Brides without gowns - Discount Bridal Service files for bankrupcy

[Stanee Murray]

Just wondering if anyone's clients are dealing with this issue. DBS was highly recommended by the Bridal Bargains book as a way to save money. The authors advised brides go to their local bridal salons and try on dresses, etc. but not order anything. Instead, after finding a dress they liked (and writing down the stock number) they should order through DBS. Now many brides are stranded without their gowns, bridesmaids dresses, mother's gowns. Bridal Bargains is caught in the middle, since they recommended DBS, and is getting messages from frantic brides whose weddings are coming up soon.

Bridal Bargains contacted various wedding gown companies and posted a list of their policies regarding this disaster. Some companies will ship directly to the brides who placed orders. Some will only do so at a surcharge of 20-30% above the discount price the bride already paid. Others said they will only deliver the dresses to a salon (who will then charge the bride their usual markup). Others won't do a thing since they don't deal directly with consumers at all.

In attempting to fill orders, DBS sent some brides a different gown from what they ordered, but which DBS considered comparable. They say the brides can sell them if they don't want to wear them.

Interestingly, bridal salons petitioned the manufacturers NOT to ship the dresses directly to brides. I guess they got tired of being shopped and wasting time on brides who had no intention of ordering at the salon (but who later ordered through DBS).

Here's the story on Bridal Bargain's site -- http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/dbs911.html

DBS Annoucement -- http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4717691/detail.html

Stanee

[Dave Cisco]

Here's the story on Bridal Bargain's site -- http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/dbs911.html

DBS Annoucement -- http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4717691/detail.html

Stanee

I'd say the bottom feeders got what they deserved..

[Guest]

Dave, Dave, Dave noone deserves this.

How many photographers post on the forum looking for the best deal or a buying group to get a better deal?

They may have been saving money to spend on a better photographer?
It is sad. :ty:

[Kent Weir]

I agree with Dave, they got what they deserved. Trying to save a buck can get you in trouble. You get what you pay for.

[Jen Lay]

I agree with Dave, they got what they deserved. Trying to save a buck can get you in trouble. You get what you pay for.

i would say if they got crappy dresses, then they get what they pay for. but they paid and didn't get anything and that is not fair.

[Richlain Robinson]

There is justice once in a while!

[Kirsten Twigg]

We have this in our area too. Some salons are cutting off/hiding the stock numbers. In this case, they're getting what they paid for in the lack of service.

[Mike Ridinger]

they got what they deserved for wasting the local businesses time and energy when they up front knew they were just going to go somewhere else.

[Mike Ridinger]

would you like it if a bride sat with you for over an hour picking your brain and then had a friend do it cheap using all your information?

[Guest]

How many times have we read post in photography forums about going to a local camera store to get the "feel" for a camera and then buy online for the best price.
Same thing.

[Brad Shifflett]

Good point Randall. That is why I try and find people local that have the equipment or read a ton of reviews on the camera or gear I plan to purchase. If the local shop can match or come close to the price, I will purchase locally, it is just easier than dealing with mail order, not to mention I am the type of person that has to have it today!!! I cannot wait!

[Brittney McChristy]

I used a service liek that, maybe that company, for my bridesmaids dresses. I didn't shop them in person, but online and then called the company and ordeded them.

There must be a lot of brides totally crazily freaking right now. I feel for their fiances.

[Roy Mullin]

How many times have we read post in photography forums about going to a local camera store to get the "feel" for a camera and then buy online for the best price.
Same thing.

Yes, I'm sure people do this, but I don't think you've ever heard that advice on THIS forum! We just bought an S3 and bought it from one of the sponsors here, Desktop Darkroom, and paid MORE than we could have gotten it elsewhere.

But their service is top notch and we've had nothing but good experiences with everything we've bought from them. I wish these brides had realized the worth of buying from a reputable place, it's a hard lesson to learn this way.

Unfortunately, some of these same people are the ones who come in for portraits with brand new clothes with the tags tucked in so they can return them afterwards. - these are the same people who will copy portraits. No class!

[Guest]

I live soo far in the boonie, 100 miles from B'ham and 100 miles from Nashville there are no local pro level camera stores. Well this is one owned by a good friend but he does not carry my brand. I have to buy online and get my hands on a trade shows.90% of the time from B&H because of the great service.

Some people are price shoppers, but they didn't deserve this. A local upscale bridal shop in the next town had a fire a couple of years ago and lost hundreds of qowns some they were able to replace in time some not. I think bridal bargins were one many shops that helped them find gowns.

[Stacy Jastram]

There's nothing stopping one of these bridal boutiques from doing the same thing to their customers. I had a furniture store padlock their doors after I had purchased a couch. I did get my couch two weeks later, but many customers were left out the money and no furniture. The big companies that they owed money to will get a portion of their money, but the little guy gets nothing.
This company knew they were going to file for bankruptcy. It should be criminal to keep taking peoples money, knowing you are never going to be able to deliver. These things don't just happen overnight.

I do think it's very tacky, and not nice, to waste these sales peoples time trying on these dresses. I can see why the boutiques aren't all that excited to help these brides out.