Chopa receives letters, emails and texts daily covering a wide range of topics.  It might be a question on sizing or sometimes a customer asks about shipping times. The next correspondence might be a request to exchange a kimono or return a yukata. Our favorite messages are compliments for obvious reasons, but we also receive a complaint every once in a while.  Usually, it is related to a carrier delay or worse yet, we shipped the wrong item.  Yes, folks, we are human and no matter how hard we try, once in a while and we mean long while, we ship the wrong kimono or wrong size to someone. When we do, we remedy the situation as quickly as possible.

The fact is, good, reputable companies make good on their promises. They fix mistakes. They advertise honestly and treat customers the way we want to be treated. Those businesses thrive. They stay in business and grow within their community and customer base. They don’t take short cuts and strive to make all customers happy.

Unfortunately, there are companies that only carry about the bottom line. It is sad but true. One of things that sets Chopa apart is that we are employee-owned and operated. Every staff member you have interaction with owns a stake in the company. This is true whether in customer service, warehouse, marketing, administration or management. Employee-owned businesses statistically take better care of customers. Rather than take customers for granted, we value your business and think of you as family. We know without our customers, there wouldn’t be a business and without a business, we wouldn’t exist, live life, help provide for our families or help our communities.

We reflect on this because of yet, another email we received from a potential customer. This person questioned where we were located and if the kimono didn’t work out as expected, where would it need to be returned.  A fair question all the way around. But it was when the reasons for asking, were explained, we realized another corrupt business in China was praying on customers in the USA.

The customer wrote the following: “I was burned by a retailer who shipped from a USA address, but required items to be returned to China at more than the cost of the item itself.”

It’s true. Many low-cost kimono dealers are actually based in China and other regional clothing producing nations. They produce low-cost robes because they offer subpar and substandard working conditions, unlivable wages and worse yet, some use forced slavery. Sometimes these companies ship from fulfillment centers in the USA, but if you need to return something, it must be shipped to their homeland.

International shipping is not cheap. These unscrupulous dealers know this and realize most people change their minds. Customers keep the robe because in essence, they are throwing good money after bad. We also hear stories from customers who did ship the item back, but never received a refund. Instead, they are given random reasons why no refund was provided. Reasons like “it arrived past the deadline”, “too small is not a valid reason for returns”, “no authorization was provided”, “robe was worn” even though it wasn’t, “shipment was opened”, etc.  It is pretty difficult to try on a robe to see if it fits without opening the package.

There is an old adage that says, “You get what you pay for.” Is taking a gamble on receiving inferior products worth the entire loss of your purchase and then some? We know our customers prefer reasonable pricing on quality kimono and yukata with easy returns to a reputable dealer in the USA. We are proud to be one of the internets’ leading providers of Japanese Kimono and yukata for 27 years and counting. Our word is good and our service stands alone. Please think twice when shopping for a kimono. A dealer like us takes the guesswork out of online kimono shopping. This was one of our goals when the business developed.

Ordering a kimono from Chopa means you will receive quick processing of your order. Fast shipping. most orders ship within one business day and many ship the same day. We ship from the Panhandle of Florida so orders arrive in several business days. You have 10 days from the date of receiving your order to request a return authorization. We process refunds and exchanges within one day of receiving your package. Chopa offers a wide range of styles and sizes and you won’t receive a bill from US Customs or the carrier when your package is delivered. We have taken care of everything. The price you see online is the price you get.

Try ordering a robe from China or Japan and you might be surprised at the end result.  When they say 7 days delivery it often means 21 or more. You may also be billed service charges for currency exchanges by your card issuer or bank. Customs, duties and customs brokerage charges may apply and you will need to pay those or customs can confiscate the package and liquidate it for damages. Need to return it?  We have already explained just a few of the downfalls by ordering internationally. The bottom-line is don’t become a victim. There is a reason so many call Chopa, Your Kimono Source since 1994. Shop with confidence and no surprises. Now Get Your Kimono On!!