AIBU to ask for a refund on this coat? Pic included

[Laura2006]

I bought a navy blue coat from M&S over a year ago and no longer have the receipt. I really like the coat but as it's quite smart, I don't wear it every day and often save it for special occasions/ evenings out etc.

Recently I wore it on a rainy day and it got soaked. I thought nothing of it and hung it up to dry. The next day I was shocked to see it covered in a weird, blotchy pattern from where the rain had dried. From a distance it looks like mould so I'm reluctant to wear it out again. I've included a picture so you can see what I mean.

AIBU to take it back for a refund? I'm wondering if something in the material is faulty as its not normal for a coat to go like that after encountering rain for the first time. Would I be likely to get anywhere, as I bought it a while ago and can't even remember the exact price?

[Mysteryfla]

Wash it, or get it cleaned.

[Bedsheets4knickers]

You could try , so many shops will do it out of good will . Exchange that is I doubt you'll get a refund x

[Enjolrass]

You want to take a coat back to a store after a year, with no receipt to say it's faulty?

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

You'd need proof of purchase though. Otherwise how would they know it's not from eBay or a charity shop? Is it the same all over it?

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

What material is the coat?

[SirChenjin]

What about posting that photo on their FB page and asking them what they think you should do? I'm not sure that they would exchange it given the time scale, but you never know - worth putting the ball in their court?

[BifsWif]

YABU. M&S would only have your word that it's only been worn occasionally, it would be difficult to prove. The coat is over a year old and has been worn numerous times.

Take it to be cleaned.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

AFAIK. You can only get a refund if the item was purchased within the last 4 weeks. They might exchange mind.

[Penguin0fMadagascar]

If it's never been washed before it could be "sizing" within the fabric - it's like a starchy stuff that gets incorporated into fabrics to make them appear more bulky when first purchased. It washes out when the garment is laundered, but I guess if your coat just got a bit damp in the rain it could cause that blotchy effect.

[GoldPlatedBacon]

Have you tried brushing the coat?

[pasturesgreen]

I'd try dry cleaning.
I don't suppose you'll have much luck with an refund/exchange, after so long and without proof of purchase.

[Laura2006]

An exchange would be fine. I might try and clean it though as I do like it and don't want to return it if I don't have to. A friend advised not washing it though, as she said that then they could say I'd caused it by using an unsuitable type of washing powder.

The material is polyester with cotton lining.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Do you have a good proof of purchase at all? A bank statement from last year? You'll need something to prove you actually got it from them. Even then, you'd be looking at an exchange for a similarly priced coat or a credit note, I think.

[haveyouseenmykeys]

Definitely needs to be cleaned before you can reasonably argue that it's faulty.
Amazes me that people take stuff back which hasn't been laundered after numerous wears

[munchkinmaster]

I think your argument is you expect it to be fit for purpose and expect it to last a reasonable length of time (sale of goods act). I'd say one year is borderline. You don't need a receipt under sale of goods.

I'd clean it first though. I think you'd have a better argument if you had at least tried to clean it.

[Scarletforya]

Is there any chance it is mould, did you hand it in a cold place while wet?

[Laura2006]

Ok I'll wash it. I was listening to my friend's advice as usually I would have washed it straightaway but she made me worry

[Chillyegg]

Yabu
Take it to a dry cleaners. Bloody hell.

[Goingtobeawesome]

If you bought it over a year ago you won't be able to exchange it for the same one and it will be a credit note for the last price it was sold for, if they are willing to do that. Does it state it is waterproof on the label?

[Topsy34]

I would dry clean it, then if its still the same email and ask if its a common problem and that you are disappointed, but I don't think you should return to store

[Merguez]

M & S customer service is good & they are usually very generous with returns.

I'd take it along and see what they say.

[lorelei9]

I would take it back
If it's washable then it shouldn't have done that
I took a coat back to M&s after a year with no receipt as the shoulder but was falling apart and I'd hardly worn it
It was their own brand coat, so they knew that
The lady sent it off somewhere, I think they undid the lining, discovered it had not been stitched properly and there I was, all sorted with my coat.

Please don't tell me it is dry clean only!! That would be different.

[FlatOnTheHill]

Take it to the dry cleaners.
Please dont take it back for refund or exchange after one year
You will be talk of the staff room.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I thought that there is a consumer protection thing that means a product must be fit for purpose, so can be deemed 'not fit for purpose' rather than faulty. So, I buy a coat that costs £100, I should be able to expect a level of quality that would exceed the 28 day refund terms. I could expect a £100 wool coat to last me 2 winters at least if I take care of it, and if the fabric becomes discoloured after one rain shower then I might argue that the item was not fit for purpose. Look at Martin lewis who explains it well. Not everything faulty shows up within a short time. You don't need a receipt to return something if its unfit for purpose. I still think you're asking a lot of m&s but it might be worth a shot

[peppielillyan]

my handbags and some of my coats have same issue when left to dry after rain instead of being in the washing machine...