Maybe It’s A Conspiracy At The Department Store
TO: Republic Designs Department Store
RE: Your “Cartel” line – defective.
I am writing to report to you that, as a happy purchaser of many of your new items in the “cartel” line, I have discovered some serious manufacturing defects that only manifest themselves after one or more washings. Things should NOT make drastic changes after washing them once – I mean geez, I get that it might shrink a bit, but this is ridiculous. Before purchasing garments from this clothing line, I have only had issues with the Voss line that appeared to change from white to blue with the first washing and then bleach back to white with subsequent washings. I almost ripped the dry cleaner a new one over that fiasco. However, there have been many of such issues cropping up unexpectedly with the Cartel line.
This morning, I put on my phantom v-neck sweater only to discover it had grown a mock turtleneck (and a HOOD) overnight! I assure you, I had just purchased this item and the turtleneck was not an issue at the time. I went back and found a small disclaimer on your website stating that the item may be retroactively changed, but that small disclaimer was not exactly obvious to a person browsing the racks on her lunch break.
I pulled on my spymaster boots only to discover that they had grown such large embellishments that they no longer fit under my pants! These boots, mind you, and the matching gloves, I’ve had for months, and they are both changed and bulked up. This makes these garments virtually unwearable as professional attire and, because they have been purchased months ago AND have been worn multiple times, they are not returnable.
One might say they are bound to me! My only recourse is to put them in the back of the closet for now, wear my second-choice boots and gloves, and hope that the situation is rectified. I’m not holding my breath.
On the other hand, some of the cartel market designs that I passed over for being too pedestrian suddenly have some oomph, and I’m considering picking up a few pieces. I’m a little concerned that the pieces will revert back to their former (boring) state after first washing at home. Nothing like all the sequins falling off to make a girl pouty.
I don’t like nasty surprises when I’m trying to get ready for work in the morning. I also don’t like having an item subsequently change and trying to figure out whether that change is a fix or whether the change will be fixed. I like getting what I purchase. As such, I will be eschewing the Cartel line in favor of the Social or Crafted lines that your store offers.
Although I will miss the cartel’s extensive selection of bikinis… the sacrifices we make.
XOXO, me