Thinking of buying Online? Buyer Beware!
Your wedding is a very important day in your life, and an expensive one. There are many ways to cut corners to save some money, for many people buying items on-line for the wedding is a must. If buying your gown on- line is tempting, you may want to rethink the idea and do your homework before making the purchase. The Internet is the perfect place to see what is out there and narrow down your choices. There is no substitute for going into a bridal boutique and trying the gowns on to see what looks best on you, some brides have a very set idea of what they want their gown to look like until they try it on and see that it doesn’t work for them. Actually seeing the quality, touching, and trying on a gown is the only true way to know if it is the gown for you, and this a service that only a ‘brick and mortar’ bridal boutique is able to provide.
The only way to know that you are getting an authentic gown from the manufacturer of your choosing is to buy from an authorized bridal boutique. These bridal boutiques are going to make sure that everything with your gown is perfect; their business depends on it. Authorized bridal boutiques are able to work with the manufacturer if there is a problem with the gown, and can correct issues to ensure your happiness with your gown. If you have a problem with a gown bought on-line, whom do you go to? The bridal shops in your area are not going to be able to help you, so you will try to deal with the on-line company through email or phone calls not face-to-face, and with most of these transactions all sales are final. The bride has no recourse.
Most gowns can be found on various bridal websites, with the on-line company stating that they are “authorized” bridal dealers, for most of these sites this statement is false. They will use the pictures from official bridal websites, so it looks as though you are buying the authentic product, when in actuality it is probably an inexpensive knock off of the real gown. There are many manufacturers in China that make cheap reproductions of designer gowns, pass them off as the real thing, and are willing to sell them directly to the public. All reputable bridal companies do not allow their authorized dealers to sell the gowns on-line, nor will they sell directly to the brides, these same bridal companies have posted on their websites that they strongly discourage brides from buying gowns over the Internet. Bridal companies want their bride to have the best service possible, which comes only with authorized retailers. The bridal gown companies will not stand behind any gown bought over the Internet, they will not make any corrections or changes to your gown.
Buying your gown on-line may end up costing you more than if you had bought a gown from an authorized dealer. Some of the most common problems bridal companies have seen are: brides receiving the incorrect style or size, wrong or different dye lots, cheap “knock-off” imitation gowns, defective gowns, gowns that have been worn, hidden charges, expensive and unforeseen shipping costs, some brides did not receive their gowns in time for their weddings and some did not receive them at all.
Many websites will lead you to believe they are a retail store, when they are really working out of their home, a PO box, or the trunk of their car. Or that they are a “buying service” that can save you money because they don’t have to stock sample gowns, and is ordering directly from the name brand manufacturer, when they are really buying your gown through a third party.
Some on-line companies will tell you that they have been working with bridal gown manufacturers for years and can get you a designer gown for less than the retail price, when in reality they are selling a counterfeit dress and has no relationship with the actual manufacturer.
When you are visiting your local bridal boutiques, if you do not see the dress that you are looking for, ask to see catalogs, many companies have a “borrowing program” so you can order a dress in (through your local bridal boutique) to see and try on without the commitment of buying it before seeing it.
Always keep in mind, if you are not having a good experience at a bridal boutique, you do not have to work with them, there are many bridal boutiques that are willing to work with you and give you the respect and service that you expect. You do not have to put up with pushy sales people or sales people that are snobs, not all boutiques have the same philosophy when it comes to selling their products.
Your bridal gown is a huge investment, you get what you pay for, and many times it is the quality service and advice that you receive from your local bridal boutique that is priceless. Buying your wedding gown should be a fun and stress-free experience, most brides like to have mom, sisters and friends along, what could be better? Your locally owned businesses really appreciate you and your business.
Information was found on bridal company websites such as Watters.com, Alfred Angelo.com, MonCheribridals.com.