I went to Davids Bridal to look at Bridesmaids dresses 4 days after my engagement, I went on January 4 2011. I was coaxed into trying on gowns for myself, and fell in love with the second one. They ordered it for me as the floor sample was practically destroyed, and promised it would be new, from the warehouse. It was not. The one they ordered had coffee spilled over the front hem, more than average beading missing/falling off, lace torn, and had been stepped on, as proved by the footprint on the gown. 7 visits later (they kept trying to get alterations to fix the problems with the gown), they finally gave in and ordered me a new gown, which to their credit was perfect, when it came in.
I went back SEVERAL times trying to get my fitting completed, but my appointments "dissapeared," and finally I got fitted. They pinned a bustle, pinned the sleeves, pinned in cups, and I paid and signed for the work.
I went back this morning, bright and early to try on the gown and pick it up, as the alterations were to be completed on this date. They brought out my "dress" and I am thinking to myself "Looks dingy," but I thought it might be the fitting room lighting, I will wait to see in the main lighting what it looks like.
I try it on. NOTHING had been done. Nothing. I ask for the Manager on Duty, to no avail. Had this been the first time I had had problems, I would not have been so upset. It is not a convienent location for me to drive to.Why Hadn't they called to let me know no work had been done?
45 minutes later the alterations manager finally goes to the back and looks again. I had to get very high handed and upset first, however, to get her to do this.
They had brought me the FIRST dress. It was hanging directly next to the REAL dress. Which fit wonderfully, except they had JILTED me on the bustle. One alterations lady was also trying to tell me I needed to have an INCH taken off of the hem! This is a gorgeous LACE gown, with beading, I had no need of such a hem at the first fitting, was wearing the same shoes, and had not shrunk. I lost it. I LOST it. My TWELTH time in the store, just for this gown, and now they wanted more money from me, and for me to come back, again. The bustle looked heinous. They used 4 buttons, not the 6 I had paid for, and it was not symetrical. It was frankly disgusting. I was in tears and shaking so hard, and the manager on duty finally came, an hour after asking for her.
I happen to be a store manager of a retail buisness.
Her being so late in coming was innappropriate. I don't care if she was with another customer, everytime I have been there I have had to wait to speak to a manager. I am not a Diva, but I deserve the same respect as others! Especially when I have a large bridal party, and tab! They got a lot of money from me.
I told her how she should have handled it, and I also told her how this had escaleted and most likely I would not have been so upset had she simply come to me in the begining and said "I know you;re upset, you are important, but I have one thing I *have* to clear up for someone else first" I am reasonable, and that would have been fine. Taking an HOUR to come is not reasonable.
HUGGING me when I was crying, and entering my personal space is also not appropriate, though it did shock me so much I stopped.She gave me a full body hug, not just a shoulder hug. She was the one who finally ordered the second gown for me, perhaps she felt it was OK. It was very akward.
She did say they would finish the bustle as I wanted it, they would do it immediately, and if I did want it hemmed they would do it for free (I demanded all of this, she did not offer it.)I should have demanded money back, actually but I am too nice. I did not get the hemmimg, as it was not needed, that other lady was trying to get money out of me. I ordered the LAST bridesmaids dress, they finished my gown, which is missing a lot of beading from their ROUGH handling of such delicate fabric, and I will be having someone else fix it.
NEVER go to David's. I had an appouintment for everything except the first time I went, which Ironically, was the only good experience I had. The girl who helped me that day was wonderful and none of this was her fault. They have a POOR BUISNESS model, and are extreamly lacking in customer service, It should not have taken 12-14 visits to get my gown. It should have taken 3 or 4, one or two to pick out, one or two fittings, one pick up. that's it! Ridiciulous.