Hannelore's is rated one of the top 50 salons in the country?!?

CvilleClaire

A bridal salon in Richmond just posted scans of a page in Bride's Magazine where they were listed as one of the top 50 salons in the country.  Looking at the scan, the other area salons listed are Rizik's and Hannelore's. 

Am I missing something?  I didn't even go to Hannelore's because the reviews of them on Yelp and Wedding Wire are terrible.  Has anyone been?  Are they worth the trip?

Here's the scan, buy the way:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIIXguVBLn0/TZZrSbZi40I/AAAAAAAAGZ4/y6phTt_mAh8/s1600/brides-2.jpg

island07b2b

I have never visited Hannelore's either but I also have not heard good things about the salon.  I am also trying to figure out why Rizik's is on the list.  I visited  there with a few friends a while back and the experience was so so.  I wonder what the magazine based its findings on? 

Lisa50

My assumption is that the rating is based on the designers carried.  They have a TON of dresses from which to choose.  However, I walked in once -- without an appointment -- and asked a relatively benign  question.  The person behind the desk actually seemed insulted that I had not scheduled an appointment.  For goodness sakes, it is Old Town ... folks DO just drop in.  Amazed at the rudeness, I turned to leave.  Another salesperson, who overheard the interaction, apologized for her co-worker's rude attitude.  *sigh*

If you decide to go, you may want to be prepared for a little 'tude.  Good luck!

khornbach

I went to Hannelore's once. I went for their sample sale. I was really pressured into buying a dress. And they gave me only a hour. They wanted me to make another appointment to try on their full priced dresses.

I came back later without an appointment to stop in and try bridesmaid dresses. They refused saying they were booked up and we could not look. They were extremely rude, and I will not recommend them to anyone.

I think Hitched in Georgetown is a MUCH better salon

CvilleClaire

I've been to Hitched and Carine's and thought both had fantasic consultants.  I'm not going to Hannelore's...Yelp made it seem like the Emporer's New Clothes.

What's more, their website is terrible and they aren't involved in social media.  I'm suspicious of businesses that aren't modern...what does that say about their practices?

princesscorpio

Here is my 2cents. I went to Hannelore's and had a great experience with service. It was the first dress shop I went to try on dresses. I will say Hannelore is a very nice lady, but her daughter needs to learn what customer service is because she is a rude somebody.

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_dc_hannelores-rated-one-of-top-50-salons-country?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:57Discussion:d8846c7d-f9e9-4c47-977a-6c5eed7510f5Post:e48b3d81-f30c-40bb-8a89-f9af0622d854">Re: Hannelore's is rated one of the top 50 salons in the country?!?</a>:
[QUOTE]Here is my 2cents. I went to Hannelore's and had a great experience with service. It was the first dress shop I went to try on dresses. I will say Hannelore is a very nice lady, but her daughter needs to learn what customer service is because she is a rude somebody.
Posted by princesscorpio[/QUOTE]

Wow!  That's very interesting to know.  It's too bad the daughter is turning people off with her 'tude.  I'm glad you had a good experience!

MsBriaB

My bridesmaids are getting their dresses from Hannelores. I choose them because they were the only salon in the area that I could find, that had a sample of the dress I wanted. I'm pleased with the service, and they staff has always been friendly. 

irisheyezfsu

They have pretty bad ratings overall. I would definitely not say top 50. I would guess that could be because they have a larger instore selection.  But who wants to buy a dress from someone who treats them like a waste of time?

BunniKakes

I bought my veils at Hannelore's. I don't think I had an appointment. My friend and I were there about an hour, then visited several other bridal shops in Old Town. Hannelore's was far and away the winner for quantity, quality and customer service. We went back and placed the order. 
 
It was a great introduction to Hannelore's. If only I hadn't had to go back!

Jewish brides typically have veils with blushers. Well, the genius bridal industry makes you buy two veils and then sews them together. I got a call from Hannelore's that my veil was in - but later learned that was only half.

When both halves were finally in, my follow up appointment for alterations was so disorganized and confusing, I seriously considered just bolting with the veils as-is. The woman helping me was very difficult to undertand and acted as though she'd never heard of a blusher. The on-the-contract agreement that Hannelore's daughter would trim the blusher and sew the veils together was out the window and everyone was very, very confused.

I finally got to talk to Hannelore's daughter. She was disturbingly cavelier about snipping across a 250$ veil without really measuring. The blusher never looked straight to me. I was then talked out of having the veils sewed together. While at the end of the day, that was right for me, at the time it just felt like they had made the sale and couldn't be bothered.

(My photographer told me that the brides she knows who enjoyed Hannelore's were all size 2 and had very generous budgets. Well, I was a size 10 bride without a budget and I was still scared to try on dresses there after the stores I heard!)

CvilleClaire

Such a significant percentage of weddings are religious ceremonies that you'd think they'd be respectful of your wishes!  Hearing about people in the wedding industry questioning accomodations needed for someone's cultural traditions is stunning. 

Hm...maybe I should take my size 2 self in there and give them an attitude as payback!  Brats!