Why do places like David's B. and Alfred A. not have all the dresses they list online in stores?

Re: Why do places like David's B. and Alfred A. not have all the dresses they list online in stores?

• CMGragain member

  

  February 2014 edited February 2014

  You cannot find your perfect gown from a photo-shopped picture on a website.  Those girls are not real.  The websites give you some ideas.  You really need to check out what is available in the stores in person.
  David's Bridal and Alfred Angelo are dress manufacturers.  They have all their dresses made for them at their factories in China.  They do not carry competing designers' products.  No matter what the tag says, the DB gowns all come from DB factories.  Ditto AA.
  You can get really good buys on clearance gowns on their online web sites.  Most independent bridal shops sell a variety of designers' gowns, and they usually carry a style for about 2 years before it is discontinued.  Not so with DB.  Because they manufacture in large quantities, they can keep costs low, and they have a faster turn around.  Some classic styles are around for years, others less than 6 months.  It all depends on sales numbers, which is why a large franchise can keep costs low.
  Go back and try on a variety of styles with an open mind.  Sooner or later you will find the right dress for you - and I hope it's on clearance when you do! $$
  
  PS.  My daughter chose a dress that was completely different from the ones she had researched online.  Most brides do!
  

  

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• artbyallie mod

  

  February 2014

  The physical stores have limited space. Why on earth would you expect them to carry every single gown at every single store?

  
  

  I also went to DB with a list of like 12 dresses. Guess what? The one I ultimately chose wasn't on that list. It was on the website, certainly, but I never even noticed it when I was browsing. But my consultant brought it to try and I loved it even though it was not much at all like what I thought I wanted.

  

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• flyingfoxes member

  

  February 2014

  The dress I loved was discontinued so it wasn't available in-store.  I went ahead and made an appt at DB and tried on several A-lines, so I knew that was for sure the style I wanted, and since the one I was drawn to was discontinued, I chanced it and ordered online.  I think when you order online, you can return - you can't return to stores I don't think.  Luckily the one I ordered fits me (albeit a bit snugly, but I have a year to shape up and the seamstress said she could let it out if I needed), and I got a killer price on it because it's discontinued plus I used a 10% off coupon so I got it for like $280 total.  I agree that it's a bit frustrating that they don't have the styles in-store, but they have plenty to try on so you may surprise yourself in what you pick.

  
  
  
  

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• hyechica81 member

  

  February 2014

  i didnt go to db or aa i went to local mom and pop bridal salons i wanted that unique one on one experience and i knew i would not get it at a chain store. what i did was research the designers i liked picked a bunch of styles from each designer and called stores to see if they had those styles in the store , not every store close to me had every style i liked so i picked 2 stores that had at least 3 of the styles i liked.
  
  turns out the dresses i liked online were nothing what i expected on me i was thinking omg i am going to love everyone of them and have a hard time picking one out i hated everything that i loved online. i ended up trying something out of my comfort zone i cried in the dress and did not want to take it off
  

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• singinchick13 member

  

  February 2014

  Definitely call ahead if there are certain styles you would like to try, that way you will not be disappointed when you get there. However, once you start trying you may notice styles that look good on you are not necessarily the styles you have been researching online, and you will be open to a lot more options. Also checking what sample sizes they have to try on will be helpful.

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