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If it's the salon's fault that the wrong dress was ordered, they should help provide you with a backup plan in case the alterations don't go well. Even if it's not really their fault, it doesn't hurt to ask nicely to see if there's anything they can do for you! Maybe they have some samples available that you can take a look at.
Or, you can try on dresses off-the-rack at a dept store like Macys, Nordstrom, or Bloomingdales. They have pretty good return policies, so you can hold onto the dress while the tailor does his magic and return them if you like the alterations.
Best of luck!
Are they offering to do the alterations free of charge because of the mix up?
Oh no. I would be hysterical. You sound like you are handling this really well. I would think that they should do the alteration work for free, as this is their mistake. But it is really amazing what a good tailor can do... I guess I would let them go ahead and try to make it right, and see if you can't reserve the right to get all your money back if they can't do that. And I would look around like mad at Nordstroms, Macys, or whatever else you have and see if you can identify a backup. Really though, you should probably discuss with the shop the charge for tailoring (should be free) and the ability to pull the plug on the whole thing with them and get your money back altogether if the tailor can't come through with a remake that makes you happy.
Thanks guys! I am thinking of getting a backup dress just in case, but hopefully they can make it look like the original..which was just perfect.
They havent mentioned free alterations or doing anything to compensate for this mess...And I'm horrible with confrontation...Any ideas on how to bring that up or what to say when I ask about it?
Not only should the alterations be free but there should also be a discount on the dress. They should not be making a profit off thier mistake. They not only messed up, they also are causing you alot of woryy and stress.
Tell them that you want the remake compleated by two to three weeks before the wedding so that you have some leeway if there is an issue. The hemming and other minor issues can be done after the two weeks, but you will need time to find a replacement if the remake doesn't go well at all.
It's the salons fault - all alterations should be at their expense and don't settle for anything less. NO two different items have the same tag number, it's not possible to keep inventory straigrt or get the right price at ringing you up. Anyone who's ever worked retail knows that! If it ended up with a different tag number it was because they gave it the wrong one, and they are just trying to cover their butts further.
Why on earth is the shop closed for 2 weeks? Thats beyond stupid...did you know this, have you heard it right from the dress maker or from the "Man of many excuses" that was in the dress shop as your sales person?
I say make a deal with them, in other words TELL them this is how it will be. You'll do the alterations but since there is not gaurentee on how it will end up you want them to refund your money entirely for a new dress they will order on Rush Status should you not be happy with the dress they are making for you.
They may be hesitant because it's a big hit for them, but toss out that you can contact the BBB and they will more then happy to accomadate you. This isn't like some sweater you bought for a friday night party - this is your wedding dress and they better fall all over themself for you!
I worked in upper management for a large retail/department store for many many years and everythign he's tell you is him trying to cover his butt. Something cal always be done, it just depends how much he really wants to help you.
Keep us updated!
I'm w/ sweeny on this one. That store is trying to pull a fast one on ya with the whole same-tag-number excuse. How could they possibly keep a proper inventory of their stock if they had a bunch of dresses with the same flippin' tag number? Someone wrote it down wrong, or plain old messed up and ordered you the wrong dress, and you need to hold them accountable for it.
Stand firm! You can do it! :D
As for the BBB reporting thing, if a store isn't a member of the Better Business Bureau, reporting them to the Bureau won't do diddly squat. Also, make sure you assert yourself about them taking care of their mistake somehow before you threaten them in any way. I've found that being calm and reasonable in situations where most would get fired up and upset has gotten me much further when it comes to dealing with a problem.
Good luck sista! Keep us posted...
Great advice! I feel a lot better about asking for free alterations now. And I completely agree that the tag number thing is ridiculous...they made a mistake and are trying to shift responsibility to the manufacturer.
Cross your fingers for me that they are helpful and understanding!
I'll keep you guys updated...
Can't wait to hear. I think I will have wrong dress nightmares now until mine gets here end of April. Maybe when your dream dress emerges from the tailor's shop they will stop. Here's hoping and praying it all works out and is just a crazy story you get to laugh at after the wedding.
You poor thing!!! 6 weeks!!
I have no idea if this is even possible, but could your bridal salon call around to other local bridal salons and try to get you the exact same dress from their stores? There are some sample dresses that are in really good condition...
I really hope this gets fixed!!!!!!!! And don't be afraid to be stern if your bridal consultant is being a jerk.
Basically, all of China is shut down for the Chinese New Year, I was told that in a bridal shop just last week. I guess lots of these dress places are located there.
Lulu, don't you dare pay a dime for those alterations! If you don't have the confidence to deal with the sales person, get someone else to (mom or MOH). This was all their fault and you should have the dress you ordered, and for a discount, like tberry suggested.
Good luck and keep us posted!
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Oh LuluBlue - you are too sweet and kind about all of this. I also agree with Sweeney's post. Kepp us posted and we'll all have our fingers crossed for ya!
I would check on ebay for a backup dress too!
http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/09/05/buying-a-wedding-gown-on-ebay-pt-i/
There's also a part 2 to this post, search "ebay dress" on weddingbee search bar and you'll see it!
You know, now that you actually know the dress you really wanted, and the size, you really could internet shop to see if you can't pick it up for way less somewhere else. And then just have any alterations done - maybe even by the same tailor, as they usually do work on the side.
Update as promised:
I'm going in tomorrow to look and try on a "form" of the dress that the tailor made and then he is going to begin re-making it. He is so utterly confident that I will get the dress I originally chose that somehow I believe him and am much less panicky....kind of...
But what do I say when I go in and start my fitting? Do I just say upfront, "Im not paying for any alterations at this point"? Do I ask for a discount? How would you guys bring up that discussion? I would love a "script"!
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I would tell them up front that you do not expect to have to pay for any of the alterations, because it was their error. Otherwise, they could do all the alterations and refuse to let you have the dress until you paid! Then you'd have even less time to find a new dress.
As for a script, I would bring in the original receipt with the tag number on it, just for backup. Then I'd say something like, "So, as I understand it, when I placed my order, your store ordered the wrong dress from the designer." If they give you the "same tag number" crap, just repeat "but it was the wrong dress." Then I'd say "since it was clearly not my fault that the wrong dress was ordered, I do not expect to pay for any alterations to rectify the mistake." They might say that it's not their fault either, but again, just keep saying that because it wasn't YOUR fault, YOU shouldn't have to pay. If it's really a problem on the manufacturer's end, they can take it up with the manufacturer. But you shouldn't have to pay.
If they agree, then get it in writing. Maybe even bring a pre-typed copy of an agreement that you will not be responsible for paying for alterations, in duplicate. If they do not agree, then have them sign something too, with attached photos, to the effect that "Ms. X ordered dress #12345 from our store on X date. Our store asserts that it ordered dress #12345 from Y manufacturer, but Y sent us a different dress instead because the model numbers were the same. Therefore, we will not alter the dress without charging Ms. X." Then if you need to, you can show that to the manufacturer and see what THEY say. And start looking for a new dress ASAP.
You should definitely look for the dress they DID order, online, and see what the tag number really is.
I say call before you go and confirm things. Possible script:
Hi, My name is ___. I will be coming in tomorrow for a "form" fitting as your shop ordered the wrong gown for me. Before I come in, I want to confirm that I will not be paying for any of the alterations made. I also want to discuss whether I will be reimbursed for my inconvenience.
If they say - no you have to pay alterations and original price. Maybe you can then say:
I am really shocked that you expect me to pay for the alterations considering your seamstress/tailor has to create a completely new dress due to YOUR SHOP'S mistake. Since we agree that it is YOUR mistake, I think it is pretty unreasonable that I should have to pay for it. Also, since your seamstress/tailor convinced me not to completely refund the dress, I am entitled to a discount on the value of the dress.
I think the key things are:
- maintain that they already AGREE it is their fault. Use phrases like - I know you are sorry for the mistake you made; I am willing to work with you despite the mistake your shop made with ordering the wrong dress etc.
- maintain that you are being generous with working with them. Emphasize this by saying things like - look, despite your mistake, I am willing to work with you on a solution.
- be firm on what you are NOT willing to do. Do not be shy with saying- I am NOT willing to pay for these drastic alterations which are a result of your mistake. i am not willing to pay full price for a dress that is no longer made by the original designer.
- do not let them go back and talk about the tag numbers. consider it a non-issue. consider it a FACT that THEY ordered the wrong dress. make any attempts at discussing the reasons irrelevant. in fact, if they bring it up, straight up say - Look, how or why you made this heinous mistake is already irrelevant. say that tag numbers and ordering procedures are INTERNAL issues that you are not involved in.
If you can't speak with them beforehand, I say speak with them BEFORE you try the new gown on. Lay down the rules before you try it on. [because once you have it on, they might be unwilling to negotiate]
And with all that, I hope the altered dress is even better than the original. Good luck!!!
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Just in the interest of framing things in the most positive light, I would not actually say "I will not be paying." I would say "I believe the shop should agree to cover the cost of alterations necessary to rectify this mistake." If you are in a good mood, you could offer to pay a reasonable alteration cost, something along the lines of what your alterations would have cost if the correct dress had been ordered. And I would let them know that you believe that you should have no obligation to actually buy the dress should the alterations not result in an acceptable facsimile of the dress they should have ordered. And, of course, in that case you should get back your deposit. (Actually, I hope you have already gotten back your deposit.) Of course, you should also discuss what price you will pay for the dress should it turn out to your satisfaction.
However - there is a fine line between politely standing up for yourself, and making yourself very unpleasant to the vendor. If you manage to make yourself sufficiently unpleasant, they may just decide to hand you your check and take their losses (particularly if you start to sound like you are going to be impossible to please anyway). I would try not to sound like you are going to be impossible to deal with, or as if you are now trying to get a wedding dress for practically nothing. It sounds like they are trying very hard to make this right. If you can treat them as if they might actually be successful, things will go much better.
I guess it all depends on how the shop wants to play it. Let me disclaim my suggestions above by saying they are for the worst case scenario. I'm not in the business of telling ppl how to be impossible or unreasonable BUT given the horror stories, it might help to be ready. 
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Dude! you are waaaay nice. i would tell them that i am going to find the corect dress at another salon and that they should be responsible or paying for it and that I would try to find the lowest price out there so they should simply be grateful that I am even trying to save them some money. seriously! you should not have to wait for them to possibly make this mistake even worse by doing horrible alterations... can you really trust them at this point?
If i were you, I would tell them that due to their track record (bringing in the wrong gown, blatently lying about the sales tag number, their manufacturers place being clsoed for two weeks), i would not be able to trust them wholeheartedly with the complete alterations for my gown. Because you paid for the gown that they did not bring in, they should let you use that money to get it elsewhere (basically, them paying for the dress from another salon). Hopefully that makes sense. I am not sure if this is way too unreasonable, but 6 WEEKS! that is crazy! you are handling it way better than I am. good luck!
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I'm having my first true wedding planning meltdown!
I was super excited this Saturday because my dress finally came in after 4 months of waiting and I'd scheduled my first fitting. I was grinning the whole week in anticipation. So, I go to the boutique and they hang my dress up in a fitting room. I noticed it looked slightly "fluffier" but didnt think much of it, and put it on. As soon as I came out of the room and looked in the mirror, I realized...It's the WRONG DRESS!
It's somewhat similar to the other (they have the same bodice) and apparently, they have the same tag number (well, according to my salesguy). But regardless, it was NOT the dress I'd been waiting for.
They tried to call the manufacturer and get another one rushed out, but since my wedding day is in 6 weeks and the factory is closed for the next two, it was a no-go.
The tailor at the dress shop is convinced he can turn the wrong dress into the original (change A-line to a trumpet, lengthen the bodice, change the neckline, etc). They want me to come in and get fitted for the custom re-make next week.
Ok, so it's kind of cool that they are designing it specifically for me, and my BM has me almost convinced that this is "couture" (way to turn lemons into lemoncello, right?) but...I'm terrified of what it's going to look like! What if its not the same? Should I wait it out and see? Do I go ahead and start looking for a new dress (but there's really not time to order one, it would have to be off the rack...which is tricky b/c I'm petite and 99% of dresses eat me alive).
Sorry for my rant...I think the fiance, mom, and MOH are sick of hearing me talk about it and have no idea what to say! What would you guys do?
And is my wedding nightmare where I walk down the aisle wearing curtains going to come true? (i really had that one!)