— Cindy
Dear Cindy:
This is a tough question to answer, because there are so many variables. What exactly does “it doesn’t seem like the same dress” mean? The fact is, more than a few brides experience buyers’ remorse when they get their gowns. Sometimes the let-down stems from valid problems, and sometimes not. Here are some common examples:
– “I loved the one I tried on, but it was too big/small. When I got the the dress in my size, it didn’t look as good as I thought.” Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about that one. Bridal salons usually have a no-refund policy for that reason: brides tend to order dresses imagining they will be so much better in the right size … and any dress has a tough time living up to the fantasy.
– “I really loved the beading….. this one’s similar, but not the same.” When you get the gown, the beading and embroidery should be similar (same color, same pattern), but may not be 100% the same — especially if it’s hand beaded, or the dress is much larger or smaller than the one you tried on. If the pattern’s not the same or the colors differ, then you have a valid complaint.
– “I loved the fabric on the first dress … this one doesn’t feel as nice.” First, ask to see the one you tried on, so you can compare. Sometimes, the anticipation and excitement may cause the bride to remember the dress being a little nicer then it really was — but a side-by-side comparision will tell you in a flash.
So basically, you need to decide if your disappointment is based on the heightened expectations many brides experience, or actual problems with the dress. But if the problem’s the dress, then take action. In the bridal industry, there are too many vendors who’ll simply walk all over a bride because they can. If the salon was dishonest with you, there’s no reason to worry about hurting their feelings.