Pros and Cons of Internet Bridal Gown Shopping

It is a growing trend among brides getting married to purchase their bridal gown, bridesmaids, and many accessories for their wedding on-line. Some to save money, others...because it is easier to search on-line than on-foot.
To our frustration in the bridal salon, we spend hours upon hours of time with these customers who have no intention on purchasing these items in our store, but rather spending their money with someone selling the same item or something similar and disguising it as the real thing with whom they have never even met.
What is mind blowing for us in the bridal industry is that you are paying them upfront for the item before you even see it and in our bridal salon you can see, feel, touch and confirm what you are going to be receiving and we only require a 50% deposit before you are able to see, feel and touch your item when it arrives.

Here are a few tips on ordering anything for your wedding on-line.

1. Make sure it is a reputable company (make sure they have a mailing address, and working telephone number...not just an e-mail address and website).
2. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If there is a bridal gown retailing at every store around you for $1000 and you find it online for $700, chances are it is either worn, a damaged sample or a knock off using less than flaterring fabric, beading, not to mention the poor workmanship of making the gown.
3. Don't go shopping in your local bridal salons to try on the gowns, that is rude to the people working to help you look your best. Don't ask for swatches or to see the gowns in person. We carry the gown as a sample for a reason, for customers to see it, if you have no intention on being a customer, then the gown isn't for you to see or try on.
4. Always have a back-up plan if it doesn't work out for you.
5. Don't expect the professionals to pick-up the pieces after it doesn't work out for you, remember you have already wasted our time with your efforts to find the right gown in our store to purchase a knock-off from someone else.
6. While there are many reviews on-line on several different sites, remember that anyone can post those reviews, whether good, bad, or ugly (we have fallen victim to this as many stores do with competitors sabotoging other stores). The only place for reputable reviews is from the BBB. Always check with them to find out about grievances with the company, these are for actual customers to voice their complaints about the company you are will potentially be dealing with for aproximately a year.
7. Help out your local economy, by supporting your local business, you put jobs in your own backyard, not somewhere else.

Hope that helps you figure things out better. Always remeber you get what you pay for.