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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think John Lewis are trying to have me over?

135 replies

Allthefoodandwine · 18/05/2022 11:10

Morning!

Hoping to get a more sensible response on here, than I have been getting from John Lewis Customer services.

Ordered some ‘made to order’ curtains on the John Lewis site, curtains arrived, and they have used Black Cotton/thread on very light curtains?
Surely this is not right?

They initially tried to say that it’s the Black out fabric showing through!
Which as the blackout fabric is also cream, this is impossible….
Now they just keep saying ‘the curtains were made to spec, and there is no mistake’?
The spec? Was the fabric, and lining which we chose, and on their stock pictures you cannot see any dark thread.

We have had curtains made before by a seamstress, in a similar style & colour, and there is NO visible stitching on the heading pleats at all?

The curtains were not cheap, and they look terrible.

Firstly, are there any seamstresses who can tell me if this is right?
And what, if anything can I do to get them remade with thread to match the curtains?

Thanks!

To think John Lewis are trying to have me over?
To think John Lewis are trying to have me over?
To think John Lewis are trying to have me over?
OP posts:
SleeplessInEngland · 18/05/2022 11:13

I wouldn't go so far as to say it looks terrible but I'm sure if you kick up enough of a fuss they'll do a return/exchange.

LIZS · 18/05/2022 11:15

Can't see any problem on the reverse or lining but the dark thread on header would annoy me too. However why hang them if you were unhappy?

GreenWillowAndCatkins · 18/05/2022 11:16

That looks dreadful! Are you sure they've not left the tacking in?

TequilaShot · 18/05/2022 11:19

@GreenWillowAndCatkins I was wondering this. They almost look unfinished. I would not be happy with them at all.

Blossomtoes · 18/05/2022 11:19

It looks awful on the heading but I don’t understand why you’ve put them up either. I’d have been straight into my local JL branch with them.

taylorsdoinapart · 18/05/2022 11:19

GreenWillowAndCatkins · 18/05/2022 11:16

That looks dreadful! Are you sure they've not left the tacking in?

I agree, they're tacking stitches aren't they? Have you shown John Lewis the photos?

Notagain76 · 18/05/2022 11:22

Agree it looks like the tacking, email JL and ask them to check if they used dark tacking thread. Even if they did its not your place to remove it, I wouldn't be happy

SwelegantParty · 18/05/2022 11:24

They look dreadful! I would be very unhappy.

Looking at the first photo closely, it could be the blackout fabric showing through, as I can't see full stitches - there could be black thread within the blackout fabric, can you see it from the back? But even so, it shouldn't be showing through, it looks as though the needle was blunt or the tension was wrong on the machine. I'm sure there would have been a way to prevent it, I'm not an expert but after the first one I'd have been experimenting with ways to stop it happening, perhaps a thin fabric between the layers?

Lesperance · 18/05/2022 11:25

That visible black on the outside is terrible. They should remake them just for that, it's enough. The may have been made to spec, but they aren't up to spec. Terrible of John Lewis not to "see" that, they were supposed to be good for customer service.

Upontherooftops · 18/05/2022 11:28

The visible black thread on the header pleats is awful. No-one would want that. Corners look badly done to me also. If you don't get anywhere, then I'd focus on the header photo and send it higher up or post it on their Twitter.

If you're near to a store, it might be easier to take it in there rather than deal with everything by phone.

Original poster
Allthefoodandwine · 18/05/2022 11:29

When they were delivered, there were instructions to lie them flat, so I did this... without checking the front of them.
Then set the hooks to the correct height and hung them on the pole.... which took seconds.

I sent the same pictures to John Lewis, who have responded now 3 times saying they were made to spec and there is No error.
And have even gone so far as to say they have contacted the supplier, who have said the correct thread has been used!!!!!
Infuriating.

I think I'm going to have to take them down and take them into the fabric section of John Lewis as I am getting no where with their online Customer Services....

I'm so glad it's not just me!!!!!
It's not what you expect to see on cream curtains!

OP posts:
ChiswickFlo · 18/05/2022 11:30

Post on their twitter or fb page!

NearlyHeadlessNick · 18/05/2022 11:34

Do you have your order documentation? Does it specify a thread colour? Does it say anything about the thread choice?

StuckInTheMiddleOfNowhere · 18/05/2022 11:34

Tacking thread?

If not go to the store

Sprig1 · 18/05/2022 11:39

Definitely not acceptable. Taking then in to a store sounds like a great idea if it isn't too much hassle.

Lesperance · 18/05/2022 11:40

Do they have close up of the product you were ordering so that you can compare on line and maybe show them, in the same colour? I can't see how they are not willfully misunderstanding, but there you go.

Original poster
Allthefoodandwine · 18/05/2022 11:41

I have the order confirmation, which states nothing at about about thread colour or choice.

I've checked their online pictures, and none of them show any dark stitching on their pinch pleat curtains.

Annoyingly it's a 45 min drive to my nearest store, but I am not getting anywhere with their customer services.

John Lewis are usually outstanding when dealing with any issues.

OP posts:
QuebecBagnet · 18/05/2022 11:44

I’ve had cream curtains with the same pleat made at dunhelm with liners and there wasn’t any visible stitching. I’d be unhappy with that

Whooshaagh · 18/05/2022 11:44

John Lewis are fools because based on your post I now will not be ordering curtains from them and I have 3 bedrooms to decorate.

TheOrigRights · 18/05/2022 11:46

Crikey, that's the sort of thing I do on a rush job fixing the hem on school trousers when I don't have any navy cotton.
But I don't charge, I am not a professional, DS cares not one bit, I care a little more than one bit, I am not John Lewis.

Of course the stitching should not be visible!

SolasAnla · 18/05/2022 11:50

Try use their CS speak against them
Eg as JL have made a statement that the backing fabric has been pulled through the material, so that it is now visible ask them, if that is standard in their manufacturing process.
Is that because the poor quality of the materials or the way it manafactured?
If it is not standard its a manafacture error and you need a product without a flaw.

Suzi888 · 18/05/2022 11:54

Why hang them? Could be awkward to refund now. But doesn’t look like stitching, agree with pp tacking!

SpaceMaaaaan · 18/05/2022 12:01

Bloody awful! Sorry OP. Did you send them the picture of the online example? If not I'd do that and ask them to show you where the black stitching is in the picture.

Blossomandbee · 18/05/2022 12:09

Ask them to point out to you where exactly in the spec did you specify dark contrasting stitching! They're being ridiculous,
Go public and complain on their social media with the photos.

SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound · 18/05/2022 12:14

I make my own curtains and that cream stitching is a terrible job, never mind the black thread! That’s shockingly bad for a paid service.

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