Tuxedo Issues
Problems with tuxedos seem to be one of the most frequent issues we encounter when planning a special event. We rent tuxedos for proms, weddings, quinceaneras, formal parties and other events. When a tux is rented, it usually needs alterations. When it is returned, it has to be cleaned. Both put wear and tear on the tux, shortening its lifespan and sometimes affecting how it looks. Because of the constant turn-around from one renter to another, things happen, sometimes creating a minor crisis.
At a wedding last week we had more problems than usual. When the groom's father, who performed the ceremony, dressed, he found that a side seam in the pants had been unstitched, presumably for alterations, and had not been restitched. He wore the pants with safety pins holding the seam together. Fortunately, enough pins were available to make an emergency repair and the jacket covered most of the problem area and kept his "unmentionables" from showing.
When the best man took his clothing out of the bag provided by the tux shop, he found that he had no jacket. A quick call to the shop revealed that the jacket was there, but their employee had failed to notify anyone when they discovered they had it. Though it was their mistake, they refused to deliver the jacket to the church, saying they were shorthanded. We had to pay someone to go get it and delay the men's photos for nearly an hour.
It is not unusual to pick up tuxedos and find the legs or sleeves too short (rarely are they too long), vests in the wrong size or color, buttons falling off, and other issues. I can't count the number of tuxedo buttons I have sewn on, sometimes having to take a button from a sleeve to replace one on the coat front.
Unfortunately, in southern Idaho we don't have any one tux shop that is outstandingly better than others. Customer service seems to vary from visit to visit at most shops, sometimes very good, other times minimal at best. The problems with poor fit and missing items occur across the board as well.
Since the shops are not particularly concerned about quality control or customer service, what can we, the renters, do to help alleviate the situation? First, don't wait until the last minute to choose your tuxedo style or to have the men measured. If the store has the necessary information in a timely manner, they can begin alterations sooner and not be rushed.
If you are not comfortable with the service you receive when you make your initial visit, take your business elsewhere. Loss of business speaks volumes. When my son married a few years ago, we waited for over a half hour at one shop and were not even greeted by the employees. They were busy, but one of them could have taken the time to briefly acknowledge our presence. When they didn't, we went elsewhere. Again, the shop was busy, but the staff was friendly and suggested we look at styles until they could help us. You can guess which shop I recommended to my clients until it closed.
When you pick up your tuxes, take time to inspect each bag to be certain it contains everything it should - usually a jacket, pants, shirt, tie, vest, shoes, a pocket square (the decorative handkerchief that goes in the lapel pocket), and cuff links. It is also a good idea to try on the jacket, and possibly the pants as well, before taking the items from the store.
You can help the shop by returning the tuxes on time with all items in the appropriate individual bags. That will allow time for cleaning and alterations before the next person rents them. If you get stains on any of the items, be sure to let the staff know so they can treat the stain appropriately. If you don't tell them and the stain can't be removed, you may have to pay for the damaged item.
You can help the store manager by letting him/her know when you encounter problems. He/she may be unaware that their alterations person is doing a poor job or that their staff is not providing quality customer service.
By working together and everyone doing his/her part, we can improve the quality of service offered by our local tuxedo shops and reduce the frustration of those who rent and wear the tuxes.
At a wedding last week we had more problems than usual. When the groom's father, who performed the ceremony, dressed, he found that a side seam in the pants had been unstitched, presumably for alterations, and had not been restitched. He wore the pants with safety pins holding the seam together. Fortunately, enough pins were available to make an emergency repair and the jacket covered most of the problem area and kept his "unmentionables" from showing.
When the best man took his clothing out of the bag provided by the tux shop, he found that he had no jacket. A quick call to the shop revealed that the jacket was there, but their employee had failed to notify anyone when they discovered they had it. Though it was their mistake, they refused to deliver the jacket to the church, saying they were shorthanded. We had to pay someone to go get it and delay the men's photos for nearly an hour.
It is not unusual to pick up tuxedos and find the legs or sleeves too short (rarely are they too long), vests in the wrong size or color, buttons falling off, and other issues. I can't count the number of tuxedo buttons I have sewn on, sometimes having to take a button from a sleeve to replace one on the coat front.
Unfortunately, in southern Idaho we don't have any one tux shop that is outstandingly better than others. Customer service seems to vary from visit to visit at most shops, sometimes very good, other times minimal at best. The problems with poor fit and missing items occur across the board as well.
Since the shops are not particularly concerned about quality control or customer service, what can we, the renters, do to help alleviate the situation? First, don't wait until the last minute to choose your tuxedo style or to have the men measured. If the store has the necessary information in a timely manner, they can begin alterations sooner and not be rushed.
If you are not comfortable with the service you receive when you make your initial visit, take your business elsewhere. Loss of business speaks volumes. When my son married a few years ago, we waited for over a half hour at one shop and were not even greeted by the employees. They were busy, but one of them could have taken the time to briefly acknowledge our presence. When they didn't, we went elsewhere. Again, the shop was busy, but the staff was friendly and suggested we look at styles until they could help us. You can guess which shop I recommended to my clients until it closed.
When you pick up your tuxes, take time to inspect each bag to be certain it contains everything it should - usually a jacket, pants, shirt, tie, vest, shoes, a pocket square (the decorative handkerchief that goes in the lapel pocket), and cuff links. It is also a good idea to try on the jacket, and possibly the pants as well, before taking the items from the store.
You can help the shop by returning the tuxes on time with all items in the appropriate individual bags. That will allow time for cleaning and alterations before the next person rents them. If you get stains on any of the items, be sure to let the staff know so they can treat the stain appropriately. If you don't tell them and the stain can't be removed, you may have to pay for the damaged item.
You can help the store manager by letting him/her know when you encounter problems. He/she may be unaware that their alterations person is doing a poor job or that their staff is not providing quality customer service.
By working together and everyone doing his/her part, we can improve the quality of service offered by our local tuxedo shops and reduce the frustration of those who rent and wear the tuxes.
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