1st Time Shopping at Davids Bridal, What do I do now?

stennant82

Went to Davids Bridal for the first time ever to look at and try on wedding dresses.  Found a dress that I love and am 99% positive is my wedding dress.

BUT - I was a little turned off by the sales lady, she was very lazy and not too helpful or excited in helping me.  A manager did step in with the appt and was very kind and helpful and great to work with.

Next, I hadn't planned on buying the dress right there, but it is on sale for a few more days and we started talking about purchasing it.  My mom is paying and they took her over to a table, while I got dressed.  Apparently EVERYTHING is to be paid in full before they order the dress.  They added the bra corset and the slip to the price because they said I would save 15% if I purchased them today.  The dress was $550, but with adding everything plus tax is was over $700 and they wanted her to pay now. 

Plus adding my veil would be another $170.

I disagreed with all this and told her we need to think about it.  We left, but are still able to call in this coming week and place the order over the phone if we want it.

My questions....Is this a good deal?  Is this how they normally do things?  I was hesistant to pay in full and was only thinking of placing a deposit for it.  Should I try another store?  Can I order just the dress now and get the other things later?  If I don't order the dress now, will it be on sale again later? 

I would really appreciate any help.  Thanks!!!

CvilleClaire

I haven't shopped there, but I'm under the impression that there is ALWAYS some sort of sale either going on or about to start at that store.  If you don't feel comfortable with how the sale is being run, I think you're smart to walk away.  There will be another sale.

I think these sales people must have a lot of success putting pressure on brides.  It seems totally counterintuitive to me, but it must work.

andekitten

I tried on dresses there and now regularly get e-mails from them about sales.  If you have a little time I would say just check out a different store to get a feel for prices in your area and see if there are any other dresses you love.  If that is "your dress" then I say go for it but you don't need to get everything at once if it's not currently in your budget.  Don't let other people pressure you into it if you're up in the air.

LisaChris2011

In my opinion I don't think its a good deal until you've price shopped other merchant for the cost of the corset, slip and veil.  I personally wouldn't pay that much even i knew I can get cheaper (veil).  To have you pay full price now before you even see the dress after its made is a HUGE red flag. You were right to trust your instincts.  David's Bridaly is famous for pressuring brides and make them feel like they "gotta act now!"  Order the dress now if you love it, but put down a deposit only, and yes, get the other things later.  I agree with PP that  you can also try other bridal shops to get a feel for other quality in your price range. 

I will share that last weekend I too shopped at David's and it was my very first time trying on and shopping for a wedding dress.  I fell "in like" with a dress, but went with my instincts to hold off and make my 2nd appointment at another bridal store.  I found THE DRESS at that second store.  There was no comparison hands down.  And it was still within the price range of the dress at Davids.

Beachy730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_1st-time-shopping-davids-bridal-now?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:82f54bc5-5aff-4eb4-bcfd-7bdb90606dadPost:8d1a1687-50cc-4ffb-a4d8-e3d69f8633ba">1st Time Shopping at Davids Bridal, What do I do now?</a>:
[QUOTE]Went to Davids Bridal for the first time ever to look at and try on wedding dresses.  Found a dress that I love and am 99% positive is my wedding dress. BUT - I was a little turned off by the sales lady, she was very lazy and not too helpful or excited in helping me.  A manager did step in with the appt and was very kind and helpful and great to work with. Next, I hadn't planned on buying the dress right there, but it is on sale for a few more days and we started talking about purchasing it.  My mom is paying and they took her over to a table, while I got dressed.  Apparently EVERYTHING is to be paid in full before they order the dress.  They added the bra corset and the slip to the price because they said I would save 15% if I purchased them today.  The dress was $550, but with adding everything plus tax is was over $700 and they wanted her to pay now.  Plus adding my veil would be another $170. I disagreed with all this and told her we need to think about it.  We left, but are still able to call in this coming week and place the order over the phone if we want it. My questions....Is this a good deal?  Is this how they normally do things?  I was hesistant to pay in full and was only thinking of placing a deposit for it.  Should I try another store?  Can I order just the dress now and get the other things later?  If I don't order the dress now, will it be on sale again later?  I would really appreciate any help.  Thanks!!!
Posted by stennant82[/QUOTE]

Yes, this is how DB does things.  Everything needs to be pain in full before they will order, and they always say whatever they need to say to make you feel that if you don't order the dress that day your wedding will be ruined.  They are definitely not known for their customer service, so if you want your dress buying experience to be where the ladies in the shop fall all over you, definitely don't go there.  As for if the dress will go on sale again, I can't tell you for sure.  But they do frequently have sales so I wouldn't doubt it. 

I've qouted you so I can't see when your wedding day is right now, but you probably have plenty of time to shop around.  Go to a few other salons.  But honestly, I would never pay that much money for a dress at David's.  I know that many people have gotten nice dresses from there, but you can get a nice designer dress for that price.  I got a Mori Lee dress from a bridal shop and it was only $550, and I had a great dress buying experience, and only had to pay a deposit, not the whole price to order.  IMO, you need to look around, and not settle on a dress that is still that expensive at DB.

Missa513

I shopped for and bought my wedding dress at David's Bridal too.  My consultant was helpful, but don't let a saleswoman deter you from buying your perfect wedding gown.  What got me the most about your post was the fact that you said, you were 99% sure it was your dress. 

Like I said, I buoght mine at David's....I, too, was about 99% sure.  Until I tried it on about 2 more times, and still didn't feel that WOW factor I hear other brides talking about.  I just never happened.  I liked it alot...but it just wasn't "it".  Just last night I literally purchased the dress of my dreams...and I didn't want to take it off.  I could not have cared less about the consultant or anyone else in the store. My heart was set on that dress.  The price was right, and the dress was just perfect. 

If you do really, truly love this dress 100%....then go for it.  But, David's also does try to sell you the whole kit and caboodle with it (i.e., slip, bra corset, etc).  Perhaps the dress you have doesn't really need some of the extras they tried selling you? 

DanielleZZ

I got all of my dresses at DB.  My guess would be that you just got a bad salesperson or she was having a bad day.  I loved my consultant, I went to a few other bridal boutiques before I made my final decision and had horrible experiences.  They have sales going on all the time so it is likely that your dress will go on sale again.  You can buy the accessories later but you wont get the 15% off.  DB always requires you to pay in full when you order.  The exception to this (which is what my family did) is to open a DB credit card and then you have 1 year no interest to pay it off.

rlp1969

I had a great expereince at DB.  I bought the whole package and could not be happier.  It was a blast.

starlite21l

I agree with PP I wouldn't rush into it.  Shop around and see what else is out there.  I'm not wearing a veil but $170 sounds expensive to me.  I know plenty of people that have made their own or bought them on etsy.

marissa_claire

I think if the dress is still full-price, odds are it will be on sale for at least $50 off within the next few months.

I would seriously consider getting a veil elsewhere.  I bought mine at David's and it was $150, and I just don't completely know that it was worth it.

Definitely run on the undergarments.  I bought a bra at Victoria's secret that I could wear again ($50) and if you need slips, look on Craigslist or on here.  And nice shapewear, like Spanx, is much more worth your dollar because you can wear it again down the road - not just for one day.

Queen Jane

I got my dress at DB, loved my consultant. She did suggest that I get averything that day for the 15% off, but I declined and she didn't press it.

Go with your gut on the dress though...

jemmini6

I actually have an appointment at DB later tonight and I am fully expecting to not buy a dress tonight.  The two dresses in particular that I like a lot have been the same price on the website for weeks, so even if I love a dress I try on, I won't purchase tonight. I'm also sure DB can't be worse than my last dress shopping experience, but then again, I don't give a crap about the 'experience', I just want to find a good dress for a good price, but that's just me.

There is also no way in he** I'd pay $170 for a veil.  You can get all the accessories so much cheaper elsewhere.  Of course they want to sell it to you as a package because that's where they really make their money.

Can you post a link to the dress you are 99% sure about?  I'm just curious to see it...

SSaltzman87

Get the slip and/or veil elsewhere. DBs veils are WAY overpriced, even with the 10% discount. I got my dress at DB too and my consultant even said to get those elsewhere because of the prices.

There are much cheaper alternatives and you won't sacrifice quality one bit.

DB also hikes up prices on alterations, so if you can-get them done elsewhere.

Hays2be

I've been to DB once (last month) and had a good experience.  I had a nice consultant (and will make sure she's available when I go back)  She knew I wasn't buying that day, so she didn't give me the pressure to buy immediately.  She did limit the number of dresses I tried on to avoid "dress overload" and took pictures for me since I went alone.

[Deleted User]

I didn't purchase my dress at DB and I had to pay for it in full before it could be ordered. I think that part is pretty typical.

If that is the first place you went to, I would definitely shop around a bit more. While you may or may not find a better deal, you may find another dress that you like more or flatters your body better, etc. If it were me, I would never buy a dress at the first and only place I went to.

As for my experience with DB, it was okay. I went on a Saturday with my Mom and they were extremely busy. The salespeople are also on commission, so they can be pushy at times (I found this out after the fact). My saleslady was going back and forth between me and other brides, which I think prevented her from giving me her honest opinions of the various dresses I tried on. She pretty much said every single one I tried on looked good on me (and it didn't) and that it "was the one." Of course my Mom and I knew better than that. We wrote the dresses down that I did like and fit me well and went shopping some other places. Needless to say, I did not buy my wedding dress there. We did, however, get all of the BM's and FG's dresses there and everything turned out just fine.

simbidi

I ordered my dress from David's and had to pay in full.  No one tried to sell me anything else. My experience in the Baltimore store was fair as it is a large store and is very chaotic.  the dress I wanted wasn't available there, so I drove to Delaware and got wonderful service.  I ordered my dress there and even got it tax free!!

amberhanson

I got my dress there and they wanted me to get all of the under garments then but I told them I was going to wait and get them later. When I left they gave me a bunch of coupons for a certain % off this and that and one of them was for under garments also. So I would wait if I were you. Plus if you are planning on losing weight (like I am) than you may be a different size when you finally purchase them.