I ordered my dream gown, an Allure Couture, from Jay's Bridal.net. I know, you're already thinking I was crazy for going online, but they were referred by the knot & all of the references checked out. I got a great price & sweet shipping and, as icing on the cake, all of the employees are super nice. I thought it was a great way to avoid the ins tore mark up that happens way too often in the weddign dress world. The problem? My gown arrived & is not the authentic Allure I purchased, but an imitation of it.
Now I have to admit, it's a good fake. It took me two sleepless nights to pinpoint what seemed so 'off' about the gown I was so sure was THE ONE before. No one would notice & say I have a horrible dress, but I paid close to $900 for something that would be authentic. What finally tipped me off was the overlay. I wanted the organza overlay because I thought it looked elegant. What did I get instead? Mesh. Those of us who have shopped for enough gowns realize that there is a SERIOUS difference there.
So what can I do? The website is no refund, yet they 'gurantee your happiness.' What does that mean? No where do they mention that you're ordering a fake, I had every reason to assume I was buying a real dress. I have emailed them but I'm still waiting for a response, pacing my floor, & trying not to strangle someone out of sheer frustration. Did I mention my wedding is exactly 8 weeks from tomorrow? I need all the help I can get...
I'm sorry this happened to you! Call them and let them know that you will be contacting the better business bureau. Make yourself very official and no-nonsense. Do not take no for an answer. Threaten to paste bad reviews of them all over the internet.
Did they state that the dress was authentic?
If so, you have every legal right to pursue this further.
I might also let the company you ordered the dress from know you will be contacting the real designer, Allure, to let them know they are being ripped off. I might contact Allure anyway and see if they might work with you to get this resolved. It is in both of yours and Allure's best interest to get this company to sell real Allure dresses...not fakes! Please keep us posted on what happens! I will be losing sleep for you!
Since it was online, you probably paid with a credit card. Dispute the charge and take lots of pictures. AMEX was great when I had trouble with a vendor. They got on a three way and straightened it out quickly.
I looked at the website, and it says they are an authorized dealer, which means it should be real. If they are not an authorized dealer, and really are copying the dresses, they can be in serious trouble! Did you see this dress (the real one) in person before ordering it? Are you sure it is supposed to be organza and not tulle or mesh? Legally, they can't sell a dress and say it is an Allure if its not. Is there a tag that says Allure on the inside? That would also be a huge deal to the Allure co. You should definitely call them and find out, and if your cell can record it, do so....then you need to call Allure and tell them. They are definitely advertising authentic dresses, so if they arent' selling them, they are screwed!
the return policy also says that they cannot take returns unless there is a "quality defect"....if it says it is made with a particular fabric and it isn't, it should fall under that category....but, the website really looks like these are authentic gowns...
Thanks so much for all of the good ideas. The dress does have a tag on it that says Allure Bridal, so contacting the manufacturer is a great course of action. But how do I find them?
I purchased the dress with my Visa check card & I've already opened a claim with the bank. My only trouble is that, in order to have a claim you must have ordered merchandise you did not receive. Because I have an actual dress (however f'ed up it may be), it may disrupt my claim. I would need to return it first &, worst case scenario, that would leave me with no gown at all before my wedding day. I emailed Jay's Bridal again & am waititng for a response...
Sweettea--I actually live in Gainesville, FL where Jay's Bridal is located (the "brick and mortar" store has been here for ages). I was shocked to read your post--I've never heard of any problems with the local brides who purchased from Jay's, and many people have recommended the store to me. I did a bit of hunting online, and discovered that Jay's is an authorized Allure Bridal dealer and they've got a good BBB record (only one claim in 3 years, which was resolved). I'd recommend that you call the ladies at the store ASAP instead of waiting for email--the local number is (352) 377-9548 (found on their website, jaysbridal.com). They're open everyday, so you should be able to get ahold of someone. Good luck--I'm hoping this all works out for you!
there is a chance that the dress you ordered may have both options (organza or mesh) as an overlay. hopefully, you can reach the store and let them know your concerns asap. good luck!!!
If you are sure it is an IMITATION, call your credit card company and deny the charge! Then get yourself into another store and buy something off the rack SOOOO sorry.
Please forward digital pictures of the label, the unfinished hem, and overlay closeups so we may forward to <span class="yshortcuts">Allure to figure out why there are differences.
Question: Did you try this dress on in a local store in <span class="yshortcuts">California? If so, perhaps we can ask Allure whether they had a customized version. To do so, we would need to know which store you visited. You may even be able to return there & compare?
If the picture shown on the official Allure website is not the dress you received, then your pictures will help us understand why not. We have never received an email like yours. It is certainly upsetting to us and we are anxious to fully understand and resolve the situation.
Regards,
Erica Lyn | Manager E-Commerce
Though I appreciate their apparent concern, I'm a little annoyed that they think I'm mistaken. I'm on the verge of heart failure- 8 weeks here people- this is not something I'd be wrong about. Who could mistake a dress with no inner labels & the wrong designer tag? I'm hoping this will go well when I call the store & e-mail the confirmation pictures tomorrow. Subee, you totally rock for the great idea of contacting the actual store- in my panic I overlooked that option. Dreambml, I also hunted down the Allure manufacturer's number so I will be following up on that tomorrow as well! Those of you that pray, please lift me up in the next few days! = )
Glad to hear that they responded, although I can understand how you'd still feel frustrated. I think if you call, they'll understand your sense of urgency and disappointment much more (maybe this gets lost in email?). Keep us informed!
I ordered my dream gown, an Allure Couture, from Jay's Bridal.net. I know, you're already thinking I was crazy for going online, but they were referred by the knot & all of the references checked out. I got a great price & sweet shipping and, as icing on the cake, all of the employees are super nice. I thought it was a great way to avoid the ins tore mark up that happens way too often in the weddign dress world. The problem? My gown arrived & is not the authentic Allure I purchased, but an imitation of it.
Now I have to admit, it's a good fake. It took me two sleepless nights to pinpoint what seemed so 'off' about the gown I was so sure was THE ONE before. No one would notice & say I have a horrible dress, but I paid close to $900 for something that would be authentic. What finally tipped me off was the overlay. I wanted the organza overlay because I thought it looked elegant. What did I get instead? Mesh. Those of us who have shopped for enough gowns realize that there is a SERIOUS difference there.
So what can I do? The website is no refund, yet they 'gurantee your happiness.' What does that mean? No where do they mention that you're ordering a fake, I had every reason to assume I was buying a real dress. I have emailed them but I'm still waiting for a response, pacing my floor, & trying not to strangle someone out of sheer frustration. Did I mention my wedding is exactly 8 weeks from tomorrow? I need all the help I can get...
posted by sweettea 13 posts 3 months agoI'm sorry this happened to you! Call them and let them know that you will be contacting the better business bureau. Make yourself very official and no-nonsense. Do not take no for an answer. Threaten to paste bad reviews of them all over the internet.
Did they state that the dress was authentic?
If so, you have every legal right to pursue this further.
Good luck.
posted by doctorgirl 160 posts 3 months agoI might also let the company you ordered the dress from know you will be contacting the real designer, Allure, to let them know they are being ripped off. I might contact Allure anyway and see if they might work with you to get this resolved. It is in both of yours and Allure's best interest to get this company to sell real Allure dresses...not fakes! Please keep us posted on what happens! I will be losing sleep for you!
posted by MrsSpitzer 75 posts 3 months agoSince it was online, you probably paid with a credit card. Dispute the charge and take lots of pictures. AMEX was great when I had trouble with a vendor. They got on a three way and straightened it out quickly.
posted by MissRojoOso 220 posts 3 months agoI looked at the website, and it says they are an authorized dealer, which means it should be real. If they are not an authorized dealer, and really are copying the dresses, they can be in serious trouble! Did you see this dress (the real one) in person before ordering it? Are you sure it is supposed to be organza and not tulle or mesh? Legally, they can't sell a dress and say it is an Allure if its not. Is there a tag that says Allure on the inside? That would also be a huge deal to the Allure co. You should definitely call them and find out, and if your cell can record it, do so....then you need to call Allure and tell them. They are definitely advertising authentic dresses, so if they arent' selling them, they are screwed!
posted by dreambml 429 posts 3 months agothe return policy also says that they cannot take returns unless there is a "quality defect"....if it says it is made with a particular fabric and it isn't, it should fall under that category....but, the website really looks like these are authentic gowns...
posted by dreambml 429 posts 3 months agoThanks so much for all of the good ideas. The dress does have a tag on it that says Allure Bridal, so contacting the manufacturer is a great course of action. But how do I find them?
I purchased the dress with my Visa check card & I've already opened a claim with the bank. My only trouble is that, in order to have a claim you must have ordered merchandise you did not receive. Because I have an actual dress (however f'ed up it may be), it may disrupt my claim. I would need to return it first &, worst case scenario, that would leave me with no gown at all before my wedding day. I emailed Jay's Bridal again & am waititng for a response...
posted by sweettea 13 posts 3 months agoSweettea--I actually live in Gainesville, FL where Jay's Bridal is located (the "brick and mortar" store has been here for ages). I was shocked to read your post--I've never heard of any problems with the local brides who purchased from Jay's, and many people have recommended the store to me. I did a bit of hunting online, and discovered that Jay's is an authorized Allure Bridal dealer and they've got a good BBB record (only one claim in 3 years, which was resolved). I'd recommend that you call the ladies at the store ASAP instead of waiting for email--the local number is (352) 377-9548 (found on their website, jaysbridal.com). They're open everyday, so you should be able to get ahold of someone. Good luck--I'm hoping this all works out for you!
posted by subee 33 posts 3 months agothere is a chance that the dress you ordered may have both options (organza or mesh) as an overlay. hopefully, you can reach the store and let them know your concerns asap. good luck!!!
posted by bride 170 posts 3 months agoIf you are sure it is an IMITATION, call your credit card company and deny the charge! Then get yourself into another store and buy something off the rack SOOOO sorry.
posted by ju1244 254 posts 3 months agoHere's an update, this is the email I received from Jay's Bridal yesterday:
Is it this dress? <span class="yshortcuts"><font color="#003399">http://allurebridals.org/couture.html</font> (Style 8586)
Please forward digital pictures of the label, the unfinished hem, and
overlay closeups so we may forward to <span class="yshortcuts">Allure to figure out why there are differences.
Question: Did you try this dress on in a local store in <span class="yshortcuts">California? If so, perhaps we can ask Allure whether they had a customized version. To do so, we would need to know which store you visited. You may even be able to return there & compare?
If the picture shown on the official Allure website is not the dress you
received, then your pictures will help us understand why not. We have never received an email like yours. It is certainly upsetting to us and we are anxious to fully understand and resolve the situation.
Regards,
Erica Lyn | Manager E-Commerce
Though I appreciate their apparent concern, I'm a little annoyed that they think I'm mistaken. I'm on the verge of heart failure- 8 weeks here people- this is not something I'd be wrong about. Who could mistake a dress with no inner labels & the wrong designer tag? I'm hoping this will go well when I call the store & e-mail the confirmation pictures tomorrow. Subee, you totally rock for the great idea of contacting the actual store- in my panic I overlooked that option. Dreambml, I also hunted down the Allure manufacturer's number so I will be following up on that tomorrow as well! Those of you that pray, please lift me up in the next few days! = )
posted by sweettea 13 posts 3 months agoGlad to hear that they responded, although I can understand how you'd still feel frustrated. I think if you call, they'll understand your sense of urgency and disappointment much more (maybe this gets lost in email?).
posted by subee 33 posts 3 months agoKeep us informed!
So...any developments in the last week or so? I'm dying to know how this works out. I hope everything gets figured out ASAP. Good luck!
posted by MrsSpitzer 75 posts 3 months ago