The right sized gloves - a tale of warning

**Canis G.** · 14th March 2012, 10:04

I decided to buy some new winter gloves and went to E-Moto here in Chch and bought some $150 all singing/dancing beauties. I tried them on in the shop, sat on a bike and twisted the throttle a few times and all seemed good. A few days later I went for a ride to Akaroa and decided to take advantage of their digit warming characteristics. After about 20 minutes of riding I could feel that my right hand was getting quite fatigued from holding my hand around the throttle and after thinking about it for a minute concluded that the right hand glove was just a tad snug (left was fine). I thought it might give a little as I rode - it didn't. The outside being leather I thought it might stretch a bit over time but when I read the blurb on the gloves they actually consist of 3 layers of material - mmm thinks I maybe they wont stretch.

So I decided to go back to the shop and try the next size up and possibly swap them. So, I duly arrive present my problem, receipt, swing tags etc., and was informed that they couldn't take them back anyway - company policy. So I asked the obvious - why? I was informed that it was like helmets, once they had gone out the door the company couldn't verify what might have happened to them and therefore couldn't sell them as new. I said I could understand that in the case of helmets, but these are gloves, worn once and still look brand new and are being returned with all the swing tag candy they came with. No go, policy is policy. I was politely informed they will probably stretch and be fine. I am thinking, if I had bought these on line from 1 Tonne or the likes and they didn't fit I could just post them back and get another size - WTF.

At this stage my "fuck you" gland is nicely enlarged so I bite my tongue and exit stage left (hey the lady was being really pleasant to me and I didn't want to screw up everybodys day).

The moral, make DAMN sure any clothing fits you well before you leave E-Moto (and possibly other shops) or find out what the policy is before you buy, otherwise a small mistake could be quite expensive.

**Scuba_Steve** · 14th March 2012, 10:21

I know there are a few items that escape the 7 days "fit for purpose" laws in NZ (for good reason), but I wouldn't think gloves would be one of them?

**placidfemme** · 14th March 2012, 10:24

Originally Posted by Canis G.

The moral, make DAMN sure any clothing fits you well before you leave E-Moto (and possibly other shops) or find out what the policy is before you buy, otherwise a small mistake could be quite expensive.

Yup, it always pays to ask before you buy. With helmets that is understandable, but with the rest of the gear (Gloves, pants etc) you can normally return it as long as it is still in good nick and has all the tags. Always pays to know the return poilcy of dealerships so you don't end up with a surprise later.

What type of gloves were they out of curiosity?

**Paul in NZ** · 14th March 2012, 10:32

Its a tough one but think of it this way - how would you feel if you were sold a pair of gloves as 'new' when they had in fact been used for a day ride to Akaroa by some sweaty biker??? You would be pissed!

The retailer can't really resell them and we all want cheaper goods which means slimmer margins.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 14th March 2012, 10:38

To be honest, I am surprised that you would think you would be able to purchase something, use it for a bit (making it second hand) then go "Um, yeah, changed my mind". Its on you to be happy before you plunk your money down. What you expect them to do is completely unreasonable, by any objective assessment.

As it happens, I have the same issue with a pair of gloves I bought from the same shop: thought they'd be OK but they are too big...... They are FIVE brand but are short summer gloves. Of course I can't take them back because they've obviously been worn.

**slofox** · 14th March 2012, 11:35

Gloves are bastards like that. I have had two pair that I have had to either swap or give away because the original "OK fit" turned out to be "shit fit" after an hour's riding.

Incidentally, the swap was done without question (thanks quasi). The give away was because I got the glubs for free anyway.

**CHOPPA** · 14th March 2012, 11:40

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

To be honest, I am surprised that you would think you would be able to purchase something, use it for a bit (making it second hand) then go "Um, yeah, changed my mind". Its on you to be happy before you plunk your money down. What you expect them to do is completely unreasonable, by any objective assessment.

As it happens, I have the same issue with a pair of gloves I bought from the same shop: thought they'd be OK but they are too big...... They are FIVE brand but are short summer gloves. Of course I can't take them back because they've obviously been worn.

The Fives should stretch a bit. I get them a size small so they dont bunch. It puts a bit much pressure on the seems but they give better feel

**MSTRS:Me** · 14th March 2012, 11:43

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

The Fives should stretch a bit. I get them a size small so they dont bunch. It puts a bit much pressure on the seems but they give better feel

Yeah mate, but you only have them on for 15 - 20 minutes at a time.
Is that why you're so quick? Hurrying to get them off cos they hurt?

**jellywrestler** · 14th March 2012, 11:50

just spend a bit of time on your hands with a potato peeler, they should fit after that and you'll be sorted.
No fingerprints either so you can commit a few crimes and not get caught, after a while you'll be thanking them for wrongly supplying you with those gloves.

**Canis G.** · 14th March 2012, 11:51

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Yup, it always pays to ask before you buy. With helmets that is understandable, but with the rest of the gear (Gloves, pants etc) you can normally return it as long as it is still in good nick and has all the tags. Always pays to know the return poilcy of dealerships so you don't end up with a surprise later.

What type of gloves were they out of curiosity?

Five Brand - damn nice gloves.

**placidfemme** · 14th March 2012, 12:02

Originally Posted by Canis G.

Five Brand - damn nice gloves.

Yeah that is what we stock, they are good gloves and the sizing is rather small (a French thing?), for myself I am normally an XS in men's gloves (because who wants gloves with fucking flowers on them) and in the Five range I am a Small or Medium depending on the glove.

**Canis G.** · 14th March 2012, 12:08

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Its a tough one but think of it this way - how would you feel if you were sold a pair of gloves as 'new' when they had in fact been used for a day ride to Akaroa by some sweaty biker??? You would be pissed!

The retailer can't really resell them and we all want cheaper goods which means slimmer margins.

Yeah but there is a call needs to be made over what's reasonable and I guess that's what's galling. If the gloves were wrinkled up, smelled sweaty and were covered in chain grease or fly guts the call is obvious. If they are in "showroom" condition then its no different than getting a Jimi Hendrix t-shirt from your aunt Dolly at Xmas, trying it on, finding its too small and returning it to the Warehouse. A days ride is what 3 hours tops and is wasn't an obvious problem from the get go.
I asked, for my future reference, when is it too late to return gloves and was told as soon as I walk out the door put them on and ride away. Is that a fair call?

**BigB** · 14th March 2012, 12:13

There is a nice little law in NZ called the consumers guarantees act and it applys to gloves.... must be fit for purpose.

**Canis G.** · 14th March 2012, 12:15

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

To be honest, I am surprised that you would think you would be able to purchase something, use it for a bit (making it second hand) then go "Um, yeah, changed my mind". Its on you to be happy before you plunk your money down. What you expect them to do is completely unreasonable, by any objective assessment.

As it happens, I have the same issue with a pair of gloves I bought from the same shop: thought they'd be OK but they are too big...... They are FIVE brand but are short summer gloves. Of course I can't take them back because they've obviously been worn.

Yeah but its not changing my mind - I like the gloves and given the circumstances is it unreasonable? People buy or get given the wrong size clothes (including industrial and dress gloves) all the time and are able to exchange them. The gloves were not fucked in any way shape or form - when did they become second hand? There was not even room for a discussion about it - just blind adherence to policy EOS.

So yeah, I accept it (with gritted teeth) but is it reasonable?

**Canis G.** · 14th March 2012, 12:16

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

just spend a bit of time on your hands with a potato peeler, they should fit after that and you'll be sorted.
No fingerprints either so you can commit a few crimes and not get caught, after a while you'll be thanking them for wrongly supplying you with those gloves.

I knew there was an upside - damn why didn't I think of that LOL.