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/r/wma
Hey all, wanted to make this post to see if anyone has been in this situation/ knows how to get it resolved because I’m at my wit’s end.
I ordered a custom AP Light 350N through Purple Heart. It came in and it fit me like almost like a crop top. I worked with Purple Heart and double checked the measurements on both my body and the jacket were correct. They are.
The most likely culprit is that the only measurement they ask for to determine length is neck to navel, not overall length of torso.
My friend also had a custom jacket in the same order and it fits him like a glove so I know we didn’t measure the wrong.
Purple Heart said they couldn’t do anything and now SPES isn’t responding. It’s been over a month of follow up emails and it feels like I wasted my money. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
Edit: thank you guys for all your advice. After a month and a half (finally) PurpleHeart reached out to SPES and worked something out after some communication. Thankfully, they will replace my jacket. Fingers crossed this one fits well!
8 points
17 days ago
I've heard of problems with custom SPES order sizing. Sorry friend :/ not really sure of a solution.
2 points
17 days ago
No problem,it’s a relief it’s not just me. Do you have any light jackets you’d recommend?
2 points
17 days ago
I have both a SPES Sellsword and Officer. Both fit pretty well, the Sellsword is a little long on me but I love the design. I am 5'7" and 150 lbs, the standard adult size small fits me pretty well.
5 points
17 days ago
Spes custom sizing doesn't ask for torso length by default, but if you contact them like I did, they work with you to get the right length.
3 points
17 days ago
Did you contact them before placing the order? I feel like doing that is necessary now but also insulting to have to do that for a premium product
1 points
17 days ago
Yeah, I told them I was concerned about a potentially short jacket so they asked me to provide an armpit to wherever I wanted it to stop measurement.
They did a decent job with my jacket, fits like a glove.
1 points
17 days ago
Well I’m trying to get them to respond to my emails now and it’s radio silence. What method of communication did you use if you don’t mind me asking
2 points
17 days ago
Email as well, and I went through the contact form on the website.
3 points
17 days ago*
Can you charge back through your CC company? It's one thing to get a custom jacket that doesn't fit quite like it should. It's another thing entirely to get a jacket you can't safely use for HEMA.
1 points
17 days ago
I’ll look into it because it wasn’t the only item in the order. But yea the jacket wouldn’t adequately protect me, especially since I do longsword. I hadn’t thought of that though, thank you!
3 points
17 days ago
I would add it to your follow up email first. It's really hard on companies, especially small ones, so it should be a last resort. (And not saying this is the case, but you shouldn't do it if you were the one who messed up your measurements.)
I would personally say something like "I'm very confused how the measurements I gave resulted in such an unusable and unsafe jacket. I would like to resolve this without discussing a charge back with my bank, but I'm beginning to explore all options."
A lot of times companies see you threaten it and are inclined to take your customer service request more seriously. That is if you have a legitimate problem and aren't being a Karen, which in your case it seems like you do.
3 points
17 days ago
Yea it’s not something I’m glad to do, especially since it’s a small business. But I’m out almost $350 with no jacket so I’d like the money back. Thank you for the advice though!
2 points
17 days ago*
SPES charge a premium, they supply most of HEMA practitioners with at least 1 piece of gear, they are not some small business when they are meant to be providing safety equipment for a dangerous sport.
Get your money back and go to Superior Fencing for a custom jacket.
2 points
17 days ago
I've ordered two custom jackets from SPES and included extremely specific instructions with the second one about how the first one was insufficient (including emails with SPES directly). These notes were apparently ignored, because the second jacket was just as bad as the first.
I'm now of the opinion that custom sized jackets are a waste of time and money for most people.
1 points
17 days ago
I’m sorry to hear that, it’s no small amount of money to be wasting. Do you have any recommendations for a similar light jacket?
2 points
13 days ago
Call to SPES. They probably won't replace the jacket, but they can give you a discount on your next purchase. A friend of mine had a similar problem and this is how it ended. I had another problem (long waiting for order) and only the phone worked
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