Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

Long story short – the owner of Bridal Couture (BC) called me last night and asked why my bridesmaids hadn’t come in to order their gowns yet. I told her that we have decided to order our gowns somewhere else and she told me, in not such a nice way, that she wanted my gown out of her store and that they would not be doing the alterations on it.

OK, details…

I bought my gown, headpiece, and two (yes, 2!) veils at BC – needless to say, I spent a lot of money there. My saleswoman (Cali) told me that since I spent so much and because I have 5 BMs, if I got BMs dresses there, they would give me 20% off. So, I picked out a few gowns I liked and brought my MOH and two of my BMs in to try them on and place their orders. I had an appointment with Cali, but for some reason she wasn’t there so I dealt with someone else (Joan.)

We picked out a dress and I was talking to Joan and mentioned the 20% off. She told me that it wasn’t their policy to give 20% off. Well, one of my BMs recently got her wedding gown and BMs dresses there and she was given 20%. So my BM pointed that out. Joan then said that they didn’t give 20% off anything less then $200 (the dress we picked was), and again my BM pointed out that her BM dresses were less then $200. And Joan replied, “but it was close to $200.” Whatever that’s supposed to mean. They told me that they would only give me 15%. Let me point out here that the difference in price that we are talking about is $8 per dress or a total of $40 for all of my BMs. They said they would not make any profit. If $40 is going to break them, then I think they have a problem.

So, I went looking around to see what I could get elsewhere. I found better prices at 3 other stores and confronted the owner with that information. She wanted me to give her the names and phone numbers of the stores because she needed to “verify” that I was telling the truth. I gave her the info, but then decided to go somewhere else because she still wasn’t giving me the 20%, only 17%. And I didn’t appreciate the insinuation that I was lying to get a better price. When she found this out she flipped out on me on the phone and told me I was a liar and I abused their store. I wasted her saleswomen’s time. She told me to get my dress out of her store, she didn’t want it there any more and they would not alter it. She didn’t want my business.

I never had any intention of getting BMs dresses there until they promised me the 20% off. So then they got me to look there and when I found one, they reneged.

Well, the good news is that I picked up my gown this morning. I was concerned about the alterations so I called the designer directly. He told me not to worry and that he would alter my gown himself. What could be better then the designer doing the alterations?

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

I would file a complaint against them on the BBB. I had the biggest fight with the lady in that place. Thanks god you got your dress. Good luck

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

My God, this place is getting worse by the day.

Definitely file this with the BBB, they are so many things wrong with that place that I can't believe it's still open.

I'm so happy you got everything out of there!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

OMG!!!
I can't believe that!!
But yay for the designer doing the alterations. That's very cool!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

That place is absurd. I loved a dress there, but refused to buy it since they refused to tell me who made it. I'm glad to hear that all has worked out for you!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

I would complain to bbb and consumer affairs
its good your warning other brides too
they deserve to lose business and get complaints over this
what a nasty woman!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

I have heard many horror stories about them

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

That's the same woman that harrassed the crap out of my mother (called the house 5 times in two days to see if we were ordering) over a $5000 dollar dress they weren't even allowed to be carrying!!!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

when I went, those who are a little ashamed of their weight will understand. They kept screaming my size out and saying oh, no we jsut really dont have anything in that size. Then the idiot told me to buy a size 8 and go on a diet. Well I dont have to tell you what happened

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

What a horrible experience. I am so glad everything worked out for the better. I have only heard bad things about them. I am so surprised that they are still in business.

Good luck!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

OH MY!!!! That is TERRIBLE!!! I had a bad experience there a few months ago! Definately complain to the BBB.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

Octbride, she got her dress

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

Thanks! I didn't read all the way down But since we're sharing horror stories on Bridal Couture, here's mine from a few months ago:

Okay, I went searching for a dress about 3 weeks ago and fell completely in love with a gown I found at Bridal Couture in Manhasset. The service there was unbelievable as well. I was told my gown is 'custom made' from Italy. They would not give me a style # or designer name. I had also heard MANY MANY horror stories from friends about this store. But, since the consultant I dealt with was so helpful, I didn't care if they gave me more info on the dress or not. HOWEVER, since the gown was expensive, I did take the comments of friends in consideration and DID NOT make a purchase yet. Last week, I found a dress that looked EXACTLY like the one in Bridal Couture in Brides magazine. So yesterday when I was on another search for a similar gown, I decided to go to Bridal Couture just to see if I still loved the original dress and I do! This time I studied the label (which Bridal Couture said is specially coded) and noticed the EXACT same number as the gown I found in the magazine. Of course the designers initials were missing to throw the purchaser off. Bridal Couture lied to me the VERY FIRST day I arrived. I found the dress at another bridal salon and am going for a fitting next week! Good luck to you all and be careful of where you go!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

That is the worst thing I have heard! Definitely register a complaint with the BBB

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

The good thing is you're getting your alterations done by the designer and before she did something to your dress!!!

Sorry to hear how horrible this place is, glad it worked out for you!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

Octbride, that is very similar to what happened with me. They told me the gown was made in Italy and couture, and that they will write the number down for me so I know which it is when I want to order it. They refused to give me the name. I found out that this gown is Candice Solomon Couture (made right here in NY) and they are NOT AUTHORIZED TO EVEN SELL THE GOWN! If I had ordered that gown, who knows if I ever would have seen it!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

i'm not a expert, but i would say that a lot of the practices at this store are illegal. I am 99% sure that stores are not allowed to rip the manufacturer's tags out of the gowns. and i am positive that they are not allowed to lie about materials or source (i.e., from Italy). Somebody who has had experience with this shop (and has their dress alread ) should report them. and once you have opened up a complaint ticket, let the rest of us know so that others may call in and add to the complaint. We have an obligation to protect future brides to be from walking into a bad situation.

But, on the good side, sooooooo glad you got your dress and even better, the designer will make the alterations. i cannot wait to see. please post a picture when all done!! and really glad your BMs did not go there!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

For my sister's wedding 5 years ago, we had a nightmare experience from Bridal Coture. They were insisting that my sister didn't pay the full amount on her veil (mind you it was $1800), but she absolutely did! They gave such a problem and called the cops on my sister and parents and complained of harrassment. I don't know how this place has stayed in business so long - they are rude and inconsiderate!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

Wow that is amazing they are still in business. I would definitely call the BBB! Glad you got your dress!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset Disaster (LONG)

I DESPISE BC of Manhasset. I got my BM dresses from their b/c it was at a Watters & Watters trunk show. I didn't buy my dress from their becuase Joan kept telling me I needed to diet! I bought @ Adrienne's instead.