Attire & Accessories Forum

David's Bride Problems-long sorry

Hello all,
     First post on the knot.  Everything thing has been great planning the wedding.  hiccup here and there with family and friends but nothing that cant be worked out.  I had decided on davids bridal to get my dress because of their extensive plus size selection and I had found THE dress on their web site.  Im sorry to say i was mistaken in going their and write this as a cautionary tale to all others.
     I went to be fitted for my dress and was informed by my attendant that she had 2 other appointments which was fine with me I only wanted one dress and needed a corset to go with it.  She didnt want to  measure me for it until I insisted.  I told her I was very nervous, being a plus size woman and having a big bust insures that i dont wear any strapless dresses, my dress being strapless I wanted to make sure everything looked right or I couldnt get it.  She said it would be fine (never got to try on a dress OR corset since they didnt have my size in)
     The next visit was trying the corset on which didnt fit.  It was 2 sizes too big.  So it was reordered and I had to go back for another visit.  This time an employee knocked into my fiancée as we were waiting in line and didn't even apologized.  I admit i was crass and used profanity in my response to her with lead to the woman going behind the counter and pointing at me while talking to other employees.  Guess who helped me into my corset? Yep you know it was her.  When my corset was on my boobs were folding out.  I told her this was not going to work and received "well hopefully itll fit with the dress."  WHAT!!! I dont think so.  "Hopefully doesnt cut it" I said. Her reply: "maybe you should go without a bra."  I just laughed at her because that was all the help I was going to get from her, took my corset and left.
I wrote a letter to Davids Bridal and received a call from the store manager with apologies.  It made everything better and I felt good about going to them for my dress.  My dad had me call last Thursday because when we went to get measured they said the dress would be ready by march.  Plus I am moving 2.5 hours away and thought it would be a good time to see how it fits if it was in.  When I called (customer service for the Toledo area store) the woman told me my dress had just been delivered.  I was for once excited about getting to try on the dress. I asked if I needed to set up an appointment and she said no.
     My parents and I spent the morning together and went to Davids Bridal.  I asked to try on my dress and was told it wasnt in.  I explained I had been told it was in and was told that they must of read caitlins name and thought it was me.  Not only is Caitlin very different from Valerie (which was the name I gave the girl the day before) but we went to stores 1.5 hours away.  We left very upset.  My dad called the corporate offices and the area manager and left messages.
     My dad received a call back on Monday from the area manager.  According to her if we wanted one-on-one personal service we should of gone to a "bridal boutique."  David's Bridal is like Target, they just sell dresses and nothing else, thats why their prices are so low.  My dad asked if my dress was still coming in and was told "yes its being made in China."  he also asked if she had seen the reviews for their store online (which varied but mostly negative) and she said yes.  When asked if she thought they were as terrible as my dad thought, she had no reply. 
     I never wanted butt kissing, I just wanted a positive dress experience and went to David's Bridal because of their plus size selection.  How foolish I was.  I dont even have my dress but they got my money (thanks to not being able to get the dress in my size unless i ordered it).  A word of warning ladies, per a David's Bridal manager, do not expect personal service when you go.  I only expected customer service that I would give someone, but am treated poorly and left wondering if my dress is going to fit or if I'm going to have to get a different one.  Thanks for listening.

Re: David's Bride Problems-long sorry

  • edited April 2013
    Here is my advice, dear.  And I am saying this as a woman who is also plus sized, and who is very particular about her dress given I formally studied fashion design in college.

    Whatever you get from DB, take it to a local seamstress near you, or take it to the lady who is making my dress (she is based somewhere in Michigan) - www.mybigfatbeautifulwedding.com.  Not back to DB.  Have the seamstress/Janet at MBFBW provide the customer service, expertise, and personal attention you deserve and want.  She may charge more but she will be so worth it.  Your dress will look better (because, let's face it, you will need alterations) and you will LOOK better because you will FEEL better.

    And, you will have a friend to turn to for future alterations.  And no, I am not a seamstress.

    Good luck! P.S. if you do contact Janet, please tell her Ella sent you :) She's wonderful and I have every confidence if you go see her you will have a happy experience and she will NOT rip you off.
  • It really must be hit or miss with DB in regards to customer service. I had a wonderful experience at the DB that I went to and everyone was helpful.
  • Another bride who had a great experience at DB. It's a franchise, from what I understand, so it varies greatly from store to store.
    photo a826c490-726a-4824-af5c-d938878de228_zpseb85bb5a.jpg
  • Sorry you had a bad experience. I, too, had a wonderful DB experience and even ended up getting my inviations from them as well. Also a great experience with that part. 
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
    image
  • It definitely depends on the store. I got my dress at a David's Bridal Collections, which has a smaller, more boutique feel to it than most of their stores. If you aren't comfortable at that store, find someone else to do your alterations who will make you comfortable.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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