If you're an avid reader of our blog, you know that we strongly dissuad our brides from ordering *anything* wedding related online. We've heard the horror stories first hand, from customers who come to us to re-purchase gowns due to a messed up online order.
Common blunders include wrong styles, wrong sizes, wrong colors, knockoffs sold as originals, poorly made "replica" gowns, the list goes on and on.
But what about the sites (and stores for that matter) that offer the Authentic gown at a rock-bottom price? Well, it's not as good a deal as it sounds, and here is why:
The truth: Designers set a minimum price for their gowns. If stores are caught violating it, their account is closed. No more orders, and the gowns already on order are cancelled.
Internet sites (and real stores) that claim they can get any designers gown at a discount are called "trans shippers". It goes something like this. Internet site/ Slimy store doesn't carry designer "A", but they have a friend in the business that does. They take your money and have their friend order it. What's the problem with that, you might ask?
#1- You have no idea who your dress is coming from....and you have to trust that they pay their bills on time AND don't get caught trans shipping.
#2- If there is a problem with your dress, the place you ordered it from has absolutely no recourse. They don't have an account with the designer.
#3- Designers are cracking down on trans-shippers. They are being sued for tens of millions of dollars- and the dresses they've ordered? Consider them cancelled.
The bottom line is that you should only order from a store who can "show you the gown", or a significant number of current season gowns by your designer. Don't be afraid to call the designer to verify the store's authorization to sell your gown.
The stores involved in trans-shipping are scraping the bottom of the barrel, and working on very tight margins. Under most circumstances, stores in these kinds of "relationships" are in severe financial distress. Do your research, and don't be a victim.
I decided to post this blog today because just this weekend, we had two brides replacing dresses that they bought at another store here in Oregon- and that store did not and has never carried the designer that they sold to these brides. They got caught trans-shipping from another store, now the brides are not getting their gowns. Some with only weeks before their weddings. This is a sad situation, but totally avoidable if you buy your dress from an authorized retailer.
Happy shopping, ladies!
