Annoyed with David's Bridal alteration dept!

[michelle6114]

I found a great dress at DB for $350.00. It came in a couple of months ago. I didn't pick it up because we have no room here, and I was going to have them alter it anyway.

So, being the last minute person that I am, I call them last week and get transferred to the alteration dept. This obnoxious older woman sneers into the phone "they called you 2 MONTHS AGO Geezzz, I hope its still here" and then rudely tells me the first appt available for a 1st fitting is in the middle of Sept.

WTF??

Then, she goes on to tell me the hem alone will be $110 and the other stuff I want can be up to $300.00. Um hello? The dress was only $350.00 to begin with. Why are alterations there so expensive? What is the norm? I am ready to go snatch my dress up and bring it to Joe Blow the local tailor.

[Sheeoni]

I think it's funny that a) they haven't bothered to follow up to see why you haven't picked up your dress and they would insinuate it wouldn't be there for some reason. Have you already paid for it? I assumed that you have to pay for them before they ordered them to the store. I could rant for hours about bad customer service, so I'll spare you the details of what I would have said! lol

I was sorta shocked at the estimated cost for alterations as well. I haven't purchased my dress but I'm in the same boat as you. Dress is about the same price as yours, and the cost of alterations would be nearly the same price as my dress lol. I figured it's because I was having changes made to the actual dress- the alterations weren't actually to change how the dress fit, oddly enough. I don't know if thats standard or not but I am seriously considering busting out my sewing machine and putting my own custom touches to my dress =P

[michelle6114]

I did call the manger of the strore and make her personally go to the back and look for me dress. I told her the rude alteration lady insinuated that it wouldn't still be there. It was fully paid for, and she siad they don't "send them anywhere". Don't they realize brides are already stressed enough without some nonsense like this on the side?

[FoxyBride]

If you know a good seamstress I wouldn't hesitate to take it there. Sometimes bridal shops (including DB) charge an outrageous amount for alterations because they know they have you hooked; you've purchased the dress so OF COURSE you want it to fit perfectly.

 

I go my dress at the Running of the Brides (for $250) so getting it altered onsite wasn't an option and I didn't want to spend a ton. However, they did have an alterations shop there so that I could ask questions and see if the changes I wanted were realistic. I bought a size 12 dress when I'm really about a bridal 6. She showed me it was possible to bring in and she showed me a possible bustle.

 

Fastforward almost a year and I'm hunting down a local person who can do this. I come across a wonderful lady that has a bridal shop but her main business is alterations. She brought the dress in 6 sizes, brought up the hem and put a 2 level, 11 ribbon, completely custom bustle in my dress for a grand total of $150! I don't know what your options are like where you are, but some DBs are known for their lack of customer service, so if it's an option, shop around.

[DanielleNDerek]

I think my alterations, and i didnt need much done, cost me about $300. And when i did make my alteration appointment I dont think they had an opening for about 3 weeks, there was only one person who did the alterations at my bridal shop so she books up really fast.

[LCBride2007]

ditto - i didn't need much done either, and mine were pretty spendy. it all depends on what you need done, the fabric, and the style of the dress. but i'd also suggest bringing the dress somewhere else. DB might do a fine job, but if you're unhappy with them may as well go elsewhere.

 

here's one good thread to check out ... http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t26331

[jerzygirl85]

i can go on about the terrible service at david's bridal as well! I couldn't get out of that store fast enough!

 

As for my alterations, my bridal shop charges about $250 flat for all alterations.

[GracieBebe]

Wow! I can't believe how much everyone's alterations cost! My dress shop charged me a flat $125 for hemming, french bustle, detail adjustments, cleaning, and everything!

[Kristy!]

I wouldn't get the alterations done at DB. I would take it to a local person.

 

I lucked out...my alterations were included in the price of the dress.

[**~Linda~**]

Oh god! I was just going to post something about ppls experience with DB alterations department when in the search i came across this thread. Holy cow alterations cost!!! Im on the fence as to what to do I have a local seamstress that works in a dry cleaners shop who i have taken many dresses to and has done a great job so far. One of the dresses was the dress that i planned to use for the TTD. Since it was just a plain dress ,no beading really just fabric detail, I thought it was worth a shot to try him out on a bridal dress per say. He did an excellent job at adjusting it but Im scared to death of something happening to my real dress. He used to work in a bridal store(or so the people that work there have confirmed) but since my dress has so much beading and lace I was thinking of just taking it to DB and having them do it since they guarantee if they screw it up they have to give me a new dress. One month away from the wedding and I have yet to go to any alterations appointment, so OMG what to do!!!

 

Sorry to !!