The beginning of January I ordered a hat from Countess Galina.
I noted the length of time stated that was required for this 'work of art': 3 - 8 weeks. No problem. For the price I was paying, I expected something more than an off-the-shelf product.
Contacting Countess Galina via email per her request on her website, I specifically asked if the hat would be ready in time for the end of April event I was purchasing this hat for. She promptly responded that it would, indeed, arrive in time.
I immediately sent the required funds.
The beginning of February (4 weeks from the day I ordered) I emailed her again to inquire as to the status of the hat. No response. The end of February (almost 8 weeks) I emailed her again. No response. Mid-March, St. Patrick's Day to be exact (10 weeks), I emailed again and was not pleasant. I received a rushed reply stating that the hat would be ready and shipped within 48 hours. Two weeks went by and I had received nothing - not even an email; this is now the beginning of April. (12 weeks)
At this time (April 5th) I wrote an email to which she harshly responded. The mailing label had fallen off and the Post Office didn't ship it. She had to repack the hat and re-send. Why repack for a mailing label? Her excuses were lengthy and varied. They made no sense. There was no apology. Nothing. To put it mildly, she was downright rude.
The day before the event that I ordered this hat for, the hat arrived. Relieved, I opened the box only to discover that the hat I ordered was not the hat that was shipped. She Sent The Wrong Hat! While It mildly resembled the hat that I had ordered, it was nowhere near the size/shape/style of hat that I paid over $225.00 for.
I do not mind a handmade product differing slightly from the original photo. Different trim, ribbon, flowers, etc., are just fine. For the Hat itself to be completely different after an extraordinarily lengthy wait is inexcusable.
It was obvious that she had forgotten to make the hat or had just put it off until the last minute, sending something she just threw together.
I caution you when ordering from Countess Galina/Vintage Studios - What You See Is Not What You Get.
0 comments