I will get married March 31. I ordered my Allure Couture wedding gown from a bridal store on November 5, 2011. I was measured and the order was placed. I am plus-sized and was told the gown would be made over seas and then be shipped to the store. I was told the gown would be here in time for three fittings.
At the end of the month, I realized I wasn't told when the dress would arrive. I thought that odd so I called the storea and inquired. I was told the dress would be shipped March 2, and arrive to the bridal store for my first fitting by March 4 or 6th. I was very upset and nervous and explained that to the owner of the store. She assured me everything would be okay and she scheduled my first fitting for March 5. She told me to calm down and let them do any stressing. I said I was anxious about having the dress come in so close to the wedding but she said there was plenty of time and their alterations lady was fabulous and would work overtime if she had to. She assured me so much, that I believed her and trusted her. I figured, this is their business, they've done this hundreds of times before. I spent the next few months planning the entire wedding and not worrying about the dress. On Monday, I sent the following email:
Good Morning,
I would like to check the status of my wedding gown order. I called to check the status in November and I was told that the dress should arrive this week sometime. Would it be possible to have my first alterations appointment this weekend? My wedding is in 30 days and I am getting anxious. Thank you.
I received the following response:
I checked with Allure this morning and your dress is due to ship to them
either on the 3rd or 5th. I will call them again to follow up and as soon
as I know it has arrived at Allure, I will ask that they send it on an
overnight. Don't worry...I'll personally take care of that for you!
I responded:
It won't ship TO Allure until the 3rd to 5th? Is it overseas?
That means it will get to Allure in what state on what date?
Even if it's overnighted to you then, I need to know what date we are
talking about physically having the dress in Fairfax for alterations.
This is really scaring me.
The owner responded
Allure is in New York. They can only give an approximate date as to when
the shipment of dresses will arrive at their site which is why I will be
calling them daily for updates. Right now, as things stand and with what we
are being told, your dress should arrive the week of March 5th to our store.
I will give you updates as I receive them.
I didn't reply to that email because I was fuming and upset and felt like she didn't care. On Wednesday, March 7, I got a voicemail from the owner stating she needed me to phone her. I did and she stated that she phoned Allure and was told my dress would not ship to them (Allure NY) until MARCH 19th! I'm in Virginia.
I was freaking out. I just kept saying "What?" over and over again. I was in disbelief. And she told me not to worry and to calm down that they had an idea. I listened. She said they were having Allure expedite shipping of a dress from NY to them (here in VA) that would arrive my today, Friday. The only problem...it is one size too small. But she assured me Val, the alterations guru would be able to do wonders with the seams. I asked her how much the alterations would cost and she said between $400 and $600 dollars. I started crying and told her I would call her back. I called my sister, my maid of honor and explained the situation. My sister works in business and couldn't believe they planned to charge me for alterations to a dress that I didn't order. She phoned the store and explained that her store was responsible and needed to do something to remedy this. The ownder complained that they were already "eating the cost of having this other dress shipped to them." My sister explained how businesses worked and how her store took a risk with this company. The owner said it's not her fault that the factories in China close for the month of February for Chinese New Year or something. My sister said she wanted, in writing, what they were going to do to fix this. This is the email that was sent:
Per our phone discussion earlier today, in order to meet Jessica’s wedding date, we are getting in a size 26 gown from Allure and will charge Jessica for hem and bustle alterations only. Jessica’s gown is being held up in transit by Allure.
Best Regards,
XXXXXX
I am not sure what I should do. I'm terrified of calling them today and being told the new, smaller size dress is in. I feel like I'm being seriously taken advantage of and they know I'm not in the position to go elsewhere for a wedding dress. My wedding is in 20 days! I don't believe there's time to go elsewhere, buy a dress, and have it altered. I am plus-size so I don't believe I can buy off the rack.
Should this store be doing more to help me?
As of now, I do not have a dress. I paid for half of the dress (total is $1334.00) in November as well as purchased my headpiece ($221) and veil ($329) from this store. They are a reputable store and have been in business for about a year. I don't know what to do.
Please give me advice.
Thank you,
Jessica