24 replies to this topic

[MrsC2Be]

As the title suggests, I am currently having a strop. A full-on, pouty lip, foot-stamping strop. Things like this in my mind, are the reason people go bridezilla.

The question of whether or not my BM dresses would be discontinued was bought up a while ago when we went trying on. I wanted to leave ordering them, as a year is a long time for people to change size, shape etc beyond the realms of alterations without making dresses look rubbish. The woman who runs the place I got my dress from said no problem, but they could discontinue them, which I won't know until Oct/Nov. I said fine, she was going to phone me if they were going to be discontinued and we'd just order them anyway, although not what we wanted to do.

Hadn't heard anything, so thought I'd get bum in gear and call her to see what the deal was and to get booked in for trying on session with the girls. She wasn't there yesterday, as closed before I called, but she has phoned and left me a message today.

Didn't get a specific answer on discontinuation, as her message says she won't be stocking them anymore, as they "have doubled in price" and she is now carrying a new range which we are welcome to go and try on if we wish. No, I don't wish. I want the ones that we'd all agreed on, with the alterations you said you'd make, in the colour and material that I wanted.

Emailed my BM's one of who has already replied with her cynical head on - have they really doubled the price (unlikely) or is she stocking something different/higher margin/better kickbacks because it suits her?

It's not the end of the world that she's decided not to do them anymore, it's her business at the end of the day - I work in retail, we fall out with suppliers, things change, it's nothing new to me. But the fact she didn't even phone seems a bit rude. Especially as I've already paid for my dress and ordered all my accessories with her too and am spending quite a hefty chunk with her already. Hopefully we can get them elsewhere and find someone to do the alterations to the standard we'll need (one of them is being taken from full to tea length).

I've raved about how great my dress lady is and now I feel a bit deflated. I've not phoned back yet, as I feel a bit like I'll either not defend myself and just agree or I'll get upset. I might just unleash my Mum on her, she's great at being mad

Rant over! And breathe.....

[MrsC2Be]

Not that anyone else has responded lol but I think we have a solution :-)

[Becky]

Oh sorry my dear, I did read this the other day but I was out at the time and I made a mental note to reply when I got home... and then forgot

I'm pleased to hear you've found a solution! What is it? I hope that woman is being a bit more helpful...

[Helen]

That is a pain in the bottom! It would have been nice of her to have called you so you could have ordered the dresses before she stopped stocking them. As you are getting your dress and everything from her maybe she thinks you will just choose something else she has and not bother to go elsewhere. What ideas have you had?

[MrsC2Be]

No, she's not, as I've made no attempt to speak to her lol I'm a bit gutted that she thinks it's ok to do that. Part of me wants to shout and scream and throw a strop at her, but part of me is being rational and realising I've already paid for my dress and she's going to be fitting it and I don't want it to look awful because she's in a bad mood with me!

I immediately spoke to another dress shop where'd I'd been with my BM to try dresses on. They were lovely at the time, but I'd wanted to do it all through one place, so all the fittings could be on the same day. The lady I spoke to (who I think is the owner) was brilliant. She took all the details, checked them on her list, re-checked them with the supplier and phoned me back within 10 minutes. She's guaranteed the prices on them for me until we order them in January and said she carries samples of both all the time so they will definitely be there when we want to go. The prices, evidently, have gone up since we were last there, but hers are still cheaper than the original shop, although their price doesn't include cost of alterations.

Bit of customer service goes a long way

[Helen]

That is good news

[Zoe]

Where has the Customer Service gone nowadays????????

[MrsC2Be]

Exactly! I felt really let down at first, but then I thought about it and she's shot herself right in the foot - she's losing my business, doesn't get to dress my gorgeous bridesmaids and no way would I recommend her now. Her loss!

[MrsBrown]

Sorry MrsC2be... but so glad you have found a solution.

I wouldnt worry about fittings all on same day, I had hoped for that too and the shop wouldnt allow it saying it would take too much time! So my plan to organise everything together didnt work and actually in the end caused me more hassle!

[MrsC2Be]

That was my take on it too - wanted to pin a date down for us all and then go for dinner and have a nice girly day out. Guess it means I can have more than one now :-D

[Becky]

That's good news! I'm really pleased you found a place that puts in the effort!

[MrsBrown]

Yer... in the end I just took my mum for my fitting as organising the whole bridesmaid thing became too stressful and they didnt do fittings on a sat!

I know your dresses were cheaper in the other shop, but maybe you could check. My shop did a package, shoes, dress and fitting for a set price.

[MrsMay2011]

Ah what a pain, glad you've got it sorted, customer service goes such a long way!

[MrsC2Be]

Yeah, definitely! When we went to the place I intend to get them from now, my BM was feeling a bit unconfident, she'd put a bit of weight on and wasn't really up for it to be totally honest. She was great though and totally indulged me and the lady who helped us with trying stuff on was so lovely and helpful, she really made a difference and made my BM feel loads better about the whole thing.

[iPrincess26]

Can't believe I missed this one, glad you have it sorted and that you are getting such good service, it makes so much difference, good on your bridesmaid for going along with things even when not feeling at her best and glad it all seems to be working out. Xx