Zahra Alterations

While I thought the owners of this shop were very friendly and their work is top quality, I had a fairly poor experience with Zahra Alterations. I took two dresses in to be hemmed and have the waists brought in. The dresses were brand new, each cost $40 and the price tags were still on them. After talking to the owners and getting along quite well, I was sure it would be an easy enough fix. Before leaving my dresses there, I asked how much it would cost to have this work done and was told $40-50 per dress

I highly recommend Zahra Alterations. Thank you Zahra for your work and friendly environment.

Highly recommended!!They did a fast and excellent job with invisible mending on a big hole in my favorite overcoat.

Very quick and friendly service

I brought a new matching set of Dissh linen pants and a light linen vest to Zahra’s on the 19th of April( a Monday). I wanted small 10/15cm darts put in the front of the pants, and darts put in the bottom of the vest for a better fit. I was told I could pick them up the following Friday. Due to the relatively simple nature of the alterations and the fabric being easy to work with, I could’ve (should’ve) done this myself however I wanted them done ‘professionally’.I don’t live in Armidale and was leaving on the Saturday, which I made clear to Zahra before leaving the clothes in store. I called on Friday and was advised they weren’t ready. I got a family member to check every week for 6 weeks whether they would be ready, only to be told they weren’t.I went in on the 2nd of June to collect my clothes as they were still not finished. I was told there had been 1 dart put in the vest, but nothing further. They assured me that they could get it done that day. I also requested that an extra pair of pants be hemmed. (I had already unpicked and ironed a crease where I wanted the hem to be.I went in that afternoon to be charged $110 for everything ($75 for 4 darts and $35 for a hem). The cherry on top was the dodgy pulled up stitching and the lack of explanation as to why it took so long and cost so much for a very unprofessional job. I will have to get these items fixed as the darts were sewn straight through the pockets so they’re now also unusable.

Really unhappy with the work done. The fact that I need the dress for a wedding and don’t have time to get it altered again means I have to wear a dress that is not altered correctly. I asked for the dress to be taken up just above the ground and it hasn’t been taken up evenly. Some sections of the dress are longer than others and the back is much shorter (at least an inch) than the front. I will have to get it fixed somewhere else but unfortunately it won’t be in time for the wedding which I don’t have another dress for. To make the experience worse the dress couldn’t be found when I went to pick it up, and jokes were made, that didn’t help with the stress level at the time. I am still tripping over it and $85 out of pocket (was quoted $75). I could have just left the dress unaltered and would be in the same position just with an extra $85 and a dress that is in good shape.The only saving grace is because I asked for a small amount to be taken up it will be able to be saved.

I loved this service. They brought 4 pairs of old pants back to life for me with their alterations and repairs. I have been wearing them all winter.

Excellent quality work and service. Gorgeous people and my experience has always been fantasticI

I haven’t encountered many people as arrogant, rude and abusive as the owner of this business. Unbelievable that there are people in this world who think they can behave like this, let alone be in business and (unjustifiably) treat customers in such a humiliating way.My strong recommendation is – there are any number of folks around town with a sewing machine, just ask around. You’ll probably get a good job for a better price (I obviously can’t guarantee that) – but you will definitely get treated with a great deal more decency.The tailor had (in my opinion) made an error taking up some trousers (a small matter) which could have been settled amicably. When I was told by the owner that “Its your mistake!!” and that I was to pay more money – I stood my ground.Originally when I dropped the trousers in I had a friendly chat with the tailor where I asked that as these were inexpensive items would they consider giving me a discount for the two pairs. He kindly phoned the owner and she readily agreed.I had brought a third pair of trousers along with me for him to compare to/measure off, but he requested I put one pair of the new trousers on and stand on this raised platform. He ran a tape measure down the seam, made a chalk mark on the ‘correct’ length and told me that was all.Two weeks later I picked up the trousers, paid and took them home. They were both too long. One by a good three inches and another by about an inch - you will have noted that this means the two pairs of trousers, after taking up, ended up being different lengths! On this point at least I can’t see how under any circumstances this could be considered my ‘mistake’.When I returned to the store to bring this to their attention, the tailor was not there but the owner – rather than perhaps being apologetic – jumped to the accusation that it was my ‘mistake’ that this had happened and that I would have to pay more money. Strange considering that she was not there on my previous visit to the store and could not have known what had transpired as she said she had to call the tailor to see what he had to say.When I returned two days later as requested, the trousers were still not ready but the owner started by telling me that it was my fault as I had ‘agreed’ to the length – this doesn’t consider that the two pairs of trousers ended up being different lengths. Besides, why would I have agreed to the trousers being three inches too long after being taken up anyway?She also berated me for asking for a discount – something she had readily agreed to over the phone but now seemed rather resentful about.When I tried to discuss these matters with her she kept cutting me off. After several attempts, I asked her please not to interrupt and she responded by telling me I was rude?! She then called me a “Stupid man!” to which I told her that she should not abuse me . She repeated calling me a “Stupid Man!” another three times ever more loudly while she advanced at me. By then I was standing in the Mall where all had fallen silent as shoppers and coffee shop diners were staring at this commotion. Quite embarrassing.I had been told to return again in an hour’s time, which I did. When given the trousers I asked if I could try them on and was given a flat no. I then asked if I could please have a receipt for the payment I had made. I was ordered to wait while the owner whizzed out of the shop, returning after some minutes with her lunch.I was in every instance firm but courteous with the owner, I did not at any time raise my voice, use bad language or personal smears or any other negative or derogatory remarks.This was a matter that could have been handled very differently, and to be honest, respecting the fact that they had to redo the work I was willing to pay the discounted difference but was never given the opportunity even to discuss this. In fact the owner was not willing to listen to or discuss anything, but rather to be rude, unreasonable and abusive.I’m still quite shocked as I have never encountered such unreasonable treatment before.

Zahra altered the hemming of my pants and my dress. She did a fantastic job with my pants and with the left over fabric of my dress, she made a beautiful skirt! Zahra has a wonderful environment in her shop and ensures that customers comfortable and catered to — she is truly the best seamstress in Armidale.