My Pants Sure Were Happy to See Rick Springfield!
Written: Sep 30 '01 (Updated Sep 30 '01)
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The Bottom Line
Chadwick's is an ok place to shop for inexpensive career dressing but be prepared to return some items.
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| Full Review |
Back in the days when my employment required me to dress up in more than slippers and a bathrobe, I would buy my career wear from Chadwick's through the paper catalogue and 1(800) number. The main reason being the price of the clothes worked with my measly paycheck. This review is specifically my experience with the on-line ordering service.
Chadwick's: The On-line Storefront
~Shopping Options
The site offers all of the same services as the catalogue with the convenience of ordering on-line. The user can shop several ways making it easy to find a specific item:
~~~ Description search (type 'leather pants');
~~~ Catalogue number (enter item number from catalogue);
~~~ Department (dresses, coats, pants, shoes, etc.);
~~~~~~ once inside a department, shopping is further broken down by style, (i.e., casual or career)
~~~ Styles (the latest trends, fabrics, or just the basics);
~~~ Sizes (women's and petites);
~~~ Clearance (also broken down by department); and
~~~ Gifts (under $25 and under $50).
~Helpful Information
Pictures are vibrant and tastefully represented. The product descriptions include care instructions (dry clean, hand wash) and origin (made in USA or imported). Most all items are available in women's and petite sizes.
~Special Features
Other features offer Tips like how to dress for under $30, sizing charts and dressing for plus sizes and petites. Gift certificates and credit applications are also available.
User features include the ability to change an address, update personal information, order a catalogue, and check account history and order status. If basic shipping is selected, all you will see under order status is whether or not the order has been processed.
Guarantee
And I quote directly from the site: "If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your
purchase, you may return it for an exchange or refund."
Ordering
Click the mouse on an item you wish to view. The page comes up with a description and photo along with 3 user interface options: 1) size selection, 2) color selection, and 3) add to cart. Some items offer a different view of the product/color. You can also email the page to a friend. Most items are available in Misses, Petites, and Women's. Women's sizes are generally slightly higher in price.
Once an item is in the basket, you will be directed to a page that will tell you the stock availability (out of stock, in stock, backorder) and allows modification of the order and shows shipping cost. At this point there are two options for going forward: continue shopping or checkout.
Checking Out
What I like about this part is if you are a new customer, you aren't prompted to set up an account until after you have entered in all of your order information. Most sites require this first. Secure checkout is guaranteed.
Shipping
Standard shipping rates are based on dollar amount. Estimated delivery is 10 snail mail days after ordering. Express shipping is available for an extra charge ($5.50) and should arrive within 3-4 business days.
Now for the Important Stuff – My Online Experience
I ordered 1 pair of leather pants for $39. I know I only ordered 1 pair but somehow my order was duplicated which didn't show up until the confirmation page. Yes, I should have caught it before I clicked submit, but my reflexes aren't that sharp anymore. I immediately, like right that second, emailed customer service that I only wanted 1 pair, not 2 and could they catch the duplication.
Let me pull up my emails so I can accurately quote this...
I sent my first email on 9/8/01 requesting the order be looked at and changed.
I got a response on 9/12/01 thanking me for my inquiry and that someone would look into it. Great! Later that day, I was told the order had already been processed and they were unable to catch the duplicate, but they would credit me for the return postage. I returned an email requesting information about the refund for shipping. To date, 9/30/01 I have had no response.
I received my package on 9/19/01 - within the 10 day shipping time frame quoted on the web-site. Orders arrive in a plastic bag and look as if they were packed by my infant son. (i.e., stuffed into the bag with reckless abandon)
(tip: keep some Dryell on hand as items also have a funky odor.)
Hey Everybody - Look at Sexy Over There!
I have always wanted a pair of leather pants, but I definitely got what I paid for. The pants were made in China, but the leather seemed supple and the pants were lined which seemed like a plus.
As I strutted out of the EFX show in Las Vegas thinking I was all that and a bag o' chips in my leather pants (not), I noticed my left pant leg was riding up my leg like a wild fire! Ok, I'll just pull it down. Not going to happen.... I think my pants were more excited to see Rick Springfield than I was, but I somehow doubt it. The more I walked the more it became difficult to walk. The lining had twisted and bunched up in my unmentionable area, which was pulling up the leg of the pants! I'm feel'n hot now! ;)
You Get What You Pay For
I have had some great and not so great experiences with Chadwick’s. The clothing seems to be hit or miss on the quality as I have had some items that have really held up well and still look great while others shrunk weird or fell apart after only a few washings.
My Rating
The web site is overall helpful, easy to manipulate and the pictures are great so I give it an average rating. On-line customer service response time is a little slow so I rate it below average.
I personally will go back to the old fashioned way of ordering via a telephone and a live operator.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me: I'll be away for a while caring for my G.Auntie and Grandmother.
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