Post # 1
Member
15 posts
Newbee
Hi Bees,
This post is kind of long, but I was wondering if anyone has ever dealt with this.
I ordered my Maggie Sottero Beatrice in May, put down the 50% deposit and was told it would be delivered in October. I’m a pretty laid back bride, so I havent called the shop since then.
On Saturday I checked my mail and received a notice from the United States Bankruptcy Court saying that the place I ordered my dress (Jay’s Bridal in Gainesville) had to declared bankruptcy. I immediately called the store and got no answer and upon an quick google search I found out they closed on August 30. No letters/emails to their brides-nothing. It looks like they had a sale to sell of their inventory a few weeks ago but that was it. I live in a town 2 hours away from my dress shop (which is why I didn’t see the newspaper article about it).
Now I don’t know what to do. I filled out the online claim form on their webpage but I haven’t heard anything back. I’ve also called a few retailers that carry Maggie dresses and they “can see my dress in queue” still ready to be delivered in October, but they all keep telling me the same thing which is I will have to completely re-purchase the dress from them if I want it….so basically I’m out of $800 and have nothing to wear on New Years Eve……
Any Suggestions?
Post # 3
Member
3470 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: July 2012 - The Gables Inn, Santa Rosa, CA
Figure out the lawyer that the shop is using for bankrupsy (call the newspaper if you can, they will likely have a lot of that info) and try to get in touch with someone from the shop.
Or call the manufacturer and see if you can modify your order and have the dress and final invoice sent directly to you– you’ll have to pay an independant seamstress for any alterations, but at least you’ll get to receive your dress.
Post # 4
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Have you contacted Maggie Sottero directly? I would think that this problem has happened with them before and they might be able to give you better direction on what to do.
Hope this helps! That sounds awful!!!
Post # 5
Member
15 posts
Newbee
@Soon2bMrsWB: I’m so sorry! I’m afraid I’ve got no help to offer, but wanted to send a hug! (Not that you can wear that, though!).
I’m sure someone will have some help for you……
Post # 6
Member
1357 posts
Bumble bee
@juliette.eliza: I second the advice to contact the manufacturer directly. Your dress should already be in production, so it exists somewhere.
The exact same thing happened at a bridal shop near where I live. Luckily, I didn’t buy my dress there, but the article I read said brides either contacted the manufacturer and were able to get their dress, or, if they had ordered it recently and the manufacturer didn’t have records of a bride’s purchase, they were able to call their credit card company to get the money back that they paid.
Post # 7
Member
9948 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Ouch !!
I don’t know enough about US Bankruptcy Law to comment on how this all would work for you.
BUT I can say that with aprox 15 Weeks Lead Time you have more than enough time to explore buying a Replica Dress from an Off-Shore Manufacturer (DressilyMe and Jasmine’s Bridal seem to get the most GOOD Press here on WBee… with LOTS of happy Brides. You can use the WBee SEARCH Box to find them. This is the route I’m taking for my own December Wedding)
I’d certainly suggest that you at least contact one of these Off-Shore Stores for a Quote… can’t hurt (and it will be much less than buying another Maggie Original)
As for your downpayment… here’s hoping that you put that on a Credit Card… cause usually then you have a higher chance of getting your money back.
PS… Some more financial advice… IF you do go the Off-Shore China made route for a dress… use PayPal or a “Loaded” Credit Card to make your purchase for your protection. Not a good idea to give your Credit Card to these Far Eastern locations, too many cases of CC Fraud.
Post # 8
Member
15 posts
Newbee
@FutureMrsDR: @anemonie: @juliette.eliza: Great thinking ladies! I will def contact Maggie Sottero directly! Hopefully I can finish my order directly with them!
@snaphappy: thank you! I need one more than you know! (My family is 2.5 hours away and my boy is 13 hours away– it’s been a rough couple of days, lol)
Post # 9
Member
16 posts
Newbee
I ordered the same dress from the same shop. I’ve received 2 letters in the mail from their attorney, and i contacted maggie sottero and i was told my dress was put on production hold and if i wanted to order it, i would have it by november but i would have to pay full price for it again from another store. If you find anything else out i would like to know as well!!
Post # 10
Member
137 posts
Blushing bee
So sorry to hear this, how stressful. I just wanted to wish you luck on resolving this.
Post # 11
Member
33 posts
Newbee
I ran into the same thing at another store. My aunt actually saw the store on the news. My dress was ready for shipment, so I went to another bridal store and paid the price I bought it for at the Bankrupt store.
You have to call your Bank or CC company to dispute the charge, because you never received your merchandise. Then the bank reimburses you and they pursue the bankrupt business for the money. I had to scan and e-mail all the documents proving that they went bankrupt. I also had to show proof that I tried to get my money back.
My sister and bridesmaids didn’t have any problems with their bank. The bank didn’t ask for anything and just put the money back in their account.
I hope this helps. =)
Post # 12
Member
3885 posts
Honey bee
If you paid with a credit card, it should be very easy to dispute the charge and get your money back. If you paid by check/cash/debit card then you’re a creditor now, in line with all the other creditors, and I’d not hold my breath on being able to get a refund. So I hope you used a credit card!
Post # 13
Member
15 posts
Newbee
@liveinlove0827: I’m sorry love! This has been the absolute pits, but don’t worry! There is a solution it will just take a little time. I called Maggie and Spoke with Tami- she is dealing with all Jay’s accounts (they gave them a list of all of our names). If you fax/email her your receipt then she will email you a letter to give to the CC company/Bank. It will take a few days, but they will then return the $ to your account. Then contact Christine at Minerva’s Bridal in Orlando. She can see where your dress is in production and be able to tell you if you can still have it by the expected delivery date. You will then have to buy the dress from them again. If you ask nicely they do offer a discount (I think my mom said 10%) that they usually extend to brides who pick their dress at their first appointment. Hope this helps…that feeling of panic when you open the mail is no fun. Are you going to that Oct. 3 hearing?
@marcher: Thank you so much for the feedback! What I initially thought was going to be an absolute nightmare is becoming just a mildly uncomfortable bump in the road. The manufacturer and the CC company have been great so far.