Had it with Bella's Prissy Puppie

[DBlain]

I am so glad I can sew for Lola myself now, but I cannot do tutus and don't think I will ever try. Jacque of Bella's ran a sale on curly tutus for her birthday in March for $15.00. That is very cheap so I ordered two identical ones for Lola and her cousin Lucy to wear to the Rescues on the Runway party in NY this weekend.

LOL most of you know I am fussy and that I tell anyone that sews for me exactly what I want down to every detail (yes I am a PITA, LOL ask Aymee) but I will always pay extra. I wanted a lavender satin top that I would embellish like I have done with the harness vests and add my own bow. I sent her good quality satin and lining fabric, I also enclosed a stamped self addressed envelope so she could send me a few scraps of tulle color samples. I gave her exact dimensions of the bodice, and even how long to make the Velcro strip. Now that I sew I know what fits Lola best.

After asking a bunch of times where the tulle samples were she finally sends me the scraps, I tell her I don't like the tulle with the glitter since it looks more pink than lavender, I send her a picture of one of her dresses that has the color tulle I want.

Today I get the dresses:
1. The tutu is the color tulle I told her I did not want and just like I thought it would, it clashes with the lavender bodice.
2. I asked for a bodice that when laid flat measured 17.75" I get one that is 19"
3. I asked for a Velcro strip that measures 3.5" long, I get Velcro not even 3"

So now the bodice is way to loose. To make it fit I would have to cut it open, cut it down, remove and reattach the Velcro. I would be inclined to do that but don't feel like it since I don't like the color combination.

After thinking about this I asked her for a full refund. I also told her that if she wants the dresses back, I would send them to her if she reimbursed me about $8.00 for what I spent on material and mailings, or I would add an applique and a bow and send it to Yorkie Haven to sell at their pet expo. $8.00 will not cover what I spent yet in a way I still feel petty asking. $8.00 is not important to me, but in the past she has forgotten to add d ring holes, got sizes wrong, and even changed the direction of the Velcro which made other outfits not fit right, so I guess I am just fed up.

She is a nice lady so I feel crappy doing this but I am just so dang annoyed that I spent so much time on this and now have nothing to show for it. I think her problem is she sells so cheap and has gotten about 2 months behind in orders that she does not pay attention to customers requests. So my advice to you guys that are selling what you sew, do not sell yourself short. Make sure you ask enough for your items so you can take the time to pay attention to customer requests, because regardless how cheap something is, it is no good to someone if they don't like it or even worse if it does not fit.

[Ldyrev1]

Thanks for sharing this Donna! I think this is exactly the reason, I don't sell what I make. LOL I would hate to disappoint anyone!!

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by Ldyrev1

Thanks for sharing this Donna! I think this is exactly the reason, I don't sell what I make. LOL I would hate to disappoint anyone!!

Same goes for me, not wanting to make a mistake and also the fact it takes me to long to sew I know I will never do it for money. I know I am harder to please than some people, but not everyone. I also know I am not unreasonable and am always clear in what I am looking for so I find it surprising that often people just ignore instructions.

[McheleM]

So, if you called me to come do your plumbing and it was still leaking after I left, you would pay me?

NO. You paid for a service. You didn't get the service. Send her back the dresses, ask for a full refund, and the cost of the fabric you sent her that is now ruined because you will have to repurchase it to 1. make your self or 2. send to someone else.
She ignored what you asked her to do- blatantly. It's not like you gave her free reign and then said oh I don't like that. If Aymee and other vendors can get your orders right, this person should be able to also.
Let her know you will be spreading the word too. I don't care if she's a "nice lady". She is in a CUSTOMER SERVICE based business and she needs to take care of her customers, or she won't have them anymore.

[capt_noonie]

If she's let you down in the past by forgetting D rings and what not, why did you reorder with her? You know how to sew, just make the tutus yourself. Tutus are the easiest thing to make. What is so different about hers that you can't make them?

[southernbelle04]

You're not a PITA Donna! Lol. You just know what you want. You are paying good $$$ for it and you should get it exactly as requested. No if's, ands, or but's. I am picky about things I order and make for my own KS. As a seller of doggy clothing, I try to do my best to get it just as requested & if its not right, you bet your boots I do all that I can in my power to correct it. That's part of providing customer service.

I have worked with Bella's on many occasions and she's been good to me. I had a problem with a hat she did for us. I asked for ear slots to be in it because KS has those stick up ears. She got back to me right away and said she would fix it. In the end though I got a refund but that was only due to her having to stop crocheting due to it bothering her hands. I have psoriatic arthritis in my hands so I know how it can be. But she was understanding. I would definitely contact her to see what can be done or to ask for a refund.

[southernbelle04]

And for future, I saw a tutorial on YouTube on how to make curly tutus! I know you could rock those out gf!

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

If she's let you down in the past by forgetting D rings and what not, why did you reorder with her? You know how to sew, just make the tutus yourself. Tutus are the easiest thing to make. What is so different about hers that you can't make them?

I guess to me she is a bit like Spirit airlines, they are cheap but frustrating to deal with, but in the end get me where I am going so I use them again.

I am not sure how to make one of those curly Tutu's, like the one in this picture that she did for Lola the Easter before last. So the price of $15.00 was well worth it, frankly I have told her before she sells her stuff to cheap, perhaps now it is getting to her so she is cutting corners and not paying attention. At some point like now, price is no longer an issue so I will not be lured in again by the low cost. I really think I would have made the alterations but I could not get past feeling the colors clashed. I know other friends and YT members have had issues with her, but some have also gotten very nice outfits like I have at excellent prices.

[southernbelle04]

Here's one vid

Making A Fishing Line Curly Hem - YouTube

[southernbelle04]

And another

Curly Hem Tutorial: Sewing a Fishing Line Hem -...

[southernbelle04]

This might be helpful too

How to sew fishing line into hem of skirt/curly...

I want to give these a try but am scared. Lol


And sorry to hijack your thread with these Donna.

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

And for future, I saw a tutorial on YouTube on how to make curly tutus! I know you could rock those out gf!

thanks, but I really don't think I want to learn that, honestly I am starting to loose interest in dressing Lola in these fancy fussy outfits anyway, but LOL for $15.00 I thought what the hey, it's for NY. Now Lola and Lucy will get to wear one of the fancy harness vests I have been making. Plus I made a dress with a detachable three foot train for the glamor contest, which I am now bumming about since I just found out, some of the professional "Pet Designers" will be entering, so now I probably don't have a chance in winning. Oh well as they say it it's not about winning

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

This might be helpful too

How to sew fishing line into hem of skirt/curly skirt - YouTube

I want to give these a try but am scared. Lol


And sorry to hijack your thread with these Donna.

oh no problem, thank's for posting it, there is only so much wining one thread should be allowed anyway. that hem line might be interesting to try on other items, like you I am thinking about making a skirt for myself. Like you I have had good luck with Jacque in the past on several items, but lately most orders with her have been a challenge.

[chinalee61]

I too have done business a few times with Bella. Never had a problem, until my bday dress I ordered in advance from her with a reminder and rechecked measurements came to me close to bday date, and granny Jamie wouldn't fit over her head. Plus the bday dress was a just right fit with no allowance for growth. Mentioned it to her, no offer for refund, just maybe adjustment made for Jamie which would take how much longer? Love her things, but I sew now too, and just might stick to that instead.

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by DBlain

I guess to me she is a bit like Spirit airlines, they are cheap but frustrating to deal with, but in the end get me where I am going so I use them again.

I am not sure how to make one of those curly Tutu's, like the one in this picture that she did for Lola the Easter before last. So the price of $15.00 was well worth it, frankly I have told her before she sells her stuff to cheap, perhaps now it is getting to her so she is cutting corners and not paying attention. At some point like now, price is no longer an issue so I will not be lured in again by the low cost. I really think I would have made the alterations but I could not get past feeling the colors clashed. I know other friends and YT members have had issues with her, but some have also gotten very nice outfits like I have at excellent prices.

Donna, I have to ask...how many layers to make that ruffle skirt? One long piece of material, gathered or several??