Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

BriAndJesse Posted: May 13, 2009 01:09 AM

Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

Ok I went to Paradise Bridal for my first time trying on wedding Dresses. Everything went good tried on a bunch of dresses. I found one I really liked but I didn't say yes cause I wanna shop around for a bit. But I called back because I wanted to know the dresses designer to see if I could find a picture or anything and they told me they could not tell me the dresses designer until I put a deposit on the dress!!?!?! This doesn't seem right I should be able to know the designer of the dress even if I am not buying the dress right!???

What do you think?

MikesBride2B Posted: May 13, 2009 01:20 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

This is not the first time I've heard of this...I know sometimes stores remove the labels from dresses so that you can't go to another store and get it for a lower price.

Julia0927 Posted: May 13, 2009 02:29 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

Yea it happened to me once also. I still went back and looked at it lol. Turned out the dress was really a quinceanera dress and I found it in LI store for $400 but they were selling for $1000. I still ended up buying a different style dress from another store .

Lsorrent Posted: May 13, 2009 07:44 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I had something similar to this happen at Bridal Reflections. They told me the designer, but they wouldn't tell me the style number. They also told me they'd work with me on price, but wouldn't give me their final number until I put a deposit down. The lady said 'I know you probably want a price so you can shop around, but I can't give it to you.' My response, 'Well then you're really not helping me.'

Needless to say, I found the style number after doing some research and am buying the gown elsewhere.

Could you give us a description? Do you have ANY pics? Maybe we could help out.

20mrsc10 Posted: May 13, 2009 07:46 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

Posted by Lsorrent

I had something similar to this happen at Bridal Reflections. They told me the designer, but they wouldn't tell me the style number. They also told me they'd work with me on price, but wouldn't give me their final number until I put a deposit down. The lady said 'I know you probably want a price so you can shop around, but I can't give it to you.' My response, 'Well then you're really not helping me.'

Needless to say, I found the style number after doing some research and am buying the gown elsewhere.

Could you give us a description? Do you have ANY pics? Maybe we could help out.

the same thing happened to me-i knew the designer, but they 'didn't know' the style number..bull..i found it online, and found the dress for 400 cheaper somewhere else..so ha..

Scarpak Posted: May 13, 2009 09:18 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

i am almost positive that they HAVE to tell you the designer and style number. I remember reading in one of my million wedding books that they do. So maybe call them and tell them that you know that they MUST tell you the designer name and that if they dont you will be reporting them. HTH

KellymKuehn Posted: May 13, 2009 09:44 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

These places really try to rip you off it is ridiculous!

EsquireBride Posted: May 13, 2009 09:45 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I wouldn't want to then work with that bridal shop -- if they give you so many hassels now, imagine trying to deal with stuff like alterations! My bridal salon was very nice with the info -- no pics, I understand that, but they told me the designer and style number so I could look it up myself at home. They also arranged for a quick second appointment that same week because my mom was visiting from MA and she wanted to see the dress before I bought anything.

And if they are afraid of you price shopping for the dress, that is probably because they are marking it up greatly and they KNOW you would be able to get a better deal elsewhere.

valthom426 Posted: May 13, 2009 09:56 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

That's the bridal shops MO, they won't disclose information to get you to buy the dress their inflatedated prices. A few times I tried on a dress that had a tag or two and before I left the store I noticed it mysteriously disappeared. This is illegal, there is a law called the Textile Fiber Products ID ACt of 1963, that requires all apparel (even bridal) to be properly labeled. The shops know the FTC won't bust them,
so they do it .
There is a loophole in the law where they can replace the designer tag for their own with the store name and required info (fiber content, country of origin, care instructions, etc). You can report them to the FTC online, if they get enough complaints they will investigate and/or you can rat them out on bridalbargainsbook.com and websites like these. So everyone is aware before they walk through the door.

I would suggest anyone buying a bridal dress read the chapter on gowns in Bridal Bargains so they go in informed. It's eyeopening.
Talk about a bummer on an exciting time huh? Happy dress hunting!

MarjorieFrank Posted: May 13, 2009 10:02 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

That is ridiculous! I would never go there.

TheFutureMrsPM Posted: May 13, 2009 10:05 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

This happens at some places but, I have found a way to deal with it lol. I always put a pen and peice of paper in my bag, leave it in the fitting room. I search for a tag inside the dress and write down whatever info I can find to later stalk on the internet. Some places do make this impossible by coming in and out and only having the dressing room covered by a small cutain but, I then try to look for the labe and take out my cell to text myself whatever info I found lol

It is a pain but I understand why the braidal shops do it (they spend time with you so they do not wnat you to buy the dress else where)

gemini10 Posted: May 13, 2009 10:06 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I bought my dress from Paradise Bridal, and before my appointment I had done some research and read some posts about them not giving out the designer name, as well as other bridal shops. So, I was aware of this before hand.

However, my bridal attendant was very nice & extremely helpful! She did tell me that she wasn't really permitted to give out the designer name. But, she was so nice - she would whisper the names to me & my mom when we asked whom makes this dress, I mostly asked out of curiousity.

So, when I found my dress, she did tell me the designer before making my deposit. Maybe, because she invested so much time with me ( I was there for 3 hours). But, I know they dont usually tell you, I think they really should tell you, especially you are making such a big purchase - I feel you should know ahead of time.

BriAndJesse Posted: May 13, 2009 10:25 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

Yea I figured they were just trying to scam me! But I don't remember seeing a tag and they do go by the coded number thing so just be warned if you go to Paradise Bridal they are not so fair!! I'm definitely going somewhere else!

Thanks for your help ladies :)

Cacarina Posted: May 13, 2009 10:35 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

See, the way I see it is if Paradise Bridal was confident that their prices are the best and are competitive, they would have NO problem telling you the designer of the gown. It seems shady that they do not want you to know the designer because they are afraid you'll shop around. They should be confident that if you do shop around, you'll still come back because of their great service and/or prices!!!!

BriAndJesse Posted: May 13, 2009 10:38 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

exactly!

Juhgail Posted: May 13, 2009 10:39 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I have to say its vert D0uchebaggy of them.....but I dont blame them.

They are trying to make a sale and keep you in their store. I do NOT agree with it, but I see why.

I would not shop there. Period. And I would tell them why.

Junebride2010 Posted: May 13, 2009 11:07 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I wouldnt shop there. Its illegal as someone posted above.

beebs341 Posted: May 13, 2009 11:17 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

Thats bull! Those places have some nerve. After all, you're paying them. Who do they think they are!!! I can't wait for this to happen to me, I'll def take the pen and paper tip thought

Tracey1979 Posted: May 13, 2009 11:44 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

I've been there, too. They won't tell you. And I found out they don't have to. And they do a good job of ripping out all identifying tags from inside!

duggdugg1 Posted: May 13, 2009 11:47 AM

Re: Bridal Shop wouldn't tell me the Designer of the Dress!

If you're going to go there...ask to meet with Elaine. She is the only 'trustworthy' employee and the only one keeping me from taking my gown (when it finally comes in) and running to a different store for alterations.

Unfortunately this place doesn't run their business very well and it will hurt them in the future. Thanks to this website, the word is getting out.