October 2013 Weddings

Bridal Salon Mini-Rant

I'm looking at you, Alfred Angelo. 

You carry a set amount of gowns.  Multiple styles.  Yes, I understand that the selection changes.

HOWEVER....

Shouldn't your seamstresses have SOME kind of generic price-list as to what each alteration for each style of dress might cost?

Let me use my own gown as an example:
For style 1516, to take in the bodice, we know it takes the seamstresses 2 hours (I'm just tossing out that number) to do that alteration.  That costs $150.
You want to hem it?  We know it takes the seamstresses 4 hours to do that alteration.  That will cost $350.
To bustle the 1516?  What style of bustle would you like?  3 points?  Okay, that takes 3 hours to do, that will cost $500.
So, your alterations will run you $1,000 (yes, I know, I'm just throwing numbers out).

I mean, come ON!!  You have a set number of styles available, shouldn't your seamstresses have SOME kind of clue?  Or couldn't corporate set the price across the board for each gown and the different potential ways it could be altered?

"Oh, you bought Style XXXX, and you need it hemmed and bustled.  It's going to cost XXX amount."

I just find it DUMB that I can't even get a ROUGH estimate unless I talk to a seamstress who then has to estimate the number of hours it's going to take to do my alterations.  FORGET THAT!!!  Knowing my luck, I'll get the seamstress who's slow.  :p

Suffice to say, THAT is why my dress didn't stay at AA.  If you can't even tell me what it might run me, I'm not interested.  That's just stupid.

Re: Bridal Salon Mini-Rant

  • :( that sucks!  I haven't attempted alterations yet...
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I found that I couldn't get a rough estimate until I took my dress in to the alterations place - but that's partly because I have no idea who the designer is and she (the seamstress) had never seen my dress before.

    On your side, though, that DOES seem a bit ridiculous, especially if you bought it from that store. It's one thing, in my case, where the person making the adjustments has never even seen the dress. It's another thing when they've seen you in the dress and know what kind of alterations need to be made......

    Hopefully you can get it figured out soon (and for not too much!).
  • I had a really bad experience at Alfred Angelo as well only it wasn't about alterations.  Apparently the consultant in the store near me didn't like the fact that I bought my dress at a store in FL and therefore she didn't get the commission on it so she refused to help me.  I will never get my alterations done there and refused to even look at BM dresses or anything else there.  I do love my dress though!
    Wedding Countdown Ticker image


    148 Invited
    image 125 Are ready to party
    image 23 Are no fun!
    image 0 Haven't found the mailbox yet
  • I did the same, my alterations were just lumped in to my final cost, which I guess was pretty cheap compared to what most people pay.  

  • See, AA KNOWS that that particular gown will need a bustle.  They know the different potential bustle styles.  You can't even tell me what THAT will run me?!  Seriously?  I mean -SERIOUSLY-?!

    And taking IN or letting OUT a bodice, you can't tell me?  Look, I know THIS is going to cost me since there's detail work on the bodice.  I get it.  But you can't guesstimate it?

    The hemming, I understand not being able to really know, but even a rough idea?

    It's just DUMB!!!

    Also, that sucks @millersox2184:(  My initial consultant did the original purchase and let me put a dress BACK on when I went in just to get an idea about veils.  Granted, I heard they weren't happy I hadn't made an appointment when I went to go in to pick it up (my BFF gave them a heads up I was coming when she went in to surprise me), but, I had a very nice consultant put me in to -MY- gown without a hitch or a hiccup.  Sorry you had a bummer of an experience.  :(

    If I had bought a gown at a salon that carried a PLETHORA of different designers and gowns, I would COMPLETELY understand needing to see a seamstress one-on-one.  But this is an Alfred Angelo store that ONLY carries AA gowns.  Heck, I could even cut David's Bridal a wee amount of slack since they have many designers in-store. 

    One store.  One designer.  No idea on alterations?  Bish, please. 

    Though, if there was a flat fee for alterations, I'd have jumped on that, if the amount was reasonable!!  :)  Lucky ladies!!
  • My bridal salon carries multiple designers, and the alterations dept knows the stock and what needs done (generally). Conveniently, they also add on alterations to the final cost, and that includes a hem, strap adjustment, and taking it in.  
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards