How much did your Alterations cost (Esp. if you changed the dress a bit)?- a little long

My sister bought her dress at David's- and after reading some bad reviews of their alterations department, decided to get the dress altered elsewhere.

She needs a hem, a bustle and the dress taken in. AND she was interested in dropping the neckline a bit- from straight across (its strapless) to a bit of a sweetheart neckline.

My grandmother reccommended the lady that works out of the dry cleaner in her town. We went there with the dress and asked the woman working for approximate costs. They were REALLY cheap- to the point where it was a little disconcerting. The woman who actually does the alterations was not there though, so we were told to come back when she was there.

Jen brought the dress back, discussed what she wanted done. They pinned the dress and told her they would let her know what it would cost.

Finally, after a week, they called her today and told her it would be $480!!!! This is at least 4x as much as the original estimates.

They told her if she wanted to come pick the dress up because it was too $$$$ they didn't care because it would be time consuming for them to do it.

Now she is fuming- and I'm fuming for her. The wedding is 6 weeks away and she has to find someone to do it.

Does $480 seem reasonable to anyone? Are we over reacting- the dress barely cost that much!!

She's calling Angel Bridal's now (where we bought our BM dresses) to see if they can fit her in.

Any other suggestions (BESIDES Phyllis at Bridal Elegance) are welcome!

Thanks!

Hmm $480 to me seems a little high but I don't know...I mean I felt my alterations for the minimal they did at RK was high-and all they did was pull in the top, the bustle which is customary and add cups which were extra.

Hmmm I am thinking. What abotu a place that sells bridal fabrics? its a stretch but maybe they can reccomend a seamstress? I know theres a place on 40th in the city by 8th avenue in the garment district.

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Posted by davenjess

does she live in NY? I have a GREAT place that i had mine done - but it's in Jersey...

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Yes, she's in NY- but thanks for the offer

Mine were $300...I think...maybe a little more....I had it taken in, the hem done, button loops redone(my dress was a sample) and some other little things. Considering how my dress was constructed, (she had to basically deconstruct it to take it back in if that makes any sense), i thought it was reasonable.

My seamstress was in Forest Hills if you're interested.

i think mine was 350 and that was a flat fee (i live in PA so this was done at a boutique here), regardless of what you do thats the price, which would suck for girls who barely had anything to adjust. I did do a few things tho like shortening my train for ex.

I think it was pricey personally!

I might shop around a bit more for quotes if I was your sister.

Sorry, but that's ridiculous. TWO people at that place quoted her a price and after a week they call her back and quadruple the costs?????????

That's F'd up!!!

I have a seamstress that does fabulous work, but she's in the Bronx.

I've heard of a good seamstress on Austin Street in Forest Hills - try a search on LIW. Good luck! Oh and I would NOT let those people alter her dress at this point - simply on principle.

By the way, I paid flat $200 for all alterations including bustle for my dress.

That seems about right. I also changed my dress from a straight across to a sweetheart and paid about that (also included in the price was the normal hem, bustle, etc.).... it ain't cheap to change a neckline!

ETA I got it done at Angel Bridal in East Islip. Pics of the alteration in my review.

my dress alteration was capped at 300$

i kno just from the size i was when i oreded it to the size i am now.. im glad i capped the price.,.. .

i think the estimate is fairly accurate. IMO

She might end up paying around that, but I wouldn't let a place that said it would be too 'time consuming' or them to do the work!!!

Good Luck finding a place. A good seamstress can do alterations in a week!