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Hi Brides!
i am thinking of making an appt at David's Bridal, but wanted to hear what everyone's experience has been- i have heard rumors of bad experiences. any feedback or things to keep in mind?
I've heard horror stories, too--so I defnitely wasn't expecting to get my dress there but wanted to try it out. I've been to two DB locations in New York, one in Queens and the newer one on 23rd Street and have only had pleasant experiences. I bought my dress at the Queens store and had it altered in the Manhattan store. The two people I dealt with were nice, friendly, and went out of their way to help me, and on a return trip, went out of the way to help my mom and bridesmaids.
I did have a slight bad experience in that the consultant wasn't very helpful in helping me find the dress nor helpful in offering advice on style or size. It felt like she was just trying to get me outta there....On the other had as a sales lady I suppose she was trying to make a sale and perhaps didn't see the sale potential with me. I didn't have my date set in stone yet...though I definately know it will be next fall. I like to plan plan plan ahead and think there is nothing wrong with picking a dress now. So my complaint is that they weren't too helpful didn't offer to help in choosing what size I needed or what style might work for my body type. I do plan on going back, but to a different location...perhaps it was because I was in a different state.
Latoya- did they charge you extra for alterations? how long did it take for your dress to arrive?
Thanks so much for the feedback- i really like a couple of their dresses (on the website), and it's nice now to hear a good experience too.
one other question- what variety of sized do they carry for us to try on? do they have a range or something standard, like a size 6?
I didn't have any problems at David's Bridal. They were helpful, friendly and very accomodating. I just have a problem going to a bridal salon and paying $4,000 or more for a dress I will wear one day and never again. I got a beautiful dress there for $650. Also, since I had gotten my dress there, my bridesmaids got a percentage off of their dresses, and they only ended up paying $100 for their dresses! All in all, we had positive experiences. I know some people look down their noses to David's but their dresses are just as pretty as the other ones in the high end salons!
I did not have a good experience there. One piece of advice that I have is not to give them your phone number. Right after I went there, I started getting many, many phone calls from people telling me I had won a special wedding prize. I also started getting random solicitations in the mail (although this could have been from registering on a website). They pressure you to give your phone number by telling you they need it to tell you when your dress is ready, but I don't see why they should have it until you actually buy a dress from them.
I was also disappointed because although they have many dresses, there is not a lot of variety. I also got the hard sell on other items like shoes, a crinoline, a veil -- all stuff I wasn't interested in buying.
And even though you probably will not have the same sales woman that I did, I'll let you know that I did not appreciate having her leave the door to the dressing room open as she walked away, with several people staring at me in my underwear. Class!
I went to my local DB and was totally, utterly, completly ignored. Not even a "hey, you are?" My BM and I walked around and looked for about 35 minutes without a single second of acknowledgement. Which isn't indicative of all DB's, just my experience with my local store.
Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised--my mom was ready for their to be a fight because of what she had heard in dealing with them--but it was good.
Yes, they charged extra for alterations--my dress was $700 and my alterations were about $150-200 (don't remember exact amount). My dress had to be taken in a lot at the top because I'm smaller there, I got a double french bustle, and added some cups in the breast area. I ordered my dress in August of last year and it was ready in September. They told me it would be ready in December, so it was early.
I tried on a range of sizes because I'm a 12 on the bottom and an 8 on the top--mermaid style I needed a bigger size, for instance--so they do have a range, but I remember some of the sample dresses stopping at size 12 (even though you could order it in a larger size).
I definitely think the experience changes from consultant to consultant.
I had a pretty bad experience and i agree, DO NOT give them your phone number. My experience there was bad enough that I reviewed it when they asked and I wrote a separate letter to the manager. They were so rude, pushy and unprofessional beyond belief. Its the only time I've ever heard a sales person make a dress being on sale sound like a BAD thing. At one point she literally said that the dress was 1/2 off so "it might be in your budget" with UBER negative on the "your".... it was also funny considering I hadn't told her my budget (which wouldnt have had any problems with any dress in the store, on sale or otherwise). These people acted like they were at Klienfelds and I was a street rat witha $20 budget. It was absurd to the point that my friend who was with me started laughing at the sales lady so hard she couldnt breathe, and upon catching her breath promptly told her "you are horrible and we are leaving". I wouldnt recommend it to anyone.
My DB was ok. They have lots of sizes for you to try on so you aren't trying to squeeze yourself into something or tugging lots of excess fabric and hoping you can still figure out what the dress looks like. They were fairly nice.
The problems I had were trying to sell me the dress I liked best right then and there. I'm a think it over type and while my mom probably would have gone for it I wanted some time to process, which was good because I found my dress elsewhere about a month later. They are big on pushing their sales like you might miss it even though they are ALWAYS having a sale basically.
They also (if they think you really like something) attack you with veils and accessories which can be somewhat annoying.
The major problem I had was my associate was also working with a BP of 6 girls and so I'd have to wait forever to get a new dress brought to me. I'm pretty quick about the decision making so I'd pop one on, not even want to look at it cause I knew it was bad, and be out of it long before she'd even think to check on us.
I only bought my dress there, but had a wonderful sales person. Although my dress was amazing for a decent price, I did find that their shoes, veils, etc were overpriced, so I got those somewhere else. I also did not get my dress altered there because I found a wonderful seamstress shop near my town that is doing a wonderful job, found fabric that matched my ivory dress, and is making me a bolero that is almost identical to one I fell in love with online that was WAY out of my budget for half of what DB was charging me to fix my dress. However, I did go to several shops and stores, like Alfred Angelo, and found that the same (or very similar) dresses were cheaper at DB. At the end, it all really depends on who your sales person is. Good Luck!
I think it just depends who your salesperson is that day. I would recommend making an appointment, just because I think it makes things go smoother and gets you in quicker. My saleslady wasn't rude, but she also wasn't very helpful either. She just brought me the dresses I'd printed pictures of, and when I didn't see exactly what I wanted, she didn't make me any other recommendations like the salesladies did at other stores. It was a pretty neutral experience for me.
I think it depends on the store you go to and the consultant you deal with along with when you go. Keep in mind that the weekends are going to be busier and more crowded. The 2 stores I went to told me that consultants sometimes are helping two brides at once so if you are looking for the special one on one with a consultant DB might not be your place. I had my MOH and bridesmaids with me so I felt I didn't need that one on one.
I found a beautiful dress there and I feel like a million bucks in it. I went to a boutique and tried on dresses that cost 3-4 times what I paid at DB and didn't experience that "this is THE dress" feeling. They sell their dresses off the rack so they might have your size, it depends on how popular the dress is. I was lucky enough to not need alterations on my dress aside from the bustle.
If your schedule permits, try going during the week as they may not be as busy or schedule for first thing in the morning on the weekend.
Hope this helps!
I had a so-so experience at David's (the one in Albany/Colonie) I went to try on some wedding dresses and brought a few of bridesmaids along as they were going to try on dresses too. They do have tons of dresses in tons of sizes so you can try on your own size. I just didn't like any of the styles.
I set up the whole "wedding profile" thing because my bridesmaids are all getting their dresses there. They do call you constantly. And I think they are mad that I didn't get my dress there, which makes no sense since we will be spending lots of $$$$ on bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dress, and likely MOB and MOG as well.
Also, they charge $1 for swatches which is sort of silly.
But overall, their bridesmaids dresses are very affordable and come in lots of colors and styles. I'm letting my bridesmaids pick whatever they want as long as its cocktail length and watermelon, so this is really helpful.
I didn't have the best sales experience but not the worst. I'd heard the horror stories so I was prepared. Our consultant was nice, but she was also helping two other brides, so the help was kind of limited. She wasn't the friendliest, but she did pull ever gown I asked for and didn't mind me wandering around the shop and picking things out myself. I didn't buy my gown at David's, but it's not because of the experience I had there.
I wanted to like them, I did... but it was awful. We got there 15 minutes prior to my appt, but they didn't talk to us until 30 minutes after my appointment time. Even then, the consultant had me get my own dresses, in a size that was way too big, and then she disappeared and was never to be found again.
Needless to say I left when we couldn't find her then proceeded to find "The One" at Here Comes the Bride in San Diego!
David's worked beautifully for my geographically-scattered wedding party and me. I bought my dress in California, my bridesmaids bought their dresses in Ohio, Illinois, and California, and we all had great experiences. As long as you don't expect to get the kind of 1:1 treatment you might receive at a smaller salon, I think it's a great option. My dress was affordable, and I loved it. I don't think you can beat David's if you're trying to coordinate a far-flung bridal party or are on a dress budget. I say give 'em a shot!
Give them a shot, but heed the other comments already left here and be prepared to deal with a so-so experience. I wasn't expecting a great experience, and I didn't get it. The sales person was extremely rude, condescending and pushy. I tried to do things on my own -- go find my own bridesmaid dresses when she refused to listen to what we wanted -- and then got scolded for not consulting her before I went to the racks. However, I had BM's scattered across the country and DB just ended up being the easiest to deal with and the least expensive. You get what you pay for, I guess.
My biggest issue was that one of my BM's ordered her dress when she was living in Oregon; she then moved to Chicago in the time it took for the dress to come in. Rather than just sending the dress to a Chicago store, they insisted it still had to be sent to Oregon and then they CHARGED HER to have it mailed to a store in Chicago. Absurd, absolutely absurd. They look to get every last penny out of your pocket, and they will harrass you with e-mails, phone calls and mailings up until the second you walk down the aisle. They truly are the Wal-Mart of the wedding world.
THANKS EVERYONE!!! i think i'm going to give it a shot- and now feel a bit more prepared. we'll see what happens...am hoping to get one of the good salespeople. :)
One last suggestion-- not sure if anyone else mentioned this:
The service was fine at DB, but I signed up on their website first and the sold my info. I started getting all this spam in the form of e-mails and phone calls. I was NOT happy. When I did go in to the store they had me fill out a form, and I made sure to check the box at the bottom for them NOT to send me stuff or give out my info. So if you go in, be sure to look for that little box!
I had a pretty bad experience there, but I know people who had good experiences. I won't rant too much, but I've had several bad experiences with DB (as bride and BM), so I knew I'd never buy anything from them. Personally, I liked the personal attention I got from going to a smaller salon. The owner of the salon knew me, knew my dress and paid attention to my concerns and questions. FWIW, if you're on a budget or if you're not a size 0, don't think that DB is the only place you'll be able to find a dress. I feel like people often feel like this (I know I did), but it's just not true.
Like other posters said, I highly recommend NOT giving them your phone number, under any circumstances, especially if it is a cell phone. I got countless calls FOR MONTHS before I was able to fully remove myself from their call lists. Give only an email address and if you can, set one up just for this purpose.
Having said that, as negative as my DB experience was, it was good for one thing. I was able to try on a bunch of different styles and silhouettes. I was able to isolate the one I liked best, so I could continue my search.
I too had a bad experience with David's Bridal, which I used when asked to help plan my friends' commitment ceremony. The bridesmaids were located in different parts of the country, and so when I went to DB and picked out the dress styles and colors, they inputted that information into the computer. That way, the bridesmaids could go to the DB nearest to them.
Unfortunately on the day of the wedding, we discovered that DB messed up the styles AND the colors, and so everyone was wearing something completely different. Instead of light pink and lavender, we looked like a freaking rainbow.
I felt like cattle
hahaha
but they're great for a bargain
my BM got dresses for $82 each on sale
i went to kleinfeld and felt like a star
I did go there during the initial phase of dress shopping, but didn't buy one of their dresses. All in all, I would say my experience was positive. I would strongly recommend making a week-day appointment to avoid the crowds. Also, be firm up front about what information you are willing to give them. I refused to offer my email or phone number bc I didn't want any solicitations. When I made this clear, my sales assistant was able to check a box in their computer disallowing them to contact me for promotions (and I haven't received a single one). Another helpful idea was that the sales lady and I went through the catalog so I could choose styles to try. This made it a lot less overwhelming. Finally, I told them I already bought my shoes (which was true) and hated things like gloves and veils. This way, she knew better to pressure me into buying.
On the downside, their dressing rooms stink! Puny little curtains with no mirror. Ugh. Otherwise, I think this store can work for people on a budget or just trying to determine which silhouettes work best for them. Good luck!
I actually had a great experience at the David's Bridal that I went to (Central, PA) and bought my original dress there (since then I have changed my mind and gone with a different dress). My sales consultant was honest and very supportive. I went during a weekday so it wasn't very busy which may have also helped.
I just try them out and if you get there and feel like it is not going well...just walk out!
**************edit**************
Realized my rant was super negative, so decided to try again. 
They took my measurements, I'm a size six, made me order a 16 (!!!!), and paid almost $100 in alterations for a BM dress.
I've heard from several people they up your measurements so they get your alteration business...
I got my flower girl her dress here and they didn't hound me at all and haven't called me constantly. The dress looks adorable and the price was right. I think it must vary store to store and consultant to consutlant but I loved the lady who helped me, she was great with my little soon to be cousin in-law :)
Please do NOT give them your phone number! Or email! I get calls saying I won all sorts of crap.
Also go somewhere else for your alterations! My alterations will cost $200...they would have been over $500 at David's!
I do love my dress, but I wish I had been more careful about giving out my personal info.
You know, I had a bad experience at the store--the consultant was so impatient and the woman who greeted me was condescending as heck--but the good part is that most of their dresses are online and the computer doesn't give me 'tude. :) I didn't think I'd find my dream dress at a David's Bridal, but I really love what I got and I really love the price. It sounds like people's experiences vary store-to-store. I say it's worth a try at least.
Everyime ive been into DB ive been disapointed. I went to 3 diffrent location. They have all look at me im in between womans and regular dresses depends on the style. They automatically go to plus size never show me dresses i say i want. Sometimes i wait 15 plus min till i get seen. Even with a appt. I dunno im just never happy there.
david's was my first stop (on 6th ave in NYC), because i was hoping to find something there that was gorgeous & cheap. they actually did have a lot that were very pretty, just not right for me. the girl who was assigned to help me was not at all helpful. she had me go through the catalog & tab every dress i liked. then she brought me 3. that was it. i had to keep asking for more, and she seemed sour that she had to get more. she didn't help me put them on at all, and she didn't offer any advice/suggestions. it is definitely low service.
but they have a ton of big poofy dresses if you're into the princess style, there were tons of brides there looking beautiful trying them on & loving them!
good luck!
I had a great experience with them. My saleslady was very helpful and never pressured me into a sale. She also was very helpful when I showed up with no appointment to buy my daughter's dress.
I went to the NYC store w/a friend to pick out her dress. The experience was ... ok. The sales associate found all the dresses we asked for (my friend had a catalog). However, after that, she pretty much left us alone although we had questions. When I couldn't find the sales associate and I asked another person who worked there if he knew where she was but he was of no help at all. Overall it was a fine experience but just be prepared for minimal attention -- at least from our sales associate.
I had a great experience there in the Chicago suburbs, as did my maid of honor for her wedding. I spontaneously made an appt one day for right after work. The sales rep was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I didn't like any of the 10 or 11 dresses I tried on, and I made one comment about what I was hoping to find, and she ran to the back and found a discontinued dress in my size that ended up being THE dress. I never saw it online or in the catalog, but this great sales rep knew her stuff!!
***Plus they allow you to take photographs, so it may be a good place to start the dress search anyway if just to get pictures of you in different styles.
I had a wonderful experience with them, they are super nice at the DB I decided to go to. My dress wasn't sewn correctly, so the manager herself helped me find another dress which ended up being the floor model. It was cleaned and pressed and when I went back to pick it up she made sure that I was satisfied and told me "even though the sign says all sales are final, to me the sale isn't final until the customer is happy and satisfied." I will defintely be going back there in the future
Imagine if TGI Fridays sold wedding gowns. Think I'm kidding? When I tried on a dress, all the sales girls gathered around and sang 'Here Comes the Bride' as I walked out. It was so cheeseball! Plus, I didn't appreciate the high pressure sale either. Then, they made me put on a veil (after I expressed that I am not wearing one and didn't want to) because they said I wouldn't look like a real bride without one.
I purchased my dress at a very classy, salon and I'm so very glad that I did. I ended up spending $1100 on my dress instead of $600, but having a more unique, personable experience was more important to me. Plus, I've seen the DB dress I tried on on soooo many brides!
My experience wasn't too bad. I walked in w/o an appointment, so they were busy and my consultant keep leaving, but nothing horrible.
They do charge "extra" for alterations. They have you try on your dress based on your bra size, not street size, and that is my some people had to order larger dresses. They also prefer you to buy a bra and slip. I told them I didn't want the slip and they didn't push it. Same with the veil.
They allow you to take pictures, which is nice since most places don't. I like that they have size options. I think its size 2-16 and then 14W-26W, though I could be off on the Women's sizes a little. The payment and layaway options are pretty good, too.
I ordered my Dress july 17th, and it is expected to arrive on October 3rd.
I really think the experience depends on where you are located, though. I went to one in WA in couple years ago and enjoyed the service there, too. = )
I had a pretty pleasant experience with DB as far as dress shopping went, my consultant was friendly and helpful, so I do think that it depends on the location and person. Neither me nor my mom wanted to get my dress from DB, fearing I'd end up looking like every other bride, we mearly went in to get ideas but after several other dress shops ended up coming back to the dress at David's. I did get my dress from there, however, once my dress came in we decided to do a little accessory shopping and that didn't turn out so peachy. My jewelry came in and they actually lost it, and my lost it I mean they put it out on display, which irked me a bit. I think that DB is the perfect place when starting out dress shopping and getting ideas for what you want. You may even be pleasantly suprised and find The Dress.
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