Hi Ladies!
I have a good friend getting married in April who was referred to Joyce at Alterations on Lane. I recently went with her to her first appointment where we had one of the WORST experiences ever. I have to say, it was not only one of the worst wedding related experiences I have ever had (I got married in May, so am familiar with this process) but one of the overall worst customer experiences of my LIFE. It was THAT BAD.
When we arrived, we were super excited. This is supposed to be a really fun time! She instantly put a wrench in that with her HORRIBLE attitude. For starters, she greeted us by demanding we "take off our boots right away" and then proceeded to say to the bride (my friend) "I am not sure why you brought two friends with you, but I put people to work if they are here." I was instantly put off by her abrasive, harsh attitude. I expected a warm greeting, friendly attitude, an offer of a water bottle; something! Instead we got that. Once the bride had her dress on, she walked in the room, opened up the window (mind you, it was 25 degrees out) and said "OK, what are we doing?" What are we doing?? How about she tells us what she thinks, considering she is the expert. How is the bride supposed to know exactly what she should be doing to a wedding dress, something she has never worn before? She never once commented on how the dress looked or told her she looked pretty. It went DOWNHILL from there. She unhooked the brides belt that she bought for the dress and said we wouldn't be working with it for several more appointments. She proceeded to literally TOSS it in the bottom of the bag on the floor - a 250.00 BELT! When the bride asked for the dress to be a bit tighter, Joyce said "So, you are ok with your dress ripping at the seams at your reception?" EXCUSE ME? She didnt ask you to make it so tight it would rip, she asked you to tighten it a bit. She wouldnt do anything the bride was asking for, instead had a reason why it couldn't be done, or wasn't a good idea. While she was pinning the bottom of the dress, she literally ripped the strings connecting the lace to the skirt with her bare hands. I understand that needs to be done, but ripping it with her bare hands was another example of her abrasiveness. She should have used a pair of scissors to make it more graceful.
The appointment ended by her screaming in my face when I finally stuck up for the bride - I put my foot down and told her she needs to be listening, she is not doing anything the bride is asking for, and she is being EXTREMELY rude. I stormed out, and shortly after, the bride followed me WITH HER DRESS IN HAND. She left so quickly, we realized later that she left a workout jacket there (that she was wearing when we arrived) Joyce didn't even bother to call to let her know. We didn't go back either. The experience was so bad, she didn't even care to go get the jacket.
LADIES, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT use her. NO bride should experience what we experienced, especially for something as special as a wedding dress fitting. It should be a fun, friendly experience, where you are listened to, treated with respect, and walk out feeling confident. Never in this lifetime would I trust that woman with my dress, or anyone else's. Find someone else!!!!!!!!!!!