too short: they do not come up to my natural waist, and the inseam is too short. Also, no drawstring was included, so the trousers will not stay up.

The kameez, on the other hand, is too small. Specifically, the sleeves are tight enough around my biceps to be unpleasantly constricting, and the bodice is also too tight. The combination of these problems means that not only is the garment uncomfortable, I was unable to remove it once I put it on. In the end, in order to get out of it, I was forced to use a scissor and cut along the left side of the kameez.

Comments

[copperwise.livejournal.com]

You've left out the letter. ;)

[redbird]

Thanks. Fixed.

[copperwise.livejournal.com]

Looks good to me.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

If the recepient of this note does not speak English fluently, I believe the vocabulary and sentence structure is too complex.

K.

[tdanaher.livejournal.com]

Maybe give them specific measurements and show how they came up wrong? As in, the inseam was specified as X inches and the garment as provided has an inseam of Y.

[hawkida.livejournal.com]

A controversial view here... I think the letter is fine as it stands and a decent statement of the situation. However, if I were the seller I would only offer a refund (or replacement) for the parts returned intact. I know you were alone when you tried it on, and wound up stuck in it, but as a seller I'd say that you should have stopped before you got it on upon realising it was too small and that it left me intact and I'd not refund goods damaged by the recipient.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

I'd go for the refund, though hawkida does have a point.

IIRC, aside from the bad fit, you said that the fabric was scratchy. I'm not sure you'd end up with a replacement you liked. It seems to me that it's relatively easy to accidentally use someone else's measurements, but for a clothing company to use scratchy fabric means it's just not paying attention.

[redbird]

Not particularly controversial. Had this not been a made-to-measure garment, and hence one I had more than usual confidence in the fit of, I would agree with you.

Yes, there's an argument that after the salwar didn't fit, I shouldn't have had faith in the kameez. However, while that's an argument about how things tend to work--if it's broken in one way, it's more likely to be broken in another--I don't think it's one the seller can make in his defense.

There's also the practical issue that the cost of shipping it back to Pakistan might well be greater than or equal to the price of the garment (the shipping charge was more than the eBay bid price, but I know that sellers often add to "postage and handling", so it might not be worth returning anyhow.

[redbird]

The kameez is a multi-layered, with the fancier scratchy stuff over a plain, soft blue. Unfortunately, the soft layer doesn't extend to the sleeves.

[quility.livejournal.com]

If they screwed up this badly - I don't think I'd be willing to give them a second chance.

Alternately - you could leave the decision up to them - "Please make this up to me by either..."

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

As written, your letter is awfully open ended. You don't ask them to make it up to you at all. Do you want your money back? Do you want them to try again at making something to your measurements? Do you want them to apologize to you and be excruciatingly careful with their next customers? They might not give you what you ask for, but you should ask for something. Or at least toss the ball vaguely into their court by writing something like "I hope you can make this right."

Though I also agree with Hawkida that it became much more difficult to do anything to make it right once you cut the kameez. For future reference, a tape measure is a very useful implement.

[suecochran.livejournal.com]

I don't have a good suggestion for your letter or what to do with this particular sarwal kameez, unfortunately. However, you might have a better time getting one that both fits and is comfortable as well as pretty in Maya A and Bruce A's neighborhood of Jackson Heights. Maya is a good person to talk with about sarwal kameezes because she's been wearing them to cons for years now, and she's gotten some really beautiful and comfy ones. In any case, good luck with the letter.

[nwhyte]

The letter is fine. Go for a refund: they're obviously not reliable. The damage was necessary for you to get out of it, so their fault rather than yours.

[redbird]

Yes, it is. I am looking for help in figuring out how to end it, in part because I'm not sure what I want--a refund or a garment that fit both seem plausible.

It hadn't occurred to me, having used a tape measure to send them about 15 numbers, that I would need to use it again before putting the garment on. Especially as they asked for measurements "without allowances."

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Well, for what it's worth, I think you'll be pleased with your eventual salwar kameez from Alka (India Shop). I just got mine last night, and the fit and workmanship are excellent, though I have to admit I put 5" of ease in the bust measurement rather than 3-4", and this was wise in my case. But I'm a bit of a statistical outlier. Interestingly, Alka is the first of the Indian tailors I've dealt with who puts in a hook and eye closure at the neck, which might have helped you get out of yours. Doesn't help with this one, of course, but at least I think you can look forward to one very happy purchase.

[redbird]

Mine from Alka is waiting to be tried on; after the previous experience, I'm waiting until cattitude is home.