Wedding Etiquette Forum

Custom ties made wrong- my fault?

The custom ties for my wedding were delivered last week. Upon opening the package, I saw that the chevron pattern on all the ties are going diagonally. Here is the link to the fabric choices the Etsy Seller  offered me:

www.spoonflower.com/spelunks?type=&q=teal+chevron&x=0&y=0

I chose one with horizontal chevrons. http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/791457


I also asked for one gray tie in the same pattern. The pattern of the gray ties is at a larger scale and going diagonally in the other direction. I had, at one point, asked if the pattern could go different ways but the seller said it would be difficult because she had to cut on a "bias (diagonal)" for it to lay right.

I thought she meant the diagonal angle of a tie's edges and not that she would turn the fabric diagonally. It was never explained to me that the actual pattern would be diagonal and I certainly would not have ordered if I knew this. I later told her (before I ordered) that my fiance nixed the idea of them going different ways anyhow. (He nixed the idea because diagonal chevrons clashed with all the other chevron details of our wedding.) 

Am I wrong in thinking that if the angle would not be as pictured, I should have been explicitly informed of this? I tried to resolve this issue with her on etsy but she keeps calling my concerns ridiculous. She said I had to pay a 15% restocking fee ($50) if I am returning them because that is her policy on returned goods. Her policy states that exchanges can be made so I asked her if I could do an exchange for ties with the pattern going horizontally- she said she doesn't have the time to make them. Should I have to pay a 15% restocking fee when she is refusing to do an exchange?

Thank you for reading this.

 

Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?

  • Is this really such a big deal, in the grand scheme of things? 
    my blog - for the love of ein
    'Next time, just fart.' - BriSox81
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  • Ties do have to be made on the bias of fabric. However, since most people don't know this, I think she should have said it. So that one I think is her fault. But if her shop says that there is a restocking fee, then yes, you should pay it if you want to return them. Honestly though, I would just keep them and use them. No one will notice that the pattern is going the wrong way.
  • In the grand scheme of things, not a huge deal, but it's one of those details I was really excited for. I definitely will not use them (it will clash with the girls) and will pay the fee if I have to. I'm just really disappointed in her lack of professionalism. So even if she didn't communicate that she was turning the fabric diagonally and they are not what we ordered, I should still have to pay? I don't want to argue with her if I am wrong.

  • It seems like there was just a miscommunication on both sides. But yes, I do think you should pay the fee. Especially since they are custom made. She may not be able to sell them again. I still think you should use them. I highly doubt they will clash, even turned sideways.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:752b5c85-9f7c-49c4-9497-15f88b606a72">Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]It seems like there was just a miscommunication on both sides. But yes, I do think you should pay the fee. Especially since they are custom made. She may not be able to sell them again. I still think you should use them.<strong> I highly doubt they will clash, even turned sideways</strong>.
    Posted by misshart00[/QUOTE]

    <div>
    </div><div>All of this, bold especially.</div>
    my blog - for the love of ein
    'Next time, just fart.' - BriSox81
    image
  • Am I the only one who thinks that the seller didn't advertise the pattern properly? I mean, I might buy a dress with diagonal stripes, but I would never wear horizontal because I don't like the way they look. If I saw that swatch, I would assume it would be oriented the way it was presented on the website. Obviously ties are a bit different, but this seems like false advertising. Again, not the biggest deal in the world, but if the OP and her FI do not like the way a custom item was made, when their issue is that it looks different than what was pictured, how is the burden on them to pay to fix it?
    Anniversary
  • ErinLK485ErinLK485 member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    edited April 2013
    I
    <a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/7/7/474dcb68-f81c-4c38-a7d1-85d4071ffb67.large.png" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/7/7/474dcb68-f81c-4c38-a7d1-85d4071ffb67.medium.png" alt="" /></a>
    n Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:9ffd9da3-194f-4714-9601-3819a04a94a6">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Am I the only one who thinks that the seller didn't advertise the pattern properly? I mean, I might buy a dress with diagonal stripes, but I would never wear horizontal because I don't like the way they look. If I saw that swatch, I would assume it would be oriented the way it was presented on the website. Obviously ties are a bit different, but this seems like false advertising. Again, not the biggest deal in the world, but if the OP and her FI do not like the way a custom item was made, <strong>when their issue is that it looks different than what was pictured, how is the burden on them to pay to fix it?</strong>
    Posted by RWolff[/QUOTE]

    This is what I'm not understanding. If I just didn't like the fabric or any other detail, I would gladly pay the fee but they are not what we ordered.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:7046aa49-489b-4726-a259-3638103152bc">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault? : This is where I am. OP can you post a picture of the ties next to a picture of how the pattern was advertised?
    Posted by Liatris2010[/QUOTE]

    I added the picture to my initial post.
  • Kate61487Kate61487 member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited April 2013
    I'm not sure I understand.

    You wanted this:

    and you got this?


    I feel like there's a third option here too where there's a grey one that goes the other direction (like mirror image of the red one I posted?) but I'm having trouble following.

    Did she have any pictures of chevron ties on her etsy site?  If she had pictures of horizontal chevrons and then offered a whole bunch of fabrics then yes, I believe she should have explicitly told you the pattern would be turned when you picked your fabric.  But she's not going to give you your money back in full, as it's part of her terms and conditions.  You *might* have a case for small claims based on false advertising or something, but even that I think is a slim shot.

    If there were no pictures of chevron ties and you just assumed the fabric would be the same orientation as a digital rendition then I think you have no case what-so-ever.

    Also, I don't understand how it will clash.  It sounds like your girls are in chevrons as well so I mocked up the below:

    a chevron's a chevron...

    ETA: saw the photos after I posted.  Still not clear on what the etsy seller advertised, though.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:1b5e7dec-42d7-46c2-8203-7f945cd2bb25">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I n Response to Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault? : This is what I'm not understanding. If I just didn't like the fabric or any other detail, I would gladly pay the fee but they are not what we ordered.
    Posted by ErinLK485[/QUOTE]

    <div>
    </div><div>So the stripes were supposed to be the same size, and the same direction, and completely horizontal? I think the teal ones look great, but you know your wedding colors/decorations. You can't use any of them? Maybe sub the grey for a solid grey tie?</div><div>
    </div><div>Now that I've read over everything again I do get it now. Sorry ;-; Not enough coffee. If it's not what you ordered, then I would absolutely complain. I thought your issue was just that things were a tiny bit off. Sorry :/</div>
    my blog - for the love of ein
    'Next time, just fart.' - BriSox81
    image
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:33b743d8-e428-48d0-8092-5f04f7056391">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm not sure I understand. You wanted this: and you got this? I feel like there's a third option here too where there's a grey one that goes the other direction (like mirror image of the red one I posted?) but I'm having trouble following. Did she have any pictures of chevron ties on her etsy site?  If she had pictures of horizontal chevrons and then offered a whole bunch of fabrics then yes, I believe she should have explicitly told you the pattern would be turned when you picked your fabric.  But she's not going to give you your money back in full, as it's part of her terms and conditions.  You *might* have a case for small claims based on false advertising or something, but even that I think is a slim shot. If there were no pictures of chevron ties and you just assumed the fabric would be the same orientation as a digital rendition then I think you have no case what-so-ever. Also, I don't understand how it will clash.  It sounds like your girls are in chevrons as well so I mocked up the below: a chevron's a chevron...
    Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

    She had pictures of the same fabric used to make a bowtie, not ties. The chevrons were horizontal. Having the chevrons go different ways is, I guess, a personal peeve of mine although I do have to admit, the outfits above look cute! Thanks for your feedback.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:33b743d8-e428-48d0-8092-5f04f7056391">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm not sure I understand. You wanted this: and you got this? I feel like there's a third option here too where there's a grey one that goes the other direction (like mirror image of the red one I posted?) but I'm having trouble following. Did she have any pictures of chevron ties on her etsy site?  If she had pictures of horizontal chevrons and then offered a whole bunch of fabrics then yes, I believe she should have explicitly told you the pattern would be turned when you picked your fabric.  But she's not going to give you your money back in full, as it's part of her terms and conditions.  You *might* have a case for small claims based on false advertising or something, but even that I think is a slim shot. <strong>If there were no pictures of chevron ties and you just assumed the fabric would be the same orientation as a digital rendition then I think you have no case what-so-ever. </strong>Also, I don't understand how it will clash.  It sounds like your girls are in chevrons as well so I mocked up the below: a chevron's a chevron... ETA: saw the photos after I posted.  Still not clear on what the etsy seller advertised, though.
    Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

    I agree with Kate, especially the bolded. If there are pics of ties the way you wanted, then yes, I think that was false adverstising. However, if the seller just had photos of the fabric, then I think it's on you. We all get a little disappointed when it's not exactly what we want. I understand. But it just sounds like a miscommunication on both parts. Honestly, as a seamstress, I wouldn't think to tell someone that a tie is made on the bias because it's just how it's done; she may not have even thought to tell you.

    I still don't think they will clash though.  I like them.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:2b74dc87-08ef-4428-bdf7-cac2ecb565b6">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault? : So the stripes were supposed to be the same size, and the same direction, and completely horizontal? I think the teal ones look great, but you know your wedding colors/decorations. You can't use any of them? Maybe sub the grey for a solid grey tie? Now that I've read over everything again I do get it now. Sorry ;-; Not enough coffee. If it's not what you ordered, then I would absolutely complain. I thought your issue was just that things were a tiny bit off. Sorry :/
    Posted by kmbryant2413[/QUOTE]

    Thank you for your feedback. I think the ties are beautifully made so I'm really bummed . I think I will just order new ones from zazzle and open an etsy case. If I have to pay the fee then so be it.
  • I'd go ahead and use the ties and then have the guys take a picture where they're all holding their ties out to the side to make the chevrons horizontal.  In 6 months you'll look back at the photo and laugh with your husband about how much you hated those stupid ties ;-)

    Really though; no one but you will notice.  Is it worth $50 down the toliet?  Our wedding cake looked nothing like what I wanted, but objectively was pretty and I'm the only one who knew it was 'wrong'.  Wasn't worth getting upset over.

    Or perhaps you can exchange them on a looser timeline and get different custom ties for future occasions?  i.e. one in your dad's favorite colors for father's day.  Your FI's alma-mater colors for a future gift, etc?  If she's not stuck on the deadline of the wedding she might be willing to work with you on a different exchange.
  • In Response to Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?:[QUOTE]So seeing the pictures and rereading your post, I like the chevron on the diagonal, and she said she'd have to cut it on the bias, so I think that is that. She told you it would be diagonal, you misunderstood, which stinks, but isn't her fault. I don't like that the teal and grey ties are on opposide diagonals. That ish annoys me because I'm picky like that. I'd ask to have the grey one redone, for free, to be at the same angle as the teal ones. Posted by Liatris2010[/QUOTE]

    Wait, she told you it would be cut on the bias? I missed that the first time. Then yeah, I think it's definitely on you.
  • ErinLK485ErinLK485 member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    edited April 2013
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:96dcae35-2435-49e2-93d8-b1a8deb51a8c">Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?: Wait, she told you it would be cut on the bias? I missed that the first time. Then yeah, I think it's definitely on you.
    Posted by misshart00[/QUOTE]

    When we asked about having the chevrons go different ways she said that would not be possible because she had to "cut on a bias". I later told her we didn't want them going different ways. Since I don't sew, I thought she was referring to the diagonal edge of a tie. Lesson learned.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:3c9778d4-bc73-4215-a057-767a18da0eb9">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong>I'd go ahead and use the ties and then have the guys take a picture where they're all holding their ties out to the side to make the chevrons horizontal</strong>.  In 6 months you'll look back at the photo and laugh with your husband about how much you hated those stupid ties ;-) Really though; no one but you will notice.  Is it worth $50 down the toliet?  Our wedding cake looked nothing like what I wanted, but objectively was pretty and I'm the only one who knew it was 'wrong'.  Wasn't worth getting upset over. Or perhaps you can exchange them on a looser timeline and get different custom ties for future occasions?  i.e. one in your dad's favorite colors for father's day.  Your FI's alma-mater colors for a future gift, etc?  If she's not stuck on the deadline of the wedding she might be willing to work with you on a different exchange.
    Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

    Hahaha love it!
  • In Response to Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?:In Response to Re:Custom ties made wrong my fault?: Wait, she told you it would be cut on the bias? I missed that the first time. Then yeah, I think it's definitely on you.Posted by misshart00When we asked about having the chevrons go different ways she said that would not be possible because she had to "cut on a bias". I later told her we didn't want them going different ways. Since I don't sew, I thought she was referring to the diagonal edge of a tie. Lesson learned. Posted by ErinLK485[/QUOTE]

    Then that's where I go back to it just seems like a miscommunication on both parts. But I still say use them. It won't matter if they go a different way.
  • TBH as someone who does not know anything about fabric/sewing, someone saying "it has to be cut on the bias" means zip to me. I like the idea of asking her if it is possible to remake the grey tie to match the direction of the others. Otherwise, in the scheme of things, I don't know that it's a hill I would die on (though, admittedly, the different directions would bother me, too).
  • I think it would bother me too - if she can't do horizontal, then she should put her pics on etsy in diagonal. I would have been annoyed as well. 

    BUT I don't really think anyone will notice. It's not that big a deal and there won't be THAT many formal photos of your wedding party all together. 

    And I love the idea of having them take a silly photo with the ties being held horizontally. :-)
  • weddingmuseweddingmuse member
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer 5 Love Its
    edited April 2013
     
    "Honestly, as a seamstress, I wouldn't think to tell someone that a tie is made on the bias because it's just how it's done; she may not have even thought to tell you."

    This.

    All ties are typically cut on the bias.  Look at ties in the stores - what direction are the stripes going in?

    Sorry you're disappointed, but I'm with the seller here.  You should've asked about it before you placed the order if it was important to you.

    Also I think they look fine.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_custom-ties-made-wrong-my-fault?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9df86898-a2f0-401c-bbe4-25f6b1e5ce74Post:4cac0aa6-242c-45e4-bdca-8461b93aabe9">Re: Custom ties made wrong- my fault?</a>:
    [QUOTE]TBH as someone who does not know anything about fabric/sewing, someone saying "it has to be cut on the bias" means zip to me.
    Posted by ZiggyZos[/QUOTE]

    If the OP didn't know that terminology, she should have asked for more information about what that meant. I sew, so I know what that means, but if I didn't and cutting on the bias was mentioned, I'd get more information to be an informed consumer.

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