M.J. Bale

Disappointing decline in quality and customer‑unfriendly returns I’ve been a long‑time MJ Bale customer, but unfortunately I’ve noticed a steady decline over recent years—not only in product quality, but also in the way the business seems increasingly focused on upselling at every opportunity. Most recently, I purchased three shirts online as… Read more

part of a promotion offering $30 off each shirt when buying three. Two of the shirts arrived and were acceptable, though the quality was noticeably lower than what I’ve come to expect from MJ Bale (now itchy shirts, already threading seems, no collar stays and loose buttons).

The third shirt, however, (the white Twill Shirt) was genuinely disappointing. The fabric is so sheer that you can clearly see chest hair and every detail underneath the shirt. This is not what I would consider acceptable for a business shirt, let alone from a brand positioned as premium.

When I contacted customer service about returning or exchanging the shirt, I was advised there is a $12.50 return fee, which I could accept. What I could not accept is being told that the original discount would not apply to a replacement shirt. Naturally, the only alternative white shirts available are significantly more expensive, meaning I would effectively be paying close to double the original price just to exchange an unwearable item.

This experience has left me feeling that MJ Bale no longer stands behind its products or values customer loyalty. Between declining quality and policies that penalise customers for legitimate returns, it’s hard to justify continuing to shop with the brand. MJ has been part of my workplaces recommended product lists for a long time. This morning I removed it from our list of trusted brands due to consistently poor experiences over the last 12 months by colleagues and now myself.

If I had to wear one suiting brand for the rest of my life, it is MJ bale. The nicest pants, shirts and jackets I have ever worn in my life. Staff are always friendly (at Chatswood Westfield) and very helpful. Yes the prices may be “expensive” (which they aren’t) but that comes with the quality and build of the clothes. Touch of class, quality, and history in everything they make. Hats off to them. Show details

⭐ One star – premium prices, disappointing quality and service My 22-year-old son spent around $2,000 of his own money at the MJ Bale Queen Street store. We were assisted by Tim, who we were told is the manager. He was personable and helpful, and my son left the store feeling genuinely proud to own MJ Bale. Unfortunately, that’s where the… Read more

positives ended.

Everything purchased was full price — no discounts at all — including a jacket that turned out to be so tight it felt like a straightjacket, two suit trousers, several shirts, a belt and a tie.

Within two weeks, one pair of trousers required repair. My son is extremely neat, careful, and not hard on his clothes. For trousers at this price point, that is simply unacceptable.

The store never answers the phone, so we were forced to take the trousers to an independent alterations business and pay out of pocket for repairs — despite already having used MJ Bale for hemming and making multiple trips to the store, battling parking and time for drop-offs and collections.

I emailed the store due to the lack of phone contact. Their solution was for my son to bring the trousers back (now already repaired at our expense) so they could consider replacing them. This would mean yet more trips, more fittings, more hemming, and more inconvenience.

I reasonably requested a store credit for the full amount, but the store has been unnecessarily inflexible and dismissive.

As a parent, it’s disheartening to watch a young person spend a significant portion of their limited income on what is marketed as a premium brand, only to receive low quality and poor after-sales service.

At this price point, customers expect better. Based on this experience, I’d recommend looking at YD or Oxford, where the quality and customer experience are far more consistent.

My son dropped off some business shirts & asked if I would wash & iron them. Five were a breeze, one of them was a MJ Bale. I left the sixth, a dark green, “MJB Garments of Character” for last as it was a strange fabric & while I was meticulous in… Read more

drying it smoothed out & flat, it dried like a creased rag. It required to be ironed “inside out with a warm iron” to avoid damaging the fabric. I have been ironing it for 35 minutes & so far have only done the collar, yoke & part of one side of a sleeve. I am ready to put the scissors through it. I am always willing to put in any amount of time & effort to achieve a good finish but this is beyond that. Because of the fabric & ironing restrictions I simply do not believe it can be ironed. While I have adjusted the heat to a safe level for the fabric no matter how much time is spent, it doesn’t look like it’s been touched. While ironing the top side of the sleeve I am currently doing, the other side is being severely creased because it is impossible to smooth out properly before commencing ironing the top side. Furthermore, as only a “warm iron can be used, deep creases cannot be ironed out! How anyone in their right mind could chose such a ridiculous fabric for “any type” of clothing is incomprehensible. I had to stop & write this review to ease my frustration however, while writing I have come to the concussion I not going to to waste any more time & will suggest to my son it goes in the bin & I will happily give him whatever he paid to replace it.

Was served by Andy in Martin Pl and he was absolutely professional, competent and very attentive to all my requests! Would continue shopping there just to receive his exceptional service! Thanks Andy see you again next time I need great clothing! Show details

Very satisfied customer – Eduardo & Michelle at MJ Bale, Birkenhead Point, were wonderful in helping my husband choose a suit. They were very knowledgeable, attentive and professional in their approach. They both went out of their way to ensure we got a well fitted suit. Eduardo especially went beyond what duty required. Thank you very much. Sandra Show details

Jessica is a Star – Customer complement☺️ Visited MJ Bale at Westfield Parramata My husband and I needing a suit for my Sons upcoming Wedding Jessica served us Such a credit to your company Welcomed us, no rush, listened to what my husband required. Jessica was highly knowledgeable explaining the suit material, alterations needed Nothing was to much trouble Show details

Terrible quality jackets which went in the bin after 3 years due to bubbling on the jacket which was written off by MJ Bale as bad dry cleaning. Highly recommend you shop institchu or another competitor which seem to last a bit longer and which did not have any issues despite using the same dry cleaner and receiving a lot more wear. Also, the… Read more

‘experts’ made this assessment based on a photograph and the shop attendant was not willing to take the jacket for further investigation. MJ Bale is a bad company with questionable practices don’t give them your money.

I visited M.J. Bale Burnside on Saturday 15/11/25. The lady working that day was very helpful and showed me a jacket that was on a significant discount, bringing the price down to $250. A gentleman in the store also saw me trying it on. I didn’t make a decision that day and returned on Sunday 16/11/25 to purchase it. When I arrived, I spoke to… Read more

the same gentleman who recognised me. I explained that the jacket had been brought from the back room as it was not on the shop floor. He said he would double-check with the lady from Saturday, who wasn’t working that day.

Another lady, who had not been there on Saturday, then came to assist me. She insisted—quite rudely—that no such discounted jacket existed and told me to come back on Tuesday when the original staff member would be in. I explained that I had travelled a long distance and that the jacket was definitely inside, as I had already seen it.

After some back and forth, she eventually went to check and found the jacket in the back, exactly where I said it would be. However, she initially refused to honour the discount. Only after further discussion did she contact the staff member from Saturday, who confirmed the jacket was indeed discounted and that the price should come up when scanned.

Throughout the interaction, instead of apologising for the inconvenience and the way she spoke to me, she acted annoyed and claimed that I was “pushing her.” When I calmly explained that she should have simply checked or scanned the item—as the gentleman had planned to do—she responded that she didn’t need a “lecture.”

The behaviour was completely unprofessional and unacceptable. Her attitude and manner towards customers were inappropriate, and she clearly needs proper training in customer service and communication. My experience at this store was extremely disappointing

I purchased two men’s silk ties. Both were advertised as Handmade in Italy. I purchased them specifically because I was looking for handmade in Italy silk ties. When they arrived, both were Made in China. Pretty dodgy to n my view. How do you go from made in China to handmade in Italy? Bait and switch. Very disappointing. Will not be buying from them again. Show details

Extremely terrible service – M.J. Bale Karrinyup should review their staff’s attitude towards customers. No professional service, very judgemental on customer’s appearance, extremely arrogant, service is zero to none. Friday 03/12/2025 2:20pm

High-end price, low-end product – When you pay around $1,000 for 1 suit jacket and 2 pants (on sale) you expect a decent quality. That quality should not be torn pants and worn out fabric after 3 months, especially when you pay for professional dry cleaning with each wash. I understand everyone is feeling the pain with cost of living, but I assure you your customers would rather… Read more

pay a little extra to cover the cost increases to avoid a compromise in quality.

Buyer beware, you might as well buy a suit from Connor because you’re actually getting what you paid for.

New MJ Bale suit – Recently attended my local MJ Bale store after somewhat back and forth on what suit would not be outdated. looking at multiple Brands we ended up at MJ Bale, Can I say the fit was amazing the young lady in the store knew her stuff, No pressure in the new purchase for an up coming wedding. Show details

Chris the ‘Legend’ at M.J. Bale Canberra Centre – I called to make some enquiries about my jacket, pants and a suit, spoke to a gentleman named ‘Chris’, it was obvious from the manner of his discussions, this man knew his product and craft well. I booked in to see him for tailoring and was not disappointed. Very knowledgeable, very thorough and exceptionally personable, Chris covered… Read more

everything, made me feel at home, provided truthful options and at no point was there a hard sell!!

Supportive of his business and approach, he was an excellent representative of MJ Bale, so much to the point, if he left and went to another Men’s wear business, we would probably follow!!

Polite, courteous and prepared to go above and beyond.

This was genuinely good service and he certainly exceeded expectations, he and the staff there could not have been more helpful.

Thank you Chris, Thank you MJ Bale,

I will be back!!

Kindest regards

Hugh

Anthony the legendary salesman – My wife and I were extremely impressed with Anthony's customer service! He made sure I was dressed to impress. We will definitely shop at the Harbour Town store again! Legend Show details

Would anyone be interested in joining a case through the ACCC – For context, I’ve spent over $7K with MJ Bale over the past two years. I’ve continually had the lining of my suit jackets rip and wear through, I’ve had the crutch of the pants wear through, despite paying my own money to have them strengthened and added additional protection on the inside and my ties have all been ruined after 20 or so wears. For the price you expect better quality. Again MJ says nothing. Show details

Would not sell a product at price on the website – The website had a suit advertised for a low price and when I phoned the store to check the sizes available at that location they said the price was ‘wrong’. This is not a good way to conduct business. I tried to follow up to get a resolution, but this was a waste of my time, as they refused to honour the advertised price. A bad experience and I ended up purchasing a suit from elsewhere without incident.

Do not honour quoted price – Visited their store and was advised that the 20% sale would continue for at least the following week. When I followed up less than a week later was told the sale ended the day after my visit. Management refused to honour the price/ discount I was advised would be available and that was on offer less than a week ago. Lost sale of $1K immediately +… Read more

future sales as I shop here three to four times a year + further sales from those I speak to re the poor service they can expect. Am not surprised that they have such a poor review score.

Don’t waste your money - poor quality products – Bought suit trousers to replace existing trousers and paid $229 for them. Lasted less then 6 weeks before showing major signs of wear and tear on the crotch area. I had worn them less than ten times. Told by company it was essentially my fault and trousers had been over dry cleaned (never done as so new) or overused (ten times?????) . Remedy… Read more

was 30% off another pair of trouses or they can strengthen the pants through a tailor.

Disappointed won’t buy shirts, suit or trousers again as for $229 I expect trousers to last more then a few wears.

Don’t buy the suit jackets as by doing this you also exposed to poor quality trousers.

What a great experience we had ! – We walked in and it was busy and we were served by Jen at Warringah Mall Brookvale Store wow Jen is amazing helped my son find a suit sized him Pinned it up for alterations all within minutes of him trying it on we were so impressed with the service ! Thanks Jen we will be back Show details

Misleading sales advertising and rude sales assistants – Store has signage advertising '30% off storewide'. My husband went to purchase a jacket and was told it was part of a 'core product range' that wasn't included in the sale. This was misleading as the jacket was hanging alongside other jackets included in the sale underneath a '30% off' sale sign. Upon questioning staff he was spoken to very… Read more

rudely by an obnoxious 20 something-year-old male. Most unsatisfactory experience, will shop elsewhere from now on.

Exceptional Quality – Sadly.dont agree with the one star reviews. All 4 suits I've purchased over the last 5 years are exceptional quality & fit. Not to mention the shirts, ties & chinos. Along with great service in store. Yes, read the fine print first when buying Sale items. Store Credit not refunds, if not fit correctly.

Bad, bad customer service – I have to agree with the other reviewers. The customer service in this place is horrific. The lack of interest they have in the customer in general is extremely disturbing considering the fact that our sales pay their wages in the long run. I am not one of those ‘the customer is always right’ kind of people but, boy, get your crap together. I… Read more

tried purchase a particular jacket and there was only one left in my size so had it put aside, however the sales chick didn’t give a dam and in the 10-15 mins it took me to get there let it get sold. All I can say is you may of got that sale but you will never get one from me or anyone else I know.

Reasonable all rounders – Reasonable suits with good service, online chat as well as in store. A quick trip to a good tailor and suits fit well. Most seem to be super 110, so probably more suited to the cooler climates than here in Perth but they have a few unlined styles that I have found work well in the warmth. Show details

Terrible customer service – I purchased 3 shirts online. I received incorrect items when my delivery arrived, so I sent them back only to wait an extra 2 weeks for items to be reposted. This meant I couldn't wear them to the event I purchased them for. I expressed my disappointment with the service via email and they did not even care. Show details

Avoid This Mob Like The Plague!! – I purchased a suit online that was on sale, when it arrived I tried it on and it was too small. I put it straight back into the post bag it came in and returned it for a refund, 5 days after they received it as I'd sent it back to Sydney from Melbourne express post with tracking, I got on to their Customer Service online in the chat box to enquire… Read more

where the refund was. I was then told I'd be refunded on Thursday then suddenly I was told that because it was a "Sale Item" they couldn't refund but I could have an exchange of another suit or a credit which I told them that I wanted neither. So judging by that it means that they refund on a full priced item but not on a sale item, what's the difference?? I have a law degree (LLB) from the University of Queensland plus I work in the media so I'm going to spread the word if that's the way they treat their customers. M.J. Bale I'll never deal with them again, in the rating I gave them 1 star only because 0 wasn't offered in this write up.