New York-Hudson Valley

Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011

The Town Shop, Poughkeepsie, NY --  A+ (dress), A+ (alterations), C... and that's generous! (service)

I don’t even think I have the energy to get into this, but I’ll give it a shot.

My dress, my mom’s dress, and the bridesmaids and female groomsperson dresses were all purchased from the Town Shop. At first, they were great. The day I bought my dress I was in the store 4 hours! Yes, 4 hours, and that wasn’t my first visit to the store. The entire time, Kathy (I believe she is one of the owners), was so patient with me. I kept apologizing for how long I was there, and she kept assuring me that it was ok. This was huge because some of the other stores I went to were very strict about the hour time slot they give to each bride. A couple months later when my dress came in they were still very nice, but soon after that they changed. Coincidentally, this was when everything was paid for. It seemed like they were nice until they got all their money.

Two of my bridesmaids received their dresses in the wrong size. The owner of the store, Gary, blamed this on my girls because they had their measurements done elsewhere and then called them in. Not once did he take accountability for what happened. One of the girls got the dress a couple of sizes too big and the Town Shop altered it free of charge for her. The other girl is a size a 10 and they ordered a size 4 for her. They said this was completely her fault, but based on her measurements and the Alfred Angelo size chart, they should have caught this!  With 8 weeks until the wedding a new dress had to be ordered and there wasn’t enough material in the dress to let it out. This became a big issue because it was for my BM who lives in Hawaii and it takes forever to ship stuff there. We were worried that the dress wouldn’t be in on time, and the Town Shop just kept telling me to hope for the best. Whenever my BM called the store the discuss the issue they gave her an attitude, she gave it right back and after a couple of weeks the Town Shop called me to tell me what was going on and to tell my friend to stop calling them. It was all a lot of unnecessary BS!

I also had some issues with my dress, however, it was really no one’s fault. My dress was a mermaid and it seemed to distort my body, especially around the stomach. I don’t have the best shape in the world, but I am small and one thing I do not have is a tummy, yet my dress made it look like I did. My mom, sister, and two close friends all agreed to this but no one in the store would admit it. I left each fitting in tears because I hated how my dress fit. Each time they said it would be better but nothing changed. I really do not think this could be blamed on alterations, as those women are AMAZING and tried something different everytime. I think it was just the style of the dress. When I left my 3rd (supposed to be my final) fitting hysterical they said they could try one more thing. They decided to extend the boning in the dress and they suggested I get a SPANX (I already had something similar to a SPANX from Victoria’s Secret, but it never helped). After searching all over Poughkeepsie for SPANX in my size and coming up with nothing, I found that Target has a brand made by SPANX that worked out perfectly. Finally, at my 4th fitting, with the extended boning and “SPANX” my dress fit perfect. Oh, what I failed to mention was that at my 3rd fitting, which was just over week before the wedding, Gary, one of the owners said to me, “that’s it, your wedding is next week and you clearly don’t like your dress, what are you going to do about it? Let’s just get you another dress” What was I going to do about it??? I told him that I loved my dress but I didn’t like the way it fit. I was saying that all along. He then said that nothing could be done (thankfully this is when alterations intervened and came up with the solution), and I should pick out another dress and he would throw mine out (think he was being a little dramatic?!). I wasn’t sure how I felt, but I toyed with the idea anyway. I pointed to a gorgeous dress that I probably would have bought if it was there in October when I got mine. He said it was out of my budget, so I asked him what he would do for to make it within my budget. He wasn’t willing to do anything, which made me realize, he really had no intention in fixing the issue in the first place.



Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011

  • sdomi639sdomi639 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Your dress is gorgeous...what is it? Style number
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Thank you!!!
    Demetrios Ilissa 900 - I'll warn you, the picture on the Demetrios website is terrible. Doesn't do the dress justice at all. I've been trying to post an upclose picture of it, but it's not working.
  • wdubin122wdubin122 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think I bought the same dress!  I go for my second fitting in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully I don't have the same problem!
  • probablykateprobablykate member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I don't know how to say this gently but it sounds to me like they were pretty accomodating.  The issue with the bridesmaids dresses - did the bridesmaids give the wrong measurement numbers, or did the store not match the measurements to the correct size?  If the measurement numbers were wrong, that really isn't the store's fault.  And it sounds like they were extremely accomodating throughout your dress purchase and alteration process.  You can't expect a business to give you a big discount on a new dress just because you weren't sure if you still liked yours.

    Anyway, glad it all turned out well in the end.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • wdubin122wdubin122 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Do you think there was a problem with the dress or the way they altered it?  I'm freaking out now thinking I'm going to have the same problem.
  • edited December 2011
    I agree with the OP in that the service I received when I tried on and bought the dress was amazing and the cutomer service has gone down hill from that point on. 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    [QUOTE]I agree with the OP in that <strong>the service I received when I tried on and bought the dress was amazing and the cutomer service has gone down hill from that point on</strong>. Posted by spinwife[/QUOTE]

    Thank you. It definitely was that way and I'm not the only person who saw it.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_town-shop-review-july-30-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:a8c062e4-2662-46fb-8e5e-9eee379523f1Post:bb7201a8-3e58-4b62-87e2-b8d385dce498">Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011</a>:
    [QUOTE]I don't know how to say this gently but it sounds to me like they were pretty accomodating.  <strong>The issue with the bridesmaids dresses - did the bridesmaids give the wrong measurement numbers, or did the store not match the measurements to the correct size?</strong>  If the measurement numbers were wrong, that really isn't the store's fault.  And it sounds like they were extremely accomodating throughout your dress purchase and alteration process.  <strong>You can't expect a business to give you a big discount on a new dress just because you weren't sure if you still liked yours.</strong> Anyway, glad it all turned out well in the end. Posted by probablykate[/QUOTE]

    Actually, they weren't very accomodating. Up until my first fitting everything with me and my dress was fine, but then they became very rude up until my fourth fitting when everything ended up worked out. I'm sorry, but I'm a size 0 with a flat stomach, I should not have had to worry about a stomach on the day of my wedding because something was going on with my dress. I had three people tell me I could pass for being pregnant (early on, but still, pregnant), and one of them worked at the store. Again, the issue may not have been anyone's fault. It could have been a flaw with my dress, but was very disheartening to have to deal with for two months. While Gary did offer me another dress, had you heard his attitude, you would have realized he was just saying anything to get the issue resolved and get me out of the store. They don't like to deal with anything that doesn't go smoothly. Besides, I NEVER asked for another dress. I loved my dress and just wanted them to fix mine. He's the one that told me (with an attitude), "Let's just throw your dress in the garbage and start fresh"... less than 2 weeks before my wedding.

    As far as the bridesmaid dresses go.... The girls had their measurements done elsewhere and called them into the Town Shop. In both cases, THEY ordered the wrong size. I had the girls measurements and after learning there was an issue I checked the sizes and found that the wrong ones were indeed ordered.

    Some other things I failed to mention: When looking for bridesmaid dresses, my best friend came with her 4 month old in a stroller and upon walking into the store, Gary took the top of the stroller and wheeled the baby into a fitting room and said, "Ok, girls, let's go look". Really? You're going to move someone's child like that and leave them alone in a store? That's terrible, and he's lucky I already knew what dress I wanted them to have otherwise we would have left right here.

    Also, at my 3rd fitting, while crying over the issue with my dress, an associate (not the one I was working with) told me I needed to hurry up because there are new brides coming in and they need to get them into fitting rooms. I know I sound a little Bridezilla with this, but the whole dress process really made me feel that way. I understand they are focused on making new sales, but I bought my dress there and wasn't happy, they needed to accomodate me (or any girl who was in my shoes).

    Ugh. Just thinking about that whole situation makes me tense. It was really such a mess!
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_town-shop-review-july-30-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:a8c062e4-2662-46fb-8e5e-9eee379523f1Post:c890fdf2-a112-43b8-a1d1-59d94ae1841d">Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think I bought the same dress!  I go for my second fitting in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully I don't have the same problem!
    Posted by wdubin122[/QUOTE]

    That's funny! It's a gorgeous dress and I hope you love it as much as I did... once everything was fixed!
    No need to worry, if you had the issue you would know. It was apparent as soon as the dress came in. I'm a size 0, but 2 in a wedding or bridesmaid dress and they ordered me a 4. Even in the 4, with the dress hanging off of me, I looked like I had a stomach. So this issue was discovered in February, but didn't become stressful until the end of June at my 1st fitting. In February when the dress came in and I went in to try it in they said it only looked like I had a stomach because the dress was so big on me. I only started to worry in July after it was taken down to my size and still there. It was such a pain in the tush!
  • probablykateprobablykate member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    OK so if they made a mistake when ordering the bridesmaids dresses I can certainly see why you would find that upsetting.

    But your dress... Honestly I don't know why I care.  I've never been to the Town Shop and never plan on going and know nothing about them.  But your review sounds really unfair to me.  I think after you let your emotions subside you will realize you were viewing things through hysteria-colored glasses.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_town-shop-review-july-30-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:a8c062e4-2662-46fb-8e5e-9eee379523f1Post:8b896046-dbbd-4dca-8f29-07ec3880ef28">Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011</a>:
    [QUOTE]OK <strong>so if they made a mistake when ordering the bridesmaids dresses I can certainly see why you would find that upsetting.</strong>

    The mistake was far from upsetting. We are human, we make mistakes. But when I said that to Gary he said, "I do not make mistakes".

    But your dress... Honestly I don't know why I care.  I've never been to the Town Shop and never plan on going and know nothing about them.  <strong>But your review sounds really unfair to me.</strong>  I think after you let your emotions subside you will realize you were viewing things through hysteria-colored glasses.
    Posted by probablykate[/QUOTE]

    You are entitled to your opinion. But in all honesty, you have no idea. When it is just over a week before your wedding and your dress doesn't fit properly, then you can tell me what's fair or not. The stress was so unnecessary.
  • wdubin122wdubin122 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I agree about Gary having a bad attitude.  He's unbelievable!  I don't know how he stays in business. 
  • alba x mongealba x monge member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I was there back in February, when I was looking for a dress.    I came into the store in comfortable clothes, not expensive and the older lady who attended to me said "by the way you dress it looks like you may not be able to afford much".   then went onto say "unless you are ready to spend at least $3500.00 I have nothing for you.  I told her my budget was less than $1000.00, she told me "oh maybe we can find you a nice BM dress and order it in white.   I ran out of that store.      BTW, I got myself an Alfred Angelo dress in the city for less than $1000.00.   Your post just made me realize how happy I am to have walked out of that place.   I agree with you.  They are RUDE!!!
    Mr. & Mrs. Rosa
  • edited December 2011
    I have been to the Town Shop many times and I totally agree, they are very inconsistent! I have been treated like a princess and totally ignored at the same time.  They also change their story a lot with things like alterations.  I did not buy my wedding dress there, but have bought prom and formal dresses there and will probably be getting a bridesmaid dress there.  I didn't buy my wedding dress there because the 2nd time I went in they were busy and failed to even greet me after walking around for 15 minutes. 
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_town-shop-review-july-30-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:a8c062e4-2662-46fb-8e5e-9eee379523f1Post:a7941897-2a7c-49bf-94c7-103328b30e7f">Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011</a>:
    [QUOTE]I was there back in February, when I was looking for a dress.    I came into the store in comfortable clothes, not expensive and the older lady who attended to me said <strong>"by the way you dress it looks like you may not be able to afford much".   then went onto say "unless you are ready to spend at least $3500.00 I have nothing for you.  I told her my budget was less than $1000.00, she told me "oh maybe we can find you a nice BM dress and order it in white</strong>.   I ran out of that store.      BTW, I got myself an Alfred Angelo dress in the city for less than $1000.00.   Your post just made me realize how happy I am to have walked out of that place.   I agree with you.  They are RUDE!!! Posted by alba x monge[/QUOTE]

    Oh my god, that is terrible. I am definitely not surprised though. Everytime you go in there it's hit or miss. Some people are really nice others are plain out rude. That's terrible that they made that snap judgement of you. I'm also surprised they said they don't have anything for you. I went in there looking to spend no more than 1,200 and they said they could definitely accomodate me. Of course, I didn't find anything I liked and ended up spending a couple hundred more than my budget, but still, they never said it would be an issue.
  • ssagessage member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I bought my dress there as well.  My mother did not like my saleslady at all.  She didn't bother me.  The first appt, she only let me go for 1 hour and a half and said 'sorry that is all we allow"...i did go back a second time on a friday night and had no issues with time and that is when i ordered my dress.

    I went in for the "check fit" and the girl put it on me and left me (it was one of the young girls).  It did appear a little short but i though if they let out another part, it would be ok and longer (this is what someone also said to me but i don't remember who). 

    When i went back for a real fitting, it turns out there was nothing they dcould do (I had flats) and basicaly were telling me that it looked ok.  That set my mother off.  Thanks to her and her complaining, Kathy called and told me that in fact they ordered me the wrong size (my mother told me that she felt like they measured me wrong when i ordered my dress) and assured me a dress would be in and it would fit and everything would be ok for my wedding.

    They in fact delivered on that promise. 

    I was lucky enough not to deal with Gary at all until I Picked up my dress when i got it cleaned.  He even carried it out to my car...i was shocked b/c i heard all the bad stoires (including one from a friend who said her sister told them she would taker her business elsewhere when she was buying her dress and heard him yell at one of the girls).
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    I went to the Town shop for my prom dresses, and loved them... granted this was over 5 years ago. I went this year to look for a wedding dress there, and it was pretty busy in the store. I felt extremely rushed, and any of the dresses I tried on, looked horrible. My consultant wasn't working with me at all. It was a completely a disaster. Needless to say, I left, and did not return. They did not get my business, and won't ever.

    Its a shame that you had such a bad experience after you paid for your dress. I am glad that it was resolved in the end, and clearly, you looked stunning in your dress on your wedding day. Shame on them for making you so stressed though, up until a few weeks before your wedding. It made me angry just reading about it!

    Work of mouth is the best way for advertisement, and being on the knot, and also people's word of mouth, I am surprised they wouldn't be nicer.....
    December 2011 siggy challenge- Furbabies Photobucket
  • edited December 2011

     I felt a cerain type a way also when a consulant there telling me to go to another store like in the palisades mall to find a knock off...or go to RKbridal I might find the dress I wanted cheaper....must say thank you very much anyway they did not have the style I was looking for. I was told their dresses was 900 and up than when i get there there its 1500 and up...maybe they need to make their commission.

  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_town-shop-review-july-30-2011?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:a8c062e4-2662-46fb-8e5e-9eee379523f1Post:926cfe12-e3f8-4bde-9cf1-805e49290a0e">Re: Town Shop Review - July 30, 2011</a>:
    [QUOTE] Its a shame that you had such a bad experience after you paid for your dress.<strong> I am glad that it was resolved in the end, and clearly, you looked stunning in your dress on your wedding day. Shame on them for making you so stressed though, up until a few weeks before your wedding. It made me angry just reading about it!</strong> Work of mouth is the best way for advertisement, and being on the knot, and also people's word of mouth, I am surprised they wouldn't be nicer.....  Posted by Bride2be110511[/QUOTE]

    Thank you so much!!  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />
    It was so stressful, but I am so glad everything worked out in the end.
  • mbrischouxmbrischoux member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My mom and I went to the Town Shop in September 2010 to look for dresses.  The consultant sat us down and I pulled out pictures of dresses I have printed out that I liked, and the woman had something nasty to say about every one of my choices.  She had me look through books and I pointed out about 5 I liked, and I never got to try on any of them.  I tried on about 7 dresses and found one I liked, but I had an appointment at another shop that day and wanted to see what they had there.  When she realized she wasn't going to sell a dress, she abandoned me in the dressing room with nobody to help me take off the corset dress (my mom came and helped me).  Another consultant came and told me I better get the one I liked because who knew if it would be there if I came back.  Hello - the one I tried on was a size 12, I'm a size 4...you'd have to order it either way, anyway!  It "not being there" was a nonissue.  But I digress...

    My consultant was MIA once she realized she wasn't selling me a dress.  The other woman asked where I was having my wedding, which is an upscale venue in the area.  ALL OF A SUDDEN they swarmed over to help me, I guess hearing that the wedding was going to be in a more expensive place, they thought they could swoon me into a really pricey gown.  My mom and I were both rediculously insulted by this, PLUS the fact that my taste in gowns wasn't even considered by the consultant working with us.

    I wound up getting a gown from a more local boutique, which also carried the gown I liked at The Town Shop...for $700 less than they were asking, including alterations.

    I know The Town Shop has been around for years and many people get their gowns there, but I was remarkably unimpressed - not with their gowns, but with their service.
  • edited December 2011
     I know The Town Shop has been around for years and many people get their gowns there, but I was remarkably unimpressed - not with their gowns, but with their service. Posted by mbrischoux[/QUOTE]

    Amen!  Wink
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