Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Every year since my dogs 1st birthday as one of his many gifts (he’s spoiled) I buy him a new collar. Once the old collar is retired, I write a review on how it held up for that year. This is his new collar, that I gifted to him for his 4th birthday, and sadly I will not wait to write a review a year later because he cannot wear the collar. Everything went smooth when I ordered, I was expecting the collar to come after his birthday; but surprise! It came the day before his birthday party. I was able to wrap it and give it to him to open (yes, I am one of those crazy people who throws their dogs a party). I was amazed with how fast the item shipped, it came before the expected delivery date and in excellent condition. The quality was superb, the leather was smooth, the backing was smooth so it doesn’t get caught in his hair, the lettering/engraving was perfect. I was thoroughly pleased with the item. Then I put it on my dog and it was much too large. Now, I followed the measuring instructions very meticulously. I measured all of his body in fact, because I had ordered him a jacket, a sweater and some hoodies to wear and wanted them to fit without having to exchange things. Every single item I ordered fit perfectly, except the collar. His neck measured 11.25 inches including the allowance for the two finger space they suggest. I chalked it up as a loss, and looked into buying a hole maker for belts on amazon, or bringing it to a shoe cobbler to add a hole. I hadn’t decided on which option to go with, but to my surprise I was sent a follow up email grom the company and spoke with Donna; that is when I asked what I should do. I must say that was a nice touch, and made me feel appreciated as a customer. We had multiple exchanges, and I explained how my dog was 11.25 inches around his neck, and that their sizes skip a full half inch between sizes. A size XS is between 8.5-11 inches and a size S is between 11.5-14 inches. The logical thing to do would be to size up so I don’t choke my dog, so I bought the size small. Boy was I wrong, the collar spins around his neck and is not safe for him to wear. The company has these measurements up (took screenshot of it) that does not count for a full half inch of space, and they do not explain what a customer should do should their dogs neck measure in this grey area. They gave me two options: 25% off of a second collar, or a piece of Velcro to secure the excess collar if I decide to add another hole. Up until that point, I was happy with the quality and happy with the customer service. The suggestion of Velcro was like a slap in the face, I’m supposed to come out of pocket AGAIN, for a product or alter it with Velcro so my dogs hair can get caught in it for something that is not my fault? I found it condescending at best. I will not be ordering from this company again. Buyers beware, if you think your dog is even within a mm of unlisted, grey area that occurs between each size DONT BUY. Don’t size up, don’t size down, just walk away because in the end you’ll be out of money, and you’ll be offered alternatives like Velcro, so solve the issue.