 | Sara Narges is the owner of Loree's Bridal and Formal located at 524 N. Broadway. Loree's has been serving the four state areas since 1999. Join them on facebook and on the web at Lorees.biz. |
Weddings, Parties & Social Events
2011-12-27 14:17:26
How have reality shows changed the bridal industry?
A: Who doesn’t love to shop online! All of your favorite brands at your fingertips! So why would it be any different when purchasing a wedding gown? Many of these discount sites tell you they can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars on the gown of your dreams. Are you willing to gamble your hard earned money on the most important dress you will ever buy? There are some amazing deals available online. Some are from major bridal manufacturers or stores selling discontinued gowns. Are you willing to gamble on an unseen dress from an unknown source? Some tips to keep in mind when purchasing your wedding gown may just save you time, money and disappointment.
If the deal sounds too good to be true it is! You cannot buy a great wedding gown for less than half of its original cost. The internet is overrun with imports from China and other manufacturing countries. They are not the manufacturers of the original wedding dress that is pictured in a major magazine or a bridal salon. They are not made in the same factories as the original. These gowns are called “knock offs.” The quality is inferior, the fit is inferior and the design has been altered either by fabrication or an outdated style. Some bridal salons have even placed an original next to a knock off in their store to show the customer exactly how different these dresses really are. These knock off manufacturers have even stolen major brands that design and markets their products with professional photography, catalogs and websites to promote their knock off gown. This is an illegal practice and a violation of copyright laws. You think your gown will look just like the picture or is that exact gown but it is not. A purchase made online from a pirated picture and knock off manufacturer, results in a gown that did not fit at all and didn’t resemble the picture presented on the website. Beware if a company promises a custom made gown shipped direct from China in four weeks. They cannot possibly make this deadline because they are not even sure how long the dress will be held in customs. There is no way to expediate the shipping through US customs. You will still pay a large shipping fee that is usually inflated and you will be responsible for custom fees once the gown arrives in the states. The fee is not known until it is delivered. We receive weekly updates from manufacturers who are trying to monitor their products online and a list is presented of knock off websites to be aware of so we can inform our customers. Manufacturers are now posting buyer beware on their own websites to inform and educate the public. Unfortunately, this practice of knock off goods has affected all areas of retail. From wedding gowns to purse knock offs, all types are hurting American manufacturers and jobs.
You want to look and feel like a beautiful bride on your wedding day. It is the most important dress you will ever purchase in your life. Add up the extra expenses for the bargain gown and then decide if you are willing to gamble on the gown of your dreams.
