bearisgray

Sometimes I think that all the products/items from a particular store (let's say it's a big box type chain store) are "bad" - when it's actually one or two items from a particular manufacturer (let's say it's the XYZ brand of notions).

Example:

Bobbins from Dritz (or whoever it was that made them) that were purchased at Walmart and they do not fit the machines that they are supposed to.

It is probably "reasonable" to be unhappy with Walmart for carrying that brand, and even more "reasonable" to be unhappy with Dritz for selling a faulty product.

Do you do anything about it besides gripe? Like return the products? Write/Call the manufacturer/distributor?

QuiltnNan

WM has a very generous return policy. If they get too many returns for the same product, they will stop carrying it. I really don't think it is reasonable to be upset with a store for the products they carry... it's the 'defective' product that is the problem. Most of the stores are online now and offer a feedback function. Often times, the manufacturers follow the feedback for their items.

SillySusan

Oh, I gripe! And call the manufacturers and complain! And I email and complain! If they don't respond favorably, I promise never to buy any product they make.. forever!

Remember that June Taylor slotted ruler that was so flimsy that it broke when I just picked it up? It was almost brand new! They were really snotty about it. I told them "No more purchases of any of their products" and I've kept my word!

BTW, I bought it at Walmart and never yelled at them at all. Not WM's fault.

Tartan

I do return faulty products.

dunster

I do too. And I shop at places like WM and Costco that have good return policies.

klswift

Thank you. I work in a 'big box-type' store and we are often upset with the inconsistency of product. It is not us - it is the manufacturer. And yes, it is our buyers not holding the manufacturers to a level of quality control, but, they think of it as keeping the cost down. And, they figure only o few folks will return a faulty product (most will simply toss it) so they are planning on a low percentage of refunds. Also, send a detailed email to the company (like dritz or craftsmart or whatever). You would be surprised at how often they will send you replacement product or coupons for their product

Needles

Well, Hanes just got a zinger from me. Have bought their white T-shirts for hubby for years. Last 3-pk I got at Wal Mart, were a mess after the first washing. He has some in his drawer that are 5 years old. These sleeves are shorter, barely there, the neck was nearly to his chest, all stretched out. The ribbing is much narrower now too. Hanes has lost us as a customer, the ones I bought last year, look brand new to the ones I got a month ago. If Hane's wants to cut corners fine, but am not buying their product anymore. No way I can blame Wal Mart, but think I will call and tell them the product is worthless.

leonf

I went to a high end sewing center and asked for bobbins for one of their brand. They told me their company didn't make that model. I said, "Yes, it is a cast iron one." They gave me the second look of "Why is he even here?" Checked a chart and said, "No, we don't have it.." no suggestions. I was not sad to see that store die.

Most of the letters I write go to food service places, I also write grocery stores for blocking exits. and politicians. I rarely get responses even for serious stuff.

Onebyone

Don't get me started on clueless glad it's closed quilt shops. I went to one that was popular and suppose to be one of the better ones in the area. I asked for pre cut hexi papers. The employee had no idea what I was talking about. I tried to explain about EPP. The owner/manager was there and she looked at me like I was stupid. She said she had never heard of such a thing. I left but went back in and showed her dozens of quilt shops online that sold pre cut hexi papers. Even Joann has them. I was almost speechless I had to explain about hexies. She said well my distributor doesn't sell those so they must not be that popular with quilters. That popular shop was closed down for non payment of state taxes, not for being ignorant which would have made more sense to me.

juliasb

I call the manufacture any time I run into a faulty product. Especially when it comes to my sewing supplies. I expect that I can use a product if I am spending my money on it. Most manufactures provide a phone number for customer service. Frequently I will receive coupons for more than the product I purchased originally. The more people that let them know a product is faulty the more likely they will correct a problem. Word of mouth is their worst enemy or the best friend.