BridalTips.com asks...Are You A Victim Of A Bridal Shop Scam?

We need to hear from you. Your bad luck can save other brides right now!  No matter what category it's in, or how small a scam you think it is, please let us know. We can even offer you tips on how to get out of the scam, or how to seek restitution, and who to report the scam to. If you have questions or want to tell us about your bridal shop experience, please let us know, we like to keep track of current events. Contact Us (Click Here) via the email form on our sister site CarBuyingTips.com.

Every bride is looking for that ultimate discount wedding dress when they tie the knot. This article gives you advice from a bride's point of view and offers money saving tips in your search for the perfect wedding dress. You'll get better service from a well known established full service wedding store than most bridal warehouse type stores.  Not all brides care to save money at bridal stores nor do they want to haggle over pricing, and that's OK too. Keep all of these bridal tips in mind as you shop for your wedding gown, veil, wedding invitations, and toasting glasses.  You don't have to be an expert to know it's a violation of FTC rules to remove labels from wedding dresses in the store, unless its replaced by the shop's own label.  We still get nasty grams from industry insiders telling us to shut up and that we are "just whining", but it's important that you know many shops are "pulling the veil over you." Some people don't mind this practice, while others do.  We don't approve because it's illegal, it's misleading, unethical at best, it allows them too often to do a bait and switch. You have the right to full disclosure on what you are paying hard earned money for. This is only our "stupid, uninformed, whining" opinion, as industry experts and insiders email us to crawl back into the hole we came out of.

Most of the wedding stores you encounter will be very good.  But as in any business sector, it is run by the original sinful nature of mankind, who has many financial idols to worship, mixed in with some very classy, honorable shops are some real dungeons of doom.  If you thinks that it's Walton's Mountain out there, think again.  Some shops don't let you take photos in the store with your perfect wedding dress, some shops don't even allow pen & paper to be brought in.  Check out some online forums. Brides are passionate and if they were treated right they'll let others know.  But if they were treated wrong, boy will they let others know.

Tips when shopping bridal stores

• Do not go into a bridal shop with a chip on your shoulder, we want you to feeling confident and knowledgeable, not confrontational and paranoid. Just be aware of what can and does go wrong. You must be aware of your rights and speak up when you need to.
• Make sure you have this book with you: Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budgetwith you.  Once the shop owners see you with this book, they know you did your homework, and they cannot pull any tricks on you, and you have the prices right there.
• Now is the time to get your Official New Bride Name Change Kit with easy to use forms and checklists to help you change your Social Security records, drivers license, vehicle title, voter registration, passport, credit cards, banking, insurance, medical, and employment records.  Most agencies want to be notified within 30 days of your wedding.
• Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB.com) for complaints about the bridal shop before you go there to shop, and avoid any bridal shops with "Unsatisfactory" ratings, or excessive complaints. You also need to surf over to RipoffReport to see if there are complaints from other brides about the bridal shop.  There are numerous complaints there against many shops.

This third strategy above is very effective for visitors of our other site CarBuyingTips.com. We tell people to enter the car dealer with "The Folder" of car prices, research, and free competitive quotes from car buying sites.  Many visitors report that once dealers see "The Folder", scams go away, and the deal proceeds on your terms not theirs.  You should carry this strategy forward into anything you buy.  Once salespeople see your educated, they cannot pull the veil over your eyes.

We got this whistle blower note from a former bridal shop employee: 
"The last bridal shop I worked at started practicing the "Free alterations" sham.   We took an average price of alterations needed for every wedding dress we sold in the past year and added that average to the cost of the gown.  So, a dress that should have cost $500 would cost $600 or more.  The same is true for the "Free" shoes, bra, & slip rental with purchase of a gown.   The shoes and bra are usually of the lowest quality.  The shop usually tacks on an additional $100 or more for all those Freebies."

• "After working in our local shop for several years, I left not only because I'm a very honest person, but because the horrible lack of ethics gave me an anxiety disorder!  The removal of tags was not only performed on a daily basis, it was required of staff! Brides were promised new gowns would be ordered, but old try-ons were spot checked and passed off to these unsuspecting brides time and time again. If a bride complained that the dress was dirty or used, she was told she had no choice but to accept the dress or forfeit all of her money. Time and again brides were late to their own weddings because alterations weren't ready. Brides were constantly lied to, cheated and refused information about manufacturers information.  This shop is the most unprofessional and unethical business I have ever come across. The only reason it is still in business is because it is the only one in town.

Here is an email we got from one of our visitors who got taken when she went to pick up her "perfect wedding dress":

• "The lady assured us it was new but as we inspected it we found black marks on the dress. The lace was coming apart from the satin, the beads were loose to the point of falling off.  She repeated it was new, until we spread the bottom of the dress then you could clearly see this was not a new dress .  It had been tried on or worn.  Since I had paid by check I asked for it back which she gave to me.  She then agreed it was dirty, had been worn.  My problem is they still have the 1/2 down I gave them.  The lady at the store is saying it's the designer's fault, they shipped a used dress.  I question both how could you ship something like that and how you could check it in and then try and sell it."

This is why you should have the bridal shop specifically state on your invoice that your new wedding dress will be brand new, not used previously, not a floor sample wedding dress, and will not have any stains, or you will be entitled to 100% of your money back.

So why do bridal shops remove the manufacturer labels from wedding dresses?

Many stores tell us they remove the labels because they invest a lot in their operation and don't want a bride to waste three hours of their time trying on dresses, then go order them from an 800 number or some internet store.  One store wrote to us "How do you suggest the store handle the customer who clearly states "I can't afford your prices so I brought my Aunt who sews and my camera to try on your samples and take pictures so I can have my aunt make my gown." The other version is that the "customer" is not forthright and takes hours trying on gowns with their seamstress so she can copy the gown.  That's a good point as well.  Maybe stores can post a sign telling shoppers cameras are not allowed until a purchase is made.  Brides should also be more scrupulous when shopping for a gown. But shopping around is the American way. Bridal shops are not the only ones who suffer from "tire kicker" syndrome, stereo and TV shops have customers shopping their stores then buying mail order for years.  You can't stop it, you just have to minimize it and deal with it. Instead of whining, these complaining store owners should read The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People and get with the program. Heck, look at car dealers, they work with probably 30 customers a day and sometimes don't even sell a single car that day. That's life in America. But remember, the shops are too quick to blame 100% of the brides for going to online bridal stores to get a cheaper wedding dress.  God forbid they ever admit to the fact that they just did not have the gown that the bride was looking for, or she did not like the dresses she tried on after 2 hours, or as is the case with 50% of the emails we receive, she was treated rudely or ignored by shop employees. While overall there are some absolutely wonderful bridal shops out there, the industry suffers from a severe customer satisfaction problem, and they can blame it on the brides until the cows come home, or they can tackle the problem head on.

I have a better idea for bridal shops who hate brides that don't buy from them. Why don't they open a Burger King, where every person who walks in the door buys something! They need to turn this situation around and under their control. Analyze the underlying reasons for success of any business, and 100% of the time, it's the customer service that brings you the business. Brides don't mind paying a bit more to the guy who was the most honest, and looked after her interests, and gave undivided attention.  But removing labels, legal or not, breeds mistrust and contempt, which results in a no sale, no matter what the shop's justification is. Brides are paranoid about whose going to over charge them on their perfect wedding dress. If you spook them, they're history. The problem got so bad that the FTC had to reiterate its position in February, 1999.

Deposit Tips For Your Perfect Wedding Dress

You may need a new, clean credit card for deposits, don't EVER pay cash. If the deal goes south, you'll never get your cash back, but you can dispute a credit charge.

More info from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about Wedding Dress Labels:

Non-Compliance: Any violation of the Textile Act regulations or the Care Labeling Rule is considered an unfair and deceptive act or practice under the FTC Act. As a remedy, the Commission may issue an administrative order prohibiting the unlawful behavior. Violations of an administrative order can result in a federal district court action for civil penalties up to $11,000 per violation. Businesses not subject to a previous administrative order also can be subject to monetary civil penalties, an injunction, and other remedies -- including consumer redress -- in a federal district court action for knowingly engaging in practices -- such as mislabeling garments -- that the Commission has determined in prior cases to be unfair or deceptive.

Brides email us that they hated the snooty attitude of some employees. We are not saying all stores do this so don't misread us. One shop owner sends his clients to this article, and I bet that honesty results in more sales for him. It's up to the store to make the bride want to buy in their shop by emphasizing they have better service than the warehouse or online bridal stores, and by giving them the customer care they need. If brides don't buy from a bridal shop, the owners blame everyone in the world except themselves, they even blame us here at BridalTips.com.

You don't have to be an expert to know if a store is overcharging when another store has the exact item for much less. Again, some brides don't care about that, so you decide where you want to save money. You don't have to be an expert to know whether you are happy when you have dealt with a store, or that a shop is ignoring your repeated attempts to call to find out why it's been 6 months and your dress still is not cleaned. Educate yourselves thoroughly, asking numerous questions at every stop of the way from the industry insiders, learning more about each industry, to enable you to make a more informed decision. Don't just rush out and buy from the first shop you visit. Use this article as your guide while you are shopping for your special day. Many stores will be fair, and give you proper customer care. But there are also ones who will not, just like in any business.

We also hear complaints like this from brides: "They have not delivered my wedding dress and refuse to refund my money. They are not answering my questions about where the dress is and they keep giving me the run around and my dress is OVER 4 weeks overdue from the time that was agreed upon on the contract. They have LOUSY customer service and they LIE about their prices and tear out the tags from their wedding dresses so that you don't know if the dress you are getting is a genuine dress from the manufacturer. They have had complaints filed against them at the Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Affairs office."

This is not just one piece of anecdotal evidence, this happens all the time, every day.

One bridal shop emailed this advice for brides
"Honestly tell the owner the price you will pay for the gown, and then go from there.  You will get honest delivery and service.  If those stores were not in existence, brides will not have anywhere to try on designer gowns, and look at designer gowns all that they will have is the David's who copy every gown they think brides would like, in an inferior manner. They represent Armageddon to the bridal industry." 

Recommended books on wedding dresses and wedding planning

Your Wedding Dress
The big names in wedding gowns are Laura VanLear,  Eve Of Milady, Demetrios, Amsale, Eden Bridals, Mori Lee, Vera Wang, Pronovias, Jasmine Bridal, Carol Hai, and Galina Bridal.  Don't expect to get a discount wedding dress from them, they are top name designers. You'll see their ads in the bridal magazines, and they are available only in a select few bridal shops around the country.  You don't have to spend big money on a designer wedding dress.  Some brides will get a bridal designer design a custom wedding gown for you, or (gasp!) copy a photo.

When you start planning your wedding, the dress seems like the most important detail.  Do you want a nice beach wedding dress? Or do you need a plus sized wedding dress? Maybe you have limited funds and just want a cheap wedding dress. Be sure you make an appointment with the shops you are considering.  Make it clear to the shop personnel that you have not made a final decision on who the "winning" store will be yet.  Let them know what your price range is, and don't play games.  After it's over, if you spent a lot on your dress you begin to feel foolish. This feeling grows worse if you spent another $200-$300 to preserve it afterwards.  But if you add anything to a dress, prices shoot up rapidly, at any store.  You could spend another $450 for additional lace on the front. Also, if your Vera Wang wedding dress has no label when it arrives, how can you know it was a genuine Vera Wang wedding gown? How do you know it's not a cheap wedding dress knockoff? We don't, and neither will you. The bottom line is spend what you are comfortable with.  Buy what you want, not what a sales clerk tells you, or even what we tell you!

Every $100 you spend on your wedding dress is $100 less you'll have to put down on a house, a new car, or baby items.

Bring pictures of gowns from the bridal magazines.  If the store does not have what you clipped from the magazine, perhaps they can produce one quite similar or modify a similar dress to look pretty close.  This is one of the benefits of a great full service shop.  Just make sure the shop you are dealing with has a good reputation that you can verify on your own.  There are many examples of botched alterations out there.

Every dress that you try on, you need to ask if it has been used.  Dresses that have been on display and tried on several times should not sell for full price.  Even in the better shops, you'll notice the bottoms of these dresses are dirty because they have been dragged across the floor many times from being tried on so often.  Be sure to ask the store if they are authorized to sell the manufacturer's dress, and ask for written proof.  Any store who is authorized by any manufacturer should be able to produce a certificate to prove it.  If they cannot, then assume they are lying to you, and are NOT authorized.  Of course it's best to check with the manufacturer first, or the "authorized bridal shops" listed in designer ads of the bridal magazines.

Why are we sticklers about all these little details that industry experts criticize us for being "anal" or "whining"?
 
We care only about the bride, and it's the little details that become gotcha's every Saturday for some unlucky bride.

The overwhelming majority of bridal shops are good, but get references from people you know. They will tell you if the had a bad experience. You might be better off buying your bridal dress off the rack instead of ordering one if you are in a rush. Many shops NEVER get a bridal dress delivered on time because they are not in control.  Manufacturers are plagued by strikes, fabric shortages, etc.

One shop told us Eve of Milady takes quite a long time to deliver the gown. This drives the shops crazy, because brides blame them for the problem. You must allow months in your schedule for your wedding dress to arrive and for any alterations.  Most dresses have delivery times of 3-5 months.  But some shops might scam you by saying that it takes 9 months for your dress to arrive.  This sales tactic is designed to scare you into buying today, creating a false sense of urgency.  They know that if you walk out of their shop today, they'll never see you again.  Sometimes the shops will then get yelled at for something that is not their fault. But failing to return a bride's phone call is their fault.  Calling a bride to at least let her know the bad news is better than not returning the call at all.  This is because the panicked anger of a young bride quickly vents into contempt for the store.  For years I've been saying there would be no recessions and lost jobs, if people would return a phone call once in a while.  They might even make a sale.

Important up front facts to know before you get in too deep are what deposit is required for your dress, when is the final payment due, and how long will the dress take.  We can tell you from interviews with many brides that the dresses almost never arrive on time, so don't accept their estimate as gospel.  Give yourself 6-8 weeks margin, don't play it too close.  Also have them disclose to you every fee they plan to charge, whether it's bustling the train, a pressing fee, a delivery fee, a garment bag fee, a hanger fee, or any other obscure fee that might surprise you.  Some stores also charge you to store the dress for you.  All these fees add up, sometimes pretty high.  You don't want to be blind sided by hundreds of dollars in fees that you were not expecting.

If you decide to store the dress yourself, make sure it's in a good atmosphere, little humidity, and well protected from bugs.  Don't leave it stored in a house where someone smokes, it will collect the smoky smell really bad, guaranteed.

Oh, It looks Just So Terrific On You!
Ignore what the salespeople tell you and trust YOUR own opinions. Salespeople are trained to euphemize everything, we've even seen the sales training materials.  One bridal industry website tells stores not to say "fat", they should say "plus size wedding dress".  Let's face it, just like in all clothing stores, they would tell Joey Buttafuoco he looks good in a pink wedding dress. Don't get sucked in by their over emotional gasps when you try on a plus size red wedding dress. Unfortunately, no salesperson will tell you if a dress looks ugly on you, so your best friend will have to do it for you. Bring close friends who will give honest opinions looks good and bad on you.  Hopefully the salesperson will prevent you from making a big mistake, but some are afraid to tell you if something's wrong.

The Veil For Your Wedding Gown
Now that you have spent $1000 or more on the wedding dress of your dreams, the veil is an area you can save money. The veil is so profitable for the stores, but not cost efficient for the bride. A cathedral length veil can cost $300 or more, and you can do much better if you are talented enough to make one. Keep in mind the veil is SEPARATE from the headpiece. If you must have the outrageous hand beaded headpiece, have someone make your veil and Velcro attachment. The cathedral length veil also has logistical problems. It is a pain to bustle and it gets caught on everything under the sun, and wind, and can eventually get ruined. A cathedral length veil should only cost about $20-$40 more than the fingertip length veil. To have veiling made detachable typically only costs $7-$10 per layer of veiling, depending on the designer. 

Maid Of Honor Dresses
Some of the common names in wedding formal wear for bridesmaids are Alfred Angelo, Champagne Formals, and Bill Levkoff

Undergarments
You don't have to go overboard, buying from a French designer boutique for sexy lingerie. You can buy the underwear later for less and it can be as comfortable and just as nice. Believe me, comfort is the most important thing if you are going to be wearing this for hours, and dancing in them as well.  You can look beautiful without having to buy the farm. The slips are usually higher priced at the bridal shops. You can buy the same quality slips from slip and lingerie companies in the magazines or online bridal stores. Nothing against the stores, but hey, why get gouged?

Shoes
It goes without saying to buy the most comfortable shoes you can find because you will be in them for 7 hours or more.

Jewelry
Your jewelry is noticeable in all your pictures and it really completes the look. If you do not expect to wear pearls again, get some cheap nice looking simulated pearls. Cathy's Concepts and Monet are two good brands, at finer department stores.

Miscellaneous Expenses
Pre-wedding pampering like facials, body treatments, manicures, etc. are expenses you won't regret. If you can afford them, do it because you will feel much better. Get the treatment 3 to 4 days before the wedding. This alleviates the stress associated with your wedding day. Granted this is not a money saver, but you can use the money you save from our other tips to fund this much deserved gift to yourself.

Hair & Makeup
A professional can do your hair, headpiece and makeup at my home. Why try to do it yourself on the day of your marriage when you have a million other things to think about. This is important, as many brides have their headpiece come off. This can be expensive, but consider a few trial runs with different hair stylists before the wedding. There really are varying degrees of talent with hair stylists and makeup people. It's real important that you know what the stylist's makeup will look like on you. Remember, the photos will be with you a lifetime so you will want to look your best. Keep in mind that different brands of makeup look distinct on different girls.

Wedding Accessories
These are the ring pillow, flower girl basket, unity candle, cake top, cake knife, toasting glasses, guest book, favors. Be careful here, as these items add up quicker than cost overruns on Boston's Big Dig tunnel. Bridal shops charge a fortune and probably should be avoided, unless they are on sale at a price you know is good. You can spend too much money while you are caught in the euphoria shopping for your bridal dress.  Don't believe every faded "sale" sign you see. If they claim it's on sale, compare against known pricing. Bring magazines and catalogs with you to compare. I found lower accessory prices were obtained by mail order from bridal magazines. You may want items personalized. You can make your own ring pillow, which is much cheaper than the $50 the stores charge for $15 in material. You can buy a better throw pillow for less. You can get your invitations cheaper through mail order than the bridal shops, and some of the bridal shops use the same companies you might order from anyway. Don't waste money on engraved invitations. Thermography looks just fine, and your guests only throw it out after the wedding. No one will notice.

The Controversy over David's Bridal Stores
We've see a lot of heated, passionately mixed postings from brides about David's Bridal shops, a national chain of bridal shops. They usually complain that they are not being served, that clerks at these bridal stores have attitudes and ignore brides, they tell them every single dress they try on looks so beautiful, and the list goes on. So are they bad? It's hard to tell, but apparently from some brides, it depends on which store they go to.  Some appear to be really good, and others not so good. You might want to avoid Saturdays and other busy times to get the most assistance from store employees.

You Must Have A Clear, Concise, Written Contract!
On the contract, you want it to be clearly stated EXACTLY what manufacturer and model your wedding dress is, the color, size, any alterations you are getting, the veil, shoes, etc. In short, it should include everything you are paying for. Whatever they refuse to include on your contract, you better refuse to buy.  Believe me, if you have a problem, that contract is your only salvation. They act like you're Cleopatra when you are buying, but if you have no contract to back up your complaints, they'll treat you as though you're like Lizzy Borden. Who cares how "Honorable the store is", you want that honor in the form of written consumer protection as called out by attorneys general and consumer advocates nationwide. If they refuse, take your money elsewhere. Also, make sure a guaranteed delivery date is written. It would be nice if your dress arrives before the wedding.   This is true in any business, not just the bridal shops. You should have them specifically state on your invoice that the dress is brand new, not used before, and will not have any stains, or you will be entitled to 100% of your money back.

Watch Out For Hidden Costs!
This was sent into us by one of our readers who went to a posh Bridal Shop on Las Olas Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale:

• "I chose a wedding gown, with a black tag price of just under $900 with a red tagged "sale" price of just over $600.  Although $500 was my budget, I decided $600 was ok, since the sales woman told me all alterations are free!  It was then that the saleswoman says the gown is just below $900, not the $600+ price.  So I questioned her about it... her reply was that the free alterations came ONLY IF I paid the higher price.  If I wanted the lower price, I would have to take the gown home, with no alterations included.  I was confident that I wouldn't need any alterations.  So she takes me to the front desk, where the cashier gives me a "discounted" price upwards of $750.  I explained to her that I would agree to take the gown home, without alterations, for the price closer to $600.  At this point, the second saleswoman became very rude with me and the whole scene was such an obvious SCAM, that I simply took their business card and walked out of the shop.  I reported them to our state's consumer's affairs board."

The above incident is just like the cash flow shell games report about car dealers on our other site CarBuyingTips.com.

BridalTips.com Money Saving Tips at bridal shops

• Pay for everything by credit card If the deal goes south and the shop is not providing what they agreed in the contract, you can always have the transaction taken off your account. Just retain all contracts and receipts. What if you ordered a dress from a consultant with no store front who splits town?  Make sure they accept credit cards before you buy. DO NOT pay by check, ever! because once they have your check, they have your money, and if you get ripped off or something goes wrong, or your "new" dress comes in used or with stains or there's a misunderstanding because you got nothing in writing, good luck getting your money back. Don't even think about paying cash! You don't send cash in your monthly bills, so why start here. If the shop requires cash deposits instead of credit cards, it's time to leave, even if you really want the dress.  Cash cannot be traced. Any legitimate business takes credit cards, and don't take any of their whining about MasterCard charging them too much for processing. I buy a $2000 PC from Dell, they don't whine about it. Does any other clothing store whine when you use your credit card? How about restaurants? Neither should bridal shops.
• Less is more! Sometimes just an informal or other simple wedding dress will do, you don't always have to spend big money on a designer wedding dress. Just don't get caught up in the euphoria and lose track of spending, when a nice modest wedding dress will suit you just fine, and you'll have extra money for a new house.
• Negotiate Alterations At No Charge Ask if alterations are included. If not, bargain them in, some stores may provide alterations free if you ask.
• Rent your wedding dress instead Let's face it, your daughter will not want to get married in your dress 25 years later, she'll want one of her own. So what's the reason to keep it in a box in the closet? Look for formal shops that rent wedding dresses.
• Beware of ads for wholesale wedding dresses Not all claims are true wholesale wedding dress prices. Think about it, if they are selling to you at wholesale, what price did they pay?  You should be skeptical about claims of wholesale wedding dress pricing.
• Shoot For The Package Deal Some shops give you a break on price if you order all your accessories through them, or maybe the flower girl dresses.
• Save Money On The Bridesmaids Dresses! Rent the bridesmaids dresses from a formal wear shop. Let's face it, the bridesmaids dresses are usually made of inexpensive cheap ugly artificial fabric, yet they cost over $200, and the girls never wear them again. So why waste the money? The formal wear shops have similar dresses to rent and it will be cheaper in the long run. Use the money you save with this suggestion to fund your massage, mentioned above.
• Avoid Cost Overruns! Once you order your dress, don't change the design! You'll pay dearly for items like adding extra lace, sewn in flowers, etc. Changing a design after the fact is what causes cost overruns in public buildings, and Boston's Big Dig. The same is true with wedding dresses.
• A Cheap Alternative To Bridal Shops Low on cash and looking for the ultimate bargain on a discounted wedding dress? Shop for your wedding dress at consignment shops. There is nothing wrong with a used wedding dress as long as you know it's used, and it would be much cheaper. Who has to know you did not buy it from a designer bridal store?
• Avoid Unnecessary Altering Don't buy a dress that isn't your size, hoping to make it your size, alterations cost a fortune. If you need alterations, and the shop wants too much money, take the dress to a trusted tailor, who will be much cheaper. They are just as good as the bridal shop, they are just sewing fabric, nothing esoteric there. Some of the better bridal shops will not charge extra for alterations.
• Avoid Long Veils They are more expensive, cumbersome (especially in the wind), and ruin easily. Shorter veils are just as nice and cost less. You will have less hassle with a shorter veil.
• Seek alternate places to buy your slip We priced a slip there for $89, but ordered a top of the line slip cheaper by mail order for half the price. If a friend your size was recently married, borrow her slip.
• Go for cheap yet comfortable shoes With many dresses, the guests may never see the shoes anyway, and when will you use them again?
• Bridal shops charge too much for certain items You're paying for convenience and service, but it you want to save some cash, avoid buying accessories (cake knife, ring pillow, toasting glasses, favors) at the bridal shops if you can find them cheaper elsewhere. They are overpriced. You'll usually come out ahead with mail order. Do your homework before you go to the bridal shops and know what the magazine prices are first. Then use these prices as references while you shop the bridal stores. A store claiming to have a 50% off sale could still have higher prices than the magazines or other stores! Sure they need to make a profit, but you also need to save money!

Unfortunately, most bridal shops do not allow pictures to be taken in the shop. But once you sign for the dress, they should allow you to take pictures, since some brides cherish this moment.

A lot of vendors get upset when they see our comments.  Most bridal shops are honest and they are artists at their craft. But guess what folks, sometimes the greedy will feed off the euphoria of the bride. And while vendors get upset by our comments, there's a lot of brides who get upset because they were overcharged, or scammed, or did not get what was verbally promised to them. Nobody likes whiners.  At the office we detest people who whine.  Whining accomplishes nothing.  What makes the sale is a motivated person, in tune with the customer's needs.  When a bad situation approaches, it's the take charge people that view it as an opportunity for greatness that get things done.  These few complaining shops need to take charge and sell the customer.  But there will unfortunately be times when they just don't have the dress a bride is looking for, so they buy elsewhere.  That's life.  But guess what? If you were good to the bride, she'll recommend you to her friends, sale or no sale.  We still recommend people to the stores we did not end up buying from, so think bigger picture.

Preserving your wedding dress after the wedding
When you bring your dress in to be preserved, get something in writing that acknowledges the fact that they have your dress. It takes several months to get your dress preserved and you want tracing capability so it does not get lost.

Remember, if they don't put it in writing, it means they won't do it!

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