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Watch Out For This Wedding Dress Rip Off…Literally
Hobrias Sudoneighm
Been shopping for your wedding dress yet?
Finding “the” dress is one of the most exciting things about getting married. It’s also ripe for the RIP OFF. Literally.
The biggest rip off…
Most bridal shops remove the labels from designers wedding gowns. This is illegal, by the way…a label is required by law to designate the designer, manufacturer or distributor according to the Federal Trade Commission. Check out their article, “Unveiling the Truth About Wedding Dresses.”
If the label’s missing when you try on a dress..the bridal shop is breaking the law.
Bridal shops started pulling this literal “rip off” to keep you from finding a dress you love in their shop and buying it cheaper from a discount store online. Instead of figuring out how to compete with the discount outlets, they rip off the evidence. Many bridal boutiques also forbid the use of cameras so you can’t identify it on your own later.
Anything to keep you enslaved to paying higher prices.
Unfortunately, without labels it’s impossible to know for sure if the designer dress you’ve chosen was truly made by that designer. Some shops even trick brides by selling them sample or used dresses when they paid full retail price for a brand new one.
So what can you do?
I reveal all the details about the wedding dress scams to avoid and how to find your designer dress at up to 92% off in my book. But here are some ways to fight back…
- Don’t buy from the bridal shop. You can almost always find a better deal on the exact same dress somewhere else. Try ‘em on, learn what you love…and leave ‘em high and dry.
- Check the ID number. Shops are permitted to remove the original label and replace it with a store label that identifies the designer, manufacturer or distributor by ID number. Copy down the ID number on the tag (if there is one) and make sure the designer is who they claim on the FTC’s website in the RN Lookup Database.
- If they won’t tell you the designer…don’t buy from them. Take detailed notes on the design of a dress you like, including the silhouette, neckline, length, etc. and locate it online.
- Never pay cash and always get a receipt. Read your contract carefully and make sure it has all the specifics written in clearly.
Don’t get ripped off! It’s up to you to protect yourself and make the most of your money so you can plan the wedding of your dreams.
If brides band together and so NO to wedding rip offs maybe those bridal shops will finally wise up and start giving brides the service they deserve.
Got a wedding dress story, good or bad? Leave me a comment.
2 comments
Hi!
I am in the process of trying to find a dress. I have found one that I think is “The One” at a bridal store with the tags taken out and replaced with ones that say their store name on them. I have asked for the name of the designer, but they said they cannot tell me. I have searched all over the internet for the dress and have no yet found it! I am starting to get very frustrated! I have read the FTC website and it seems like if they replace the tag with their store name, since they’re part of the distribution chain that’s ok.
Last time I tried it on, I didn’t get to look at the tag, but will try for the RN number if I go and try it on again. Have any advice for any other suggestions on what to do??!
Thanks so much!
I feel for you. Once you’ve found THE dress, it can be hard to let it go. My first instinct is to recommend that you don’t do business with this bridal shop. They should at least give you the designer name so that you can confirm that they are a licensed distributor. The fact that they will not makes me suspicious. How is their customer service? Unfortunately, they haven’t done anything illegal by tearing off the label as long as they replace it with one of their own. If you can get the ID number you might be able to find the designer. My advice? Unless this bridal shop is treating you like gold, you love them as much as the dress and you’re willing to pay their price…I’d look elsewhere. You WILL find another dress that gives you “that feeling.” I’ve heard way too many horror stories about bridal shops that aren’t licensed dealers, ordering wrong designs and colors, that I would be extra careful. I hope that helps! Let me know how it all works out.
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