A natural fur coat is a luxury item with a long lifespan, which, depending on the type of fur and tanning, can be worn for over 40 years.
Over the years, many people have visited our store with coats purchased from various sources, seeking repairs. Many of these items could not be repaired due to technical reasons. Here are some tips to help you avoid unpleasant situations where you pay for a coat that you may not be able to wear.
Choose a Specialized Store
Do not buy natural fur coats from unknown websites, social media pages, or Facebook groups where you cannot identify the seller, their physical address, or the company’s identification details. We’ve met many people who didn’t check these details and ended up buying old coats marketed as new, or items that did not resemble the advertised photos. You can even use Google Maps to verify the physical location. Can you really trust a luxury product from a dubious location?
Buying from private sellers who trade in furs without a legitimate business behind them means you won’t be able to seek assistance from consumer protection services or any other authorities to resolve complaints. While these products may seem affordable, you’ll often end up paying more than they are worth.
Pay Attention to the Product Warranty
We’ve seen many stores selling mixed collections of old and new coats, where the tags supposedly act as “warranty certificates.” Those tags with a few conditions or disclaimers create only a false impression of a warranty for customers.
Ask how repairs will be handled if a defect is discovered and how long it will take. Don’t believe that they’ll replace your coat with a brand-new one, as you’re likely to receive one of equally low quality. A reputable company will offer free warranty service and discounted post-warranty service without replacing items. This approach ensures that defective items aren’t simply passed on to new customers.
Don’t Be Swayed by Discounts and Promotions
The product price usually reflects its quality. Often, prices that seem like a “bargain” are just another way of deceiving customers. A seller will never give a high-quality product for an unreasonably low price. Avoid falling for huge discounts.
Many times, these discounts are applied to an initial exorbitant price (relative to the product quality), which, even after a reduction, ends up being far more than the product’s actual worth.
Fur prices vary greatly depending on quality. Low-quality hides have a certain price, while high-quality hides can cost five times as much. The workmanship involved in manufacturing can also significantly impact product quality.
You may see similar products online with double or even higher prices. Often, the cheapest product is overpriced for its quality. You can sense the quality of fur when you see it, try it on, and feel it. Many fur coats on the market do not fit well due to poor patterns, especially cheaper imported ones from Turkey or Greece.
The quality of closures and linings can also indicate that the coat was made on a budget to keep costs down. Fur is a luxury product; can a luxury product really be cheap?
Buy Your Fur Coat from a Physical Store
It’s preferable to buy your natural fur coat from a physical store. Online shopping doesn’t allow you to assess the quality of the raw material, craftsmanship, or fit. We always encourage our clients to visit us in-store for their fur purchases.
For those outside the city who cannot visit, we offer an “open parcel” option, allowing you to easily return the item if it doesn’t fit, with no concerns about quality. Never buy from obscure websites, Facebook groups, or WhatsApp groups, as scams are common in such places, and you’ll likely never recover your money.
All these insights are based on discussions with clients who came to our atelier seeking solutions to problems they had encountered on their own.
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