TLDR: with Michael as my point of contact, between April and August 2022, I was unable to get 2 custom shirts ($95 each), and 1 vest ($155)
Timeline / series of events:
- April: went in, got fitted for 2 custom dress shirts, paid upfront, and was told it would take about 5 weeks. Plan was for 1st shirt to come, confirm my size and fit, and then they'd make 2nd shirt.
- May: email from Michael that they had issues w/ their Shanghai team (that's where the clothes are made) - clothing production delayed until mid-June (estimated).
- Some other time in May '22: without my knowledge, my wife added a vest to my order as a surprise.
- Late June: 1st shirt arrives, and vest came separately (in error - was supposed to come after confirming my fit). Both items were incredibly small/tight - like spandex. And I'm a slim guy. Michael says they'll redo the shirt from scratch, but that I need to bring in the vest so they can alter in Boston.
Here's where things fall apart in July and August:
- My wife works in walking distance to their Boston location (the only one left), so planned to drop off the vest herself, instead of going through the mail.
- Vest return attempt #1: Michael said she could drop off, "any time after 11am". She goes there at 1pm - no one was there. Michael said, "sorry about that, it's just me today and I was out at our tailor's". IMO, if you tell someone to come in any time after 11am, and you end up leaving, you should let them know. It was a careless mistake, but I let it go.
- In parallel, the "1st shirt" arrives for the 2nd time: wrong style (french instead of placket) and again, way too tight. I'm slim, but this shirt makes my stomach look chubby. Michael asks over email if it's supposed to be a dress shirt or casual shirt (regarding tucking-in). Great question... that should have been asked in April. Lucky for him, I'm an educated buyer, so I did intend to buy a custom dress shirt (like the one they are attempting to make).
- Vest return attempt #2: I'm losing trust in Michael at this point, so I asked specifically what days and times he will be there the next week, and for a phone number to call in advance to make sure someone is in fact there. He assured me that people would be there until 5:45pm. I called several times at 5pm so my wife could get there before 5:45pm - no one answered the number he gave me.
- Vest return attempt #3: Michael emailed: "with enough advanced notice... we'll be good!" and "5pm is a safe bet on Monday". So on that Monday, I emailed at 1:42pm asking if my wife could come in at 3:30pm-ish and called several times again - no response/answer. So, she went there at 5pm (the "safe bet") and again, no one was there (another customer was trying to return something, too).
- Note: over several days and several phone calls, no one answered the phone # that Michael gave me.
- Vest return attempt #4: By this point, I canceled both shirts - I thought they were not worth the time and effort. I planned one more attempt on the vest (only because my wife got it for me as a gift - so wanted to appreciate it). I emailed Michael: "How about Wed 8/10 or Thu 8/11 at 9am?" He replied: "I'll be here every day at 5:00, Wednesday and Thursday both days until at least 6:00!"
- I gave up. It was clear he was incapable of scheduling a simple drop off. I call the phone number 3-4 times in a row, Michael finally picks up. He said if I gave him a specific day and time, he could make it work - I explained I just tried that via email - the "Wed 8/10 or Thu 8/11 at 9am" ask - and he responded with unrelated days and times. Michael agreed to refund me for the two shirts, and refund my wife for the vest before he hung up on me.
- Since he hung up, I did confirm refund via email - he confirmed quickly.
- I will never go to Blank Label again.
- Outside of getting the clothes to fit - the style was OK and quality was below average.
- My suggestions: buy from Suitsupply (custom), Club Monaco, Bonobos, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, etc. - certainly not Blank Label.
- Prediction: Blank Label will be out of business by the end of 2023. read more