Strange Experience at the Wedding Shoppe

MKTK

I went to try on wedding dresses at the Wedding Shoppe on Grand Avenue today. After much narrowing down, we found one I LOVED. Lace gown, really pretty from Allure.

The dress had a price tag of about $1,500. That was the first weird thing because I told them the top of my budget was $1,200. The consultant promised not to show me anything higher. She specifically said she wouldn't.

As we'd narrowed it down to this one dress, I tried to explain to the consultant that I just can't make a final decision about a dress without my sisters' approval. I'm really close to both of them, and it felt weird not to have their opinions. She tried to take me out of getting their opinions.

She then said that they'd had a special sale last week for Allure. She'd talked to her manager and they were willing to give us the discount it we bought the dress today, making it $1,000. Seemed like a good deal, but I didn't like all the pressure.

After a LOT of back and forth, I decided to leave without purchasing the dress but maybe come back for it later that day. I wanted to think it over. When I asked the consultant for the model number so that I could look it up online, she said it was from Allure's "private label" and that they don't photograph dresses from that label. But that she'd write it down so that if/when I came back in they'd have it. 

I never heard of this private label thing. Has anyone else? The whole experience left me with a really bad vibe....but I did love that dress. Anyone have an similar experience? i just feel really confused now!

flower_lover

I have not had an experience like that, but I want to say good for you for following your instincts and not giving in to high pressure sales tactics and waiting to get your sister's opinion. I bet if you go back and they like it they will magically give you the $1000 price. And if not, there are other places you could buy it from (visit The Dress board) where you could get it for that price or even less.

I know that vendors do not like to give the style number or let you take pictures because there are lots of ways to get the same dress online for less (hint to you). I don't buy the private label at all.

I have never liked the Wedding Shoppe. I am not surprised you had a less-than-optimal experience there.

petesmpls

Hm, that does seem strange. I bought my dress there and had a wonderful experience, but that sucks she pressured you like that.

My dress is also an Allure and it's part of their Romance collection (they also have an Allure Couture collection too, both are on their website). I've never heard of a private label...maybe she was referencing the Romance or Couture?

louisianaphotography

Everyone works on commission so she just didnt want to lose a sale. By saying that, she thought you would buy it from her.

Cackle6

Yeah, the private label thing is total BS. It's the same reason they won't let you take pictures in the store - they don't want you to go elsewhere to buy it. That's why I HATE the salons where the consultants work on commission. They can be such a PITA.

Have you looked on Allure's website to see if you can find it online? I can almost guarantee that they photograph and put all their styles on their website. Even if it's a trunk show, they post the upcoming seasons dresses a month or so before they actually hit stores.

SSaltzman87

Wedding Shoppe is very hit or miss as far as service. I agree with PPs that your consultant probably said that stuff to try and get the sale from you to get the commission.

danimarie88

That's so odd! I had fantastic bridal service at the Wedding Shoppe! I was also allowed to take pictures of every dress I tried on. Lois, the owner was incredibly friendly and helpful as well. I'm sorry your experience stunk

MKTK

Thank you all for your feedback and support! I'd heard good things too, so it was a surprisely rough experience.

I also called Rush's bridal and few other shops to attempt to get to the bottom of the "private collection" thing. Rush's told me they'd never heard of a "private collection." They actually asked if I went to the Wedding Shoppe when I mentioned I'd had a bad experience. The person at Rush's said she'd gotten a call from another bride who had been at the Wedding Shoppe the day before but went to Rush's first. She had apparently cried herself to sleep after making a pressured decision about a dress at the Wedding Shoppe. She was trying to get out of her order. So sad! Maybe it is just one pushy salesperson at the Shoppe...

In the end, I've figure out that the dress I tried on at the Wedding Shoppe and loved is actually part of Allure's new Spring 2013 line. It isn't on their website yet, but I found a picture of it at www.marthastewartweddings.com. Maybe the Wedding Shoppe has a deal to get them early from Allure or something. Hope another store gets it in stock soon so I don't have to go back to the Wedding Shoppe!

I think I'll still be buying my bridesmaid dresses from the Wedding Shoppe (their Kennedy Blue line)...but I am starting to rethink that too! Trying not to let one bad experience with one salesperson color my opinion of the whole lot...

Thanks again for your support, knotties!

goatlady12

Look for other places that carry Allure.  There are a lot of wedding shops that give you a discount if you buy a dress on your first visit there.  If it's not too far check out Bella Bridal, they carry allure there and have a "bells and whistles" package if you buy on the first visit.  I think it's something like $200 dollars off.  http://www.bellabridalboutique.com/home.aspx

beckyh77

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience at the Wedding Shoppe. My consultant was Jodie and I had a really great time. I didn't feel pressured at all. I didn't buy on the first trip but did go back two days later to make my order.

ljchaplin

I also got my dress at the Wedding Shoppe and had a great experience. While I was also told I would get a discount if I purchased that day, I wasn't ready until I showed my mom. My consultant was completely understanding, and when I came in the next day and ordered the dress my consultant was there, and I did not get the discount. They were very flexible with some other things, and I was very happy with my purchase...and my dress came in this week, only 2 months of waiting!!

I did however have an odd experience shopping for Bridesmaid's dresses there. Some of my girls are getting their dresses through WS and others are going through Davids, or even department stores. It really seemed like my consultant couldn't wrap her head around the girls not buying the same dress and that I was giving them a lot of choice in the matter. She kept trying to get them into certain dresses or colors that they or I didn't want. It was odd, but I really think that she had our best interest in mind and was maybe just confused by the concept. Either way I think most of the WS issues have to do with your consultant, which can be hit or miss at any bridal shop.

ljchaplin

I also got my dress at the Wedding Shoppe and had a great experience. While I was also told I would get a discount if I purchased that day, I wasn't ready until I showed my mom. My consultant was completely understanding, and when I came in the next day and ordered the dress my consultant was there, and I did not get the discount. They were very flexible with some other things, and I was very happy with my purchase...and my dress came in this week, only 2 months of waiting!!

I did however have an odd experience shopping for Bridesmaid's dresses there. Some of my girls are getting their dresses through WS and others are going through Davids, or even department stores. It really seemed like my consultant couldn't wrap her head around the girls not buying the same dress and that I was giving them a lot of choice in the matter. She kept trying to get them into certain dresses or colors that they or I didn't want. It was odd, but I really think that she had our best interest in mind and was maybe just confused by the concept. Either way I think most of the WS issues have to do with your consultant, which can be hit or miss at any bridal shop.

MKTK

Just wanted to post a little follow-up on this experience. The consultant I worked with apparently saw my post on this board. She's e-mailed me with really nice note. Seriously, how's that for above-and-beyond?  She must work with tons of brides each day and the fact that she contacted me because she felt bad that I'd been dissatified and confused over my experience there is pretty impressive.

She's honoring the price of the dress I liked if I come back in. She confirmed that the private labels legit, and I believe it now. I think a lot of this was a misunderstanding, so I wanted to make sure I reflect the whole experience here.

monachica

I went to the Wedding Chapel in Crystal, just because it was close to my house. I brought along only my best friend to help me choose. The dress I found in a magazine was not in the store, but my consultant Jan helped me find a similar dress. I picked out about 30 dresses, tried on about 10 of them and found a dress I loved! I didn't even ask about a label or brand, I just loved the dress and the price was right, that is the only thing that mattered to me. I didn't even think about the brand/style until days later. I emailed the store to ask for the model number and they send me the manufacturers link to the dress on-line. I would not have picked that dress looking at it on-line or in a catalog. I am excited about wearing my beautiful dress!