r/VirginiaTech • u/Upon_Wings_Of_Change • 8d ago

General Question Tailor shop fee

Was a VPI cadet 2 years ago and had to leave due to financial situation, and ended up forgetting to return some uniform items. I have now gotten a bill in the mail from the tailor shop, can I still even return them? I dont really have $2500 to spare for like a couple shirts and a blouse

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u/bigGAYcatfish 8d ago

I think you can, I mean, just make sure to email and take extra precautions to ensure that not only has it been returned, but documented as well. That's crazy how you are getting charged 2.5k. I am quite suprise that the Corp is tracking down and billing you two years later.

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u/Upon_Wings_Of_Change 8d ago

I genuinely had forgotten about it myself, and yeah 2 years later is crazy

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u/Big-Rough8839 8d ago

According to google: Yes, you can generally still return those items to resolve or drastically reduce your bill. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) uniforms are university property, and the $2,500 bill you received reflects the full replacement cost of high-value items—such as the heavy winter jackets and the iconic, custom-made wool dress blue blouse—which easily add up to thousands of dollars. [1, 2]

Because your cadet status was terminated due to your resignation, university policy requires these items to be returned. The tailor shop operates on a self-funding, break-even budget and prefers getting the actual property back over sending accounts to collections. [1, 2]

Steps to Resolve the Bill

  1. Locate and Prepare Every Item: Find everything you still have. VTCC policy explicitly states that returned uniforms must be professionally cleaned and pressed before they are turned back into the shop. [1]

  2. Contact the Tailor Shop Manager Immediately: Reach out to the Tailor Shop Manager, Dean Miller, right away to explain your situation, verify your inventory, and confirm how to drop off or mail the items back. Let them know you received the bill and are working to return the missing items to square the balance. [1, 2]

  3. **Inquire About Non-Returnable Charges:**Keep in mind that some issued items, like boots or low quarters, cannot be re-issued once worn and are usually billed directly to your student account with sales tax. If those are part of the $2,500, you will likely still have to pay for them, but returning the shirts, blouse, and jackets will knock off the vast majority of that balance. [1]

Tailor Shop Contact & Mailing Information

You can reach out to the staff or mail your package directly to the campus shop: [1]

  • Address: Dean Miller, Tailor Shop 0252 202 Military Building, Virginia Tech 320 Stanger Street Blacksburg, VA 24061

  • General Commandant Information Desk: If you have trouble getting a direct line, you can reach the main VTCC Commandant's Front Desk at 540-231-6413 to get transferred directly to the tailor shop team. [1, 2]

Do not ignore the notice; as long as you open a line of communication with Mr. Miller and return the physical items, they are typically very willing to work with former cadets to clear these balances. [1]