Dress fitting flip out

[emeraldlover1]

Grr...I have to run to a meeting but I started with this:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. ???,
I am writing to inform you of the experience I had in your salon this past weekend. I do not feel that the issues with my dress were properly addressed or handled appropriately and I’d like a resolution to this matter prior to my next dress fitting scheduled for_____.

Numerous events happened that lead me to write this email and I’ve listed them below:

1.) When I arrived at the store early for my scheduled appointment the seamstress was 15 minutes late because she could not find my dress.

2.) The alterations pinned and discussed in my first fitting were not made to my dress. This was evident not only by the fact that the dress was too big but that the pin holes were still in the material. My mom is an amateur seamstress but she knows enough to know that the seams on the dress were never altered. The hook and eye for the bustle was not done. The dress was completely unaltered and the pins were removed to cover up the salon’s mistake.

3.) I was accused of losing too much weight as a reason for the alterations not being done.

As you can see there are multiple problems here. I do not currently live in Houston and had to buy a flight home to come to this fitting. I believe that this situation could have been handled a lot differently and from a customer relations standpoint no one should have to endure what I went through.

 

[jstarfireb]

Sorry about the whole situation! I would be furious too.

There are a couple of nitpicky suggestions I have for the letter. One is that I think you meant to say "not" instead of "now" in the last paragraph ("but to now aknowledge them and apologize"). Also, acknowledge has a c after the a. I would refer to your mom as a seamstress rather than a sewer (because I saw "sewer" and thought about the place underground with the manholes and rats and stuff!).

To end it, I''d say something like this:
"I truly hope we can continue to work together on my wedding dress. However, I wanted you to know how this kind of behavior affects your customers. There was a distinct failure to take ownership of the situation and apologize for the mistake, which is simply a poor business practice. A simple apology would have done wonders for all involved. In the future, please remember that the customer''s satisfaction is just as important as the workmanship of your alterations."

Not trying to be a grammar nut, but I just think it contributes to your letter being as professional as possible.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Ugh, what a terrible situation. I would have been furious just as you were. At least you and your mom aren''t sitting back and not saying anything about it.

I think your letter, combined with the recent suggestions/fixes, would be a great letter. It''s not rude at all. But I would certainly ask for something in return for your huge inconvenience and lost $$ on the plane tickets, not to mention your time.

 

[meresal]

Thanks EM1 and jstar. Yours sound so much better.

To be honest, I think I might be too emotionally invested in this to be the one writing the letter. (Hence ALL the grammar errors, and WHO uses the word "sewer" to refer to a person, lol!!)

I write emails and letters for FI all the time, he has some employees that don''t necessarily like showing up for work every morning. All of his first drafts are so "wordy" and I always tell him, you have to condense or they''ll think you''re soft. I now realize how your emotions can lead you to make a big deal out of things that just jumble up the point your trying to get across.

I just spoke with my mom, and she told me that she is already working on a letter, so for me not to worry about it. She has owned her own business and is much scarier than me, once your on her bad side.

Otherwise she''s a saint and you would never believe the wrath...

Thanks again for your help. I''ll let everyone know how it turns out!!

 

[lliang_chi]

Meresal,

I''d just like to suggest you mail the letter to the owner ATTN: the owner''s name. 1) It''ll make the owner take more notice of the letter rather than just an email in his inbox that he can ignore. 2) He might feel more need to address the issue especially if you took the time to write him a letter.

Good luck.

 

[meresal]

Thanks lliang... my mom is actaully going to write the letter and send it. I have a feeling the letter coming from the name that is on all the receipts will have a little more pull as well. I'm sure anything they get from brides, is just put in a "way too emotional" pile and laughed about later.

ETA: ILTS- Sorry I missed your post. To be hoenst, we just wanted them to acknowledge that they messed up. We would have been more than willing to still pay for the work. I'm not sure if my mom is going to ask for anything in recuperation.

 

[emeraldlover1]

I write long winded emotional letters when I''m angry. Then...I go back and try and figure out what I want out of it. You are the bride...let your mom handle it if she is willing.

 

[miraclesrule]

(((((((((meresal)))))))))

deja vu. ::::heavy sighs::::::

It's maddening that businesses do this to Brides and their family. They know how vulnerable the situation is and yet, this situations persist.

Take it from one who has lived through the experience. Between your Mom and the seamstress, they WILL have this perfect by the time you need it. They will. I know they will. It's just some evil conspiracy energy. Venus was in Retrograde. Mercury is now Retrograde. But it will be over soon. Breathe....and after you get married, it's amazing how you won't give a rat's arse what the hell type of karmic backlash slaps the salon workers.

Do you want to me to cast a disruptive juju spell on them? I will...I swear to the MOB Gods I will. (Right after you get your perfectly fitting dress).

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Meresal - I was just thinking about this thread and wondering if anything has transpired? I know you have a few weeks before the dress has to be ready, but did your Mom get a letter written or anything?

 

[meresal]

Miracles- I didn''t see that you had posted. Hello lady!

Can you believe this??? I think maybe the seamstress relocated after you scared her away from the west coast. I would appreciate anythign you are wiliing to cast at them. Thank you!!

ILTS- Actually there is an update. Thanks for thinking of me.

My mom went back to the salon on Tuesday to personally speak with the owner again. The owner told my mom that she was shown the pieces from the dress that were cut off. My mom obviously didn''t believe her, and the owner asked her if she would like to see them. My mom said yes, and subsequently the owner retreated to the back of the store only to return 15 minutes later with nothing. SHOCKING!!

She couldn''t find the "elleged" fabric that had been there only days before.

The owner told my mom that she would be fine with my mom calling or coming by, two or three days before the scheduled fitting, and at that time the owner will personally check the dress to make sure everything is done, and correctly. She will also let my mom inspect the dress if she wishes.
She also promised that if anything is incorrect with the dress at the fitting, it will be completed THAT evening, and the semastress will stay until midnight if she has to.

I am happy with the owners eventual response, but the fact that it took literally grabbing her hand and forcing her to look at the dress, is a bit disheartening. Now it is just a waiting game. I have a good feeling that it will all be ok.

I just want to say thanks to everyone for your comments. You all kept me from completely losing my cool on more than one occassion. I''ll be sure to let everyone know how it all ends up!!

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

At least your Mom is nearby and can handle things like this. I''m glad you''re feeling good about it. I sincerely hope they stick to their word - you certainly deserve a superb quality fitting next time!! And at least once you get the dress you can be done with them and not have to worry with this any more!

 

[meresal]

Ok... with everything going on, I forgot to post about my weekend. Well, I had my second fitting on Saturday, and they did exactly what I suspected, they made it too small.
However, small isn't even close to what this dress looked like. I did my fitting last time with a bra on, and the back of the dress wouldn't even touch with the bra on. As in you couldn't pull it together. So, off came the bra, and it took my mom and the owner pulling to get it to close...

When I looked up, my boobs were hanging over the top of my dress, and were about 3 inches from my chin. I looked like a hooker. I think back now, and really wish my mom would have taken a picture. So we determined that it was 2 INCHES too small. I had no idea where that amount of fabric would come from, not to mention how in the world you alter a dress 2 inches too small.

So they took the dress to the back and said "15 minutes". So we waited. The seamstress brought it back, I put it on, and the thing was 2 inches shorter... like she had taken 2 more inches instead of letting out. I screamed! I thought the dress was ruined, and the seam along the side was all jacked up. I couldn't figure it out, and thought the dress was ruined.

The seamtress came back in and took one look at the dress and started to apologize. She had left the pins in the dress from when she was doing to alterations for the last 15 minutes. It was a fold of about an inch and a half of the dress. I contorted so that she could reach the pins, she got them out, and the dress fit perfectly!!!

It looks To Die For!!!

The bridal pictures were taken on Monday night, after it rained all day. Simply put, they look amazing, and those are just the ones that my mom took!!! We took some inside the church but mostly outside and in the courtyard, the lighting was perfect. As soon as my mom sends some of the pictrues to me, I will post one!!!

 

[KatyWI]

Yay!!!! I''m glad it went so well, Mer!!!!

I can''t WAIT for you to post pics!!!!

 

[Lilac]

Ahhh! Sorry for all the stress this has caused you, but glad to hear everything is finally working out!

Can''t wait to see pictures!!

 

[tlh]

I have nothing to more to add. That is RIDICULOUS!

I'm glad it is working out though!

 

[galvana]

Date: 5/13/2009 2:48:10 PM
Author: meresal
Ok... with everything going on, I forgot to post about my weekend. Well, I had my second fitting on Saturday, and they did exactly what I suspected, they made it too small.
However, small isn''t even close to what this dress looked like. I did my fitting last time with a bra on, and the back of the dress wouldn''t even touch with the bra on. As in you couldn''t pull it together. So, off came the bra, and it took my mom and the owner pulling to get it to close...

When I looked up, my boobs were hanging over the top of my dress, and were about 3 inches from my chin. I looked like a hooker. I think back now, and really wish my mom would have taken a picture. So we determined that it was 2 INCHES too small. I had no idea where that amount of fabric would come from, not to mention how in the world you alter a dress 2 inches too small.

So they took the dress to the back and said ''15 minutes''. So we waited. The seamstress brought it back, I put it on, and the thing was 2 inches shorter... like she had taken 2 more inches instead of letting out. I screamed! I thought the dress was ruined, and the seam along the side was all jacked up. I couldn''t figure it out, and thought the dress was ruined.

The seamtress came back in and took one look at the dress and started to apologize. She had left the pins in the dress from when she was doing to alterations for the last 15 minutes. It was a fold of about an inch and a half of the dress. I contorted so that she could reach the pins, she got them out, and the dress fit perfectly!!!

It looks To Die For!!!

The bridal pictures were taken on Monday night, after it rained all day. Simply put, they look amazing, and those are just the ones that my mom took!!! We took some inside the church but mostly outside and in the courtyard, the lighting was perfect. As soon as my mom sends some of the pictrues to me, I will post one!!!

Hi Meresal, glad to hear that you dress is finally PERFECT and you are happy! forgive me, but what are bridal pictures????
was FI there? who was there? who takes them? LOL i have never heard of it - please dont laugh = LOL

 

[meresal]

Thanks everyone! I''m so glad that everything ended well also.

ILPC- LOL. Definitely not laughing at you. It''s amazing all the different things that are popular in different areas. The bridal pictures are the ones of just me in the dress with my bouquet, and my hair and make-up done. My mom, dad, and photog were the only ones there. Usually one or two are blown up and framed at the reception. FI is not allowed to see these until after he has seen me in my dress. One of them is also used for the wedding announcement in the paper.

 

[Lanie]

Meresal, glad everything worked out!!! I can''t wait to see your bridals! I''m doing mine tomorrow!!!!!!

Iloveprincesscuts...where are you from? I told my FMIL that I was getting bridal portraits and she couldn''t understand why I would want them. They are big here in Texas (maybe the south?). Like Mere said, they put them out at the reception. They are great. You get to enjoy a stress free day and have your pictures made as if you were at your wedding. I''m pluncking down some serious money for my dress (or my dad is) and I want to wear it as much as I can!!!

 

[mrscushion]

Glad everything worked out with the dress. What a horrible feeling standing there thinking the seamstress completely ruined your dress. PHEW. Can''t wait to see your bridal shot.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

My gosh!!! Haha your story had me going... man, I thought it was going to be a terrible ending. I probably would have screamed too!!!

I'm SO glad everything worked out!!! I CANNOT WAIT to see the photos!!!

And most of all, I'm glad you have your dress in YOUR (or your mom's? haha) hands, and you don't have to deal with that shop any longer!!

I'm in NC, we do bridal portraits too. Must be a Southern thing?

 

[princessplease]

I''m sorry!!!!!! I hope everything goes well.
It just sucks that they didn''t acknowledge their not working on the dress!!! Good luck!

 

[bee*]

I''m so happy that your dress is perfect! Cannot wait to see those pics!

 

[princesss]

YAY! I''m so glad your dress was perfect.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Whew! That scared me for a second! I can''t wait to see your pictures!!!!

 

[Blair138]

Meresal-SO GLAD everything worked out, I was FREAKING OUT before I read your post all the way through

those ladies at that shop should pay you for all the emotional distress they have caused you!!!

Like you said, it''s funny what is popular because here in the Midwest bridals aren''t popular. I have heard of them, but no one I know has done them...I can''t WAIT to see your pictures!!!

 

[Porridge]

Thank God Meresal, I was wondering if they would fix this and I''m so glad this worked out for you!!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Ummm... Mere''s momma took photos? Where the HECK are they?! ::taps foot::