No warranty on underwear?

[HoratioCaine]

I bought a bunch of pairs of Calvin Klein microfiber undershorts, to the tune of $24 a pair, from Calvin Klein's website. After roughly six weeks, one of the pairs developed a sizeable whole in the fabric on the side, which I attribute to a defect in the fabric, since none of the others have had this problem. Although Calvin Klein's return period is only 30 days, I contacted the company anyway, figuring six weeks is too soon for a product to go bad, and hoping they would make good on it. It took several phone calls for me to reach the right department, but after finally getting in touch with a customer service supervisor (after the basic CS rep was of no help), I was informed that they would not take the underwear back (or refund my money or replace it), because they offer no warranties on their underwear. According to the supervisor, this would have been the case even if the underear had fallen apart on me the first day I wore it. His explanation was simply that they cannot take underwear back once it has been worn, no matter how soon after the purchase date, so they don't warrant it.

Since this information came from a supervisor, I have a feeling I've gone about as far up the chain of command as I can, and won't get any satisfaction from the company itself. While I can just eat it on this pair of shorts, what I have a hard time accepting is that CK can get away with selling as much underwear as they do without offering a warranty on any of it. Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[Dryden]

I've never had any issues like that with any of the underwear I've purchased, so I can't speak from experience. However, I do know that most Retail stores will not accept returns on underwear once worn.

It does seem a little odd that they wouldn't offer ANY kind of warranty though.

 

[raisindot]

Well, you know, underwear warrantees are always brief, so there's no sense to get all crotchety about it.

Jeff in Boston

 

[HoratioCaine]

I've never had any issues like that with any of the underwear I've purchased, so I can't speak from experience. However, I do know that most Retail stores will not accept returns on underwear once worn.

It does seem a little odd that they wouldn't offer ANY kind of warranty though.

I can understand not accepting a preferential return on an undergarment once worn. But it seems wrong to say, "Once you buy this, even if it is a faulty item that is totally our responsibility, we won't make good on it. Too bad for you." Most states impose implied warranties of merchantibility and fitness of purpose on all goods sold, but I hardly think it's worth going to the trouble of trying to enforce it for a single pair of undershorts, assuming mine would qualify in the first place. What I do wonder, though, is if it is state law that all undergarments sold by Calivin Klein be warranted (I don't know if that is true - I would have to check), and Calvin Klein is warranting none of them, would that leave them open to legal action either from the state attorney's office, or possibly a class action lawsuit?

 

[letterk]

My wife bought some $300 Versace sunglasses last year. After a few months, one of the large logos on the side fell off. She called Versace and they told her too bad, they don't warranty sunglasses. It's frustrating when you pay a premium for a premium product and they don't seem to care about you.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

Buy Jockey's

 

[HoratioCaine]

Buy Jockey's

Thanks, Harry. You're all heart.

 

[castlecraver]

Did you buy them on a credit card? Some cards, AMEX charge cards being the best example, automatically give you extended warranties and satisfaction guarantees etc on anything you buy. Look into their policy. Might be worth a shot.

 

[Austin]

Did you buy them on a credit card? Some cards, AMEX charge cards being the best example, automatically give you extended warranties and satisfaction guarantees etc on anything you buy. Look into their policy. Might be worth a shot.

Agreed. I had a girlfriend years back who worked at Nieman Marcus lingerie while in grad school. She told me stories of women bringing back undies for exchange or refund after they had worn them. No other issue than they were not what they wanted.

 

[cthip]

Agreed. I had a girlfriend years back who worked at Nieman Marcus lingerie while in grad school. She told me stories of women bringing back undies for exchange or refund after they had worn them. No other issue than they were not what they wanted.

nordstrom is also awesomely awesome about being very generous with their return policy. i certainly don't advocate abusing the policy, but if you're paying full price for an item, might as well buy it from a retailer with good customer service.

 

[mdunn]

id double check the laws where you are, rather than doing what CK says.

eg: in aust our 'Trade Practices Act' has a very handy clause that says that you can return any item if it is 'not fit for the intended use'. That wee phrase to a manager has completely reversed store policy for several returns ive had to make. These undies, having broken very quickly under normal use would be considered not fit for their intended use - and so at least down here would be returnable.

 

[thunderball]

"C" to the "O" to the "S-T-C-O"! "Gooooooo Costco!"

 

[HoratioCaine]

nordstrom is also awesomely awesome about being very generous with their return policy. i certainly don't advocate abusing the policy, but if you're paying full price for an item, might as well buy it from a retailer with good customer service.

I bought a set of these before from Nordstrom, and so looked to buy my current set there as well. Unfortunately, they'd since stopped carrying them, and the only place I could find them was going directly through CK themselves. This is part of what is sticking in my craw: had I been able to get these through Nordstrom, I'd have a new pair by now.

 

[HoratioCaine]

id double check the laws where you are, rather than doing what CK says.

eg: in aust our 'Trade Practices Act' has a very handy clause that says that you can return any item if it is 'not fit for the intended use'. That wee phrase to a manager has completely reversed store policy for several returns ive had to make. These undies, having broken very quickly under normal use would be considered not fit for their intended use - and so at least down here would be returnable.

You bring up an interesting point. I did mention "warranty of fitness for intended purpose" to the supervisor, and he had nothing to say on the matter, probably not even knowing what I was talking about. What I'm wondering is, if their policy is in direct violation of the law, and they don't know it, and all you can do is talk to a supervisor rather than someone in the legal department, how do you go about making them comply?

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Agreed. I had a girlfriend years back who worked at Nieman Marcus lingerie while in grad school. She told me stories of women bringing back undies for exchange or refund after they had worn them. No other issue than they were not what they wanted.

My guess is they only needed the lingerie once...

 

[the beav]

Buy Jockey's

Better yet, go commando.

 

[Commander Quan]

I'd call back and try to get someone else. Who knows if that really is the policy to if they were just having a bad day. If all else fails you can sing a song about it on youtube like the "United Breaks Guitars" guy

 

[Doc4]

... While I can just eat it on this pair of shorts ...

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[Jim]

Try a complaint to the BBB in the city the corporate office is located. You can find it on line and fill out a simple form. You might get a call back from them.

 

[faster_than_u]

At some of the stores here there are small signs posted above the underwear that say all sales final. We do no accept returns on undergarments even if it is still new in the package.