Manager Asks Lead Embroiderer To Stop Bugging Her With Quality Control Emails, Which Ends Up Costing The Company $10K
Pro Tip: if an expert—like a proper one, one you know does a good job and comes highly recommended—tells you it’s better to do something differently than what you’ve initially requested, because you have no idea how it all works, but the expert certainly does, you listen to their advice.
Otherwise, you may, more or less, end up in a situation described by this one Reddit user who complied, oh so maliciously, to the client’s request regarding embroidered logo placement, which was simply ridiculous.
More info: Reddit
You’d wonder who would approve this as a uniform, but it’s a thing, and a Redditor shared how problematic this particular design is when you need to slap a logo on it
Image credits: OverStock (not the actual photo, but the one that best explains it)
Reddit user and embroiderer u/PANCHOMUFFIN recently posted a story on the r/MaliciousCompliance subreddit about a client that her company has who had an order for embroidered logos on a variety of types of uniforms they have.
All was fine and dandy, except the way the logos ended up not really finding a proper position on the left side of the shirt. As they were, the logo would be dangerously close to, if not inside, the armpit. So, the uniform would have very much benefited from having a logo on the opposite side as they would have more space for it.
Reddit user Panchomuffin shared a “malicious compliance” story where they were told to not pester a manager about logo placement on said uniform
Image credits: u/PANCHOMUFFIN
However, several e-mails later, it became apparent that the client did not agree, or more specifically, this one manager representing the client explained that putting it on the right side was a no-no, and even lashed out at OP.
The manager also elaborated that since they were able to do the embroidery on the left, they could do it again, and no excuses. Also, no emails suggesting better logo locations and from that point on all order requests would be final. That’s it.
Muffin saved the e-mails for future reference as they would surely be necessary for what they were about to do, and got their boss’ blessing to “stop quality control” regarding said order.
Image credits: u/PANCHOMUFFIN
So, in comes a huge order, and all these particular shirts are done with the logo on the left, just like the client asked, and all with perfect adherence to malicious compliance protocol.
A week later, an exec from that company gets in touch with OP—provides some pictures of the shirts they did, all according to the “it’s in the armpit” predictions. Since this was not acceptable, they were supposed to refund the entire order, which turned out to be upwards of $10,000. This is besides losing the client.
Well, you can guess where this is all going when a very huge order comes in worth around $10,000
Image credits: u/PANCHOMUFFIN
All OP did was forward the e-mails they saved. In a further edit to the post, Muffin added that it was confirmed that a $10K loss was inevitable to the company, and no, there were no re-orders following this incident. They also provided an example (first image in this article) of what the shirts looked like (not the actual ones, but the style to help understand it).
Image credits: u/PANCHOMUFFIN
And the community of Malicious Compliers approved. The post managed to rack up a tad bit over 13,000 upvotes, receiving a bit over 20 Reddit awards and engaging people to share similar stories of how relatable this all is to some, as well as comment on the situation of how people never learn, with one commenter asking the difficult question: “why is this shirt still an option at all?”
People online loved the story, with some sharing their own experiences and thoughts
One commenter shared their own detailed story in the vein of malicious compliance
You can check out the post as well as the comments on Reddit here, and take a look at all of the other Malicious Compliance posts we’ve covered here, with this one about a hotel receptionist maliciously complying to a client’s demand to be taken to a 4th-floor room in a hotel with 3 floors being one of the more recent additions.
But don’t go just yet, and leave us a comment with your thoughts on this situation in the comment section below!
Sounds similar to what my friend went through. She was hired at embroidery place. Seems the guy bought from someone else and had ZERO experience, even in sewing. Friend has done this before so no problem for her. Her co-workers were boss' relatives who also knew nothing. Instead of asking her for help, they were all "learning" on YouTube so she was only one working. He got mad that she was taking so long. She tried to explain that it takes a while to set it up correctly so things are centered on pockets, etc. Guy demands she just enter design in computer and run through the shirts. He also demands she finishes huge project before end of day or she's fired. At this point she doesn't want to work there any more since it's toxic. So she does exactly what the guy says - doesn't double check alignment or anything, and runs something like 500 shirts. At the end of the day the boss comes over and throws a fit. She said just did what you told me to do. Left and never looked back.
This is the client's issue. They got what they wanted, and then got mad about it. That's their fault. People who get exactly what they ordered should NOT get a refund.
But they're in customer service, which basically means they rely heavily on word of mouth, satisfied customers for referrals. That being said, they thought it'd be more cost effective in the long run to eat that cost of 10k to keep doing business with the company. Unfortunately, they took a gamble by assuming that refunding the 10k would result in some good faith from the company to honor a 2nd attempt. Unfortunately, they lost that roll of the dice when the swanky hotel company took their money elsewhere. And to be honest, they did the right thing. This ultimately occurred due to an error in communication between the employees at the embroidery company. The manager was so stressed about closing the deal, that they dismissed the expert opinion of their employee. So ineffective management resulted in a failure to deliver the quality garments they are known for. And THAT cost them 10k.
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I can see why people would get frustrated if they are being ignored like this. It's no fun when good suggestions are being labeled a waste of time. At the same time I hope that in the future there would be a way to get the message across without making a lot of clothes that will probably be thrown away. Clothes have a big impact on the environment, I hope people can find a way to do both.
Why they get hired is obvious. Why they stay hired is less obvious.
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This happens all he time. My university had a new campus designed by a world-reknowed architect which included a new theater. The architect wanted columns going down the center of the auditorium to the stage. God forbid that he listen to the director. A law firm moved into the upper floors of a high-rise building. Had to have the library re-designed 'cause nobody asked the librarian about it Thebooks in the library were too heavy for the floor to support. Hey, paper is *heavy* people!
"You’d wonder who would approve this as a uniform" Well, Starfleet Command for one ..
Beat me to it. They do look quite nautical/military.
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The answer to that last thing is because we have seen a simultaneous growth in the notion that "my ignorance is as good as your knowledge" (Asimov) and a decline in humility. All kinds of reasons, among them the internet and countless news and other sites that ask "what do you think?" so for many people, their first thought about ANY topic is "what do I think?" rather than "what do people who ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT THIS think?" People don't know where to look for reliable information and are constantly told their opinions are all equal. And it doesn't help that on some very common topics - for example, teaching, communications, nutrition - what might seem logical or right at first glance actually isn't. With millions of people never going beyond first glance, we have a problem. (And yes, I'm aware of the potential irony here, but I have researched all of the above, over years, including reading about cognitive dissonance, lateral and critical thinking, and logic :) )
Actual knowledge is in short supply. The internet has taken over thought processes beginning in the playpen when tiny children are handed magic screens to play with ...you can real-time driving directions until you are blue in the face but it goes in 1 ear and out the other because Google Maps is the new "authority." Computer modeling has taken over common sense.
Load More Replies...
Trust the experts. There’s no need to be a hardass when they tell you your idea who work. They’re not insulting your intelligence, they’re actually helping you, and keeping you from being “in Dutch” with your boss. You can always have them send you an online mock-up of the completed product to show your boss, so you both can visualize it, especially if changing anything. That’s what I’d do. I’m not an artist, and often won’t have a clear mental picture of the finished product, so a picture (properly proportioned) would help me a lot.
Why don't they just put the logo on the foldover part of the collar? Then no one has to argue about left, right, armpit, or otherwise.
This is exactly what I would do as an embroiderer and dressmaker. Would be the perfect placement for it
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Clients like this put the embroidery shop in a difficult position because the shop's work is right there on the front of the shirt for everyone to see. The store's reputation is at stake in a competitive market when it looks like crap and everyone asks where they had their shirts done so they can avoid them. If they can afford it, some shops and designers would rather loose a client than have bad work out there with their name attached to it for this reason.
There's a term for this: Malicious Compliance. Where you give the customer =exactly= what they asked for.
There's a whole subreddit on it if you're on Reddit. Something makes me think Bored Panda took this from there anyway.
Load More Replies... Communication is key. Where I currently work, we built entire production plants, usually for edibles. Never do we build the same plant or processing unit (consisting of a few large, explpsion-safe containers of a certain shape and volume, and piping and whatnot ... don't matter here) again, but very similar ones all the time. From the first attempt that qualifies as finished to the final construction, there are inummerable changes made, by customer's choice, by impossibility of their requests in that combination, limits in production technology (although, we're pretty high end tbh, if we can't build it, likely it is imbuildable anyway), changes in the layout of the plant, ... if any of us were to communicate in that way like these people seem to, we'd lose customers 9 out of 10 at the first time it happnes - we do not have a monopoly. We have to deliver. What company can even allow itself such shiddy treatment of partners, customers, contractors?
I once got three phone calls from separate people at the same jeweler's asking if I was SURE about how I wanted some engraving done. I had a silver-plated charger that had been a gift for my partners wedding to her ex-husband and had both of their names with their wedding date. I asked that they double strike-out his name and the date and put my name and our date. Usually they use a floral or scroll pattern to cover up unwanted engraving and were very skeptical, but I literally wanted them to just line it out. It was a joke more than a coverup job as she was on the verge of throwing the plate out anyway.
Sounds like what I deal with. I work mail room--prepping reimbursement and pension papers to be digitized and sent out. MY job is quality control. Checking to see if staples, tape, holes in papers, ect aren't there to gum our scanner up. Recently, our client changed how they wanted it done from how we USED to do it. The OLD way: clock in on paper time sheet, take a tray or trays and qc them. Once done put them on the rack to be scanned. Log time. The NEW way: Take a tray (a single try at a time) log in start time on computer system (might add this computer system is also used by our mail preppers and mail receivers, as well as they sometimes go down so we only have one for ALL of us to use). Qc tray, then scan back into the computer system to log stop time. It's....not a workable system. Specially if we only have one DTS to use. So if we have to stand in line to wait for the single DTS to be usable, it adds unneeded time to our quality control efficiency. But the client thinks it's fine.
I work in manufacturing and during the holidays management don't care about anything. Made buddy's with quality.
God you all would never survive working in a pharmacy. Lol. My worldview has basically changed to two rules: People are stupid. And #2: Highly paid executives are people too.
I say just put the bloody logo on the middle top of the left arm and make it a design feature. They always ask for the impossible. One customer once asked me for acid-stone washed 30/1 combed cotton jersey T-Shirt price. My answer was that the price will not be per piece but per sack.
This is why computer systems get hacked and infected with ransomware. Detailed recommendations from experienced IT staff are ignored or there's management pushback because computer and network security "will cost too much" or "its inconvenient for staff that use computers".
Chalk it up to the new entitled generation of execs and managers who are still wet behind the ears...they refuse to listen to human beings and must learn the hard way .. I love the saying, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you will never live long enough to make them all yourself" !
Several somebodies need to look up the meaning of 'diagonal', I'm pretty sure they meant 'asymmetrical closure'.
That side closure shirt probably is popular as uniform because the side closure is inspired in the vintage military jacket. Might convey a feeling of order and discipline among staff and clients.
This website is utterly bizarre. Why are you recounting the story then showing the screenshots straight after? You want us to read it twice? And you guys are always “reaching out” (you realise there are other phrases?) for dumb interviews in between pictures. You really think anyone cares? Just post the crap you stole from Reddit. No one cares about some nobody that’s barely related to the post. Weird website.
I doubt they even reach out. Someone was complaining that Daily Dot claimed to reach out but never did. Honestly I don't know why I waste my time here when I'm members of the same subreddits. Maybe because there's less aggression and anger on here (your post aside). Or because I waste less time getting distracted on other subreddits.
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https://www.propestcontroltownsville.com.au/ can check our website can help you or call to assist and help you from this situation.
I was the Print buyer & Apparel Manager for a major US auto glass company. We supplied uniforms, polo shirts, hats, really nice V-neck sweaters, etc. Long story short, I worked with one exec, but was technically under the supervision of another. She was a royal b*tch & I ended up quitting (after about 5 years of working my way up the ladder). Had to train my replacement - who was placing her first print order. She decided the registered & trademarked logo didn't "look nice" and changed it. Thank God I always insist our printer bring over a "blue line" example prior to print. She did the same thing on an embroidery run of 5,000 sweaters ($$), but our embroiderer knew better & called me. Exec I worked with fired her, fired me & then rehired me so I could work for (and answer to) him & him alone. I was there another 4 years before we were sold.
I'm surprised the end user wouldn't be required to sign off on a mock-up of the design? I wouldn't think it would be hard to have a digital picture of the shirt with how the logo would look on it. Honestly, I'm surprised this wouldn't be required for all their custom embroidery projects (especially over a certain qty or dollar value). I've had company's that wouldn't move forward until they got approval.
Seems like a confusion issue as to left & right. Maybe that's a mirror image. It depends on whether it's being worn or being looked at on a hanger. What's left to the wearer may be right to me, as an observer.
According to the picture the left side has a lot of room while the right has none.
Did you notice where it says "not the actual photo, but the one that best explains it"?
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Ah yes. And management would still be, "Nope. Left side, left side, left side!". A digital mockup doesn't excuse generalized stupidity, and the "I know best" mindset till well AFTER it bites them in both the ass and pocketbook.
Load More Replies... Sounds similar to what my friend went through. She was hired at embroidery place. Seems the guy bought from someone else and had ZERO experience, even in sewing. Friend has done this before so no problem for her. Her co-workers were boss' relatives who also knew nothing. Instead of asking her for help, they were all "learning" on YouTube so she was only one working. He got mad that she was taking so long. She tried to explain that it takes a while to set it up correctly so things are centered on pockets, etc. Guy demands she just enter design in computer and run through the shirts. He also demands she finishes huge project before end of day or she's fired. At this point she doesn't want to work there any more since it's toxic. So she does exactly what the guy says - doesn't double check alignment or anything, and runs something like 500 shirts. At the end of the day the boss comes over and throws a fit. She said just did what you told me to do. Left and never looked back.
This is the client's issue. They got what they wanted, and then got mad about it. That's their fault. People who get exactly what they ordered should NOT get a refund.
But they're in customer service, which basically means they rely heavily on word of mouth, satisfied customers for referrals. That being said, they thought it'd be more cost effective in the long run to eat that cost of 10k to keep doing business with the company. Unfortunately, they took a gamble by assuming that refunding the 10k would result in some good faith from the company to honor a 2nd attempt. Unfortunately, they lost that roll of the dice when the swanky hotel company took their money elsewhere. And to be honest, they did the right thing. This ultimately occurred due to an error in communication between the employees at the embroidery company. The manager was so stressed about closing the deal, that they dismissed the expert opinion of their employee. So ineffective management resulted in a failure to deliver the quality garments they are known for. And THAT cost them 10k.
Load More Replies... I can see why people would get frustrated if they are being ignored like this. It's no fun when good suggestions are being labeled a waste of time. At the same time I hope that in the future there would be a way to get the message across without making a lot of clothes that will probably be thrown away. Clothes have a big impact on the environment, I hope people can find a way to do both.
Why they get hired is obvious. Why they stay hired is less obvious.
Load More Replies... This happens all he time. My university had a new campus designed by a world-reknowed architect which included a new theater. The architect wanted columns going down the center of the auditorium to the stage. God forbid that he listen to the director. A law firm moved into the upper floors of a high-rise building. Had to have the library re-designed 'cause nobody asked the librarian about it Thebooks in the library were too heavy for the floor to support. Hey, paper is *heavy* people!
"You’d wonder who would approve this as a uniform" Well, Starfleet Command for one ..
Beat me to it. They do look quite nautical/military.
Load More Replies... The answer to that last thing is because we have seen a simultaneous growth in the notion that "my ignorance is as good as your knowledge" (Asimov) and a decline in humility. All kinds of reasons, among them the internet and countless news and other sites that ask "what do you think?" so for many people, their first thought about ANY topic is "what do I think?" rather than "what do people who ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT THIS think?" People don't know where to look for reliable information and are constantly told their opinions are all equal. And it doesn't help that on some very common topics - for example, teaching, communications, nutrition - what might seem logical or right at first glance actually isn't. With millions of people never going beyond first glance, we have a problem. (And yes, I'm aware of the potential irony here, but I have researched all of the above, over years, including reading about cognitive dissonance, lateral and critical thinking, and logic :) )
Actual knowledge is in short supply. The internet has taken over thought processes beginning in the playpen when tiny children are handed magic screens to play with ...you can real-time driving directions until you are blue in the face but it goes in 1 ear and out the other because Google Maps is the new "authority." Computer modeling has taken over common sense.
Load More Replies... Trust the experts. There’s no need to be a hardass when they tell you your idea who work. They’re not insulting your intelligence, they’re actually helping you, and keeping you from being “in Dutch” with your boss. You can always have them send you an online mock-up of the completed product to show your boss, so you both can visualize it, especially if changing anything. That’s what I’d do. I’m not an artist, and often won’t have a clear mental picture of the finished product, so a picture (properly proportioned) would help me a lot.
Why don't they just put the logo on the foldover part of the collar? Then no one has to argue about left, right, armpit, or otherwise.
This is exactly what I would do as an embroiderer and dressmaker. Would be the perfect placement for it
Load More Replies... Clients like this put the embroidery shop in a difficult position because the shop's work is right there on the front of the shirt for everyone to see. The store's reputation is at stake in a competitive market when it looks like crap and everyone asks where they had their shirts done so they can avoid them. If they can afford it, some shops and designers would rather loose a client than have bad work out there with their name attached to it for this reason.
There's a term for this: Malicious Compliance. Where you give the customer =exactly= what they asked for.
There's a whole subreddit on it if you're on Reddit. Something makes me think Bored Panda took this from there anyway.
Load More Replies... Communication is key. Where I currently work, we built entire production plants, usually for edibles. Never do we build the same plant or processing unit (consisting of a few large, explpsion-safe containers of a certain shape and volume, and piping and whatnot ... don't matter here) again, but very similar ones all the time. From the first attempt that qualifies as finished to the final construction, there are inummerable changes made, by customer's choice, by impossibility of their requests in that combination, limits in production technology (although, we're pretty high end tbh, if we can't build it, likely it is imbuildable anyway), changes in the layout of the plant, ... if any of us were to communicate in that way like these people seem to, we'd lose customers 9 out of 10 at the first time it happnes - we do not have a monopoly. We have to deliver. What company can even allow itself such shiddy treatment of partners, customers, contractors?
I once got three phone calls from separate people at the same jeweler's asking if I was SURE about how I wanted some engraving done. I had a silver-plated charger that had been a gift for my partners wedding to her ex-husband and had both of their names with their wedding date. I asked that they double strike-out his name and the date and put my name and our date. Usually they use a floral or scroll pattern to cover up unwanted engraving and were very skeptical, but I literally wanted them to just line it out. It was a joke more than a coverup job as she was on the verge of throwing the plate out anyway.
Sounds like what I deal with. I work mail room--prepping reimbursement and pension papers to be digitized and sent out. MY job is quality control. Checking to see if staples, tape, holes in papers, ect aren't there to gum our scanner up. Recently, our client changed how they wanted it done from how we USED to do it. The OLD way: clock in on paper time sheet, take a tray or trays and qc them. Once done put them on the rack to be scanned. Log time. The NEW way: Take a tray (a single try at a time) log in start time on computer system (might add this computer system is also used by our mail preppers and mail receivers, as well as they sometimes go down so we only have one for ALL of us to use). Qc tray, then scan back into the computer system to log stop time. It's....not a workable system. Specially if we only have one DTS to use. So if we have to stand in line to wait for the single DTS to be usable, it adds unneeded time to our quality control efficiency. But the client thinks it's fine.
I work in manufacturing and during the holidays management don't care about anything. Made buddy's with quality.
God you all would never survive working in a pharmacy. Lol. My worldview has basically changed to two rules: People are stupid. And #2: Highly paid executives are people too.
I say just put the bloody logo on the middle top of the left arm and make it a design feature. They always ask for the impossible. One customer once asked me for acid-stone washed 30/1 combed cotton jersey T-Shirt price. My answer was that the price will not be per piece but per sack.
This is why computer systems get hacked and infected with ransomware. Detailed recommendations from experienced IT staff are ignored or there's management pushback because computer and network security "will cost too much" or "its inconvenient for staff that use computers".
Chalk it up to the new entitled generation of execs and managers who are still wet behind the ears...they refuse to listen to human beings and must learn the hard way .. I love the saying, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you will never live long enough to make them all yourself" !
Several somebodies need to look up the meaning of 'diagonal', I'm pretty sure they meant 'asymmetrical closure'.
That side closure shirt probably is popular as uniform because the side closure is inspired in the vintage military jacket. Might convey a feeling of order and discipline among staff and clients.
This website is utterly bizarre. Why are you recounting the story then showing the screenshots straight after? You want us to read it twice? And you guys are always “reaching out” (you realise there are other phrases?) for dumb interviews in between pictures. You really think anyone cares? Just post the crap you stole from Reddit. No one cares about some nobody that’s barely related to the post. Weird website.
I doubt they even reach out. Someone was complaining that Daily Dot claimed to reach out but never did. Honestly I don't know why I waste my time here when I'm members of the same subreddits. Maybe because there's less aggression and anger on here (your post aside). Or because I waste less time getting distracted on other subreddits.
Load More Replies... https://www.propestcontroltownsville.com.au/ can check our website can help you or call to assist and help you from this situation.
I was the Print buyer & Apparel Manager for a major US auto glass company. We supplied uniforms, polo shirts, hats, really nice V-neck sweaters, etc. Long story short, I worked with one exec, but was technically under the supervision of another. She was a royal b*tch & I ended up quitting (after about 5 years of working my way up the ladder). Had to train my replacement - who was placing her first print order. She decided the registered & trademarked logo didn't "look nice" and changed it. Thank God I always insist our printer bring over a "blue line" example prior to print. She did the same thing on an embroidery run of 5,000 sweaters ($$), but our embroiderer knew better & called me. Exec I worked with fired her, fired me & then rehired me so I could work for (and answer to) him & him alone. I was there another 4 years before we were sold.
I'm surprised the end user wouldn't be required to sign off on a mock-up of the design? I wouldn't think it would be hard to have a digital picture of the shirt with how the logo would look on it. Honestly, I'm surprised this wouldn't be required for all their custom embroidery projects (especially over a certain qty or dollar value). I've had company's that wouldn't move forward until they got approval.
Seems like a confusion issue as to left & right. Maybe that's a mirror image. It depends on whether it's being worn or being looked at on a hanger. What's left to the wearer may be right to me, as an observer.
According to the picture the left side has a lot of room while the right has none.
Did you notice where it says "not the actual photo, but the one that best explains it"?
Load More Replies... Ah yes. And management would still be, "Nope. Left side, left side, left side!". A digital mockup doesn't excuse generalized stupidity, and the "I know best" mindset till well AFTER it bites them in both the ass and pocketbook.
Load More Replies...
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