Weddingbee boards

I was just wondering what you guys think of this situation and is this info correct:

I found the gown that I want to purchase at Store A but did not order right away.  I’ve shopped around and found the same dress for a bit cheaper elsewhere.  Store A offers price matching and is currently offering a free veil with the purchase of a gown so I am now reconsidering them. 

When I was there, they advised me to order the regular length of the gown (instead of ordering it hallow-to-hem)  and then paying to short the dress (including removing all the appliqué lace, hemming then re-attaching)  Does this sound weird and sort of like a grab for money??  She claimed that ordering a gown hallow-to-hem does not always provide an accurate length because the manufacturer does not take into account the size of the bust?  This sounds weird to me!

I also inquired about ordering extra lace to make a matching bolero and was told I would have to order 2 yards of lace (which seems excessive to me because I am very very petite)  Again, are they trying to rip me off?

Lastly, and most importantly, today I spoke to Store A and told her that I found a store that carries Paloma Blanca gowns (but they don't have a sample of the actual gown I want) offered to order the gown I want at an additional discount and would she be able to match that price.  Store A rep told me that Paloma Blanca will NOT allow Store B order gowns that they do not stock as samples so she won't be matching that price.  Is this true?  Have you guys ever heard of this?

Any advice would be helpful… I’m getting a bad feeling about this store and whether they are telling me the truth or not.

The first one definitely sounds like a ripoff - they always try to get you to order a bigger size so they can charge you mor efor alterations.  You could always inquire from the manufacturer if it's true that they don't take into account the bust and then add on an inch, but really it sounds shady.

Lace minimum is again another way to get extra money out of you. However in this case it may be the manufacturer sitting a minimum and trying to gouge extra money.  You could ask around and see if another dealer can order you a small amount or somewhere online.

Finally, I have definitely seen stores be able to order any dress from a manufacturer not just the ones that they have the samples for. If the third store is willing to order it and they have a lower price why not just go through them and skip this shady store and their tactics. 

I do think that store A is trying to rip you off, but mostly based on the idea that store B won't be able to order the dress.  If store B says they can order the dress first of all, then they can.  Secondly, any store can order any dress from any designer (usually) if thats what you want.  Regardless of whether they have it in stock.  Meaning if store B didn't carry the brand at all, but thats what you wanted, they could probably order it for you.  At least, the shop I went to said they could do that.  Aside from that, I don't think you will save money trying to order a shorter dress - if anything, making custom changes as opposed to standard size is going to cost more.  As for the extra lace, they might just want you to get more just in case, or it might actually take more material especially if its lace, which is typically kind of patterned, and they may have to get it all to match in the pattern.....but yeah, they other things sound shady.