F/U: Dress Pricing

KST_

So...I have interesting (and good) news on this front. Last week I started calling the shops that sell the dress I want on the list Ciaram so kindly located for me. I got through 5 and every single one was insanely cheaper than the price the store in Portland quoted me. How much cheaper? Well, look:Portland - $2500 (no tax)Montana - $1688N Vancouver - $1690 CAD ($1558 USD)Santa Barbara - $1700Colorado - $1573How ridiculous is that Portland pricing?!?! Even with 12% tax in BC now, I could still order the dress from Canada and with shipping, have a significant savings over the Portland store. Obviously, I'm going to order elsewhere (the Colorado store). I'm very tempted to let the Portland store know that while she has a nice store and her customer service was excellent, she should know that her pricing is ridiculous. Would you email them?And as my AW, the Colorado with shipping is still going to be higher than my dress budget (and that's before alterations which I'll get done here)...but my sister had apparently been talking with her husband ever since we got back from Portland about how amazing I looked in that dress and how I needed to have it. Now that it's less than $300 over my budget for it, he said they're going to pay for the extra. He considers it back-pay for all those times I babysit and refuse to let them pay me. (Hey, I adore my nephews so I enjoy it.) I'm going to call today to start the process of getting my dress ordered!

josbal

I'm telling you it's all about the rent and overhead at each store.  The dress I bought was 250 something cheaper in Tacoma then Seattle.  Seattle wanted to charge like 200 for the bolero jacket that came with the dress and Tacoma included the dress in the price.  Go figure.

jesgreg

Do you mind me asking what store in Portland?  I know some are trendier and probably pricier because they don't think that people will do their homework (but I'm glad you did!).  That's a ridiculous increase.

KST_

 I understand about different pricing due to overhead, etc, but you're telling me that a shop a little off the beaten path in a half-residential neighborhood has higher overhead than Santa Barbara? We're still talking $800 higher than the Portland quote. (Am I allowed to say what store? I think it was called Divine Designs.)So - do you think I should FYI email the Portland store?

karebear219

I wouldn't. I agree, it is all about location, location, location. I notice this all the time living on the east side. Stuff at the Target in Redmond is often a dollar to five more than the same thing at the Target in Lynnwood or Everett. You will notice the same thing if you shop for cars or boats in other states. People can save thousands by buying the same boat in Montana vs Seattle. If their busines model is to set that as the price and people pay it, well good for them! Might not be fair to us, but that is how business goes.

Pixel'sMom

Congrats on finding the dress and better prices!I'd ask to match the CO. prices! I, personally, wouldn't try to tell the Portland store how to run their business. Most businesses know their competition. They count on the fact that brides are emotianl buyers and won't do much research once they find THE dress.

dmw_2010

I agree with PP on not letting the store know - they're probably already aware that their prices are higher and are hoping brides will buy on-the-spot instead of doing their homework. That said, I'm so glad you found it at a price you can afford!

sarack

Yep, its nuts. I've also noticed that a store in Seattle wants over 300 more for a dress than a store in Tacoma. Guess where I'm gonna buy from??? :0)

carrieoz_76

1) Yay! You found the dress, and near your budget! Wahoo! 2) A part of me says you could call to see if they'll match the price, but a part of me says don't - they overprice on purpose and don't deserve your money. They're charging what they think the market will bear. In your case, it didn't. So... probably best to just move forward with the CO store. And.. yay! You must be so excited.

melissa82

I wouldn't tell the store their price is ridiculous, but I would send them the quote and ask if they'll match it. If they say yes, even better!Congrats either way!

jesgreg

I don't know of that store....I just can't get over the difference.  Do you guys have "tax" on dresses in WA?  I don't know how sales tax works elsewhere.  Still 800 dollars for overhead/tax is crazy!

KST_

jesgreg - if I bought the dress from a WA store (and according to the designer's website, there aren't any dealers in our state?), I'd pay sales tax. If I order the dress and have it shipped from another state, in almost all cases I wouldn't pay sales tax.Yes, I'm really excited though to find a dress close enough to my budget and so lucky to have a sister who thinks I *NEED* it so is helping with the remainder!

dbraulik

Congrats on finding the dress cheaper!! And also how your Sis and BIL for stepping up and paying the difference!!! That's awesome.

jennyann28

Congrats on finding your dress at a price you can manage! I'm kind of glad you had this experience, because it has helped me (so thanks!). The dress I'm thinking is the one is about $250 over my budget at the store I tried it on at. But this makes me encouraged that I may be able to find it within my budget at a different store. Yay! I'm really glad it worked out, that dress was gorgeous.

Tygirljojo

Hooray for price shopping and even more yay for your sis & BIL helping with the difference!  I would normally suggest seeing if they'll price match, but with such a large price difference, I would say no.  I know one place I checked with got offended and started implying the other shops wern't selling a "true" Mori Lee but then a different shop did indeed match.  I do agree with PPs though - don't try to say anything to them about how to run their business.  If anything, they sound similar to what PB does regarding price jacking.

missmango

i would personally call the portland store and ask if they'll do a price match.

akorniak

Agree with other posters...you definitely need to call the Portland store to see if they will do a price match. When I was shopping I didn't find a bridal shop (in person or online) that wouldn't match another store's price for the sale. If for some reason they won't, then at least you know you have options. Good luck!