Gown Price

Hi Ladies,

So I'm going to put 60% down on my dress January 10th for a Sept 2 wedding. Here is my question. I've heard of all these places and brides who get the price down on there dress significanlty by offering to pay in full, with cash. Is this true? Is it okay to try this, what other options are there with getting the price knocked down a few bucks. Also they are telling me I have to order this dress by Jan, or it wont be in on time. I also know there is a trunk show for my designer in Feb where the dress will then be at least 600 dollars less. Any advice?

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Posted by trajudygarland
I also know there is a trunk show for my designer in Feb where the dress will then be at least 600 dollars less. Any advice?

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yes, wait until the trunk show. $600 is a lot of change!

You don't need to pay cash to get the price down...just ask. My dad got my dress down a few hundred dollars, and he paid with a check.

As far as timing goes, I'd listen to what the salesperson told you. My shop had to have my order in by mid-october. my wedding is in early august.

thanks for the advice, what did your dad say to get it down?

I would bring up the trunk show and ask that they give you the lower price. I wouldn't wait any longer to order your dress if you don't want to risk not getting it in time.

Almost every place I visited offered me some discount or another. They definitely have the power to do this.

One FYI, though...I read a book about scams in the bridal industry and it says you should NEVER put down more than 50% on a dress. Most bridal gown shops charge double the wholesale cost of the dress. When you put down 50%, that is used to pay for the dress when they order it from the company. If you put down more than 50%, you lose bargaining power if there's a problem. If you put down 60% or the full amount, they've made money off you and might be less inclined to accomodate you if something is wrong with the dress or if it doesn't come in on time. (Think about it, if you've paid for the dress in full, and it comes in with a stain on it, what is the shop's motivation for getting a new dress or rectifying the situation? At that point, you just need to hope that they're honest....and I think the sad truth is that there are a lot of dishonest people trying to cash in on the wedding industry.)

Also, it's pretty unwise to put a deposit that large in cash. If something is wrong with a dress, one of the best ways to get the situation rectified is to dispute the charges with your credit card company. In that situation, if you can show the credit card company that a) The amount charged was a deposit for something that was not satifactorily delivered and b) That you made reasonable efforts to get the situation rectified with the retailer before contacting the credit card company, they will refund you the amount of the deposit, and will take action on their own against the shop. (This is all based on Federal REgulation C which gives credit card purchases special protection). The more documentation you have, the better (sales receipts, certified letters to the shop requesting they rectify the situation, etc.) Even if you pay the balance on your card immediately (which I do to avoid the interest), the credit card company still must abide by this law. If you use cash, and the shop doesn't want to rectify the situation, your only recourse is taking them to court (So, basically, kiss your $$ goodbye).

Whew! Ok, that was just my 2 cents...Just make sure that you protect yourself, and don't leave yourself open for a bridal 'scam.'

Whatever you do, just make sure you protect yourself.

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Posted by Boston&NY2006

I would bring up the trunk show and ask that they give you the lower price. I wouldn't wait any longer to order your dress if you don't want to risk not getting it in time.

Almost every place I visited offered me some discount or another. They definitely have the power to do this.

One FYI, though...I read a book about scams in the bridal industry and it says you should NEVER put down more than 50% on a dress. Most bridal gown shops charge double the wholesale cost of the dress. When you put down 50%, that is used to pay for the dress when they order it from the company. If you put down more than 50%, you lose bargaining power if there's a problem. If you put down 60% or the full amount, they've made money off you and might be less inclined to accomodate you if something is wrong with the dress or if it doesn't come in on time. (Think about it, if you've paid for the dress in full, and it comes in with a stain on it, what is the shop's motivation for getting a new dress or rectifying the situation? At that point, you just need to hope that they're honest....and I think the sad truth is that there are a lot of dishonest people trying to cash in on the wedding industry.)

Also, it's pretty unwise to put a deposit that large in cash. If something is wrong with a dress, one of the best ways to get the situation rectified is to dispute the charges with your credit card company. In that situation, if you can show the credit card company that a) The amount charged was a deposit for something that was not satifactorily delivered and b) That you made reasonable efforts to get the situation rectified with the retailer before contacting the credit card company, they will refund you the amount of the deposit, and will take action on their own against the shop. (This is all based on Federal REgulation C which gives credit card purchases special protection). The more documentation you have, the better (sales receipts, certified letters to the shop requesting they rectify the situation, etc.) Even if you pay the balance on your card immediately (which I do to avoid the interest), the credit card company still must abide by this law. If you use cash, and the shop doesn't want to rectify the situation, your only recourse is taking them to court (So, basically, kiss your $$ goodbye).

Whew! Ok, that was just my 2 cents...Just make sure that you protect yourself, and don't leave yourself open for a bridal 'scam.'

Whatever you do, just make sure you protect yourself.

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I agree! Think with your head.

I waited for the trunk show which was 15% off, plus I paid in full (with a CC) so I ended up getting 30% off. I had to ask though. I said 'can you do anything better than this price, I'm not comfortable with it' and they went lower.

I also only ordered 7 months in advance.

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Posted by Boston&NY2006

One FYI, though...I read a book about scams in the bridal industry and it says you should NEVER put down more than 50% on a dress.

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One very reputable bridal salon that I went to requires 60% down so even though you may not want to put more than 50%, you may not have a choice.

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Posted by Boston&NY2006

I would bring up the trunk show and ask that they give you the lower price. I wouldn't wait any longer to order your dress if you don't want to risk not getting it in time.

Almost every place I visited offered me some discount or another. They definitely have the power to do this.

One FYI, though...I read a book about scams in the bridal industry and it says you should NEVER put down more than 50% on a dress. Most bridal gown shops charge double the wholesale cost of the dress. When you put down 50%, that is used to pay for the dress when they order it from the company. If you put down more than 50%, you lose bargaining power if there's a problem. If you put down 60% or the full amount, they've made money off you and might be less inclined to accomodate you if something is wrong with the dress or if it doesn't come in on time. (Think about it, if you've paid for the dress in full, and it comes in with a stain on it, what is the shop's motivation for getting a new dress or rectifying the situation? At that point, you just need to hope that they're honest....and I think the sad truth is that there are a lot of dishonest people trying to cash in on the wedding industry.)

Also, it's pretty unwise to put a deposit that large in cash. If something is wrong with a dress, one of the best ways to get the situation rectified is to dispute the charges with your credit card company. In that situation, if you can show the credit card company that a) The amount charged was a deposit for something that was not satifactorily delivered and b) That you made reasonable efforts to get the situation rectified with the retailer before contacting the credit card company, they will refund you the amount of the deposit, and will take action on their own against the shop. (This is all based on Federal REgulation C which gives credit card purchases special protection). The more documentation you have, the better (sales receipts, certified letters to the shop requesting they rectify the situation, etc.) Even if you pay the balance on your card immediately (which I do to avoid the interest), the credit card company still must abide by this law. If you use cash, and the shop doesn't want to rectify the situation, your only recourse is taking them to court (So, basically, kiss your $$ goodbye).

Whew! Ok, that was just my 2 cents...Just make sure that you protect yourself, and don't leave yourself open for a bridal 'scam.'

Whatever you do, just make sure you protect yourself.

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i totally agree - i read this book too - excellent book for anyone who just got engaged!! 'bridal bargains' i beleive it was called - it really helped!!