Victorian Stitch Works - Lies and False agreements

I approached Victorian Stitch Works, a CMT in Woodstock to develop patterns, samples and once approved, to also produce a range of swimwear for my brand.

Like most businesses in this industry, VSW required 50% deposit to proceed with development and the further balance of 50% to be paid in full prior to collection of the full completed order.

After a few minor amendments to the patterns and approval of samples, we proceeded to grading and digitization. Thereafter we agreed to go to production. I kept my end of the deal in terms of payment of my deposit and submission of my fabric on October 27th 2020 and was explained by one of the owners that I could expect my completed order in 8 - 10 days (I just imagined it would be working days) and expected my full completed order to be ready on November 11th 2020 and therefore I had scheduled my photoshoot of the garments for November 12th 2020.

On the contrary, I constantly had to hold my hat in hand to try and get just 4 units ready for my shoot on November 12th. When I collected those suits, I learned that only 3 suits were made. I proceeded to my shoot and very anxiously waited on location and constantly called one of the owners, whilst they cut and made the 4th suit which eventually reached my location. This suit arrived with very poor quality. Two of the other suits lacked all the detailing I approved a/p sample and had paid for.

By now, production had already ran 1 day late and she had sent me an email saying that my order would be ready and packed by 14h30 on Friday 13th November. Friday 13th November I contacted one of the owners and expressed my concerns via email, regarding the lack of detailing on the suits. She called me and asked that I send through my concerns on her whatsapp, which I did, including the bad quality on the 4th suit I had received. When I spoke to her, I asked whether I still could collect at 14h30 on that day, she said to me rather not, she needs some time, her team will work on Saturday to further complete the missing details on the suits and I could collect on Monday 16th November 2020. She said that she could have the detailing on the suits sewn up and I told her I had now already gone to shoot without those details and therefore cannot amend the suits now. I told her that I had paid for those details though and she said she would refund me for the incomplete work.

On Monday 16th, as I had been readying myself to collect at 15h00, I received a whatsapp message from this owner telling me that she is still busy and needs me to collect the following day at 15h00. I had made vehicle arrangements for collection on Monday and thought it was unprofessional of her to contact me saying this. Nonetheless, she told me she will arrange delivery of my order, with couriers on Tuesday November 17th. I particularly asked how long it would take for me to receive my order from the time the courier collects from VSW and she told me it usually takes 1 - 2 hours and advised it would cost around R40 - R50.

Tuesday 17th came and I sent her a whatsapp asking her to message me when the courier collects from VSW. By 17h00 I called her, she didnt answer and I sent her a whatsapp message asking whether the courier collected. She rep**** telling me that the courier collected. I asked whether I should pay them in cash and asked for the waybill number. She then rep**** telling me that she had already settled the couriers payment and apologized for the delay. I did not receive my order that day.

The next day, Wednesday 18th, I called and she didnt answer. I sent whatsapp messages asking for a waybill number and she rep**** saying that she had to recall my order because she remembered I wanted the labels sewn all round. She said she would have to deliver at lunch time on that day. Lunch came and gone and I sent her a whatsapp asking what time she will deliver, she rep**** saying she will contact me once she leaves Woodstock and that would be at 18h15. I told her that is fine because I had people lined up to come try on suits, I would schedule them for 19h30. She then told me I should rather schedule my clients for the next day. I said I couldn't because I had already delayed them before. I told her I would have someone come collect for me before 18h15 when she leaves.

She issued approximately half of my order, incomplete. None of my concerns had been addressed and carried out as what I paid for and she agreed to fix on that Friday 13th as we discussed. This was a clear indication that the many stories she had told me, were pure lies. I received 1 medium sized suit with a small sized bottom, incorrect threading on suits, etc.

Nonetheless, these lies continued through Thursday 19th until I went to VSW on Friday 20th November 2020 and spoke to the second owner. At least when I arrived, the balance of my order had been completed. I spoke to this owner about the missing details on the suits and asked him about refunding me for those missing details. I showed him the sample compared to the merchandise. He asked why I had the sample and I told him that he and his partner gave them to me. He agreed that I would receive a refund at the end of the month, but would need to sign this off by Saturday 21st November 2020 and this I agreed to. He assured me that I would hear from him by Saturday November 21st 2020. This too was a lie.

I emailed him on November 26th to follow up on this refund and other fabric of mine which I'd like to collect and he had a totally different story to tell me. He told me that because his staff had not had the samples with them, they couldn't detail the suits. He said he couldn't refund me, but I should bring in my suits to have them completed with detail. For the third time, I again explained that I had gone to shoot, advertised and sold some of my merchandise as photographed and therefore cannot bring in to amend now. I reminded him about what he said to me on Friday 20th November, but it's such a common thing with VSW to lie and change their story.

My experience with VSW was very stressful. The general business ethic I experienced with them was poor because I was constantly told one thing and then another and none which has shown truth.