Buying dress online? Opinions/experience?

kfrill

Hello! Congrats to all! I've just begun looking for wedding dresses and I found one at a boutique that I loved, then searched it online just for kicks and found some sites that had it for half the price. What are you thoughts with buying a dress online and do you or someone you know have any experience with doing that? Thanks! Happy planning!

mcda04

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_buying-dress-online-opinionsexperience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:74eb1239-71d5-4e43-886b-d281f31e4fd4Post:14eb2ea8-317d-4110-85f6-2606a8acd5e7">Buying dress online? Opinions/experience?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello! Congrats to all! I've just begun looking for wedding dresses and I found one at a boutique that I loved, then searched it online just for kicks and found some sites that had it for half the price. What are you thoughts with buying a dress online and do you or someone you know have any experience with doing that? Thanks! Happy planning!
Posted by kfrill[/QUOTE]
It's half the price because it's most likely a Chinese Knock-Off site. See the link below from a few weeks ago. If you want to save on a designer gown, i would recommend a pre-owned dress, you can sometimes find them brand new with tags for a fraction of the cost.

<a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_dress-help-online-china-knock-off-dress-bad-idea">http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_dress-help-online-china-knock-off-dress-bad-idea</a>

itzMS

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_buying-dress-online-opinionsexperience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:74eb1239-71d5-4e43-886b-d281f31e4fd4Post:14eb2ea8-317d-4110-85f6-2606a8acd5e7">Buying dress online? Opinions/experience?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello! Congrats to all! I've just begun looking for wedding dresses and I found one at a boutique that I loved, then searched it online just for kicks and found some sites that had it for half the price. What are you thoughts with buying a dress online and do you or someone you know have any experience with doing that? Thanks! Happy planning!
Posted by kfrill[/QUOTE]

Generally speaking, these are probably sites that make knock-off designer dresses. They're usually either based in China or import from China. Almost all brides who order from these sites are disappointed in the quality and service.

You <em>can </em>often find dresses from other brides that are either once-worn or never used (and unreturnable) on sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses, OnceWed, or Ebay.
<em> </em>

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_buying-dress-online-opinionsexperience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:74eb1239-71d5-4e43-886b-d281f31e4fd4Post:392c5c11-ef4e-417a-9f3c-6dc8fd6027a5">Re: Buying dress online? Opinions/experience?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Buying dress online? Opinions/experience? : Generally speaking, these are probably sites that make knock-off designer dresses. They're usually either based in China or import from China. Almost all brides who order from these sites are disappointed in the quality and service. You can often find dresses from other brides that are either once-worn or never used (and unreturnable) on sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses, OnceWed, or Ebay.  
Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]

All of this, and make sure you try on dresses before you buy even a used one. What looks good on paper, may not flatter you best.

cwaggoner07

Don't do it. Either go through Pearl's Place, or find a used dress at oncewed.com or recycledbride.com

cayharrop

Buying online you will get a Chinese knock off with flaws and inferior craftsmanship

A seamstress will have to fix it for you (at a price)  Is the hassle worth it to you?

Buying from either Pearls Place or a pre-owned wedding site, there is no return policy if there is something not quite right with the gown.  Pre-owned wedding dresses are used, even if the seller says it is not, it usually has been tried on or even altered for a wedding.  You will have to pay a seamstress to undo- what was done to it.  Is the hassle worth it to you?

Best to purchase from a bridal salon, with a policy to fix or return and reorder something that is not to your satisfaction, if price is a factor, then just ask for a discount--most will oblige and give you one.  No hassles for the bride.

QueerFemme

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_buying-dress-online-opinionsexperience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:74eb1239-71d5-4e43-886b-d281f31e4fd4Post:955d19ef-b706-4e98-b8e5-b4f95e79483b">Re: Buying dress online? Opinions/experience?</a>:
[QUOTE]Buying online you will get a Chinese knock off with flaws and inferior craftsmanship A seamstress will have to fix it for you (at a price)  Is the hassle worth it to you? Buying from either Pearls Place or a pre-owned wedding site, there is no return policy if there is something not quite right with the gown.  Pre-owned wedding dresses are used, even if the seller says it is not, it usually has been tried on or even altered for a wedding.  You will have to pay a seamstress to undo- what was done to it.  Is the hassle worth it to you? Best to purchase from a bridal salon, with a policy to fix or return and reorder something that is not to your satisfaction, if price is a factor, then just ask for a discount--most will oblige and give you one.  No hassles for the bride.
Posted by cayharrop[/QUOTE]

I agree with CMGr on this.  This is not true.  Almost ALL bridal salons have a "no return" policy if you just change your mind. If there is something wrong with the dress, they will fix it, which is the same as Pearl's Place.  Davids' Bridal will let you exchange every once in a while, if you change your mind, but almost all salons have a no return policy when it is just a matter of you having dress regret.
</div>

csweaney

Please please please try on styles in an actual store before you buy a gown online. It may look differently on you than it does on the model--for example, I thought I'd love lace and ended up HATING it on me once I tried it on. 

And make sure to go through a reputable online source like Pearls Place

Marti66

I totally agree about Pearl's Place.  Also if there is any problems or damages they will make it right.  I personally know this from a friend and others who have purchase there.  They are the one store to try and go to.

kfrill

These were all very helpful! Thanks to everyone..I am going to call Pearls Place tomorrow and see if they have the dress I liked available! It was a Pronovias White One Toscana. Although its interesting because when i had asked the bridal salon where the dresses were made they said China anyways - and it seems like a nice reputable salon in San Francisco (where I live, so I'm wondering if most dresses are made in China (I guess just like everything else in this country it seems like haha)). Thanks again and Happy Holidays!