$465 for alterations???????

[sap483]

Ok so I had the worst fitting experience ever. First of all, the seamstress has a cut on her finger. And so as she''s pinning my dress, wait for it...yes, she gets blood on my dress. So I notice it and she''s like oh no what''s that, pretending that it was something on my dress already. So she gets a wet rag and wipes it off, but of course it doesn''t all come off. To her though, it''s all off and I''m being silly. Well then she quotes me the price at the end, $465! Oh yes, she''s only making pennies off of this amount, b/c the shop takes a huge cut. I''m sorry, but is she on crack? Here is a picture of my dress. She needs to take the hem up about 4 inches and tighten the bodice. She claims that because of the lace on the bodice its a huge job and hence the $465 price tag. Please tell me that I''m not out of line for being shocked by this? Please also tell me that I can find someone that does a good job for way less?

 

[Gypsy]

Go somewhere else.

 

[julabean]

So not out of line. I had as much beading as you do and the total for all my alterations (including hemming, bustle, taking the bodice in, etc.) was $140. As Gypsy said, GO GO GO somewhere else!

 

[musey]

Pricing on this stuff (heavily labor charges) really depends where you live.

For example, my dog's neutering surgery cost $150 in my parents' hometown, much to my relief after having been quoted $1800 in LA

What would really turn me off is her unprofessional demeanor (bleeding on your dress and not seeming to care?? REALLY?). Go elsewhere for this reason.

 

[misysu2]

Oh goodness, girl. Your thread made me chuckle. Go somewhere else! Don''t get ripped off just because you''re a bride. That steams me.

You can have that beautiful looking dress fitting perfectly for much lesss!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Geeze did she give you anything for getting blood all over your dress?!?!?! Ugh so gross!

 

[Sabine]

Go somewhere else!! Even if you don''t find a price that is much cheaper in your area (although I can''t imagine you won''t), you can at least find someone who won''t accidentally ruin your dress!

 

[gtn]

I agree with the others, FIND SOMEONE ELSE.

Since I am short (5''2") that was a major concern of mine and all the sales associates told me it shouldn''t be that expensive as long as it isn''t too intricate.

 

[cara]

My friend, size sub-zero, needed her entire all-lace Monique Lohilier (sp?) wedding dress taken in a whole size everywhere, and hemmed. We live in an expensive area (NorCal). It cost about what you were quoted.

It basically involved taking all the lace off the dress, opening every seam, and reputting it back together, so given our area and the delicate fabric, it makes sense. Yours doesn''t need that much work, but it still might be somewhat involved.

Go elsewhere, for the blood alone. But I would expect somewhere between $140 (which is a standard hem charge on an uncomplicated dress at a reasonable seamstress here) and $500 (which is the MINIMUM at certain fancy bridal stores), unless you are from a less expensive area.

 

[SuLi]

I would definitely go somewhere else, or a few other places to get quotes. Her behavior was incredibly unprofessional. Was there a manager around? I can''t believe that she bled on your dress!

Good luck!

 

[Cleopatra]

My dress is extremely similar to yours - actually, even more complicated to alter because of my scalloped lace at the very bottom....it''s costing me a whole $150 for the hem, a little alter in the bodice, sewn in pads in the bodice, and my bustle.

I agree with everyone else....go somewheres else...phew!

 

[sap483]

Update: I found a new seamstress!!! She''s super sweet and she''s only charging me $150 max!!! While her shop in out of her home and is a little scary in its messiness- I''m far happier with her than with the other woman!

 

[miraclesrule]

OMG!!! I''m so shocked that she had the nerve to get blood on your dress and not get on her knees for free. I just don''t get people.

I am so glad you found another seamstress. Don''t mind the mess. I do my best work amidst chaos