I got these jeans last week at Ann Taylor loft - they fit great, and were the perfect length. I debated sizing up or getting the regular length instead of the petite, but they have some stretch so I went with the size that fit the best off the rack.
Not any more! I washed/dried them according to the label, and they shrank an inch and a half in length and are now too short to wear even with flats. The return policy on my receipt says they only accept unwashed and unworn items back, but I'd really like to exchange them for another pair (same size, to be air-dried only!).
Thoughts? Seems to almost fall under 'defective merchandise' to me, but I don't want to be one of those customers that thinks the rules don't apply to them either ...?
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Boo! It never hurts to ask! Unfortunately, it is not at all uncommon in my experience for jeans to shrink approximately an inch or so the first time I put them in the washer/dryer. I know I have a pair of stretch blue cults that shrunk even more than an inch, but since I always end up getting my jeans hemmed after the first wash, it isn't usually a problem.
Tough call. Ten years ago, I would have said unequivocally 'take 'em back.' Today, and given it's a corporate store versus an indie, ya never know how accepting or tolerant the random cashier might be. Definitely play the "defective" card, since you followed the washing instructions.
When I was in retail I wanted to know these things so I could tell customers that XYZ item was liable to shrink, fade, or whatnot. Unfortunately today most companies don't care about anything but selling, so this is useless information for them.
It's sure worth trying, and if you don't get the answer you want, ask a manager. For what it's worth, the un-resellable items are marked as w/w (washed/worn) and they go to charity, so it's a write-off. It really shouldn't be a big deal, but you have to catch the right person in the right mood to get what you want.