Issue with Purple Unicorn

[Eric the Ugly]

First of all, allow me to say that I love Purple Unicorn. Also, the first garb item I ever bought was one of their shirts. That was in 1991. I still have it today, and it looks as though it's maybe a few years old... after more than 17 years.
I've bought many shirts over the years for faire, but none have ever come close to the comfort, feel and the perfect balance of 'loose and baggy, but not too loose and baggy'.

Having said that...

Back on Feb. 14th I ordered one of their Musketeer Vests. A dark grey one that I had eyed at GARF last season and just decided to order from them online later.
I noticed at the PU site that Cynthia had an Etsy store. Looking there I found the same size and color vest for about 20 bucks less. No problem. Lots of folks have different prices at their online stores vs. eBay (or Lulu if they sell books, etc.).

When I received it, it was the wrong color. A much much lighter grey (really, sort of an odd beige more than grey). To compound this, it was one I already had, so I couldn't just say: "Oh, well. I'll take this too."

I emailed them about the problem and a few days later I got a response to the order that she'd look to see what sort of fabrics she had.

Strange way to answer.
The color is dark grey. It's pictured on the website and the Etsy store. Therefore, you should have it in stock. That's what I want. What I got was not what I want.
Seems pretty straightforward to me.
(It's HERE by the way.)

After a week or so, still not having a response, I sent another email, simply asking if the dark grey vest was in stock, and that if so, I'd just go ahead and order it. Also, again asking how she wanted to handle the refund and/or me shipping back the wrong vest, etc.

Two weeks or more later, still receiving no contact, I sent yet another email, asking what, if anything, was going to be done to correct the problem. That it was a simple matter: I send back the vest or, as a gesture of apology, you allow me to keep it. You tell me if you have the vests, (which are still pictured on the website and Etsy storefront) and if so, I'll happily drop this and order one and hope that it's right this time, meanwhile remaining the loyal customer that I've been for well over a decade and during that time have always bragged on your products....

Now, after yet another two weeks, still no response. 

I've never had a bad experience with Purple Unicorn in all these many years. Frankly, I can't believe this is happening. Ugh.

[LadyShadow]

I'm sorry to hear of your problems.  I hope that an arrangement will be made soon.  Good luck 

[anne of oaktower]

Sorry to hear about this, Eric.  I ordered an item from them on 3/23 and it was in my mailbox on 3/25.  I couldn't believe how quickly it arrived! 

Perhaps you could get this issue resolved a bit faster if you give them a call?

Good luck, and do let us know how it turns out.

[Eric the Ugly]

I meant to update this matter two days ago. Sorry.

Anne, well, it actually arrived quite quickly... it was just the problems afterword.

Two days ago I finally received another email from Cynthia, in which she apologized and told me she was looking for the material.
Now, that's cool, but I would have liked to have been told that long before now. Plus, there's the issue of the material (as well as the product) being not available....well, that's understandable. But to maintain the product on the site, when you can't provide that same product...that's what I still take issue with. It wasn't simply a matter of "well, the color on the website isn't quite the same as what you may recieve" or anything similar. It's a product, the color of which I saw with my own eyes at the PU booth last year at GARF, and the pic on the website looks exactly the same as what I saw. The vest I already had and recieved another of in the stead of what I ordered is nowhere close to a passing shadow of similarity.

As I said: One was dark charcoal grey with a slight silver sheen, whereas the other is so light as to be in the realm of beige.
Very, very different, and trying to pass off one as the other is a little annoying.

I mean, it would be the same as ordering something blue and getting red instead. Would you accept that as a 'kinda blue'? No. It's not blue. It's red.
Well, they don't have the blue, they only have the red, but the blue is still shown, advertised, described and sold on the website.
That's my issue.

In fact, it's still on the website: HERE. That's what I ordered. And HERE is what I got instead.

[isabelladangelo]

At this point, if it's the style you wanted, I'd just dye it the color you wanted.  A half dose of black dye, maybe even less, should get you the color you wanted.  It's $2~$3 at the store and you don't have to deal with the issue anymore.

[Eric the Ugly]

At this point, if it's the style you wanted, I'd just dye it the color you wanted.  A half dose of black dye, maybe even less, should get you the color you wanted.  It's $2~$3 at the store and you don't have to deal with the issue anymore.

Hmmm. Now, ya know... that's not a bad idea at all. How excessively practical.... 

[anne of oaktower]

Isabella beat me to it...I, too, was going to suggest that you dye it.  Let us know how it works it out.

[DonaCatalina]

oh yeah. this should dye beautifully since its 100% cotton.

Rit Dye Black used in the washing machine you probably only need 1-2 packages for charcoal gray.
helpful tips for dyeing here

[Eric the Ugly]

Darn.
I thought it would be easy.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I supposed it could be dyed, but my first thought is after paying $50 for a vest, it shouldn't have to be dyed to get what you want. 

[Eric the Ugly]

I supposed it could be dyed, but my first thought is after paying $50 for a vest, it shouldn't have to be dyed to get what you want. 

Precisely.

[Taffy Saltwater]

You shouldn't have to take a chance on ruining something you paid good money for because the vendor sent you the wrong item.  They need to make it right.  Period.

[LadyShadow]

I agree with Taffy on taht one.

[Taffy Saltwater]

If you paid for this by PayPal, you have a limited time (maybe already expired) to file a complaint.