Washing instruction labels are sewn into garments to ensure you do not damage your clothing or shoes.
Most consumers do not read these instructions when buying clothes as they easily assume they are all washable textiles.
For example, all shoes from Soviet are sold with instructions on how to treat your shoes as the lifespan of the shoes depends on how you treat them.
Soviet also tells consumers to pre-treat shoes with the appropriate fabric protector as this will water and stain-proof shoes.
Henry Moenda of Soweto, approached Consumer Line after the colour of his Soviet takkies faded. Moenda bought the pair on July 1 for R239 for his child and when he washed them before the end of the month they lost colour.
He complained at the store he bought them from and was told to bring the shoes back no later than a month, which he did.
Instead of exchanging the shoes, they offered to send the shoes to head office for a quality assessment. He was told they could not be replaced.
"I need them to replace the takkies," Moenda said.
Advocate Alan Komar, of Soviet, said the takkies were not defective and did not present any inherent quality deficiency.
Komar said the takkies were sent to their supplier and their quality assessment department.
"As a best guess, both departments concluded that the takkies were washed with a detergent that contained high levels of an oxidising agent of bleach," Komar said.
He said they were also extremely worn out and the possibility could not be excluded that they came into contact with a substance similar to bleach.
He said they regret that under the circumstances they cannot assist Moenda as the takkies were reasonably suitable for the purpose they were intended to be used for.
"They were of good quality, free of defects and in good working order and durable and usable for a reasonable period of time."
Komar said by not following the washing instructions, Moenda surpassed any reasonable expectation to have the goods returned or refunded.
Komar said as a gesture of goodwill and without prejudice of any kind, they will replace the pair he bought. A happy Moenda collected the replacement takkies.
Read the washing labels
Washing instruction labels are sewn into garments to ensure you do not damage your clothing or shoes.
Most consumers do not read these instructions when buying clothes as they easily assume they are all washable textiles.
For example, all shoes from Soviet are sold with instructions on how to treat your shoes as the lifespan of the shoes depends on how you treat them.
Soviet also tells consumers to pre-treat shoes with the appropriate fabric protector as this will water and stain-proof shoes.
Henry Moenda of Soweto, approached Consumer Line after the colour of his Soviet takkies faded. Moenda bought the pair on July 1 for R239 for his child and when he washed them before the end of the month they lost colour.
He complained at the store he bought them from and was told to bring the shoes back no later than a month, which he did.
Instead of exchanging the shoes, they offered to send the shoes to head office for a quality assessment. He was told they could not be replaced.
"I need them to replace the takkies," Moenda said.
Advocate Alan Komar, of Soviet, said the takkies were not defective and did not present any inherent quality deficiency.
Komar said the takkies were sent to their supplier and their quality assessment department.
"As a best guess, both departments concluded that the takkies were washed with a detergent that contained high levels of an oxidising agent of bleach," Komar said.
He said they were also extremely worn out and the possibility could not be excluded that they came into contact with a substance similar to bleach.
He said they regret that under the circumstances they cannot assist Moenda as the takkies were reasonably suitable for the purpose they were intended to be used for.
"They were of good quality, free of defects and in good working order and durable and usable for a reasonable period of time."
Komar said by not following the washing instructions, Moenda surpassed any reasonable expectation to have the goods returned or refunded.
Komar said as a gesture of goodwill and without prejudice of any kind, they will replace the pair he bought. A happy Moenda collected the replacement takkies.
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