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Original poster

Boden summer preview order - yikes quality alert!

44 replies

bellissima · 12/04/2010 13:16

I'm really surprised because, whatever we say about Boden styles (general hotchpotch shuddering etc), it is normally of reliable quality. So have just got my summer preview order - only two items. The brown (was it supposed to be beige?) polo is far skimpier round the shoulders/sleeves than the navy one I got last year - held them up together - and that's before washing it. And the buttons have this awful stitching with thread ends hanging out - is this because it's now 'made in (mainland?) China' as opposed to Hong Kong? The printed beach dress is really baggy - and okay that's not a quality issue but there is a sprinkling of threads all over the carpet from when I took it out of the bag. What's going on?

OP posts:
Original poster
bellissima · 12/04/2010 14:53

And - no returns label! Okay, they have obviously seen my comments re 'fun' and 'hotchpotch' on here. This is Johnnie's revenge... I'm sorry I'm sorry...

OP posts:
RunningOutOfNames · 12/04/2010 15:21

His revenge on me was to not send me the preview email! That was after sending back all but £70 of a £1000 spring preview order.

Do you think maybe he does bear grudges?

beanpot · 12/04/2010 18:46

what are these preview orders???? Am I not one of the chosen few yet??

RunningOutOfNames · 12/04/2010 20:43

It seems to be random, beanpot.

The spring preview was in November, summer probably around February . It's always several months before the catalogue comes out.

You get 20% off and free P&P if you order from the preview.

If you lurk on here long enough, someone always mentions it's happening. Probably due for the autumn one any minute!

traceybath · 12/04/2010 20:53

Its always the same url www.bodenpreview.co.uk so you can check it randomly if you so wish

I still like boden for the dc's but have come out of the boden wilderness for myself.

kittya · 13/04/2010 01:51

Im glad I cancelled my order from the preview. My friend was in the shop last week and said the only thing worth buying were the beach bags and the long cardigans.

higgle · 13/04/2010 07:33

I had a rosettte top and a twisted front T shirt arrive yesterday, both very nice, but at ocer £40 for 2 summer tops so they should have been!

Original poster
bellissima · 13/04/2010 09:12

I think it's random - I certainly didn't spend £1000 last season. nowhere near. To be fair they are now sending out a replacement returns label. I'm just surprised at the quality of the two items - the stitching finish on the polo markedly inferior to last year's and the dress scattering sewing machine droppings all over the floor - I might go on about their loud prints but I've never had that before! (And I bet this is the last time I get a preview offer! ach weel)

OP posts:
birdsandblossoms · 13/04/2010 16:13

i bought the Hepburn blouse i think it is good quality i used the xnht code though and got it for £29

CatJosephine · 13/04/2010 18:11

I am toying with returning the cardigan I ordered because it is already going bobbly.

kittya · 13/04/2010 18:53

The tea dress is still hanging in my wardrobe, never been worn. I think its too late as I havent got the return lable.

LynetteScavo · 13/04/2010 18:56

Johnny so bears grudges...but I can bear a grunge to Johnny..............

kittya · 13/04/2010 19:09

their swimwear is a rubbish fit.

BusyMummy78 · 13/04/2010 19:35

No problems with my preview order . I only ordered the printed scarf and capri cardi.

Pinkmarshmallow · 13/04/2010 20:05

traceybath, when I type in that web address it automatically just goes to the normal boden website!?! Eh? Does this happen anyone else?

OracleOfDelphinium · 13/04/2010 20:09

Ooh. My preview order hasn't arrived yet, but I can conclude from this that it is on its way. As it is dresses, I am fully anticipating sending back all £500 of it (Johnny has yet to realise that size 8 people don't necessarily have humungous norks).

daysoftheweek · 13/04/2010 21:25

Do you lot really order £1,000 £500 of stuff then send it all back?!

OracleOfDelphinium · 13/04/2010 22:45

Oh yes. 'Tis the only way to try on dresses, and they have always all gone back in the past. £500 doesn't buy many Boden dresses to try on!

kittya · 13/04/2010 22:49

about 7 probably. have you not kept anything?

daysoftheweek · 14/04/2010 00:21

Yes I can appreciate that.

I wonder whether any of his business model can be built on the interest he earns from your money before you return the goods?

Does that mean all the Boden stuff is a bit skanky since it's been tried on a gazillion times beore it stays wiht someone?

OracleOfDelphinium · 14/04/2010 08:17

LOL at skanky stuff.

I have never kept a Boden dress. I should learn: they are not made for five-foot women with ironing-board chests.

traceybath · 14/04/2010 08:24

Pink - that url only works when there's stuff to preview which there isn't at the moment.

But in a couple of months I suspect the autumn stuff will be on there.

mangoandlime · 14/04/2010 08:25

I'm feeling a bit of a Boden backlash coming on.

You can have the best marketing in the world but if the goods don't come up to scratch people will what walk. I think they're believing their own hype a bit so can afford to let the quality slide hoping loyal shoppers will stay with them.

I'm not an avid shopper, had a few bits but I'm not bowled over. The catalogues do a great job for them.

mangoandlime · 14/04/2010 08:26

What walk....

What?!?

abride · 14/04/2010 08:43

I think their button-stitching has always been bad. I've spent a lot of money on coats and had to restitch buttons frequently.