Green Style Spotlight: UJeans
The world’s most imperative fashion invention of all time (or at least one of the top five) has to be denim jeans. Somehow, since its nearly 200 years of being invented, manufacturers have made it unthinkably difficult to find that “just right” fit. Once you begin adding in the factors of sustainable fabrics and Fair Trade practices, your brand options become even more limited, in turn restricting your chances of finding a jean that hugs your shape or drapes off your hips in the most comforting of ways.
Years back (at least seven or eight by my count), Levi’s used to offer a custom jeans program wherein you would visit one of their stores, get measured by a trained associate, try on some sample pairs, and order jeans that are fit just right for you. Unfortunately, I only got one pair made before they closed the program, which to this day is still quite a disappointment for me.
Imagine my delight when I stated hearing about Ontario-based UJeans, which offers a tellingly custom, 11-point fit that you measure yourself. On top of that, all their goods are made from sustainable cotton (not organic, but close) from a unique farming program in Pakistan. The cotton is dyed with natural minerals and enzymes, lowering the company’s (and your wardrobe’s) impact on the environment. All manufacturing steps are done under Fair Trade conditions, and a portion of all the company’s profits are distributed through Kiva, offering micro-loans to small businesses in developing countries. Want more eco-involvement? Each pair of jeans is mailed in a denim envelop, made from remnant fabric from the manufacturing process. “The denim bag has been used for a make-up bag, pencil case and even a sleeping bag for stuffed animals,” said Daniel Feuer, President of UJeans. An outline of the businesses’ complete sustainable actions can be seen on their website.
So, what is all this going to cost you? No matter your size — short, tall, big, or small — each pair is $125 Canadian (about $127 US at today’s exchange rates). A healthy chunk of change, I know, but how much is the time that you spend at the mall (wasting hours trying on 20, 30, 40 pairs of jeans) worth in the long run? If you are fretting about taking your own measurements, and ending up with denim that looks like it was meant for Paris Hilton instead of you, UJeans offers a 100% money back guarantee. “If you don’t like the jeans, just simply send them back within 30 days of delivery and we’ll refund your money — no hassles.” Everything from the fabric (nearly 50 choices in 100% cotton and 98% cotton/2% lycra) and inseam to pockets, belt loops, and cuffs can specified by you; no teenage crowds or Mrs. Fields cookie shops involved.
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I am TOTALLY doing this – yes it’s more than I’d like to spend, but I just spent $50 at the Gap and have been yanking my jeans up every time I take a few steps ever since – frustrating! And I bought that pair after searching countless malls, outlets, Target, thrift stores, vintage clothing stores…seriously I’ve been trying to find a pair of jeans that fit well for YEARS now, and for all the use I’ll get out of ‘em, it’s well worth the price. And I’m glad to support a company that matches my values!
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Awesome! I love it and am off to check out the site!
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I was hired as a promotions representitive by the UJeans company in Las Vegas, NV. for the POOL convention August 27 – 29, 2007. I worked hard! Completing every task requested of me! Including but not limited to Picking him up before the convention, promoting the product, picking up lunch for everyone, picking up copies of printed promotional material, finding a photographer that would work on his limited budget, packing up the booth, mailed packages back to him after the event out of pocket. My bank informed me of the returned check on the afternoon of September 21, 2007. I have a signed contract, a bounced check, some bank fees and a shipping reciept as compensation for my efforts. I have tried contacting the owner multiple times. In mid-october I recieve very little information stating he would pay me no later the October 31,2007. It is now November 5, 2007 and he is not returning my calls, e-mails or text messeges again. There are two other promotions representatives who also worked this event with him and recieved the same treatment. What kind of company would do this to three hard working indiviuals?
Hi Lilli Ann,
I am so very sorry to hear about that the trouble you went through with them – that is beyond horrible and not professional at all. Do you plan on taking any sort of legal action? Please keep me posted on the situation.
VE
I ordered a pair of jeans from UJeans in February 2006. At first the owner of the company, who I communicated with via email, was helpful and friendly — quick to respond to my emails to them with questions about the jeans, taking measurements, etc.
Then I ordered the jeans. And waited. And waited. Three months. Six months. Nine months. Nothing: no jeans, no word from the company.
I tried emailing and calling UJeans (leaving voicemail messages because they don’t answer their phones) many, many times over the course of the past two years. I have never received a reply from them.
They basically stole my $135. I never received the jeans. I never heard from the company again.
Hi Kali,
That is a very terrible thing to have happen! Are you still trying to get in contact with them?
VE
[...] for two months in a row!) Green Style Spotlight: UJeans: “The world’s most imperative fashion invention of all time (or at least one of the top [...]
EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT UJEANS- PLEASE fill a complaint with PayPal regarding this issue online or by phone (888-221-1161). I ordered jeans from them, waited 3 mths for them to arrive, and when they did they were widly too large and the right leg was SEWN SHUT! Ridiculous! But if enough people fill complaints with PayPal in the next three months they have promised to re-open all of our cases, refund our money, and refuse UJeans access to the PayPal service ever again. PLEASE help us blackball these thieves! Thank you!-Erin
Pardon me, all complaints within the next SIX months of complaints… so, we’ve got until June 2008 to complain… UNITE AND LET’S GET THESE GUYS!! Fraudulent companies need to pay for their deceit, even if it is only financially…
Do not give any money to this company. I have filed a complaint with Paypal as well and want to save other people from losing their money. I actually met the guy at an event in early December and he seemed so nice – if only I knew what I knew now.
I totally had the same experience with UJeans — it’s been four months and I still haven’t received them and Daniel isn’t returning my phone calls or emails. COMPLETE SHAM. I’ll contact PayPal as well…
Vanessa or anonymous… if you are willing to contact me offline re: this issue let me know (via a post here) and we work together formally to get a refund… I talked to Paypal and we need to give specific complaint #’s in order to link our complaints and get our money back. I look forward to hearing from you!
Hi, I’am from Quebec and bought a pair of jeans january 22nd 2008, I’ve not receive the jeans, sent lots of e-mail to Ujeans, did somes calls too and no answers at all. I’ve contact Paypal and Visa to advise them of the problem and I will send a complaint to both Paypal and Visa, so this way I hope this will make things move. My concern is to find a way to stop Ujeans doing business and close their site because they are taking our money and act like robbers. I will try to sent my comments to info-crimes too.
HI everyone
I’m from Québec too and I need some help like you to have my money back. I call visa, let a complaint on Paypall and open a complaint with the BBB (Better business bureau). So if anyone else have others idea please let me know!!!
Still waiting for my jeans and I still periodically send emails and telephone messages even if they are never answered. I ordered the jeans in early December and I am still waiting. The Better Business Bureau is aware and I filed a complaint but they said Ujeans has never responded to any of their inquiries and has an “unsatisfactory” rating with them. There were multiple complaints when I called them.
Do not order from Ujeans. They take your money and never send you the jeans. They also refuse to answer emails or return phone calls.
Same deal as everyone else. I have been waiting more than 7 months for my jeans. At least for me it was a gift certificate. I am filing a complaint with the BBB and encourage everyone else to do the same. Did I imagine it, or was this company on a CBC TV show last year called “Dragon’s Den”? I thnk they even got some funding. How about a follow up CBC?
Hey everyone. I called Paypal and they claim that they have gotten no other complaints besides mine (which I know is a lie since you all compained too). But they said if enough (more than three) people complained than we would all get our money back via Paypal. I know we have more than three complaints logged, so please, everyone call Paypal back (1-888-221-1161; you can reference my complaint #PP397-809-266 to prove there is more than one complaint out there!) As a side note, BBB complaints won’t do too much good because they aren’t members (we can see why!) but at least if people search the BBB website they will pop up as frauds. Also, they were on Dragon’s Den last year (you can find the video on UTube) but all the investers were not impressed by their slow turnaround time (they promised 4 weeks… I WISH!) and didn’t invest. Serves those suckers right! So, recall Paypal to complain and let’s get our money back!-Erin
I definitely called Paypal and recorded the complaint….will call them again although I’ve given up hope of ever seeing my money again.
Hi guys. I did not use paypal unfortunately, but I ave tried the BBB route and had no luck. I have emailed CBC about removing links to UJeans from their website and they are looking into it. I am going to try small claims court in the hope that even if I can’t collect a judgement will make it more difficult for them to go on stealing from people. http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts/scc/
Maybe if Daniel had pitched his real business model to the Dragons they would have invested: 100% profit, you take money for orders and then never fill them.
At least if UJeans or Paypal gives us our money back it will be like a $150 happy surprise! If you can, please post your Paypal complaint #’s so we can all reference them when we call. Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I sent an email to the CBC ombudsman to try to have UJeans removed from the Dragon’s Den website. They actually got a response out of the scumbag…er Daniel. CBC forwarded the email to me, I think it’s safe to assume he’s lying about contacting people:
Thank you for forwarding me the emails. I will contact the individuals andmake the necessary arrangements. Unfortunately the business has beenfaltering due to a couple of reasons, the largest is that of my “ex”manufacturer. In the late fall (unknown to myself) my manufacturer setuphis own website and copied my business model. At the same time thequalityof the jeans dramatically declined. We only discovered the theft inMarchand have been working out details with a new supplier. I will update you as the problems are resolved. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Sincerely, Daniel Feuer
Kevin, Thanks so much for doing that! My order was placed in September 2007 (hardly the late fall) so his shoddy excuse certainly doesn’t account for the poor service I’ve recieved, but what a snake in the grass to act like it’s some big surprise to him and he will fix it! Such trash… let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
Hi everyone. I called Paypal to link my complaint to Erin’s complaint. I filed my complaint on February 6, 2008 and the seller name and email was UJeans, sales@ujeans.com. My complaint number was PP-416-498-538. I called to link my complaint – the Paypal person wasn’t very helpful and said that’s fine and told me to have a good day. So much for that. She didn’t even acknowledge how many complaints there were although that might be a privacy thing.
S
Hi guys, I hope some of you are still following this thread. I got in contact with the editor of the local paper in Niagara on the Lake where Daniel lives and Ujeans is based. She is planning to ask Daniel about his unhappy customers and is looking for other people who were scammed. If you or someone you know was scammed by Ujeans please email notleditorial@cogeco.net and tell them your story. The editor’s name is Penny Coles. This may not get our money back, but at least Daniel it will be a little bit of justice if the story makes it to print.
Hi Kevin
I did email the editor and told my story, so hopefully Daniel gets his just reward.
Pat
I also emailed the newspaper to let them know my “story” which clearly is the same as everyone elses.