I'm beginning to understand why people turn into bridezillas.
I was recommended to a woman who does alterations out of her home from the bridal store I purchased my dress from. I visited her website, sent her an email explaining that my wedding is in June, and I need at least the bodice brought in and probably a hem, and a bustle. I asked for a general price range and she said via email it was too difficult to tell unless she saw the dress on. So we made an appointment for me to come out and try it on so she could see.
So I put my dress on, she pins a foot of the bottom to show me a hem length, does a 5 point pinned bustle, and pins in the bodice in 2 places. I told her what I liked, didn't like and while she was pinning she was telling my mom all about her downstairs workspace and how she has a new electronic sewing machine that's made things so much easier and etc, etc. Seemed nice, no issues.
so I ask her what we're looking at cost wise, and she told me to change and she'd bring in a written estimate, we asked if she wanted us to remove the pins and she said no just go ahead and change.
I changed, she comes back in and hands me a written quote for $400!! (that doesn't include steaming/pressing.. that's $75 extra) I immediately felt my stomach drop as I had budgeted $200 and was told by many others that was acceptable given that my dress is very simple -- no lace/no beading. I nicely explained to her that I am paying for my wedding myself and I have x amount of money left between alterations and the florist and I do have a second alteration appointment lined up for a second estimate and I would have to think about it as it was a bit out of my budget.
She walks over to my dress bag and slams the zipper down and starts pulling the pins out of my dress saying "Well if I had known you all you ever wanted was an estimate I wouldn't have wasted my time pinning this and this has taken up an hour of my time which you will have to pay for. I have done 4 fittings today and I'm very busy, I can't set aside this kind of time for just estimates" I mean going crazyyyy about it. I just sat there quietly and luckily my mom was being calm enough to say something polite about how we would be in touch and the lady is like "I charge $25 for this kind of thing and I prefer cash." I was so angry with her attitude that I just paid her and started to pick up my things. As I was swinging the huge bag including my dress onto my back she says something along the lines of "you can manage getting that outside right." and we just saw ourselves outside.
I was completely disgusted and outraged. I understand people have businesses and they need to make money, however I have had increasing encounters with bridal-related vendors who act as though just simply talking to you is worth $100. I realize it's a busy time of year, and perhaps she had a long day but I really felt like she was a parent lecturing me. Completley uncalled for. And on my way out she said something about how if I do decide to book with her the $25 would not go towards my alterations.
I feel better after slamming the keys a bit
