I need advice!!!
 

My pledge class ordered tank tops almost 2 months ago (before we were initiated) from "Off the Row" (the greek store on campus).

They were supposed to be black, with "pi beta phi" (lowercase) printed in white, in a font we voted on and submitted to the place.

5 weeks later (which is a lot longer than they told us it would take) we get the tank tops --- they are white (not black), and have the print in all caps (not all lowercase) and they didn't use the font we asked for.

I can understand if it took longer than anticipated, or if they maybe were unable to use our font, but they screwed up everything! White tank tops are see-through and trashy looking, and they look really crappy.

Our chapter has tried to talk to them to see if they would either remake them the way we ordered them or refund our money, but they refuse to do anything about their mistake. They finally decided that if we returned the tank tops (unworn) they would try to make us black ones for an additional $5-8. Unfortunately, most people have worn their tank tops already, and they should do something to make up for their mistake.

Some of my sisters and I want to go talk to them tomorrow and request to talk to the manager about this -- one of my friends even suggested we take this to small claims court.

What do you suggest? I feel really guilty that everyone paid $8.25 for these tank tops that look like crap, and I think that the store should make it up to us somehow.

Jen

three words:
Better Business Bureau. It'll at least get their attention.

But big mistake in wearing them..... if you hadn't, and returned them, you could've reversed the charges if paid for via credit card.

If you've kept them and used them, you can't expect them to do too much more for you.

Your best outcome will probably be a partial refund of some sort....

Is this the only greek shop available at Wash U or in the greater St Louis area? If it isn't, competition can be a wonderful thing. If you have the original order, take it and one of the tanks and talk to the manager. Assure him that he won't be getting business from your chapter again and that you will let other sororities at Wash U know that they can't be trusted to do large orders correctly. Be polite, be firm and don't be afraid to just walk away. If you each paid $8.25 in the first place then why should you pay another $8 for them to do it right?

Yes, white tank tops = no good. My chapter ordered a bunch of white ringer t-shirts once, and they came in not looking quite as we expected. The company promised to fix it, but nothing ever came of it and we never used the shirts.

I don't know what to say, except see if the company will give you a discount on a correct order of black ones.

I don't think this will help out much now, but From One Greek to Another on Delmar in the loop is a fantastic place to look for tanks at. It's a wonderful couple that owns the shop and they love hearing new ideas for clothing from sororities. You might want to check there for future apparel.

Where exactly is this store on the Loop? Like, what is it close to? Is it that place that always has AKA and Delta shirts?

I would say that it is on the east end of Delmar, farthest away from Wash. U. Not really sure of the address, but just give them a call and they'll let you know where. It's pretty far down the road where the area starts to look a little shady, but its in a nice building on the right side of the road. Hope that helps a bit!

I totally agree! They're a newer store (as in, came about just after '02 when I graduated) and they really like pleasing sorority girls because they know they'll get more business if it's all done to our liking. They can be a little pricey, but they always have TONS of cute greek stuff and it all looks really classy. They also have a bunch of knicknacky greek stuff too (picture frames, shot glasses, note pads, etc.) that are nicer than Off the Row or Monograms for You (in Creve Coeur--which is where Wash. U. girls went before any of the other greek stores existed).
It's not on the Loop--it's 1/2 block east of Taylor on Delmar.

And spread the word about not using Off the Row and using From One Greek To Another instead...if OTR starts losing money fast, they'll start shaping up business. Better yet--threaten OTR that you'll make sure Pi Phis don't shop at OTR again and that you'll be encouraging other chapters to do the same if they continue with shady business practices.

I think that if you've worn them, you've accepted them despite the mistake, and can't do anything about it, but you might want to talk to a lawyer. There must be a Pi Phi alum in St. Louis who is a lawyer and would be willing to help - sometimes if you have a lawyer just write a letter on her firm's letterhead it will get the attention of the business. Good luck.

Tank Tops
 

Not all of us have worn them, but some have not realizing that it would make a difference (we thought we'd either get a refund, discount, or the black shirts made free).

One of our new-mem eds who said she'd talk to OTR most likely talked to her roommate who works there.. I don't think she ever talked to the manager. Do you think it's worth following up on this since some people have worn the shirts, or should we just spread word to other sororities on campus?

This place seriously sucks by the way... I tried to order flip flops from them 2 months ago, and they said they were out of my size and would order them (and to come back in a week) -- they asked if I wanted to pay at the time, but I said I might as well just pay when I got them (since I was thinking about ordering them online) --- well, I came back a week later -- "Oh, they were backordered, it should be in next tuesday"

Fine.

So I come back again and talk to a different person -- still not in. I asked if I could leave my # so they could just call me when they come in (so I wouldnt have to keep stopping by) and he looked at me like I was nuts and said that it would be at least another month+ before they came in, and that they'd get a huge shipment so it'd be stupid to take my info. Wonderful.

Still don't think they got them in -- luckily I didn't pay for them.


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It sounds like it's too late to do any legal action since some people have worn the shirts... do you think a few of us should still try to talk to the manager? (Since our new-member ed was probably easy on her roommate?)

I guess all we can do is spread the word about how they screwed us over..

Thanks guys,

Jen

Sounds like you were wearing them under protest so to speak.
I.e you had bought them for a specific timely reason and circumstance and needed to wear them but that didn't mean they were satisfactory or that you wished to indicate they were in conformance with your order.

Which might make a difference. Though perhaps not legally.

Incidentally I think white tops look great but that's just an aside.

And for goodness sake of course you should talk to the manager!!! The tops aren't gonna march down to the store and do the work themselves! :p

You phrased it "do you think a few of us should still try to talk to the manager", I'd suggest no more than two at most. You wouldn't want it look like a mob going in there to cause a scene which wouldn't enamour him/her to being helpful.

Spread the word, and talk to the MANAGER. Not someone's roomie. If he knows that people are unhappy enough to patronize the competition, he'll remedy his mistake if he's any sort of a businessman.

There's also the possibility that the difficulty is with his supplier, but if that's the case that's his problem, not yours.

If you filled out an order form that clearly shows that you received is not what you ordered (and paid for) I'd say you probably have some basis to stand on, if not in court, than to the manager of the store. Good luck!

I agree!!! They can't just send you anything and expect it to be OK. Call them, tell them if they don't fix the problem you are going to report them to the BBB, and then once you get your way, report them anyway. Also, Pass the word around for the greek orgs on Greekchat and at your school to NEVER use them!!!

ETA: Hey JEN!!! Don't take this lying down! Talk to a manager, and report them to the BBB. Make sure they know they messed with the wrong people!