On Getting What You Pay For

[bzarcher]

Edited because I kept referring to events from '07 as being "last year" - can you tell I'm ready for the new year?

In April, I decided to buy some extra slacks because Men's Warehouse was having a sale, and I wanted some extra pairs for work. (Ironically, right after I did, work switched to "jeans friendly" but that's another show.)

What was originally a pretty nice deal (2 pairs of slacks for $120) quickly became not such a nice deal when I was charged three different times for alterations, had to fight with them over reversing the charges, and I was generally given the feeling that I didn't want to deal with the Men's Warehouse again, but at least the slacks were nice.

Then, in May, one set of slacks split right down the middle of the seat while I was wearing them. I wasn't even doing anything unusual - just getting out of a car. As far as I could tell, the stitching wasn't done well and they just popped apart. After I drove back home and worked from home that day, I checked to see if they had any sort of guarantee on the slacks - no dice. Oh, well, but at least I had the other pair.

...guess what turned out to have a rip in almost the exact same spot of the seat today?

Meanwhile, I point to my tuxedo, which is still in fine shape after 8 years. Or the jeans I bought almost 5 years ago that are still just as durable and comfortable. Or even the khakis that I got back when I started college which still do just fine.

Between this and the fiascos with the tuxedo shoes and accessories at Phil's Wedding, I'd like to encourage everyone I know not to give the Men's Warehouse any more money if at all possible, because it seems that not only is their service shit, their practices shit, but I'm now pretty convinced that their product is also indeed shit.

Grr.

Comments

[blackpaladin.livejournal.com]

It may also be a location-dependent, or even tailor-dependent thing: I bought a sportcoat from MW, um, dear Gods that must have been at least 8 or 9 years ago, and it's still holding up just fine.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Could be. But having bad experiences with MW in Ohio and with their branch in CT about the tuxedo stuff doesn't fill me with much confidence.

For that matter, the CT branch still owes me and 2 others in the wedding party some refunds. Have I heard back about that? Noooo.

[blackpaladin.livejournal.com]

Ah. I hadn't realized the tuxedo fiasco happened at a different location. That would point to it being more of a chain-dependent thing, although I still maintain that no one that I know of has had problems with the Pittsburgh locations. <shrug>

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sadly, different locations.

Everyone knows life is better in Pittsburgh - the piergoies more fragrant, the cabs always clean and sweet smelling!

[jennekirby.livejournal.com]

Burn them all!

Wait, then you wouldn't get your refund AND you'd be in jail for arson. But if you get sent to jail for the rest of your life, you will never have to buy pants again!

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

This is a surprisingly compelling arguement.

[jennekirby.livejournal.com]

Also, currently the only Google hit for "Jenn Sandifer" is at http://ex.plode.us/search/zomg/. This is your fault.

And is awesome.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Mwahahahahah!

[remotesensing.livejournal.com]

One of the reasons I'm a fan of academic computing--- Dockers are considered acceptable.

However, you're NOT the only person I've known to have major issues with Men's Warehouse products and services--- I've long vowed never to give them any of my money.

I did give S&K a small chunk of change after being measured for my tuxedo for next weekend's wedding-- it was the most pleasant experience I've ever had w/r/t formal wear.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I liked S&K the last time I went to one, but they don't carry much big and tall stuff (at least around here), so it's hard to patronize them when you're both quite big and fairly tall.

King Size, however, has held up pretty well for me, so I think I may sit down with one of their catalogs in a bit.