٭٭٭ No Man Walks Alone - Official Affiliate Thread ٭٭٭ (a.k.a. I shouldn't have slept on it)

[gdl203]

GRP, Norwegian Rain, and Camo on a cold rainy day

View attachment 1917377

Can't beat NR for wet weather

 

[tomsocal]

Would it be possible to share accounts between the US and EU store? I’m considering ordering some items in the EU (and forward through family) as they’re not available in the US store anymore and would like to have a single rewards account.

 

[APK]

No - it was most of the restocks fit the season, but we’re getting more new styles in the coming weeks.



It is an issue we’ve increasingly been struggling with, as it seems that consumer behavior is continuously getting worse for retailers. Return rate keeps going up year after year as it seems that “purchasing” something is no longer really making a purchase. It’s getting a free ride to just check out something in person at home. A huge waste of our money and time, carbon, boxes, etc…

30 days is also probably too long. At least for our business. We received something recently where the customer logged in his return exactly 30 days after purchase (reason: “changed my mind”) then waited another 2 weeks to ship it back (at our cost, of course). These actions cost literally 0 cents to him. But, beyond all the costs of shipping back and forth, that’s 6-7 weeks when we cannot sell this item to someone else and you guys will find it at another store. 6 weeks is a long time in a season.

I think we need to modify our return policy as there’s no sign at all that customer behavior will regulate itself into something sustainable.

And unfortunately, the market trend seems to be heading toward even more lax, generous return policies. I do a lot of second-hand clothing, and I'm kind of at the mercy of the platforms wanting to appeal to this trend.

On eBay, you need to offer 30-day returns in order to qualify for the top-rated seller discount. On top of that, once a return is started, the buyer gets 3 weeks to ship the item back. Most people don't abuse this, but there are some stragglers who really show how crappy this system can be on the selling end.

I recently had a buyer start a return a day before the 30-day mark. He sent back the items, two wool Pendleton sweaters, relatively quickly, but when I got them, I realized the dumbass had clearly machine washed/dried them. Tons of pilling/shedding and easily a full size smaller. Even with photos comparing the measurements, my "best" option was to issue a 50-percent refund and eat the rest as a loss.

I've also had plenty of instances of people waiting nearly the full three-week window they have to return the item. Having a seasonal item basically out of circulation for nearly two months sometimes means that item isn't getting sold again until the following year.

 

[gdl203]

Would it be possible to share accounts between the US and EU store? I’m considering ordering some items in the EU (and forward through family) as they’re not available in the US store anymore and would like to have a single rewards account.

We actually don’t have a rewards program in the EU store yet.

unfortunately they are separate stores and accounts are separate

 

[rydenfan]

@gdl203 is there any way for us to specify carrier preference? I know it used to be Ups but now all my returns are FedEx. UPS Dropbox is like 2min from my house but closest FedEx is like 15+ in a direction I never go. For me personally, that can slow my return down by a few days. No idea if this is an issue for others or a 1 off?

 

[gdl203]

No there is no way. The software gets rates from your zipcode to us and automatically assigns the least costly option (can also be USPS) for free returns.

But anyone can also return on their own with their preferred carrier, or course.

 

[gdl203]

We love seeing stuff like that 😍 (groom is wearing an MTM suit from us)

 

[Poomba]

Does anyone have an example of an MTM shawl collar tuxedo from Sartoria Carrara?

 

[hpreston]

Does anyone have an example of an MTM shawl collar tuxedo from Sartoria Carrara?

 

[45bur]

We love seeing stuff like that 😍 (groom is wearing an MTM suit from us)

Nice! How many fittings are typically required for made to measure tailoring?

 

[gdl203]

Nice! How many fittings are typically required for made to measure tailoring?

usually just 1 appointment and the garment gets made and finished, but some customers prefer to not have hems and sleeves finished right away, so we would do a final fitting when the garment is ready, and can add final alterations and tweaks to be done locally along with hems and sleeves

 

[lordsuperb]

usually just 1 appointment and the garment gets made and finished, but some customers prefer to not have hems and sleeves finished right away, so we would do a final fitting when the garment is ready, and can add final alterations and tweaks to be done locally along with hems and sleeves

DC trunkshow? The wife has cut me off for bespoke.

 

[gdl203]

DC trunkshow? The wife has cut me off for bespoke.

Nothing planned for now but if you can whip up a group of interested parties, I can train down with try-ons and fabric books...

 

[45bur]

usually just 1 appointment and the garment gets made and finished, but some customers prefer to not have hems and sleeves finished right away, so we would do a final fitting when the garment is ready, and can add final alterations and tweaks to be done locally along with hems and sleeves

Good to know. I plan on making an appt next time I come to NYC

 

[Poomba]

Gorgeous! Any single breasted though?