Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a Karen Millen dress to not fall apart at the seams after just one wear?

43 replies

Bombus · 31/05/2010 15:26

I bought a £165 Karen Millen dress about two months ago to wear to a wedding that took place on Saturday. It has thin netting around the back and shoulders. I've only worn it the once and when I took it off I realised that the netting has completely frayed at the seams, leaving two large holes.

I still have the tags (not attached to the dress oviously) and the receipt. Does anyone know what my rights are considering I've had it for more than 28 days?

I am gutted as it was a lot of money to me! I wasn't even dancing as I was knackered (very early weeks of pregnancy) so the dress hardly took a battering.

OP posts:
MumNWLondon · 31/05/2010 15:32

Not sure what rights are but would take it back and make a huge fuss.

Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 15:40

I am planning to take it back, but was hoping to go with the confidence of knowing I had a leg to stand on. As it's half term, i'll have to take the kids with me too.

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 31/05/2010 15:44

Definitely take it back. Breach of contract (between you and the store) if you can only wear something once without it falling apart imho. It's unreasonable.

Be nice at first and explain it all clearly, but I wouldn't let them get away with it. They will be able to see you haven't, for example, put it through the wash or anything... Good luck.

differentID · 31/05/2010 15:45

the dress is faulty, you have the receipt and tags, go for it.

AS it is faulty you are entitled to your money back and not just a credit note. Don't strop, just explain.

Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 15:46

I hope so - that's what I am worried about - how can I prove I have only worn it once? I haven't washed it yet, and I still have the tags, so hopefully that will go someway to proving that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 15:47

Thanks for your replies. I will take it back on wednesday and see what they say.

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 31/05/2010 15:48

try reading this before you go to make you feel secure of your rights
then calmly explain that you want a full refund

capstone · 31/05/2010 15:48

I wouldn't expect any dress to fall apart after one wear. Products sold should be fit for their purpose.

GeekOfTheWeek · 31/05/2010 16:27

Was it a black strapless dress? I ask because my friend had one from the same place and it split right down the seam.

YANBU

Lynli · 31/05/2010 16:32

You are absolutely within your rights. If you do not get what you want write to the head office. State that you have been advised by your solicitor to allow them one last chance to rectify the problem before commencing legal action. It worked for me.

HurleySatOnMe · 31/05/2010 16:33

Can I ask a very rude question? Seeing that you bought it 2 months ago and are now newly pregnant, are you sure it still fit? I am sorry for asking
WHatever you do though, do not tell them that you are pregnant because they will think the same thing and assume the dress no longer fits.

Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 16:33

No, it was purple, with a ruffle at the front. It is a lovely dress, but obviously not designed to be worn! It's not even torn at a point where you would expect there to be any strain - the material used was just not practical.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 16:54

Hurley - I know what you mean, but I am only 4 or 5 weeks pregnant (only found out sat morning) and the hole/rip is also at the back, where there is no strain at all. I think it is just that the netting is too weak to hold up the heavier, lower part of the dress. I would be happy to try on the dress in the shop and show that it is still loose

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
saslou · 31/05/2010 18:40

Might be mistaken, but wasn't there a thread on here a while ago about boots from KM which let water in after a few wears? Iirc to attitude of the sales staff left a lot to be desired (along the lines of 'what do you expect?') Apologies to KM if I'm wrong but it semms like their stuff is poor quality, but v expensive

JaneS · 31/05/2010 19:06

Yes, that was my thread about the boots!

They were crap. What really pisses me off is the manager finally 'let' me have another pair, warned me seriously that I 'couldn't' have any more - and the second pair were even worse. They've got great big holes in the toes (toes - how do you go through the toes of a pair of boots?!).

I do think KM has got really crap recently. I've had lovely stuff from them but obviously they are now not bothering to keep the same manufacturing standards despite hiking the prices.

Romanarama · 31/05/2010 19:11

Interesting - I had a black and white - sort of zebra-ish silk shirt dress from KM. I'd worn it a lot more than once. 10-15 times maybe, but to work in an office, not exerting myself at the playground or anything. I had it dry-cleaned, and the white went a bit grey, but I wore it anyway. Then it split at the back, near a shoulder seam. Not actually on the seam, but close to it, sort of as though the fabric had stretched and worn out. I was v.disappointed. I threw it away as wasn't even in UK and it was too complicated to take up the case, but it was also expensive.

mamatomany · 31/05/2010 19:12

Take the boots back again LRD, they are meant to be fit for purpose and boots should last at least a year.
I have stood and shouted at the top of my voice in shops about the 1977 consumer act (no idea if it's true) but neither have they, very effective on a Saturday afternoon though

saslou · 31/05/2010 19:14

LRD - not surprised you are pissed off. Have you spoken to their head office, cos your boots are obviously not fit for purpose. It is so cheeky that they act like they are doing you a huge favour by replacing their shoddy goods once (and with a pair that are worse)!

JaneS · 31/05/2010 19:15

mama, I did try but was probably insufficiently firm. They claim that it's my fault as they say they've had no other complaints with those boots.

And after standing in the shop for half an hour while the manager basically implied that I was a thief, I gave up. I kind of wish I hadn't, now. They were very clear that it was ridiculous of me to expect things replaced twice.

monkeyfacegrace · 31/05/2010 19:27

I work for the company. Please dont start spouting laws, it just pisses us off!

All refunds are discretional, and believe it or not, we can always refund, whether the item was bought 10yrs ago or yesterday!

I refunded a customer for a leather jacket recently, even though she had bought it 4 months ago, as she was so genuine and lovely.

All you have to do is tell the truth. Be nice, dont assume you will be met with hostility. You will get a refund, no problems!

JaneS · 31/05/2010 19:30

monkey, how can all refunds be discretionary?

Btw, I was perfectly polite. The worst I said was that I was very disappointed and felt strongly I deserved a replacement.

Original poster
Bombus · 31/05/2010 19:35

I hope so monkeyfacegrace! I think that is the most I have ever paid for a dress (apart from my wedding dress) so I would be really peeved if I don't get my money back. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

OP posts:
scrimble · 31/05/2010 19:48

I'm also a bit at a loss as to how all refunds can be discretionary.

If there's clearly a quality issue with a garment, or it was actually sold as faulty, it surely can't be a discretionary decision as to whether a refund is given?

Petsville · 31/05/2010 20:05

Refunds are definitely not discretionary if the goods have fallen to bits after one wear (though they are if you've just decided that you don't like them). You have a contract with the shop, and the relevant law is in the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (sorry, mamatomany!), which says that goods should be of merchantable quality and fit for the purpose. If they're not, the shop has breached its contract with you and you are due a refund. The law's very clear.

LadyBiscuit · 31/05/2010 20:06

'Please don't start spouting laws it pisses us off'. What?? I'm sorry you're upset that people know their rights but it's absolute bollocks that refunds are discretionary whatever your senior management tell you monkeyfacegrace. If anything is sold that isn't fit for purpose (and a pair of boots going through at the toes within a few months or a dress literally falling apart at the seams within one) then the consumer should get a refund. That may piss you off but it is the law.

I have not shopped at KM since the slew of threads on here which complain of a)the absolutely crappy quality of the goods sold and b) the hideous aggression of the staff when they are asked for a refund.

I want MNers to boycott the place - they deserve to go under frankly.

Swipe left for the next trending thread