Why I Won't Be Doing Stitch Fix Again

I'm not usually one to throw a company under the bus, and I was raised that if I don't have anything nice to say that I shouldn't say anything at all.  Today, I'm going to give you my honest opinion on Stitch Fix because I would want someone to be honest with me before I spent money that I didn't need to.

As you know I tried out stitch fix a few weeks ago and posted about how my first fix was a bust, but I had high hopes for the next one.  Well, I received the second one.  The second one was better than the first, but I found some major flaws in the whole Stitch Fix business.  Here are the problems I see and how I would tell Stitch Fix to improve.

As you know I wasn't happy with my first fix.  Two basic problems existed in that fix:  1.) I specifically requested an item they had posted on instagram and they didn't send it and 2.) I really do not think they had looked at the Pinterest board I provided for inspiration of what I was looking for.    

Solution:  1.)  If someone requests an item and you are unable to send it, include a little note that you were out of their size (or whatever), and provide an alternative item that they may like in it's place.  This was not done for my first fix.  I was just left wondering if they had even read my request.
2.)  Since stitch fix asks for your Pinterest board for inspiration, maybe adding a note about including an item because it was similar to one you pinned would make the customer feel like you really were a personal stylist and not just shoving items in a box.
As a side note on this, I've read that some people have received notes like I am suggesting above, however, nothing was ever commented on in my fixes.    

I realize that the personal notes would take a bit more time, but it is supposed to be a Personal Styling service.  Let's add a little bit more personalization, Stitch Fix.

So on to my second fix.  The first problem was there were only 4 items in my box, but five were listed on the receipt.  That wasn't a huge deal because I am a totally believer that accidents happen.  But for me the MAJOR issue that I had with the second fix is some items Stitch Fix uses are available elsewhere at HALF the price.  Upon realizing this, I decided I cannot trust Stitch Fix.  Here, let me give you an example:

This shirt was in my second fix--Everly Pleated Sleeveless Polka Dot Blouse.

via 

Cute, right?  I would have been impressed with this item if I hadn't googled it and found it online.
Stitch Fix price $68.  The same exact item can be purchased HERE for $34.  And that is not a sale price.  After realizing the price markup, I felt like Stitch Fix isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Another example that I found was this blouse that I've seen in other people's fixes--Everly Bird Print Blouse.

via 

I'm not sure what Stitch Fix was charging for this item, but I can guarantee that it was more than you will pay if you buy it HERE for $34.

Those are just two examples.  I am pretty sure there are more out there.  

Solution:  My advice to Stitch Fix is that they need to stick with labels created just for their use--like their 41 Hawthorn line is I think.  People may be willing to pay the higher prices for the Stitch Fix items if that is the only way to get them.  And I do realize that the business model for Stitch Fix has an increased cost, but I'm not going to pay that extra cost if I can buy the same item elsewhere.  It's called comparison shopping, Stitch Fix.  Your making your company look bad and customers are losing trust in you when they realize they are paying way more money than necessary for the clothing.  

So if any of you blog readers are still enjoying getting fixes, my recommendation is to always google the brands to make sure you aren't paying too much.  Hopefully soon Stitch Fix will move to exclusive brands so that customers won't feel cheated when paying the Stitch Fix price.  

***Update to this post found HERE***

Ultimate Blog Party 2013

I am so happy it is that time again.  I've linked up with the Ultimate Blog Party from 5minutesformom.com for a couple years now.  In fact is is through linking up that I've found some of my favorite blog friends that I completely connect with.

So if you are new here, let me fill you in quickly.  I'm Shelly.  I'm a wife, mother, dog lover, coffee drinker, occasional crafter, and I enjoy cooking and baking. 

My husband and I met in college. We've been married almost 9 years ago.  We got married young, and it was before the days of Pinterest.  (Gasp!  How does one plan anything without Pinterest?!?!)

If you didn't guess it from the picture of our wedding, my husband is in the Army.  We gone through three deployments and have lived in OK and TN, but recently we've been blessed with the opportunity to move back to New England where we can live near family.  We bought our dream home this fall....don't let the phrase "dream home" confuse you though.  It's not huge or grand, but it is what we always wanted.  My husband and I have had quite a journey together already, but there is no one else I would want to experience the ups and downs with.  He is my other half.  

Together we have three beautiful children.  My heart is so full, and I feel complete.  We have two boys and one baby girl.  Ryan is 5, Sean is 3, and Leah is 9 months old.  These kids are so sweet, stubborn, and absolutely full of personality.  I am a stay at home mom, and I feel like I have the best job in the world.  That isn't to say that there aren't hard days.  

One of the biggest struggle for me with motherhood is being patient.  It is something I am constantly working on, hence the name of my blog.  Some days are better than others.  

What you'll find on my blog is regular tales about motherhood, funny stories about our days, random thoughts from a sleep deprived mom, occasional fashion and beauty posts, and of course pictures.  I love connecting with other bloggers, so I hope you'll say hello and stay a while.  

Third Time's The Charm

Pat and I thought it would be nice to make some cinnamon rolls to bring up to my family over the holiday.  Remember I mentioned the amazing cinnamon rolls HERE.  So the day before we planned to bring the rolls up, I made the dough, assembled the rolls, and put them into the fridge to bake them later that evening.

That evening, just as always, Pat and I were each doing about 12 things.  We were putting the kids to bed when the timer for the rolls was about to go off.  I told Pat he could take care of the rolls and I would finish putting the kids to bed.  I had already made the frosting for him.  So off he goes, and I finished with the kids.

About 20 minutes later I go down to finish the Easter preparations, and I look at the rolls.  They were practically RAW.  They had NOT finished cooking and now they were frosted and sitting on my counter.  There was no way I could serve them like that.  I tried putting them back in the oven, but the centers of the rolls remained uncooked.  They were a disaster.

Pat was going out with friends, but said he'd remake the dough when he got home.  I told him the dough takes 1.5 hours in the bread machine and it was getting late, but he insisted he could handle it all.    I remember texting him around 2:45 a.m. to see where he was, and he told me the dough had about 20 minutes left in the cycle.  About 30 minutes after I sent that text Pat was up in my room telling me that something didn't seem right with the dough.  I went down to check, and sure enough the dough was sticky and floppy.  I guess that is what you get for trying to follow a recipe AFTER going out with friends.  (I tease him, but he says he only had one drink.)

So now it was almost 4 a.m. and we still had no cinnamon rolls that I had already told everyone I was going to bring.  And now we were completely out of flour.  We had one choice, and at 4:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday Pat went out to buy more flour.  He was able to purchase some at the gas station near our home.  He came back, and I started the dough for the third time.  The dough was going to be finished at 6:00 a.m. but we needed sleep and went up to bed.  

I came back downstairs around 7:00 a.m. to assemble the rolls.  Thankfully the dough had turned out this time.  I got the rolls in the oven just in time to see the kids look at their Easter baskets and hunt for eggs.  But would you believe that in all the activity going on that I slightly over cooked the third attempt of cinnamon rolls?  I was completely bummed out, but since they were still edible it was the best I was going to be able to do this time.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the cinnamon rolls....and no one else thought they were over cooked (even though I knew they were).  So do you want to know what I learned?
The perfect cinnamon roll needs to be cooked for 23 minutes in my oven....20 minutes and they'll be raw, but 25 minutes means they'll be over cooked.  23 minutes must be the secret!  Now that I've warned you, hopefully you won't ever have the same trouble I did ;)