returning a coat (sorry boring question!)

[OhTheWeatherOutsideIsFrightful]

I bought a coat yesterday in the sale from ted baker. I have changed my mind now and would like to return it but I have taken out the temporary stitches that hold the pleats together - will that matter? thanks anyone

don't think so - as long as you have the receipt and they do returns on sale goods...

thanks - yes i have the reciept and the labels are still on. I have only tried it on. I thought I was getting better at not buying in haste!

I would be surprised if they took it back tbh.

I think chances are small since you've altered the coat.

try and see

the stitches are only there to hold it straight in shipping, it's not like you've had the length altered or anything

I'd take it back but not mention what you have done, since the next person who buys it would do the same anyway.

Agree with Pannacotta - you could also say it was like that when you bought it

Advice from a serial clothes returner:

Not boring at all, I love questions like this!

I would have thought in an expensive shop like Ted Baker they should take the coat back as it is, providing you have got the receipt. You could argue that you had to take the stitching out in order to see how the coat hung. Pleats and pockets are often stitched together in better quality shops to keep the garment looking "fresh" for longer. When clothes are repeatedly tried on they can get saggy and out of shape. Just take care that the pleats don't get crushed in the bag, fold it really carefully, ideally with tissue paper between the pleats.

The receipt should tell you what their returns policy is. You could phone them up and explain, I find that this smooth things over and you can perhaps speak to the manager who might be more amenable than a junior assistant who might be afraid of breaking the rules.

Failing all this, can you restitch the pleats together by hand? The shop should appreciate the effort, even if they can tell they have been undone.

Hope this helps!