So a while back I bought myself a standard pair of black Hard Tail yoga pants. Nothing special. I got them at a YogaWorks on the UWS and because I already own a few pair I didn’t bother trying them on or anything but my last pair had faded and grown holes thanks to the notoriously crappy coin operated washing machines of Manhattan apartment buildings. Anyway they ended up sitting in my bureau just long enough for me to lose the receipt. When I finally did throw them on I noticed that one leg was noticeably shorter than the other! I thought maybe it was me – could I possibly be a bit lopsided? No – it’s not me. When I took them off after my class and folded them over it looked like the manufacturers must have paired an XS leg with a S leg or something cause there was a clear difference.
So you may know where this is going. YogaWorks as a retailer obviously couldn’t take them back without the receipt but I couldn’t continue ignoring the situation – as embarrassing as it looked it was actually just uncomfortable! I called Hard Tail directly from the # listed on their site and spoke to a woman who said she’d help me – just e-mail her. I’ve e-mailed twice and called a second time as well and NOTHING. No one’s gotten back to me – not even to acknowledge the defect.
As someone who works in consumer goods I know what good Customer Service is as rare as it may be. This is terrible customer service and they’ve officially lost my business.
Take heed when buying in the future – - any recos for great yoga pants?
-Eliza
Hey Eliza. As a shop owner (and lover of Hard Tail myself), I would say that if the shop sold you a defective pair of pants, receipt or not, you should talk with them about sending your pants back to the supplier. It’s the retailer’s responsibility to check their merchandise before putting it on the floor and we know the routine (really well) of shipping back damaged goods. I carry Hard Tail in my shop and haven’t had too much trouble with their collection, although I will say that their business is growing and it can be difficult to get a rep. to follow-through. Again – this should be the retailers responsibility, that is why we exist to provide excellent service to customers!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog!
—Korinne
oliounited.com
hmmm…maybe I will – sounds like you’re a great retailer. Love oliounited.com!
“my last pair had faded and grown holes thanks to the notoriously crappy coin operated washing machines of Manhattan apartment buildings.”
– This isn’t the crappy coin operated washing machines of Manhattan apartment buildings. I own many hairs of hardtails and have a very nice wash and dryer and they still presume to get holes in time after time. Buy your yoga pants from lululemon. They have GREAT customer service and they last longer. Plus, they’re just as cute.
Thanks for the tip – and I think you’re right….let’s be honest I sent my laundry out way more than I ever used the coin operated machines in my building. Although – industrial use washing machines can’t be much better right! Point taken – I’ll will certainly have to invest in a pair of Lululemon pants. Thanks!
As a hard tail lover for years I must say I am now a Lululemon convert. Although I love how soft the cotton hard tail pants get over time, they also fade and get holes and not because of coin operated laundry either! I never wash mine in any washer other than my own and usually I hang to dry—but still holes and fading.
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
I have worn hard tail for about 2 yrs now and love them. I have long legs which makes it virtually impossible to find workout pants long enough, especially after they’ve been washed. The fit of the pants, tops, and jackets are great. I have zero complaints about this brand.
I have 7 pairs of Lululemon pants, and since my first pair of Lululemon pants in 2007, I have washed them and time after time see through holes are noticeable. From washing them, when the washer is on the spin cycle, and sucks the clothing to the side’s the fabric is being pulled in. Is this my fault, or the fabric not with-standing being washed. I dryclean my pants and are still in perfect condition. Lululemon, is stating it is my fault and my washer that it is too hard of a cycle. Hence, Lululemon, states; “lululemon athletica makes athletic clothing that we expect you to wear hard and wash hard.”h
However, I use random machines and front-loader or not should the material not with-stand being washed. Please give me feed back. Has anyone gotten bubble holes in there pants from washing them?
Like your site. Thanks for the opinions on both lines. We are planning on bringing the line into our shop in Jan 2010 for the first time and at least I will know what to look out for and will report back our experience with the line.
Hello! I am so sorry to hear about the whole pant leg situation- you are not alone my dear- we sell hardtail and we just had a customer bring back a pair last month due to the same reason- Its very rare though! but we take all defective items back and we ship them back to hardtail. I know the founders and if you need ANYTHING – let me know- i will offer to help
also if you all ever need hardtails – check out our site (its new, so be nice…) but our prices are very competitive and we order a lot of specialty stuff 
http://www.BoutiqueOnlineSales.com – hardtail yoga wear.
Hard Tail forever has by far the best marketing EVER. Love their photos, the pants, not so much…shows every dimple
not cute. I personally wear and love Be Present pants more than any other brand. The material is a unique movable not clingy material and the designs are really cool.
Anyways! Thanks!
I absolutely love Hardtail Forever. I’ve worn it and sold it for over 10 years. It’s great quality work out apparel crossing over into high style street clothes. I work out in a roll down and workout top, cover it up with a hardtail tunic, boots or strappy sandals, and I’m off. Nobody knows I need a shower. I have fit all body types with Hardtail. So many styles and fabrics. Honestly a few roll downs have come back with holes but I have easily refunded or exchanged them. No problem. Although I wash and dry the heck out of mine, cold wash, inside out, and hang to dry helps with the fading issue. If you love “those other” brands try Hardtail’s new fabric that does not fade.
Get in touch with questions.
Leigh S Cohen
314-852-9091
http://www.bodiesbyleigh.com
Devacurl and Hardtail Forever Missouri Headquarters
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/LeighSCohen?ref=name
I love to read all these comments, I am starting my business in Denmark, an online shop for yoga wear and this is great feedback, I am very interested in Hardtail but I will try to contact Lululemon among others …
On the other hand, as a yoga student I have to say that for me Bluefish has been the greatest ever, no fading away, no holes, no deteriorating… I have pants that date back from 2005. Now I want to use Bhakti and Omnitom and will let you know
Sorry to hear about your hard tail yoga pants. You may want to try some from http:www.ImpactFitnessWear.com
Ok….after my daughter wore her Hardtail forever roll downs TO DEATH (great, stylish, but mostly SO comfortable and perfect for not just exercise but a college students uniform) we had the seams reinforced. Good as new.
.. I agree with ‘Leigh’s’ comments, above: I wash my hardtail pants in cold water; ‘extra water’ option; alway turn pants inside out before loading into machine; and always hang to dry. (I also use Manhattan industrial washers.. groan!) The gentler treatment makes a significant difference. I’ve honestly never compared Hardtails to Lululemons (never tried the latter) because I’m so happy with Hardtails. They’re excellent, comfy, and flattering.. I even wear them outside of yoga class (-:
Have not purchased Hard Tail Forever yet but transitioning AWAY from Lululemon because they manufacture in China. I feel this to fly in the face of their socially conscious position not to mention the increasingly noted quality dive the product has taken since the production moved from Canada to China. The clothes are still cute. The price is still “local” and “boutique” despite the incredible cost savings to the company after the move to China.
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Thanks for the informaiton. My love of Hard Tail is that it’s USA MADE!