The Voucher Illusion: The Hidden Costs of Alterations Discounts

Top: Poor-quality hem from a chain store—wrong thread, messy finish, no pride.Bottom: Re-hemmed by Perth Tailoring Co. with precision, colour-matched thread, and true craftsmanship.

In today’s fast-paced retail world, convenience and a perceived “deal” often outweigh careful research. But when it comes to clothing alterations, that mindset can come at a real cost—literally and figuratively.

A common trend in department stores and shopping centres is the distribution of alteration vouchers. These vouchers—often advertising 10–20% off—are handed to customers by retail staff as part of a referral system. But what most people don’t realise is how these arrangements really work behind the scenes.

Many alteration businesses—both franchise chains and independents—strike deals with stores to hand out these flyers. In return, they offer kickbacks or commissions to the store. To cover these payouts, the alteration shop inflates its pricing. So by the time the “discount” is applied, you're actually still paying more than you would at an honest, independent tailor like Perth Tailoring Co.

In short: the discount isn’t real. It’s an illusion.

Even more concerning is how many customers feel locked in once they’ve visited. After fittings are pinned and dockets printed, few are willing to start the process over again—even if they realise too late they’re being overcharged or underserved. The system banks on your time being more valuable than your money.

What suffers most in this scheme? The quality of work and your trust.

We've seen countless garments come through our doors—botched hems, mismatched thread, rushed finishes—all done by businesses that hide behind flashy promotions and store referrals. These jobs often need to be re-done properly, costing you more time, more money, and a lot more stress.

At Perth Tailoring Co., we don’t participate in kickback schemes or fake discounts. We don’t inflate our prices, and we don’t outsource to faceless machinists. Our pricing is honest. Our work is done by real tailors. And every stitch, no matter how small, reflects our pride in our craft.

So before handing over your garments based on a flyer or a discount, take a moment to look deeper. Ask who’s doing the work. Ask where it’s done. And ask if the price truly reflects the value.

Because when it comes to your clothes—and your money—honesty should never be optional.

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Perth Tailoring Co.Multi-award winning. Family-operated. Honestly priced.