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Don't get me wrong... I love this show. I watch it all the time. I do get frustrated with the attitude of the consultants a lot of times though. I totally get that it is a business and they are trying to make a living etc etc.... but puh-lease! They are selling dresses for 2, 5, 10, 20 thousand dollars! Somehow I feel they could be a little nicer and still probably not go home to ramen.
Here are some things that bug me:
- 1.5 hour appointments and it seems like it takes so long to find dresses that most brides only try on maybe 2-4 dresses
- When a bride says she can spend "up to $5,000 but less if possible" they ONLY show her dresses 4-6K, totally ignoring that she might like a cheaper dress (more expensive does not ALWAYS mean better I don't think)
- They rant and rave when someone wants to go home and think about a dress before buying it-- good lord it is a LOT of money and a big decision. Don't pressure her!
- God forbid someone comes in to look! They have this attitude like you should not walk into the store unless you are prepared to buy TODAY. I think girls should try on dresses at a few places, make at least a couple trips, and be sure of their decision. They act like it is almost criminal to want to try on dresses without being ready to buy righthisminute.
Anyone else get annoyed by their pushy-ness? I still love watching the show but I would never actually shop there... I avoid pushy sales people like the plague!
While I understand what you're saying, there is a whole other side that you don't see on that show. I've worked retail before and would never go back. I don't think it takes that long to pull the sresses. It takes a long time to get it on and for the bride to look at it and decide what she likes about it and what she doesn't. I also think that the consultants would just like to know upfront that the person has no intention of buying a dress that day. I think they get a whole lot of "looky lous" at that store - people who have no intention of buying a dress there and come in for a full appt anyway, just for the experience. And, can you imagine lugging around 3-4 of those dresses at a tme? Exhausting. NOt to mention what inventory time is like! I think they work their butts off and the show likes to play up their venting.
I majorly agree with you on the whole, "You must buy today!" thing they have goin' on there. They really hate it when a bride doesn't come in to buy, which is annoying. I understand that they have a large stock room, so they pretty much have almost any dress on the market, but sheesh. Sometimes a girlfriend needs to sleep on it! I don't think the realize that repeat business is also a good strategy.
In fact, when I went to the Vera Wang salon, the sales associates were outstanding, and they specifically told me to never buy a dress you're trying on for the first time without sleeping on it. They said you have to let it sink in in order to be absolutely sure about it. THAT'S customer service. They said, "We order these dresses just for you. It'll be here tomorrow!"
That's what I love about Keasha she seems the least pushy. I mean it's like they are walking away with a freaking car! I mean you can buy a car with the price they are paying for these dresses!!However I would LOVE to have a 7500 pnina tornai (faint swoon, pass out) i'm better now lol..
i totally feel the same way sometimes about the show! especially when they're really down on a bride who has researched dresses and has an idea about what she wants and wants to see many dresses to compare and contrast. i mean, i love watching the show, but i'm a researcher by training, and they seem to get annoyed by brides who come in wanting to make an educated, careful decision. i was actually almost shocked at the first place i went dress shopping because the bridal consultant, who was amazing, was so not pushy. since it was my first time looking, she kept saying i should go home and sleep on it and come back to try more on. it was so refreshing!
I'm glad to hear not all bridal salons are like that! I was a little scared to go into any of them haha.
@crebre- i agree, keasha does seem nice. So does the older lady (i'm so bad with names... really small woman like in her 50s). The two I cannot STAND are Claudia (so glad she's gone) and the really severe-looking woman.
I think a lot of the brides who go to Kleinfelds are there for the experience, and that salon is probably not the most convenient to get to for them. Maybe their prices aren't competitive, and brides end up purchasing elsewhere for price or convenience. So it makes sense to me why they would want brides to purchase on the spot.
I have seen a couple of episodes where I'd be mad at the bride for wasting my time too if I was the consultant. They probably get a lot more of those girls than we see on tv, since it doesn't make the best storyline if nobody actually buys the dress.
@corgitales-- in my experience, none of the stores have been like that! i've been to 5 stores in the past 5 days (crazy!) and although customer service was definitely better at some places than others (one place was awwwwful!), none have pushed me to buy immediately. they all just say they want me to come back.
@Corgi- Claudia was one of my favorites! I liked the behind the scenes drama - it added another dimension to the show.
eh...i understand your point of view, but i think ima side with the sales associates. they work on commision. so while the bride may be going with 6 of her girlfriends for fun afternoon, i think they should be upfront that they dont plan on spending any money. think of it like meeting with a real estate agent or car salesmen. wouldnt you be upset if someone wasted hours of your day? and just because the dress is $10k, doesnt mean the salesperson is making $10k. she probably gets 1-2% of the sale, if she makes her sales goal for the month. from what ive seen of the show, the people are very friendly, but to the camera they express their frustration (i.e. the bride is here with 12 people and has no idea what she wants). and it seems a lot of the brides have really unrealistic expectations...you brought in pictures of a 12k dress but your budget is $1500 for a ball gown. of course they upsale, thats how they make money. its a business.
@crebre - Keasha is my favorite.
I just cannot get enough of that show.
@jacqi- i guess they do say sometimes that brides end up buying the dress in their hometowns. I guess I feel that if the same dress is cheaper somewhere else, the bride SHOULD buy it there. Kleinfelds should make their prices more competitive if this is a big problem.... I don't see why someone should buy the same dress for more money.
I just wanted to pop in and defend Kleinfelds a bit. I bought my dress from them, (Diane, the woman with long blond hair and bangs) was my consultant, and I had an absolutely amazing experience. I think they just up the drama factor for the show. I tried on about 8 dresses at Kleinfelds. When you make your appt, you're asked to print your top 5 dresses off the website, and they start you out with those, then make suggestions as you start to see how each type of dress looks on you. They didn't try to upsell me, and gave me a huge discount when I ended up falling in love with a Lazaro that was over my budget. They also told me not to get the $2000 veil that matched my dress perfectly, and instead found one that was a fraction of the price, and wouldn't cost me over a months rent.
I never felt pressured, and if they ranted about me, they did in private. ;)
I understand the feeling about pushy consultants - but if you were paid on commission you would probably be, uh, assertive, too. Same deal with customers coming in only to look around. If a big chunk of your salary is tied to making a sale, it's literally not worth your time to spend hours helping someone in and out of dresses while other consultants snap up the paying customers.
As for pricing - it's up to the bride to be assertive and make it clear that her price ceiling is firm. That means not trying on the more expensive dresses that the consultant brings over.
yeah. i agree with price shopping. i dont think kleinfields is necessarily more expenisive, but when you add in travel to have the dress altered, and NY sales tax, it may be much smarter to buy the dress in your hometown.
@brooklynbride- i'm glad to hear you had such a good experience! i'm sure a lot of people do. Really, probably most people who go in there with a good sized budget and plans to buy. I'm just the kind of person that shops around a LOT before I buy anything because i'm worried about missing out on something better/cheaper... so it always grates on me when they get on girls' cases for shopping around.
@FutureMrsMorgan, I live in nyc, so my travel was only $4.50 round trip on the subway, but they specifically told me to have my dress shipped to a relative's house in NJ or PA to avoid the sales tax, so they're well aware that the sales tax here could kill the deal on some of their dresses.
So glad I have someone in NJ who will let me ship to their address!
I agree with everything you said and actually have had some pretty horrible dress experiences myself. I am picky and was not ready to find a dress until i found the one I loved. Consultants did not like that and always tried to push me to buy. I had one consultant at a store who told me that a dress was 1200 more than it really was, and tried to act like she was giving me a discount. When I saw a different price for the Vera Wang gown online I called the Vera Wang store in NY to check. It was confirmed that the dress was not the price the consultant had given me. When I called the store to ask why the gown was marked higher she yelled at me and could not even believe I had the guts to call her when I had made a "complaint" to the Vera wang store! I did not make a complaint I called to find out the price.
At another salon I was told if I wanted to come back a third time I would be charged 50 dollar every time. 50 dollar to TRY on dresses! Not to mention each time they only let me try on like 4 dresses. needless to say it took me awhile to find a nice salon!
I will admit that it kinda irks me when some of the consultants get a little snippy if the bride can't spend as much as they'd like. Some of the consultants are more respectful of budgets than others, but it's annoying to me when they get mad if the bride isn't able to drop $20k on the dress. I do think Keasha seems to be one of the least pushy consultants--she's so sweet and fun!
I'm less annoyed by the bridal consultants than I am with the BRIDES on that show! haha... they all seem crazy and spoiled and indecisive. Last week there was an episode where the bride could not make a decision on the dress without her fiance's approval (even though her mom was there with her)... freakin bizarre! And then her metrosexual fiance comes in and shoots down all the dresses she tried on (including one that she and her mom both loved)! I think maybe 1/10 brides are normal on that show, LOL!
I also have to chime in and defend my Kleinfeld experience. I definitely think that a lot of the dress drama is hyped up for the show or that perhaps they pick people for the show specifically because they will make for good TV. My experience was anything but stressful and dramatic. I tried on about 7 dresses in my appointment, which included about 20 minutes of me, my consultant Renee, and my mom going around in the stock room and looking at things - and on the show they always say they hate when the moms go rummaging around in the stock room but Renee invited my mom in there with us right away - no drama. They also discounted my dress a bit to help fit in the budget and told us about the shipping to CT to avoid sales tax scenario. They didn't try to sell me on the veil on the spot because I wasn't decided on the whole veil thing at all. I was also looking at sashes and Renee straight up told me that they are overpriced there and I could have something custom made in NYC for far less very easily. So, yeah, my Kleinfeld experience was awesome and I found "the one" no problem. I think the reality of the store and the store on SYTTD are two different things.
There was one show in particular that really bugged me. A girl came in to the store with a budget of $2000 and the bridal consultant purposely brought out a dress around $4000. She was like " I know she said her budget was around $2000 but we will see." It was one of the first dresses she brought out too! She preceded to help the girl into the dress and then after she had a glimpse of sparkle in her eyes the woman sprung the price on her! You could see the disappointment in her face, she turned white. I could almost feel her pain. She should have told her the price up front and asked her if she would still like to try it on considering her budget.
Oh, I forgot to mention also that I was not brought one dress that was more than a few hundred outside of the price range we gave them, and we did say "give or take" when we gave them the number. Most of what I saw/tried on was under our max number actually.
I would also like to pop in to defend Kleinfelds..
I had a phenomenal experience there, with the BEST customer service I ever experienced, considering I've been to SO many places with some HORROR stories.. they did not rush me, they let me stay PAST closing, and when I told them that I wanted to sleep on it, no one batted an eye. I also called a store closer to my house, and they were selling the dress for MORE than Kleinfeld. I had an awesome time, and was treated like gold. I did find a dress that was over my budget, but they discounted me 15% on my dress and almost 20 on the veil. I have nothing except positive things to say! And also, when I was walking with Randy, we asked him about the drama on the show and he said that a lot of it is taken out of context, esp the drama between the sales people. Awesome time!
@prettylady - A $2,000.00 price difference is excessive, but I kinda think it was the girl's job to ask before she put the thing on.
I definitely would LOVE to shop with Keasha or Sarah.... But Keasha and I have similar personalities, Sarah is more reserved I think she'd be like OMG she's crazy lol!!! Well a lot of folks say that about me, shhhhh!!! I loved the dress that the curvier bride wore, I think she was a size 22 maybe? the one with all of the ruching, OMG one of my dream gowns... but i think i'd be tempted and devastated by trying on a pnina because all of her dresses speak to me, especially the one with the ruching and bubble hem and one shoulder with the embroidery... swoon big time!!! i'm so glad i don't live near there because i can guarantee i'd be there to try it on and would have a prolonged engagement to purchase that dress lol!!!
a number of my friends in new york have shopped there...
Ive never been to klienfelds but constultants do seem to show you dresses over your budget a lot. The consultant I was talking about before put me in a dress that was 2500 over my budget, but before I put it on I asked her how much it was. She told me I dont know the exact price but I believe its in your budget. She then "checked" the price later and told me the real price. By that time I was already in love with the dress and really dissapointed. I bought the dress, but from a different store!
Well and I think most of the drama is purposely over exaggerated for tv.
The only thing I can think of for the shown that bothered me is maybe she had tried on more dresses in her price range then the show portrayed. I mean they have to make the show interesting and drama sells.
I am pretty sure that only the crazy brides make it on the show...and probably play it all up for the camera...youre not going to see a normal laid back person on there...and the consultants while someI think are definitely pushier than others...but overall its them reacting to the brides they have to deal with. Most of them handle the situations better than most retail experiences I've had.
@ Ms. Min Pin - I was also wondering whether the consultant's behavior might have something to do with the brides with whom their working...
Although I like some of the brands that they carry, I think I can say in the 20-plus episodes I've watched, there has never been a dress that someone has tried on that I would actually wear. I think I've seen 3 people buy that see-through, bustier drop waist lace dress that looks like something straight out of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" video from 1984. I wouldn't be caught dead in something like that- especially for a church ceremony.
What really bugs me is that they NEVER seem to listen to anyone's budget. I would literally walk out of a salon if I said "My budget is $3,000 and I'm not going to spend anything over that" and someone brought me a $6,000 gown. That's insulting- because that means you think I'm a total sucker and that I'm going to get emotionally attached to something and convince myself that I HAVE to have it. I understand working for commission, but I find that really unprofessional.
I don't think it should be the bride's responsibility to ask how much every dress is. If I say my budget is $5,000, I don't think they should bring me any dress that will end up costing me more than $5,000 (with tax!).
I should prob also state though that this is all really moot in my case as my dress budget is $500. :)
Haha, dookie32 " Like a Virgin" that seriously made me laugh. I have thought the same thing before.
The one thing that does drive me nutso about the show is that it always happens that the bride will put something on and I'll be like OMG that looks perfect on her and she'll hate it.
Oh, also, I hate the brides who come in to Kleinfeld with a low-ish budget (low for Kleinfeld, that is) and are like I want lace, I want beading all over, I want a chapel train, I want I want I want and it's like DUDE you aren't going to get all that in your budget. It's not the consultant's fault if a girl comes in with unrealistic expectations. Like one episode the girl was obsessed with Pnina and insisted on Pnina and I think it was Keisha who was like UM there is no Pnina in that budget WTF am I supposed to do with this girl.
I totally agree with most of what you're saying. I felt pushed and pressured in a lot of the bridal salons I walked into. Not that Kleinfeld should be excluded completely from these things, but it's not your average bridal salon.
- 1.5hrs isn't enough time to try on & consider all the dresses they bring out. I tried on over a dozen dresses there vs. the 3 or 4 in other stores. The show prob edits the appointments for TV & just show the high points.
- Agreed. I think spending $5k is crazy - some of my faves were Alfred Angelo ($500-800). I tried to go to the sample sale but it was booked so I went the Friday before. The cheapest sample I saw was $2300. I think anyone who walks into Kleinfeld knows it's a high-end store with designer labels so it's kind of expected. If I'd budgeted less than $2k to spend on a dress I wouldn't waste my time looking there.
- I'm with you 100% there!!! I understand they feel it's a waste of their time but it's a big decision for brides - and this is their JOB. I found some great dresses in 1 store by me but I'd never go back because they were way too pushy.
- I agree with the other posters who've said they get tons of people who come in to "play".
I had Rosario - she was cute & really sweet to me and made my Dad feel comfortable with all those women running around. I love Keisha & Sara too though.
I should add I wasn't on the show and I didn't get a dress there but I didn't feel pressured either.
I totally agree! I feel like this show almost stops you from wanting to actually have that shopping experience at the most famous bridal salon in the country. I of course still TOTALLY want to go but I feel like even though I want to have a dress budget of $3500 and I am afraid that they are just not gonna take me seriously. A lot of brides only spend around $1000 on their dress and I think that it's crazy that they give people such a hard time for spending more than a couple grand. I guess you have to just stay strong on your budget and talk to management if you are not being treated properly. They always promote the fact that they want to ensure that you have a wonderful experience. We'll all have to keep each other posted if we go!
I think a lot of it is amped up for entertainment purposes.
i live in nyc and did take a trip to kleinfelds to look for my gown. I had a great experience there. Debbie was my consultant. She was extremely patient (i had 8 people with me!) and definitely worked hard to find me "the dress". Randy also came by and was great. I didn't feel rushed or that anyone was pushy. Joan came by and she was a little sales-ish but still very sweet. I didn't end up buying from their b/c I bought my dress from Selia Yang (a designer that Kleinfeld's doesn't carry) but I just wanted to say that i don't think SYTTD is a good representation of the store.
@Kittyachi - Exactly! It's not the fault of the store that some customers don't do their research. I live in NYC and never set foot in Kleinfelds because I knew, based on reviewing the website, that they just didn't carry anything in my price range.
(As an aside, if you live in the NYC area and are looking for a designer dress at cost I had an excellent experience with Bridal Garden.)
I got my dress there too, and had a great experience. I didn't feel pushed at all. I only had a $3000 budget but still found they had plenty of selection, and felt that I was treated great. They let us go into the stock room to pick out some dresses and the prices were right on them, plus my consultant pulled some for me that she thought I'd like in my price range. I probably tried on 8 or so dresses there, and I was being pretty particular.
I have to say, when you find a dress you like and the take you out to the big open area with the three way mirrors - you really do feel like a princess! I loved it. Meeting Randy was cool too - he told me I look very pretty in my dress :)
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