Negotiate dress cost or pay sticker?

CLTKate

Did you negotiate a better price on your wedding dress?  I've learned that everything is negotiable, but what is reasonable when it comes to wedding dresses? 

FutureMrsFraser

I did. Once I found "the one" I called around and price shopped. I found the cheapest price for my gown as well as the BM dresses at Pearl's Place. I went back to the store, told them I had found it cheaper at Pearl's and asked if they could price match, and they said sure, no problem. )

Pinky09

Nop, I didn't. It was worth every dime!

ashstwrt

I didn't.  I found it in a boutique, called Pearl's Place and they were way cheaper, so I ordered it from Pearl's.  I didn't even think about asking the original boutique if they could price-match.  Worked out great, though!

GirlieGirl27320

Sticker price

ks3pink

I got mine half off becuase my fiance's grandmother was working at the dress shop at the time. 

dawsonm

I got a sample dress so I took the line price on the sticker but it was deeply discounted and totally worth it for a designer gown. Sample was in great condition  

meredithl618

Yes!! Its actually quite amazing how much fluctuation a lot of dress stores have. If you shop over a couple of months you will find that they probably have a sale sometime in that period too. So, here's what happened to me, and I think it could easily be replicated.

So, on my first trip to try on dresses, I went to Traditions by Ana in Raleigh. The second dress I tried on was "the one" but I kept shopping around for at least a month after that to be sure.  After I finally decided that that was it, I called Traditions to see their price. They were having a little sale, but the price was still more than some locations in Greensboro and Charlotte, so I said, I'll think about it. 

I called and got quotes on the dress from every store that carried it in NC and found a few that were lower than the others.  Then, I called Pearl's Place in LA and found out that they were selling it for xxxx, (I cant remember exactly). So, I called all of those places back to see if they would price match and most said they could take some off the price, but not all the way.  Then, finally one said they would beat it because they were having a special sale that weekend anyways.  I ended up getting 20% off and no tax from Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery in Charlotte, which was less than Pearl's Place!! Yes, I got lucky but it was def. worth it to call around and ask different stores what's the lowest price they can go for a specific style #.  In this economy, you might be surprised with what stores are willing to do to make a sale.   Good luck! 

andrea01012009

this isn't the indian flea market...

wlfpkbride

When I bought my dress only 1 store in Raleigh had it. I checked Pearl's Place & Jay's. Jay's had the best deal. I didn't even consider asking the local store if they would price match because the service was horrible there! I ordered it from Jay's (based in Gainesville) and I was completely happy. :-)

alliegator8

Same here. Pearl's Place just had the best deal by far.  They were so nice and helpful on the phone that I just decided to go with them.  My dress came in a month earlier and they rushed it up to me

elizabethb3511

i bought mine at a designer trunk show so they offered a discount if we purchased it the same day.  i agree that every price is debatable but I wouldn't go so far as to nickel and dime it to death.  If you truly love the dress you won't care the price. :-)

CJ4578

We didn't negotiate the price but we did talk them into a free veil. Silly me though, I won't be using it because I found a birdcage on Etsy for $30 that I loved.

BridgeFright

Aren't you going to a trunk show this weekend or some time soon? If so, there will probably be a discount on the dress for the trunk show.  However, I would not be asking for a discount over what that price would be.  That would be awfully tacky, IMO.

pirategal03

If I found the same dress somewhere else at a lower price I wouldn't have a problem telling the store "I've really appreciated your help/service/whatever and would love to order the dress from you, however; I've found it at XYZ store for this price, would you be willing to match that?"  But I wouldn't just say "OK, how about a discount?"

But...if you're that ballsey, it works sometimes.  The worst they can do is just tell you no.  And if you really have found it elsewhere for a lower price and they say no, you can just order it from the other place.

Anyone remember that Say Yes to the Dress episode where the bride asked for a discount and got like 30% off or something like that? (I'm sure I'm off on the %)

BridgeFright

I remember that episode.  They were also buying a sample that had torn lace.  In that instance, I would definitely ask for a discount.

pirategal03

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_negotiate-dress-cost-pay-sticker?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:a914ddc4-d7ff-4313-84a1-41d50c417759Post:57a23f7a-40ae-4e45-baf5-224def5f85c0">Re: Negotiate dress cost or pay sticker?</a>:
[QUOTE]I remember that episode.  They were also buying a sample that had torn lace.  In that instance, I would definitely ask for a discount.
Posted by BridgeFright[/QUOTE]


I'd missed that detail.  I'm not an avid watcher.  That totally changes the circumstances. 

SassyPants150

I'm in business to business sales....I hate doing that to people because I hate when people do it to me.  It takes a special circumstance (ie. buying a new car) to be hardnosed and have people money match.  Its just me though...4 years of tough business to business sales is destructive to a human being

CLTKate

I went to the Maggie Sottero trunk show a little north of Atlanta yesterday.  I was a little disappointed that there were only about 12 Maggies...I thought there would be a lot more. There were 2-3 in the form-fitting style I prefer.  I tried on 5 dresses total and was in and out in about 20 minutes. 

The drive was totally worth it, because I got to spend time with my best friend and I was able to try on one dress style that I have looked for everywhere but never been able to find.  It was almost exactly what I always envisioned I would wear.  And it fit perfectly!! ...And it was a fourth of the  price of the one that may be "the one." 

When I came home, I showed my fiance pics of it verses the other one we both loved and he voted hands down for the dress I tried on in Baltimore....now if only Pearl's Place carried the line, I would definitely call them for a quote considering all of your recommendations! 

Like many of you, I used to hesitate to ask for a discount or to negotiate terms. I mean, I paid sticker for all  of my cars in the past!  But as a business owner, I have people negotiate packages ALL the time.  I'm not offended when someone asks for a discount. I may not be able to accommodate exactly what they have in mind, but I will add something in for a better value or change things in the package to bring the price down to meet their budget.  

I would never suggest being pushy about it, but if you ask for a discount, you might be surprised at how much you save.  I'm negotiating with our wedding venue now.  I'm sure I will save over $500 by just making suggestions and asking for changes in the price quote.   Many places want your business and have some flexibility in pricing.

If I did go with the dress I found in GA, I would probably ask if they could include free shipping if I purchased from them with the 10% discount. I don't think it hurts to ask. 

I saw a SYTTD episode recently where the bride said- I love this dress, but it's over my budget...can you come down on price? The salesperson went to the manager and came back with a 12% discount, which is pretty significant on a big purchase!

I'm glad to hear that negotiating worked for some of you! I'm definitely going to give it a shot if I end up buying the dress I think i'm going to get.

CLTKate

Oh and Ash- I love your siggy pic!!  Your dress is similar to the style I like...and your husband's suit- love the colors!! 

CLTKate

Meredith- I may call around to find the best price...it sounds like that worked out great for you!  20% off- wow!  I'm planning to ask for 10% off or alterations thrown in if I pay sticker....I will definitely let you all know how it goes when I'm ready to make the big decision

CLTKate

Andrea- I love you -  you keep us all entertained. Mwah!

prisg214

In my personal opinion it's not right to waste someones time after they work with you for sometimes hours then walk out the store and buy it somewhere else. That's how small business owners go out of business. I understand a tight budget, but I also understand a wrong thing to do as well. It's fine if you just see it online and call around for pricing... but actually going into a store, wasting a consultants time (and money) and then walking out with no intentions of buying from them is plain wrong! Most consultants make minimum wage.. including me! Please don't do that. You pay for the experience as well as the dress.