The purpose of the study was to investigate determinants of consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction (CS/D) with the performance of apparel products at the purchase and productconsumption stages. An experimental design was used. The sample consisted of 120 students enrolled at a university located in a metropolitan area in the midwestern United States. Results showed that performance expectation was a significant determinant of CS/D at the purchase stage. Perception of product performance and confirmation or disconfirmation between perceived product performance and experience‐based norm were also significantly related to CS/D at purchase. Results indicated that the perception of product performance and confirmation or disconfirmation between perceived product performance and expectation held during purchase were also significant determinants of CS/D at the product‐consumption stage. CS/D at purchase was also significantly related to CS/D at the product‐consumption stage.

Companies spend valuable resources developing and distributing products to please the consumer; however, products that do not match consumer performance expectations during post‐purchase use often result in consumer dissatisfaction. This situation can lead to redress‐seeking behaviour and negative repurchase behaviour. Understanding factors influencing consumers' post‐purchase behaviour can provide retailers with information to make accurate purchasing decisions and improve interpretation of the post‐return data. This study examines product‐specific variables for apparel purchases and their relationship with post‐consumption behaviour. Product cost and product type were found to be related to redress and repurchase behaviour among dissatisfied consumers. Implications for apparel retailers and consumer educators are discussed.

Consumers use size statements on garment labels to locate garments with a satisfactory fit. Accurate size information assists consumers to make efficient decisions in finding specific garments to purchase or to try on. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of information on garment size labels. Two hundred and forty men'sprewashed jeans were measured to identify discrepancies between the stated and measured dimensions of the waist and inseam. The paired t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the stated dimensions on men's jeans were significantly different from actual dimensions. Discrepancies between stated and measured dimensions of men's jeans were significantly different among the low, medium, and high price ranges. When manufacturer-promoted brands and retailer private label brands were compared, the discrepancies at the inseam were different, but there was no significant difference at the waist. Implications for apparel manufacturers' quality control programs and consumer education are discussed

Companies spend valuable resources developing and distributing products to please the consumer; however, products that do not match consumer performance expectations during post-purchase use often result in consumer dissatisfaction. This situation can lead to redress-seeking behaviour and negative repurchase behaviour. Understanding factors influencing consumers' post-purchase behaviour can provide retailers with information to make accurate purchasing decisions and improve interpretation of the post-return data. This study examines product-specific variables for apparel purchases and their relationship with post-consumption behaviour. Product cost and product type were found to be related to redress and repurchase behaviour among dissatisfied consumers. Implications for apparel retailers and consumer educators are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of product image at three stages of the consumer decision process for apparel products: alternative evaluation, purchase and post‐purchase stages. The three specific objectives of the study were to examine at the alternative evaluation stage the effect of product image on perceived quality and performance expectation, at the purchase stage the effect of product image on purchase intention and the price the consumer was willing to pay, and at the post‐purchase stage the effect of product image on consumer satisfaction and the effect of product image with product consumption performance on consumer satisfaction. The experimental design was used to determine the cause‐and‐effect relationships between the treatment variables (independent variables) and the dependent variables. Sweatshirts were used as the sample product category and 120 university students were recruited as participants. Results showed that at the alternative evaluation stage, product image significantly and positively influenced perceived quality and performance expectation. At the purchase stage, product image was not a determinant of purchase intention, but significantly and positively influenced the price participants were willing to pay for the product. At the post‐purchase stage, product image did not directly influence participants’ satisfaction, but product image with product consumption performance significantly affected satisfaction. When consumption performance was good, product image significantly and positively influenced satisfaction. When consumption performance was poor, product image significantly and negatively influenced satisfaction.