Don’t be average

david posted this 20th April 2009 8:46am

I have an apology for anyone who bought the grey merino ribbed base layer.

it’s average. ( I can tell you that is hard thing to have to write)

i got one a while back and wore it once.

at 6am the other morning, getting ready for a ride over in brechfa, i had a choice.

either use my old brown ribbed merino base layer or the new grey one.

every time i get faced with that decision, i go brown.

every time.

why?

it’s just better. we got it right first time.

(and we made a mistake when we ordered the grey one, thinking it was the brown quality – not good enough by the way)

when I rant about this, I am told we haven’t had many complaints.

errr. like that is ok?

maybe they never had the brown one to compare it against.

errr. didn’t we start this thing to be the best?

errrr, don’t we talk about doing stuff we love?

and, maybe, just maybe, all those who bought the grey one may never buy another one again.

i wouldn’t.

and we only make money if our customers buy again from us.

and i believe if we don’t love the stuff we put our name to, what are we doing here?

this week we will write to all those who bought one and offer a refund or an exchange when the ‘brown’ quality one arrives.

don’t be average. ummm.

maybe we should write that on the wall.

or better still, write it in our hearts.

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Posted in by the way, geeksville, the DO lectures / 11 Comments

 

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  1. Graeme Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 11:11 am

    I have one of the grey layers which I bought after reading someone (possibly you) waxing lyrical about how wonderful the brown layers were. I can’t compare it to the brown layers, but I wasn’t as pleased with it as I thought I would be, and I didn’t think it was as good a product as my NBL light long sleeve layer.

    I tend to wear the thinner NBL light much more even when I might prefer a warmer layer. I can’t really explain why, but as you say, it’s the one I always tend to pick up.

    Will certainly take you up on the offer to exchange it for a new brown-quality layer!

  2. davey Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am

    If it’s any consolation, the NBL long sleeve is the best piece of clothing i’ve bought.

  3. T.H. Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 11:45 am

    “to be good is not enough”.

  4. emma Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 11:55 am

    David is so right. My partners brown ribbed base layer is years old and as good as new. The grey one I bought at Christmas for him is a disappointment.

  5. talkie_tim Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    I bought one of your grey merino base layers from your Bristol Shop. I really like it, and wear it almost every cold morning to cycle to work in. My only complaint is that I’d like another for when this one’s in the wash…

  6. herbivore Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    and this is what sets you apart too; you admit to the failings (few and far between that they are). this itself is enough to keep me coming back when i need new clothes…

  7. anthony Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    I’m the same, I go for the NBL long every time, the grey ribbed hardly ever gets used. (The NBL is really good though)

  8. Ali Campbell Says:
    April 21st, 2009 at 11:02 am

    I bought a grey vest and it has been a great favourite, but it isn’t as sturdy as it should be – there are two or three small holes appearing. Do you still have any vests in a size S in the warehouse?

  9. George Says:
    April 21st, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    *this* is why I love Howies.

    What other company
    1) Admits their mistakes
    2) Makes up for it

    Thank you

  10. matt Says:
    April 23rd, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    You had me until the last line: “or better still, write it in our hearts”

    I think I was a little sick into my own mouth.

    But seriously, great attitude and response. The best thing that I have bought from howies was my orange cross jacket. I would love another one of those but in green.

    On the average side 2 of my 3 howies trousers (1 denim, the other canvas) have ripped right next to the central crotch hem making the tear really difficult to fix. But my third pair get worn every day and are fine, excellent organic cotton.

  11. DON’T BE AVERAGE | www.chrissayburn.com Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 12:52 am

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