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Attire & Accessories Forum
Dress Meltdown
So, this sunday I drove two hours to visit a bridal store and try on dresses, They didn't have the dress style I really wanted, but they did have one that fit me well for a good price. They kept knocking down the price and making sure to "accidently" converse outside my dressing room and mention how great of a deal it was and how I should buy it... and I caved. It wasn't too exspensive of a dress, but it's not how I want to look at my wedding (and I don't have extra cash to spare).
When I bought it I asked what they do if someone is unhappy with her dress and they said they "work it out." The very next day (less than 24 hrs!) I called and said I was unhappy, I really wanted the style of dress I was actually looking for... And they were less then helpful. First they tried to get me to find a seamtress to use the material to make a new dress (wtf?), when I asked to just return it they offered an exchange, and since I understand that they need to make money I tried to work with that.
When I emailed them what dresses I would like they said they didn't have them in stock and ignored my emails asking them to order them. Next, I tried to offer to exchange it for bridesmaid dresses... they had to "call me back" and won't!
Along with the bad service, I'm starting to doubt the legitimacy of my dress. They are authorized vendors for this manufacturer, but for some reason the dress doesn't look the same as the pictures on their website (and not just fit wise, the details are different). As I was walking out (after I bought of course) I overheard a manager saying this store might soon sell knockoff shoes from New York...
What can I do? I feel so upset and unhappy about my own wedding. The dress and cake are the two things I really care about, and now one of them is ruined.
When I bought it I asked what they do if someone is unhappy with her dress and they said they "work it out." The very next day (less than 24 hrs!) I called and said I was unhappy, I really wanted the style of dress I was actually looking for... And they were less then helpful. First they tried to get me to find a seamtress to use the material to make a new dress (wtf?), when I asked to just return it they offered an exchange, and since I understand that they need to make money I tried to work with that.
When I emailed them what dresses I would like they said they didn't have them in stock and ignored my emails asking them to order them. Next, I tried to offer to exchange it for bridesmaid dresses... they had to "call me back" and won't!
Along with the bad service, I'm starting to doubt the legitimacy of my dress. They are authorized vendors for this manufacturer, but for some reason the dress doesn't look the same as the pictures on their website (and not just fit wise, the details are different). As I was walking out (after I bought of course) I overheard a manager saying this store might soon sell knockoff shoes from New York...
What can I do? I feel so upset and unhappy about my own wedding. The dress and cake are the two things I really care about, and now one of them is ruined.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Dress Meltdown
If you purchased your dress with a credit card, do they have any policies where they can help you seek a return/refund?
My Bio
Did they provide you with a return policy when you purchased? And if so, is it in writing on your receipt?
If they refuse to deal with you, review them badly in public forums, so that other brides can avoid the same problem. You may be able to sell the dress to a consignment boutique - it's not right for you, but it might be perfect for someone else! I bought my dress in a consignment boutique and am really happy with it.
Good luck - that's a really frustrating situation.
I feel better just being allowed to vent!
I tried calling again today, and the "GM is in meetings till the afternoon." It's already the afternoon, but ok, I'm trying to be nice here!
I'm usually the person who never buys anything under pressure, wedding dress shopping is just so awkward and mildly sketchy (with the whole, "we can't tell you much info till you buy it," the fact that it's impossible to tell what's a decent price, etc) that it just kinda threw me. I will definitely ask again for a refund if they won't exchange it for what I want, and if that doesn't work, then I will contact the BBB. I have filed a claim with my card company, since those take months to work out and I can always inform them if this gets resolved soon.
As far as paper work.. that was the sketchiest thing. I expected a full, itemized receipt, but I only got the slip from the card reader??? (of course, this red flag was too late!) Also, since I bought a sample (good excuse for them to not have any tags on the dress) and not an ordered dress, I was told that I did not have much paper work to sign and their forms did not apply to me. I only filled out my address info. They claim that I should have gotten a copy of this, so I will double check the bag even though I definitely didn't see them make copies.
What pisses me off most is that I straight up asked about their return policy! "We work with the brides if there's an issue." seemed fair enough!
What should I look out for in the seems? The dress is Allure.
Take a couple pictures of the seams... see what the stitching looks like. You said there were different details on the dress you bought - take pictures of them too.
The ladies here are brilliant at knowing their dresses, with a few strategic pictures I'm sure they can help you out.
Sometimes its as simple as the quality of the material or the embroidery. Are there hanging threads everywhere? Pearls falling off? I know its a sample, but really all that should mean is perhaps a little dirt and loosening of the dress (with wear - a brand new dress feels a little more rigid if its a corset type). The quality itself should still be the same as the 'real' dress.
- The belt is different than any other picture I've been able to find of it online. Online the belt is plain with beads on the ends. This one is plain on the ends with beads in the middle... the type of "mistake" I would think knock offs would have.
- It fit's slightly differently than real bride photo's i've found online (it's got some distinctive boning in the cups that doesn't appear to be there in other people's photos)
- I haven't noticed weird seams but I'll look closer when I get home. If I remember correctly there isn't much of a lining. I think it's just a one sided piece of satin (or whatever it's made of)
My fear is that to save money they may have had knock off samples then order the real one from the manufacturer. Thinking about it now, there was a distinct difference in quality between some of the sale samples and the sample-samples. I don't even know where they pulled this dress from, I didn't see it on the floor at all and it was not properly marked.
All these things didn't seem THAT sketchy at the time, quite a few knotties have happily bought from this store, and to be honest, if not for the blantant lying now (and the different pictures) I would have ignored most of this for simplying being subpar customer service (which, let's be honest, quite a few bridal stores are known for - I've gone to a couple other stores and it feels like buying a used car!).
The fact that they are unwilling to order a dress for me to exchange only makes me more suspicious.