Update: Tberube''s Late Gown Woes....

[tberube]

Well, it's been about three weeks since my last post about my Maggie Sottero wedding gown being late. I ordered it in August, and they put on my order that it would be in by February 15th. Well around the middle of March I started calling in at the bridal shop, asking if they could find out what was going on with my dress. Every time I called, I got a different person answering the phone, and I had to tell the whole story over again. As responses, I got:

"Oh, honey, your wedding's not until September...we still have time!"
"Maggie Sotteros come late sometimes."
"Well, all the Spring/Summer bride dresses are coming in now, you might have to wait until after that rush is over."
"Who told you the dress would be in by February 15th?"

I tried to explain that I'd ordered my dress early so I would get it early, and that all I wanted was an answer as to where my dress was and why it wasn't in yet, and that their vagueness was really worrying me. To no avail...all they got was that I was anxious for my dress and that I was being a b*tch. Which I certainly was not.

After seven phone calls, all which ended with me being promised a phone call with the answer to where my dress was, and never being called, I called and asked to speak to the boss. She wasn't working that day. When I decided to show I was a little upset by the vagueness I've received for the past couple of weeks, she said to me "well, what do you want me to do? Lie to you and tell me your dress is in, when it's not?!" Then she put me on hold and put the boss on the phone (she must have gotten there fast...heh). The boss, again, promised me a phone call within an hour. I never got one.

The next day I'd decided I would call my aunt in the afternoon (who paid for the dress for me) and sic her on the bridal salon. But before I got a chance to call, the boss's husband called me. He apologized, told me he'd never gotten any of my 11 messages until that morning, and told me he'd called Maggie Sottero and told them he needed the dress to be sent out ASAP. He said the dress would be in by the middle of the following week (which would have been last Wednesday or so).

So I thanked him. Waited. Got no call. I called again on Friday afternoon. The lady on the phone told me that the dress still wasn't in and to call back next Tuesday.

So am I ever going to get my dress, or are these people just jerking me around?

 

[Sabine]

OH, that would be SOOOO frustrating! If I were you, I would take a trip to the salon personally (armed with your aunt maybe), demand a FIRM date of arrival, and explain (calmly of course) that after all this frustration and run-around, if they do not meet that date you will be expecting money off. They are being unprofessional. Yes, they can''t help it if Maggie Sottero is not sending the gown, but they should have enough of a professional relationship with them to be able to give you a reasonable estimate, and to be able to figure out why the date is not met for you if this happens.

 

[bee*]

that is so frustrating. Is there any way you can threaten them with stopping the payment with your credit card or something like that(or your aunts credit card)? I really hope that your dress comes in soon. I''m definitely lying about when my wedding is when I''m ordering my dress!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 4/6/2008 11:46:55 AM
Author: Sabine
OH, that would be SOOOO frustrating! If I were you, I would take a trip to the salon personally (armed with your aunt maybe), demand a FIRM date of arrival, and explain (calmly of course) that after all this frustration and run-around, if they do not meet that date you will be expecting money off. They are being unprofessional. Yes, they can''t help it if Maggie Sottero is not sending the gown, but they should have enough of a professional relationship with them to be able to give you a reasonable estimate, and to be able to figure out why the date is not met for you if this happens.

Ditto!!!

 

[Gypsy]

Honey if your estimated arrival date is ANYWHERE in writing, and you aunt paid with a credit card, I would go to my aunts, call up the CC company and ask them what their buy protection policy is and see what they can do to help you. NOTHING gets these vendors moving faster than the threat of their funds being challenged.

 

[SuLi]

I agree with the other posters. They have been incredibly unprofessional and I don''t think that you have been unreasonable at all...especially since this dress has been paid for. You are the customer (and the bride) and they should not be treating you this way at all. I think that your aunt should try somehow to stop the payment, and since it''s still "early", I think you should take your business elsewhere and report them to the Better Business Bureau.

I''m sorry that you are going through this and I hope that it will be resolved soon.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 4/6/2008 4:30:44 PM
Author: Gypsy
Honey if your estimated arrival date is ANYWHERE in writing, and you aunt paid with a credit card, I would go to my aunts, call up the CC company and ask them what their buy protection policy is and see what they can do to help you. NOTHING gets these vendors moving faster than the threat of their funds being challenged.

Ditto. This will get their butts moving.

 

[tberube]

thanks to everyone for your advice. I will most certainly do my best to take a more active stance on figuring all this out. Unfortunately, I have a fear of making my vendors upset at me...I still want them to alter my dress well! So they may have me by the proverbial B*lls. I''m going to call them tomorrow like they asked me to, and if that''s a dead end, then I''ll plan to take more desperate measures. Thanks again for your kind words and advice!

 

[CrownJewel]

Ack. I see how hard the situation is, esp since you do want them to do the alterations too. Grrr, I would be so angry!

Maybe the next time they say, "it''ll be in on blahblah date," you should say, "ok great, I''ll be there at 2PM." Then show up (I know, you''ll just have to take a chance). If the dress is not there, have a nice, calm, long SERIOUS talk with the owner. Make a log of every phone call you''ve made, the person you spoke with, and the date they quoted you that your dress will "arrive." Sometimes seeing it all on paper makes it seem much much more dire a situation and possibly induce more guilt. Also, maybe ask for the contact person at Maggie Sottero? Say to the owner of the salon, "I know it''s not your fault, but you may understand how frustrating it is for me that my dress is 2 months late. It''s unfair that Maggie Sottero is delaying the shipment of my dress, and I hate to trouble you guys any longer. I would like to speak to them directly."

Good luck. I hope your dress arrives soon!

 

[doodle]

Date: 4/7/2008 2:13:18 PM
Author: tberube
Unfortunately, I have a fear of making my vendors upset at me...I still want them to alter my dress well! So they may have me by the proverbial B*lls.

NUH UH!!!! YOU are paying THEM for a service, and if they can''t come through, take your business elsewhere. gypsy''s totally right; if you''ve got it in writing that the dress was supposed to be there in two months, you should have THEM by the b*lls! their lackadaisical attitude is very unprofessional. after that kind of doodie, i don''t think i''d even want them TOUCHING my dress for fear that it may take two months per stitch to do a simple alteration! i''m sorry they''re giving you such a hard time. good luck dealing with them!!

 

[Gypsy]

Well, I agree with doodle, I'd forget about letting them touch my gown for alterations. But if you aren't comfortable with that I would do good cop/bad cop. It usually works for John and me. I would call them and say, "listen, my aunt is getting very concerned, and is about the dispute this with the CC company and order my gown from another retailer. I know that you guys are on it, but I need a firm date and commitment from you, and I need the gown THERE on that date to calm her down. She is very upset, as is my mother. If you can't help me by giving me that assurance, please tell me now."

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

TB - Once again, I am mad at this place!!! I think a personal visit is in order.

The offer is still on the table for me to go there myself

I''d try going there, with your aunt if possible, and tell them you are not going to leave until they get you some answers. Get the new date in writing.

Also, I neglected to ask you this when I saw you last week but did you ever report the incredibly rude person who asked if you wanted them to lie to you???

 

[tberube]

WHEW!!!!!! The dress is in. Thank the Gods!!!

I''m going to head over to the bridal salon tomorrow to check it out, I''m so excited! Now all I have to do is make sure I lose the weight I''ve gained since ordering it! Oops!!

Phew. BIG phew.

 

[Gypsy]

OKAY. ALL fingers and toes and even my EYES crossed for you that the order is PERFECT and that there are NO MORE problems with the gown. SMOOTH SAILING.

I look goofy now, in case you are wondering.

 

[tberube]

Oh Gypsy. You''re so sweet. Thanks....I''ll be crossing everything, too.

 

[Gypsy]

Me SWEET!

Tart. I'm a TART.

Um. That didn't come out the way I intended. (Thank you for the compliment. It's returned, in case there is a question).

You cross it all and we'll look ridiculous together. How is that?

 

[lliang_chi]

tbe,
Hope your dress fitting goes well. After all the headache and heartache they put you through they better be doing something really special for you! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[glueck]

Whew! Thank goodness. What a nightmare, and how RUDE they were. At least its here now. Breathe in- breathe out.

Hope those alterations are flawless!

 

[ladyciel]

Oh, that''s fantastic news that it''s finally in! I''m sure the dress shops must get really frustrated when manufacturers don''t deliver on time, but they need to learn how to POLITELY and EFFECTIVELY play middle-man. Getting huffy, rude and defensive doesn''t help anyone.

Gypsy, I have a picture in my head of your concerned kitty''s head cocked to the side, wondering why in the world you''ve twisted yourself up like a pretzel.

Add me to the list of finger crossers, rube!

 

[bee*]

That''s great news!! Looking forward to seeing pics of it during your fittings!

 

[Stephanie]

Dress drama is over! Glad that you received it.

 

[tberube]

HAHA! You guys all have me laughing in my cube at work! Thanks for all your support. Now wish me luck as I lose enough weight to fit into the darn dress!! (winter weight...argh!)

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 4/9/2008 9:05:24 AM
Author: ladyciel
Oh, that''s fantastic news that it''s finally in! I''m sure the dress shops must get really frustrated when manufacturers don''t deliver on time, but they need to learn how to POLITELY and EFFECTIVELY play middle-man. Getting huffy, rude and defensive doesn''t help anyone.

Gypsy, I have a picture in my head of your concerned kitty''s head cocked to the side, wondering why in the world you''ve twisted yourself up like a pretzel.

Add me to the list of finger crossers, rube!

LOL! That''s SO accurate. The look at me like I''m nutz OFTEN too!