So I’m out on the internet looking for something a little different to do with my time, and come upon this top.
And I’m thinking this is pretty neat and love the idea of these cute delicate flowers on this darling blouse. The blouse design needs a lot of work, but love the idea of these flowers on here.
And then I get to looking a little closer.
Suddenly there are some very fishy things going on. One is that the flower in the center front seems to be not only on the blouse but extending up into the bust of the model (1). Huh? And as I begin to look closer, under both arms (2 and 4), not only do the flowers not fold under the arm, but it is not obvious that this is an overlay design that’s a really sloppy and shoddy job. Finally (3), there’s some sort of overlay mismatch where the design totally ends. And this little gem costs $14.98.
You think – well, how can you lose on that. How about a complete and utter rip-off – you get something that is totally unwearable even for the first time.
Looking further for epic buying fails, it’s not hard to find some results and they are pretty scary.
These are pretty awful, but really aren’t the worst of what’s out there. I’m thinking to myself, why don’t they just send what the photograph is. I mean didn’t they have to make up a model to photograph, to begin with? The answer is even more astonishing.
They are stealing a photo from somewhere else and then sending something that is a cheap ripoff to what the original was, that there’s no use in wearing it much less sending it back to get your money back. They aren’t even making anything – they’re stealing a photo to sell a dress that they know doesn’t even look like the photo!
So where’s consumer protection on this? Where are the buyer’s rights – even with credit cards. Here are the rules and regs on that – with credit cards, if you have received the merchandise, then as far as the credit card company is concerned the deal has been completed – whether it’s fair or even close to what was advertised, the credit card company’s view is caveat emptor – let the buyer beware. As far as any consumer protection agency, when an item comes from outside the country, there’s really not much they can do. Inside, they can fine the perpetrator, the consumer can sue, and there are other options. Outside, no attorney will file a suit against a firm that resides in a foreign country. They can file a complaint but it’s like the other country says, “Make me,” and goes on to complete the next rip-off sale. This is the same situation with the model whose photo is stolen – there is literally no recourse other than publicizing the fraud perpetrated on the consumer.
I found this very interesting video that talks about items the author purchased items mostly from China that are anything but what they actually turn out to be. I thought she was very kind to a lot of these products, but she does speak the truth here and it’s not good for these products.
The depths of sloppy, poor workmanship that the clothing industry has stooped to these days has become appalling. I keep waiting for the consumer to say, “enough already” and rebel against this sort of thing but stop buying this. The video above does this and at least addresses the fact that an influencer will say, “Yeah, this is great,” simply because they are being paid, when the truth is that the product is a piece of sh*t and not worth the time or money to exchange it.
It’s still amazing to me the poor quality that the consumer today is willing to put up with to purchase clothing. This probably comes from me not having to depend upon the clothing retailing industry for my own clothing. But what is amazing is how many people settle for this low-quality just to have some clothing. There are other choices out there, but they are extremely hard to find and very limited. And they are far more expensive than what most consumers are used to paying for. Nevermind, that the value is far better because they are more durable. The consumer is never educated or the idea even introduced while shopping that a more durable item is really the better bargain.
For me, I’m still going to use the top photo for an idea cause I think embroidered stems on a blouse with 3-d little colorful flowers on a shirt like this would be stunning. And this will be made with a really nice, blouse weight cotton or linen with me making my own embroidered flowers. It will be high quality. But my flowers would only be on the blouse, not on my bust!
Really interesting, would’ve loved to see the items advertised before the vlogger showed them in person. Yes I noticed the strange inconsistencies in the embroidered blouse before I read on and you pointed them out. As a person who sews all my clothes it’s a cute idea for embroidery on a white shirt and one I may use it at a later date, thanks.
This is an eye opener, as mentioned I sew my own clothes but didn’t realise how rife this practice of design ripoffs is.
Well, Eleanor – frankly I was shocked at this…flowers on the model’s bust and no bend under the arm is a clear indication as to what they did, which was put a picture of some pretty flowers on a white blouse and thought folks would buy it. Really? I’m so totally out of touch with what is passing for clothing these days that I’m really shocked.
I’m working with a client right now who needs alterations to her clothing, but the clothing is exceptionally well-made. It’s actually a dream to work on the clothing because it is so beautifully made. That said, it’s shaped like a tank! It’s like the ladies who can afford these beautifully crafted items don’t want anything that will make them look nice or even flattering. Over the years, I’ve finally figured out that they come to me to make their expensive garment shaped beautiful on them.
So the idea of even thinking of purchasing something like this white blouse or the pregnant dress blows me away. Having made my clothes now for almost 50 years, I’m so spoiled and can’t even imagine wearing something that I order from a cheap fashion factory. That doesn’t mean that everything that comes to me made outside this country is bad. I had a garment last year with “Made in France” and the workmanship was divine. It’s that stuff that comes from the Alibaba-esque sources – fabrics that should cost at least $21/yd are $1.49/yd are a screaming warning – “Do Not Buy!” all over them.
I was simply shocked that folks would even think something this cheap would even cover the cost of the notions, much less the fabric or workmanship. Looking forward to the day when the consumer will read this for what it is – a scam and run not walk to get away from it as fast as possible.
People who don’t sew have no idea what quality notions and fabric cost because they don’t see it on items in the greater majority of stores that the average consumer shops in. I was surprised recently when in a very well known J etc store that they were selling fabric for $12-14.00/yd and it was like gauze or at best, cheap muslin. The knits were so thin that if you stretched them 4” they were translucent! There was a time, many yesrs ago that this chain did have reasonably decent fabrics that I could afford.
Where does a person who sews go for quality fabrics? There aren’t any fine fabric stores in most of the US. NY, Miami, Dallas, Chicago. Pretty far to go for someone in Ohio or KY or anyone in so many states. Online, to me, is a far second to actually seeing the fabric, feeling the weight and seeing the drape. Vogue fabrics in Chicago and Britex in San Francisco are places I’d trust. Aa a sewist who is also a quilter, I have no trouble finding good quality cottons.
You said a mouthful. It’s even hard to find good quality fabrics, however I’m seeing a lot more of them show up now that this “stealth wealth” trend in clothing has become so popular. As far as sources, I’m using some of my favorites like Gorgeous Fabrics, Emma One Sock, Vogue Fabrics Store (they also have a bi-monthly swatch club that’s full of very interesting and good-quality fabrics), of course, Mood, B&J in New York, and if I can find good domestic sources. Robert Kaufmann is one that I’m very fond of. My local Bernina dealer has been getting good quality ponte and double knits that do not even look like they are knits. If you can get good quality domestic fabric, it’s excellent. I’m staying away from anything from China because it has become so cheap that it’s actually worse than simply throwing your money directly into the trash. Chicago still has Vogue Fabrics (in Evanston, which is easy to get to on the “L”). But ordering online is about all that’s left for us.
The good news is that Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and even Walmart have fabric departments. They have it for a reason – because they are selling it. The quality isn’t, but with time, I’m hopeful. I’m having great luck with Gorgeous Fabrics and Emma One Sock, as Ann and Linda are easy to deal with and send out samples right away. That’s what I use for my clients when I need high-quality fabrics. They even beat Mood and B&J often.