We’re so serious about this policy, that we decided to devote an entire page to it. It may not get read a whole lot but at least we can link to it in case anyone gets testy about why we don’t divulge estimates so easily.
(And in case this looks familiar, yes, some of it comes from our FAQs.)
So here we go:
We won’t share estimates WITHOUT a fitting.
We abstain from giving you an estimate not because we’re mean, but because we want to be fair to you.
This means we need to see the project in person (whether that’s you in your outfit or someone else in theirs) in order for us to know the extent of the work we’ll have to conduct.
Once we see the project, we’ll be better able to determine an estimate. But if we don’t see it, we may need to change (perhaps significantly) the estimate we gave you once we do get a better look. That wouldn’t be fair to you (or to us), so we don’t give estimates without seeing the project. (Pictures don’t count.)
Simply stop by and bring the project. We’d love to meet you! Our service is the best and some of our clients are world-renowned: If they trust us for their alterations needs, rest assured we’re also the best candidates for you.
Something else that people have trouble understanding relates to the actual cost of our work. We may be #1 in two counties, but they still want us to be cheap to compete with the lesser-quality shops out there. That’s something we won’t do:
Could your alterations ever cost more than what you paid for for a piece of clothing?
At Alter Creations, we value your budget and want to be fair to your finances. Discriminating based on income (or the cost of your original item) is illegal and unethical, and is something we don’t practice. We won’t ever set different prices for different customers based merely on the cost of their original item.**
We incorporate the same top-notch quality into your projects as we’d want someone to incorporate into ours.
** The ONLY factor that determines what we charge for a certain project is the level of effort involved. So yes, sometimes altering something will be costlier than the price paid for for that item. But if you tell us altering a piece will cost you more than the actual piece, well, we won’t reconsider. Tailoring isn’t cheap so please try to consider those costs when buying something that’ll need significant work.
Are we really not able to tell you how much tailoring something will cost?
The following (ahem, inaccurate) customer review that was posted on the web relates to this issue. We’d love to share it with you as it illustrates the importance of post-fitting price quotes.
I had my wedding gown altered with Martha a few months ago. She does a good job but is very expensive. I recommend before you leave her shop you ask for a quote. When you make your appointment ask if there is a fitting charge to get the estimate.
OUR RESPONSE:
…I wanted to clarify that Alter Creations doesn’t charge fitting fees, so if all you’d like is a quote, then please don’t be shy to ask for it PREFERABLY during your fitting. (I do need to know what I’m working with to be able to tell you what it’ll cost.)
That said… I don’t hold your clothes hostage, so I’ll more than understand if you decide to take them elsewhere after we’re done with the fitting if you’re uncomfortable w/the quote :).
… I definitely recommend you get an estimate before you leave your project with us. Thanks for your comment and never hesitate in contacting us with your concerns.
In Conclusion…
DO let us see the item you’d like altered or tailored on you so that we can give you the accurate estimate you deserve. Remember: We need to see what we’re working with to be able to tell you what it’ll cost. We want to serve you the best we can!
Of course, if you have any other questions (no estimate requests!) you’re always welcome to call us at (435) 658-4432. Thanks for your time and have a great rest of your day!