Oddessy Martial Arts Supply

It's been awhile, Dear Reader, since I have felt the need to conjure a hex against anyone or anything but this Voodoo Hex is most certainly well deserved.

The story begins last week when I ordered a martial arts uniform, traditionally called a "gi" from Oddessy Martial Arts Supply out of Independence, Missouri.  I was originally impressed (now I feel duped) by the style and quality of the gis they were advertising; their own web copy described the Oddessy Brand Heavy Weight Gi: "These uniforms are hand made, in Kansas City, MO, and are of the highest quality 10 to 12 ounce fabric. No other manufacturer..."

What a croc of crap!  The gi I received was not handmade in Missouri- they're made in Pakistan, they're not Oddessy brand, they're not heavy weight or 10 to 12 ounce material and in fact saveral other manufacturers do make them larger than a size 8, that's who they ordered mine from. 

I can best sum up the situation in my email to them this afternoon:

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From: L. Scott Harrell [mailto:lscottharrell@redacted.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:13 PM
To: 'info@oddessy.com'
Subject: White Heavyweight Gi Order

To whom this may concern,

I ordered *what I thought* was going to be a Size 8 Oddessy Brand Heavy Weight White uniform on 9/30/06.  Instead I received a Bold Look gi.

1. Your website advertises that this would be an "Oddessy Brand" gi- "hand made in Kansas City, MO."  As a Pensacola martial arts school owner I have a wholesale account with Bold Look and own several Bold Look gis.  My cost on that gi is less than one-half of the cost of my order through you; if I another Bold Look gi, rest assured I would not have ordered through you at twice the cost.

2. Your website advertises that the gi I ordered is $69.99- instead I was charged $74.99 plus $10 shipping.

3. MOST IMPORTANTLY- Your website advertises (I attached a copy of your page) that I was going to receive a heavy weight gi, "highest quality 10 to 12 ounce fabric," instead I received a medium weight gi.  I just confirmed the order through Bold Look that the 55/45 material is the inferior 8.5 ounce medium weight fabric.  The lady who took my order sure didn't offer up this little nugget of information when I specifically ordered the heavy weight Oddessy uniform.  This is a HUGE discrepancy in product advertised/ordered versus product shipped and is about as close as it comes to false advertising.  Perhaps this one goes unnoticed by new students or hobbyists but I have the benefit of experience.

I called this morning to discuss the issue and hopefully find a resolution but the lady with whom I spoke was less than pleased to be of service; to say that I am an unhappy customer at this point would be understating the obvious. 

I am sending the gi back to you at my expense and despite what the package insert or the lady on the phone are indicating regarding not refunding the shipping costs I am requesting, and expect, a full refund of my purchase to include the $10 shipping.  Anything less will be charged back to you through my credit card as "Merchandise/Service Not as Described."  Reimbursement of my shipping costs would be a nice gesture of goodwill ($8.50 via USPS Priority Mail w/ Delivery Confirmation).

Warmest Regards,

L. Scott Harrell
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What is so "hexolicious" here is that they are substituting inferior quality materials in the place of what they are advertising; I'd bet dollars to donuts that most people would never know or suspect the switch!

I feel swindled but I will prevail.

And before you all lambaste me for my spelling of 'Oddessy' yes, I know that it is actually spelled incorrectly.  Unless they were trying to be cute- it should be Odyssey. 

As of this writing, I still have not heard back from anyone at Oddessy, if they do decide to own up to this (at the very least I would characterize this as potentially false and misleading advertising) I will post their explanation here in the comments section. 

So without further ado, this Voodoo Hex goes out to all my homies at Oddessy Martial Arts Supply:

Voodoo, VooDOO, VOODOOOO!

Kids, just say NO to Hextra Large Uniforms from Oddessy Martial Arts

Comments

[EL Scott Harrell]

True to my word I am going to post Ted's (from Oddessy) reply to my email:

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From: Ted [mailto:info@oddessy.com]
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 11:40 AM
To: L. Scott Harrell
Subject: Re: White Heavyweight Gi Order

Mr. Harrell:

Although, you didn't order the Oddessy Brand Gi.
Simply return your uniform for a refund.
Your satisfaction is our primary concern.

Thanks:
Ted

Oddessy Martial Arts Supply
9101 E 40 Highway
Independence, Missouri 64055
Phone: 816-921-3085

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uhhh... Yes I did... I specifically asked for the Oddessy Brand Heavy Weight Gi while ordering via the phone- I even gave the lady who took my order the number associated with the gi on the website, 04015-08, and she said that she knew of which uniform I was speaking.

Their website doesn't even include non Oddessy Brand traditional gis- how could I order anything else?

Notice how there is no apology for the bait and switch or even a possible misunderstanding and lack of updated information on their website.

Buyer beware!

[EL Scott Harrell]

In the latest email from Ted he says:

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From: Ted [mailto:info@oddessy.com]
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 12:45 PM
To: L. Scott Harrell
Subject: Re: White Heavyweight Gi Order

Mr. Harrell:

I reviewed the audio tape of your order and she told you we didn't have the
Oddessy Brand.
But we had an alternate uniform in the size you requested and you told her
you would try that one.
I record all orders to prevent any confusion and to maintain quality
control.
But as I said in my last reply, we will gladly refund your credit card.

Thanks:
Ted

Oddessy Martial Arts Supply
9101 E 40 Highway
Independence, Missouri 64055
Phone: 816-921-3085

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I've heard this one before so I have requested a copy of the audio tape or at least the audio...

If he sends it and I am mistaken, I will retract this entire post, if not it will just prove my point.

I'll keep you updated on my own odyssey for martial arts supplies.

[Bigmoesq]

I used oddyssy before and the quality and size last year were of the best quality, but I tried to re-order the same exact one and the material was light weight and the size was smaller(not even close to the one previously purchased). I called and they insisted I was wrong. Wearing the one I previously bought I explained I still had the one from last year and that the uniform I just received is of a much lower quality and at least three sizes short. It was supposed to fit like a 12 but only fit like a 9. They admited using another supplier but insisted the pattern was the same. I sent it back never to utilize them again or refer their business to anyone.