Safe to buy from websites?

shanliann

So I am in love with an Alfred Angelo dress but refuse to spend the money. I've found what I assume is a knock off on a few websites, and I am more then ok with a knock off, as long as I'm buying from a safe company and getting a good dress. Obv I know the dress won't be the same quality as the original but as long as its not going to arrive with a broken zipper, etc i am ok!!

The Websites I am talking about are:
lilygown.com
davicbridal.com
queenisagirl.com
dressearch.com


Thanks Ya'all!!

devilishangel61401

Ive never bought any clothes from online sites, but I prefer to try things on.. things often look so diffrent on hangers than they do on my actual body.  Im short and curvy so sometimes I have to go with a larger size and have things taken in, thats happend with every bridesmaid dress I've ever bought to be in other ppl's weddings.. good luck

MoonlightSilver

No, it's not really safe. Sometimes the dresses don't show up, sometimes they're so horrible you can't wear them. 

If you don't want to spend the money, pick a different dress, buy the sample or get a used one. Oncewed.com and preownedweddingdresses.com have real brides selling their dresses. 

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_safe-to-buy-from-websites?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:a088ac1f-ff0c-48f5-9965-715dfb7bb3d9Post:069cab82-7a34-4fac-96ca-ef3e4b99c908">Safe to buy from websites?</a>:
[QUOTE]So I am in love with an Alfred Angelo dress but refuse to spend the money. I've found what I assume is a knock off on a few websites, and I am more then ok with a<strong> knock off, as long as I'm buying from a safe company </strong>and getting a good dress. Obv I know the dress won't be the same quality as the original but as long as its not going to arrive with a broken zipper, etc i am ok!! The Websites I am talking about are: lilygown.com davicbridal.com queenisagirl.com dressearch.com Thanks Ya'all!!
Posted by shanliann[/QUOTE]

The fact that it is a knock-off makes it unsafe. These people are stealing pictures from designers and making (if they make it at all) poor quality dresses. Not to mention you have no idea what else could be behind these knock off sites eg..child labor, front for illegal activity.

What is your budget? I'm sure the girls here can help you find something similar, or as PP's suggested buy pre-owned or from Pearls Place a brick and mortar store here in the US.

Also, make sure you try on any dress you are interested in or a similar style.

HobokensFury

You get what you pay for.  A knock off dress will not be the quality you want.  Often the are so badly made they are unwearable.  Do not but from a knockoff site.

shanliann

I want something tight(er) fitting through the top and the a big(er) skirt staring around the top of my leg.  I'm really not sure on a budget, the Alfred Angelo one I like(style 812) is aprx 1,500 and i just cant come to terms with spending that much on a dress. Thats why I was thinking a knockoff or something like that because with the alfred angelo i feel like im paying alot of money for the name on the tag. I was hoping I'd find a legitimate "off brand" or "knock off" like we all do in every day life ( store brand instead of name brand, etc) 
These are a couple I've found that Im interested in, the first one I've actually already ordered from Davids Bridal, it should be here Tomorrow but im trying to keep an open mind and see what else is out there!! Also the only store really in my area is Davids Bridal


 

thurmanpowell

Check reviews carefully, If you google dressilyme tends to have pretty good reviews. 

People on TK tend to be completely opposed to this sort of thing. For what it's worth, I've known a few people who've bought knockoff wedding/prom dresses with no issues, HOWEVER you don't have to try very hard to find bad reviews. 

If you do it, make sure you have enough time to find another dress is it doesn't work out! 

StephBeanWed61502

You should check sites where brides are selling pre-owned dresses (the classifieds board here on TK, oncewed.com, recycledbride.com), and also legitimate retailers who offer online discounts, like RK Bridal, Crankybride.com and Pearl's Place.  You can find good deals without having to resort to knock-offs.  

edeielia

I have heard horror stories about websites that are from other countries.  Make sure you check the return policy, and try to go with a website from a company you trust.

One to stay away from for sure is tbdress.com.

suinumerisbride

Shanliann,

We definitely understand your hesitation; it's so important to do your research!  That is key! There are some boutiques, however, that offer wedding gowns online that ARE NOT knockoffs and are affordable.  Our boutique, for example, has a handpicked selection of gorgeous, brand new, luxury designer gowns.  We carry a range of gowns from Watters to Pronovias.  We have a fair and reasonable return policy and we are available by phone or e-mail to assist you in your selection.  We would like to extend an offer to you of a $50.00 gift card to shop at our boutique!  Please visit our website at www.suinumerisbride.com.  Our dresses start at $139.00!

Cheers!  

akr1287

There is a great website that may interest you www.jasminesbridalshop.com. On the website they state very clearly that there dresses are designed based off pictures and no dress with be 100% exact to the one in any given pic.  However a few great things about them:

1. You can choose between there premium grade materials or designer grade materials which cost a little extra.  You can also pick either premium or designer grade craftsmanship.  So if u r worried about ordering from online because of quality than you can always pick the upgrades offered.

2. They have a facebook page where you can see all of the current work being done as they regularly post pics of the dresses.  The link to there facebook page is on there homepage on there website.  So you can be the judge on whether or not you like there work.  And you see real people & customers comments not made up reviews by the company.

3.  They require a 50% deposit when u order.  Than 5-7 weeks later from placing your order they will email you mid-production pictures (This is where I'm at so far).  They provide you with several different angles of the work that has been completed on the dress up to this point.  At this time if you see anything you don't necessarilly like about the dress you can email them and let them know how u would like it changed.  They are very responsive and seem to work very hard with u in order to make the dress of your dreams.

4. Finally you will receive another set of photos anywhere between 9-11 weeks from placing your order online, when the dress has been completed.  Again at that  time if you see anything that needs to be fixed you let them know so they can make last minute changes before they send u the dress.

I know a lot of people say neg. things about ordering dress online but I fell in love with a Elie Saab Pronvias Freya Dress that cost over 14K and by ordering it from this site I got the dress of my dreams for around $600 but that was with upgrades.  Like I said they are legit and I would definitely recommend them b/c my experience so far has been great!  I love my mid-production photos so far can't wait to see my dress when it's done!

DanielsLuckyLadie

I used www.fashionlande.com for my flower girl dresses and they were GORGOUS, i payed 50 dollars per dress, they showed up on time, great quality and fit perfect

shanliann

akr1287-thank you so much for such a detailed response. It sounds like an amazing process and they seemed to have things well organized and be on top of there game for sure. I am too nervous to order from them based on time frame. But again thank you SO much for your response and I am so excited for you, what a deal you got!!!

cmgr-i won't buy from someone i can't return too. there is no where in my area that sells alfred angelo so i would have to travel to be able to try it on first and that by the time i spend all the money to do that, i might as well just buy the real thing from the original makers website. The original dress was returned to David's Bridal!

shanliann

I understand that i would be getting the real thing at a great price, but what im saying is im not willing to take the risk of not being able to try the dress on, before i order it, and not being able to return it. If i could go to a place try it on, know i love it and know exactly what size to order i'd love to try it and save money but i cant risk it coming too small or too big or simply just not liking it on and then being stuck with it.

im in the quad city area

shanliann

well i've ordered the one from davids bridal, it will be here tomorrow. ill go from there and see what i think, maybe i will just absolutely love it and be done with the dress stress, but if i like the style it is very similar to the alfred angelo style, so maybe then i will need to search for an alfred angelo seller that will take returns!!

Marti66

Ok here is my thought or thoughts on this.  The real desingners have professional pattern makers and they source fabrics everywhere.  The "proof" all patterns and make sure that the gowns fit.  The copy places make from photos and have no idea as to how a gown should fit or hang on a body, they are just going from photos of skinny models, not from real people.  If you know what I mean.  I do suggest that you buy from the most reliable site Pearlsplace.com which has been mentioned above as reliable and for me they are reasonable, quick, and fabulous.

bananapants628

I bought my dress from recycledbride.com used for more than 50% off the original price. I had tried on several dresses (not a lot, but enough to get an idea of what looked good on me) and found a similar one online, took a leap of faith and purchased it. (well, maybe not a real leap of faith as the seller allowed me to return the dress within 7 days if I didn't like it) I could not be happier with my dress it also included a great veil, so sometimes research pays off!

haomao

It is a good choice that buy a dress from David, sometimes they do some promotion with very low prices~ and It is really risk that you buy the mermaid design from on lien store, as for most mermaid gowns need make tiny alteration at the drop hip to fit you after you ordered and tried it on, so you may need pay for the extra cost for alteartion.