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CB Clothing and Accessories Review of Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Co.
Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Co.

Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Co. review: Fraudulent warranty! 20

Author of the review
12:00 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Synopsis of dispute with Mill Valley Leather

Initial purchase of jacket occurred in November of 2005 after extensive shopping and research on the internet. A deciding factor was the advertised 5 year customer satisfaction warranty and the many years of experience in the business. When I placed the order, the people were friendly, polite, and helpful. I had every reason to believe that these were honest merchants.

After wearing the jacket for a couple of months, the finish and color wore through around the pockets and elbow panels. In February of 2006 I called the company and the person I spoke to said to return the jacket to them. I did at my own expense of about $23.00

After a couple of weeks, I called and spoke to Shayna who informed me that they had received the jacket and that they were returning it to me because they determined that it must have been due to customer abuse. Needless to say, I was outraged! I treated the jacket with utmost care as I do with all of my clothing.

About a week later, in early March I received the jacket back with a letter from Bruce that explained the fact that they had sold hundreds of those jackets, never a problem, therefore it was something I did. Furthermore, they would not issue a refund or store credit or exchange.

Outraged, I wrote an email and called again. Shayna explained that the 'managers' were all away purchasing leather and coats, etc. I asked to speak to the owner, she said they were all gone, she was the only one there. I asked here who Bruce was, she said he was the owner. I asked his last name, and she said she didn't know.

This company is a total ripoff. I have never experienced anything as fraudulent as these people. It's a good thing they are not in New York as the Attorney General here would be all over them. Stay as far away from these people as you can, and warn others.

If anyone else has had similar problems and would like to start a class action, let me know.

Vince
Rochester, New York
U.S.A.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

20 comments
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Susanne
,
Jan 02, 2008 12:00 am EST

I have purchased two shearling coats from Mill Valley. I purchased both the coats, on sale, at a wonderful price. One is relatively new, and one I've had for years-and it looks as good as it did when I bought it! I've worn the coat in the snow and rain, and had it professionlly cleaned twice. I'm getting ready to purchase a fur coat, and can't wait to receive it! I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Mill Valley. In fact, I would never have expected to own such beautiful, well made shearlings at the price I paid. I was just in Jackson Hole and made sure that I stopped in and let them know how happy I've been with my coats!

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Dbarkley
Hoboken, US
Oct 08, 2012 10:28 am EDT

I too wish I would have read these comments. I have a 1000 credit I need to redeem for a coat that didnt fit when i called today the company is no longer open. I guess out if biz as there website isnt working, nor if there phone numbers. So we are out a grand

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judith mathews
Selmer, US
Apr 19, 2012 10:57 am EDT

I wish I would have read all the reports on mill valley Jackson Hole WY, company. I had the most upsetting experience buying one item from a retailer . I ordered the women's booties for my daughter for Christmas and when they arrived we found they were too small, WAY to small... so I followed the company's requirements from the internet on how to return items. Five months later I still have not received a "code" to ship the booties back. I called every number I could find to talk to someone and was finally able to reach an arrogant man saying every thing would be taken care of but he wouldn't give me his name or the "code". He said he was sorry for the mishap but due to the weather there was no one manning the phones and it would take some time to re ship. I checked the weather in Jackson Hole and sure enough there was a bad storm. I waited until everything cleared up and tried again to contact them to get the "code" From that time on I have never been able to talk to anyone and now their phones are shut off. Fortunately my credit card company checked up on this company and found the same thing so the credit card company credited the money I spent back to my card. DON"T do business with these people in Jackson Hole. I don't believe they really exist. Finally the other day I decided to look at the booties before trying to decide what to do with them and discovered they are tagged made in China. No wonder the size was two sizes off. Again ...Don't do business with this company, Beware, Even though I got my money back and I still have there inferior product (I never received the "code" to send them back and I was afraid if I sent the item with no code I would not get a refund) The product is not real . The leather is inferior and the shearing looks fake.

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gardener1
Seattle, US
Dec 30, 2011 12:13 am EST

On December 14, 2011 I called Mill Valley Leather to order a pair of men's sheepskin slippers. Order taken and all seemed to go well.

I received a call from one of their customer service reps two days later explaining that some errors had occurred with my order and all the information needed to be repeated. As it turned out the first order had been quite scrambled, inaccurate credit card number recorded and wrong item number. This call rep re-took the order information and affirmed it would go out that day.

Two weeks later and no slippers. I called customer service to inquire. No record of my order could be found at all. This now third customer service rep apologized for the problems and offered to take the order AGAIN and offered expedited shipping. I declined his offer.

Does this company actually have products that they sell and ship? I have my doubts. I certainly cannot recommend that anyone attempt to buy something from them. It is fruitless.

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budd foxx
, US
Dec 09, 2011 5:29 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I ordered a jacket that was promised to arrive by thanksgiving. WHen it did not arrive, I spoke with a rep promised it would ship two weeks later. When that date passed, I spoke with several other reps, including one who said he was family of the ownership of the company. No one could give me a straight answer. Finally, today, they gave me a story about the batch of leather not being up to their quality and they would not be able to get the coat to me for several more weeks. I've had enough of the run-around and terrible customer service. Told them to cancel the order, which they agreed to do. we'll see. To be sure, I also called my credit card company now to cancel the charge. a very disappointing experience.

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S. Brixey
Edgewood, US
Dec 06, 2011 3:53 am EST
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I returned a coat for refund in November 2011, and although it took 2 weeks from the time Mill Valley received the coat, I did receive a full refund, minus shipping costs, just as advertised on their website. I have no complaint and I appreciate Mill Valley honoring their commitment. S. Brixey

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Max Sky
Bethesda, US
Nov 26, 2011 4:24 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Their "MONEYBACK SATISFACTION GUARANTEE" is a lie. No satisfaction and no money back. Total rip-off. Stay Away.
The details:
My own story of internet shopping woe began with the brilliant idea that I should get a nice winter coat for my wife, Elaine, for Christmas. She’s a Texas girl and has never gotten used to the much colder winters we have here in Washington. She definitely needs a new coat, but what kind? For years she had admired a shearling jacket of mine so I thought I would get her a nice shearling coat of her own for Christmas.
I found two retailers on the internet that seemed promising, Overland Sheepskin Company of Taos, New Mexico, and Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Products and prices at the two sites were similar, but Mill Valley seemed to have a better selection so I picked out a coat that I thought my wife would like.
All of the shearling coats were expensive, around a thousand dollars, some less, some more. By any measure a thousand dollars is a lot of money for a coat. Especially when one is purchasing on-line, without the ability to see, feel or try the item on. I certainly was not going to put out that kind of money without the assurance that the item could be returned if it were not just the perfect gift for my wife. I was reassured by the big bold headline at the top of the Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather company’s web page; “MONNEYBACK SATISFACTION GUARANTEE” it blared in red. What could go wrong?
I have made hundreds of internet purchases in the past few years with hardly a hitch. And on rare occasions when there had been a problem with an on-line purchase, the vendor was always willing to correct the issue, or offer a prompt refund. That is what on-line
customers expect, in fact, such vendor integrity is a necessary prerequisite to foster the consumer trust that makes internet commerce possible. Without such trust in on-line merchants no one in his right mind would send hundreds of dollars to a nameless, faceless,
stranger thousands of miles away.
Apparently The Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole is unfamiliar with the concept of customer service; but I’m getting ahead of myself.
The coat arrived, in early December in plenty of time for Christmas. My wife received the package at our home in Bethesda, but she didn’t open it until I could be there to see it and share the excitement with her. I could tell right away when she lifted the coat out
of the box that I had missed the mark with my gift. It didn’t look nearly as stylish as it had on the models in the on-line catalog; more like a ranch-hand work coat not a stylish fur. And it was the wrong size, not only did it not fit, it wasn’t even the size we had ordered.
Since I had bungled the first attempt with the gift I offered that Elaine should go on-line and make her own selection from the Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole and we would exchange it. I had hoped that there were just enough time to get the replacement by Christmas. Just to be sure, we called Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole customer service on the telephone. (After repeated attempts over several days we eventually got through) We informed the Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole agent that we were returning the coat for exchange and asked him if they could send the replacement coat in time for Christmas.
The Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole representative, who seemed unsure what he was doing, informed us that it takes weeks to process a return so if we wanted to receive the replacement coat by Christmas we should just order the second coat
now, and write a note on the return form that we had exchanged for a different coat. Fine. That’s what we did.
Elaine picked out a second coat more to her liking. It cost a bit more than the one I had bought, but if she liked this one it would be worth it.
In spite of our efforts the coat did not arrive in time for Christmas. It was delivered a few days later and I have to say, Elaine’s choice was much nicer and more stylish than the one I had picked.
In the mean time, I was keeping an eye on my PayPal account, looking for the credit for the coat that we had returned. Then, 3 weeks after Christmas what do I receive in the mail? Not a refund, but a zerox of a certificate on a plain sheet of paper sheet informing me that I have $888.88 in in-store credit that I can use any time at the Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather company in Jackson Hole, WYOMING!
I’ve never even been to Wyoming. I’ve only purchased one expensive sheepskin coat in my whole life and I can’t see myself purchasing another one any time soon. This store credit is useless to me, and it is not what I expected at all. What about the
“MONNEYBACK SATISFACTION GUARANTEE” on the Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather of Jackson Hole web-page? I was sure there had been a simple mistake and that all it would take is a call to the customer service department and the problem would
be corrected. After all, that is what we’ve come to expect from internet retailers. Without a reputation for fair and reliable customer service no internet retailer can long remain in the business.
Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather continues to maintain a policy of offering “store credit” instead of a full refund in many cases and also charges a “restocking” fee, which can be substantial, on returned merchandise. Such policies are out-of-the norm for internet
retailers and such vendor policies should be a “red flag” for on-line shoppers to avoid these retailers.
In the end we returned both coats and I took my wife to a local department store where we were able to see and feel and try-on the coats. We bought a very elegant shearling coat at Nordstrom’s for about the same price as the on-line coat, and we know that
Nordstrom’s will stand behind the product with customer service that is legendary.
The lesson in the end is that some purchases are best done in person. The internet is fine for mass market commodities, even for clothing, but only if the vendor maintains a high reputation for fair and friendly customer service. Avoid any vendor that does not
offer a full refund on promptly returned merchandise. “Store Credit Only” and “Restocking Fees” are a red flag that these retailers are either not serious about their on-line business or are simply dishonest.

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firegirl
, US
Oct 23, 2011 8:58 pm EDT

PLEASE beware of this company! I ordered my first ever shearling...when it arrived, there was tags in the coat that said 100% acrylic and Made in China. I suspect they forgot to remove these and put there own tags in them. I contacted them and was told they are 100% shearling and did not understand why those tags were there. I emailed pictures and never heard back after leaving multiple messages. So I contacted my credit card company and informed them of the fraudelent sale. They told me to ship the coat back immediately and gave me back my 700.00 thank goodness. Mill Valley then left me a message saying they would replace the coat. I was then receiving email from FedEx regarding shipment! I called them and said that did not make sense- what did you do? Rip the tags out? I do not want a fake shearling. Also told them- in the state of Michigan- I am allowed to keep anything that is sent to me, if I did not order, with no cost to me. So they called FedEx and rerouted coat back to them. I wish I would have researched this company before ordering.. but I have ordered online many, many times and NEVER had a problem until now. Please stay away, there are many reputable leather stores online. I did find another beautiful shearling coat online from a reputable company (they even sent a UPS return tag included in the shipment).

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skersare1
Omaha, US
Oct 12, 2011 11:26 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

just check their BBB rating

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skersare1
Omaha, US
Oct 12, 2011 10:47 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just check their BBB rating... It's an "F"

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JLBaker
Spanish Fork, US
Jun 26, 2010 2:37 pm EDT
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Don't shop at Mill Valley. They are the rudest, look down their noses at you people. They want you money but are the biggest idiots in Jackson Hole. Don't give them your money.

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camias
Williamston, US
Jun 20, 2010 9:09 pm EDT

Thanks for the comments. I was just on the verge of purchasing a sheepskin coat from MillValley.com; figured they were trustworthy from the comments on their website (which of course could be totally biased as they would only show positive feedback!) but thank goodness I checked around first and saw your comments of their seemingly non-existent refund policy and terrible customer service-- now I won't go through with the purchase. It seems to me that a company would want to do well on their customers if they want business, especially in this age of the internet where information is quite accessible! Any single horrible complaint like the ones posted above, in my assessment, far outweighs whatever "good reviews" the company says about themselves.

I had called them over a week ago to check on sizing; left a message as there was no one to answer. Their message said they will call back immediately but as of today (over a week now) I never got a call; this was actually the reason I started to check around on the web for reviews about MillValley.com; Good thing I did!

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summerhill
Raleigh, US
Feb 26, 2010 5:36 pm EST

I have had the exact same experience as Vince above. I purchased what appeared to be a beautiful coat in November 2009, shearling and fox fur. Since I live in North Carolina, it is not often that such a warm coat is needed, and as it is dressy for everyday wear, it mostly hung in my closet. After not wearing it for over a month, and having been super-careful with it, having worn it only a few times, I was horrified to see when I removed it from the closet spots of discoloration on the leather. There was no visible staining or damage to the leather. The leather was untouched, it was just an area that had lightened.

The coat had literally done nothing but hang in the clean, spacious closet of a newly built home.

Quite dismayed, I immediately called customer service and spoke with Shayna. She said to pack the coat up, ship it back and they would exchange it. I was fine with that as I *loved* the coat. So I mailed it USPS insured at a cost of $50. Well the coat arrived back there, but I never got any email or call or exchange from Mill Valley. So I called them.

The owner answered when I called and first denied that he had received my return. When I said that USPS stated it was delivered the previous week and was signed for by "E Johnson", he then said there was no "E Johnson" working there. So I said, "that's what USPS shows", and then he replied "Oh there is a Johnson in the warehouse". Fine. So I asked when I might expect an exchange. At that point, he proceeded to BELLOW and YELL at me and say it was totally unbelievable that my coat would just discolor while hanging in the closet. I was so AMAZED at the horrible way he was treating me that I asked him "Why are you yelling? Do you really treat your customers this way? You gotta be kidding!".

Well, he accused me of lying ... which I am NOT ... I was as dismayed as anyone to pull the coat out and see that when I wanted to wear it to a much-anticipated dinner party for the mother of my recently deceased friend. I just couldn't believe the coat condition after 3 months! I was so shocked and saddened.

Anyway, the owner then said that he would "call me back", which he didn't. So I called back later, talked to two different people, both of whom said they would "call me back" and didn't. The next time I called, I asked to wait for Shayna, who I was told was "busy". I was on hold for five minutes, and then was told that she was "on the phone with the bank" and would have to call me back. So I said okay, and I have STILL not gotten a return call.

I have since filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in that town. Which, by the way, gives Mill Valley an F rating. They also have 7 existing complaints for this exact problem and 5 of those have not been resolved. I also have called my bank and disputed the charge. Since I haven't even had the coat three months, they accepted the dispute and refunded my money.

It is really sad, because I really loved that coat. Received compliments on it each time I had worn it. But the owner of the company is so rude and nasty, and they do not honor their "warranty" at all, that I will never do business with them again. It is true to say they are fraudulent in what they tell you versus what they do.

So, buyer beware. I will get another sheepskin coat next year, but from a more reputable company.

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debbie moore
Esk, AU
Feb 05, 2010 6:23 am EST

I have purchased 3 coats from mill valley 2 leather and 1 sheepskin i have just come back from the uk and took my sheepskin and wore it in the snow and havent had any problems i am so happy with my purchases and have recommended you guys to all my friends i suppose every now and again you will get someone who doesnt look after there coats and damage them and the say there coats are faulty cause they want a new one or there money back i will definately deal with you guys in the future one happy customer debbie from qld australia xx

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57lespaul
Montgomery, US
Nov 04, 2009 10:54 am EST

Two issues: Poor quality and shipping charges.

First, if you are looking for a shearing coat or other product, you need to know that this the "Wal-Mart" of shearling and sheepskin. You won't find $800 coats for $400, you'll find $400 coats for $400.

I received one as a gift. Had that not been the case, I would have returned it outright. The goods are substandard - like Chinese shearling. Believe me - buy one and you'll know immediately what I'm talking about. The shearling is coarse and rough to the touch. The "flesh" side - that is the leather side of the skin - is stiff and, in some areas, mottled and poorly tanned. All in all, a Wal-Mart type of product. If you want a nice shearling coat, you'll have to shop at one of the mainstream, reputable firms.

In addition, they shipped the wrong size - mind you, the correct size had been ordered. We sent it back at our expense. They replaced it with the correct size...and charged the purchaser another $40 shipping charge. When we complained, the never responded. By "never responded", I mean they never responded - despite phone calls, letters, emails, etc.

So, draw your own conclusions but our experience is this: Poor quality, unresponsive service, and double shipping charges.

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kim Koch
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Nov 09, 2008 6:04 pm EST

I purchased 4 shearling coats from Mill Valley! I am very happy and satified with their product, and recommend this store to everyone who asks. They have the BEST sale prices I have seen!

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kim Koch
,
Nov 09, 2008 6:00 pm EST

I have purchased 4 shearling coats from Mill VAlley. I am very satisfied with all of the coats and will do business with them in the future. I have been to several stores on Long Island, and many stores, on the internet. And by far, their sale prices are the best! They are quality coats and I recommend them above any other manufacturer

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Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leat
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Nov 07, 2008 3:16 pm EST

In response to the remarks posted here, Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Co. would like to present a sampling of comments from our customers. We took the following directly from the testimonials page on our retail website. These are real accolades from real people.

Hello,
My jacket WL8124 arrived today... Super, Happy!
Thank you for your business!

Galina

I received the coat I purchased from you yesterday. It is one of the most beautiful coats I have ever seen! I own a black diamond mink & a sheared beaver jacket & the shearling coat I received from your company is just as incredible as my other 2 coats! It also fit me perfectly, like it was custom made for me! I had hoped it would be a great coat, (you know, sometimes you can never tell from pictures what you will actually get) but this coat is even more incredible in person! The lady that helped me with sizing questions was very courteous, friendly & helpful. Thank you so much! I will be back to shop with you again.

Alice Matuszewski

I bought one of your coats last year. It is the most versatile stoller! I wear it with jeans, suits and business casual. Here, in the Highlands of West Virginia, we have very windy conditions in winter with blowing snow that aggravates my arthritis. This coat has made it so that I don't even feel the cold - yes, sheepskin coats are that good. I have a place in Prague, Czech Republic, and rely on my Mill Valley many Sheepskin coats when I travel each holiday season.

Denise Weingart-Webb

This e-mail is long over due and I apologize. However, I purchased my husband one of your shearling coats this past Christmas. This is a man who only wears jeans and sneakers. I purchase things for him every year and every year they sit in the closet and I have to beg him to wear them. But He wore your coat everywhere we went. From a show in Manhattan on Broadway to the supermarket around the corner. He is 6’2” tall and this coat was perfect. Thanks to the gentlemen who answers your phone and takes the orders. He was so helpful.

I was nervous about purchasing over the internet but you guys have beautiful things. I already told him I want one for this Christmas coming up but only from Mill Valley. He loved the coat because he said it was very warm but not big and bulgy at the same time. Thanks again. We will be repeat customers.

Regards,
Denise Ross

Just a quick note to say thanks for all your efforts and for the swift delivery of my coat, It has taken only 5 days to get here from the states I am very impressed.

I received it on the 16th and I have to say that I am absolutely delighted with the quality and the styling of this garment. I have certainly not seen a coat to compare with this one in any of the outlets in the UK. In fact I am so impressed with both the coat and the exceptional standard of service, that I fully intend to buy another from you next time you have a sale.

I wonder if you would be kind enough to keep my details on file and e mail me when you next intend to have a sale of these beautiful coats.

Yours with much appreciation,
Russell Fry

I received my coat today. I had three concerns: the color, the fit and the Spring Shearling. Well, it fits perfect, looks better than the one pictured on-line and I love the weight of the coat (not too heavy and not too light). Thanks very much. All I can say is that this transaction was first class in every way. A pleasure doing business with you and I look forward to my next purchase.

Thanks again,
Ted Kelyman
Kansas City

I wanted to say thank you for supplying WS6112, this was purchased via my husband who works in Canada and brought back to England as my Christmas present. Everything about this item is perfect. I am hoping that in the future to visit you and see the full range. Once again thank you.

Denise - England

I bought one of your full length shearlings in August and now that I am wearing it I couldn't be happier! I just wanted to say that your new catalog and website format are very stylish.

Thanks again,
Kathryn Dunigan

It is very refreshing to be on the receiving end of such great customer service. You should be commended. It is for this very reason I will purchase more merchandise from Mill Valley. Again, thank you for efforts and great attention to detail.

Sincerely,
Phillip DeSouza
Antioch, CA

Just wanted to tell you how much I love my new coat. It fits like a glove and it is beautiful. The pictures on the web site do not do it justice. Too bad the heat index is 108 here today! Thanks again for a beautiful coat.

Sincerely,
John Luttrell

I just received my new shearling/suede coat today and it fits like a dream. Thank you so much for helping me choose the correct size. I know I'll enjoy wearing this beautiful garment for many years to come!

Lisa Gery
Marblehead, Massachusetts

Just wanted to write, got the coat today, arrived perfectly. It's exactly as pictured on your web site, you should be proud of the fidelity between what you advertise and what you provide, so many others I've been disappointed in. You deliver what you say. You should be very proud of the product you've produced. She'll be wearing this coat happily for many years to come.

C.K. Haun

I just wanted to let you know how thrilled I am with the relaxing comfort coat that I recently purchased. It was far nicer and of higher quality than I was expecting; ordering something like this site unseen over the web is always a bit risky...also, your service was great in helping decide the size and other matters..I've already passed along several referrals...

Thanks again!
Debbie Cohen

I just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks. I bought a 'Red Riding Hood' shearling coat for my wife for Christmas from your website, sight unseen. Given the price of the coat I was a little nervous that first of all she would like it and second that it would fit.

What was I worrying for? Not only does she love how the coat looks but also how light yet warm it is. She also likes the fact that she does not need to wear extra layers underneath. And as an extra bonus she notices heads turning when she has it on. Thanks for making me look like I knew exactly what I was doing (phew).

Hugh O'Neill

I was desperately searching for a coat for our daughter as she is leaving to study abroad in the fall and was told bring a big long coat. I found your website by googling the web and after seeing and reading about your beautiful coats I called. Your staff was so helpful and when the coat arrived last night I was really nervous because the box was so light. The only shearling coat I have ever seen was a gift from our relatives who bought it in Australia. We have never worn it as it is so heavy and bulky. Of course this is what I was semi expecting. To my surprise the jacket we bought is nothing like the one we own. So soft, light, comfortable yet very very warm. Exactly what we wanted. The best part of this great deal was the amazing sale price. I can't wait to order a coat for myself. Thank you again for everything.

p.s. my husband said he was sure it would be what we wanted as Jackson Hole is extremely cold and known for it's great clothing stores!

Toni Brawley

I wanted you to know that I recently sent my shearling coat to Premier Leather Cleaners. I had some serious oil stains and was reluctant to let anyone work on it. I trusted your recommendation and Bill Tobias did a great job. Thanks for the referral.
Sandy Klos

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Marianna Batts
,
Feb 01, 2008 8:01 pm EST

I too had a very unpleasant experience dealing with the Mill Valley Leather. I have been searching for a shearling coat for a while, and, finally settled on a mid-length coat from the company. The coat was priced at $599 on their website and it indicated at the time that it was not a "final sale" item. I had confirmed that with Shayna prior to placing the order - in fact, she assured me that the coat was fully refundable. I ordered the coat at the end of December, 2007. The coat was too big for me and I returned it for an exchange. The exchange item - fully priced at $1388 did not fit. Today, February 1, 2008 I had another conversation with Shayna who was rude, dismissive and told me that I was lying. At this point I am so disgusted with the way I've been treated, that I simply do not want to do business with this company. The only refund I am eligible, according to Shayna, is the difference in price between the 2 coats.

At all times when I contacted the company their staff were difficult to talk to, short, dismissive, and in a rush. They did not seem to want to please a customer. Shayna told me that she was the most senior person on the customer service team and stated that there was no one above her to go to with complaints.

Anyone else out there in a similar situation?

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Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leat
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Jan 09, 2007 4:09 pm EST

In response to the complaint filed by Vince we would like to share our company's side of the story.

This customer placed an order with Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Company in November 2005. In March 2006 (less than 5 months later) the customer called the store explaining that the leather of his coat was defective. He did in fact speak with Shayna, one of Mill Valley's Customer Service Representatives who informed him to send the coat back for inspection (Mill Valley's policy for assessing damaged coats). When the customer called, during the stores off season, all of Mill Valley's managers were traveling to prepare for the 2007 line of coats. Since Shayna was fairly new with the company and did not want to misrepresent Mill Valley she informed the customer that once management returned to the store his coat would be thoroughly inspected by someone with much more experience.

Once management was able to inspect his coat it was determined that something severe had occurred to the leather. It appeared as though something toxic had spilled on the material or excessive wear against a rough material (possibly concrete) had caused the material to deteriorate. When customers place orders with us it is explained that all of our coats will usually last a life time and can be worn in rain, sleet and snow but that they need to be cleaned professionally by a cleaner that specializes in shearling and leather. It is quite possible if something did not spill on the material or it was not rubbed against a rough material that it was unprofessionally cleaned.

Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather Company is a reputable company that has been in business for almost 30 years. The coat this customer received is one of Mill Valley's most popular styles and several hundred have been sold in the past 15 years. Mill Valley has not received any of these coats back from any customer other than Vince. If the condition of this coat were a defect in material we surely would have received several back by this point. Mill Valley informed this customer that they were willing to try to repair this customer's coat but he was not interested in this. It is unfortunate that he feels this way about our company but we understandably cannot accept coats back for refunds when the damage is beyond our control.

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