Bridesmaid dresses

dommers

My partner went to pick up my two bridesmaid dresses today (it's taken about 4 months for them to turn up) to find out that the company have messed up the order. The wedding is now only 4 weeks away so time is limited. We would obviously like them to sort the order out, with the correct sizes and the shop are going to make some phone calls on Monday although I am interested to know what our options are.

One of my bridesmaid needed a size 10, which is clearly stated on the order and I know would fit fine, although the dress which turned up has a size 8 label on it. The owner of the shop has tried my partner that the numbers don't matter (as it's made to measure) and it will fit although I'm sure they have missordered and it won't fit as it only just fits my partner who is a size 8.

For the other bridesmaid they also got the sizing wrong. The size of dress which was order was I think a size 24. The order form has a size 22 on although we know that this was order without the bridesmaid present and was later increased to a 24 when the bridesmaid went in to check. This dress has arrived and does not fit as well as one which is in stored and a size 20!!!

This one needs a few alterations, which we knew about although typically given the disorganised nature of the shop the material for this has yet to arrive. They are going to make some phone calls on Monday to check the correct dresses have been sent and that the extra material can be sent. I get the distinction impression that there is probably a bit of not worrying about the sizes being that correct as they'll then be able to charge extra for some alterations although to order an 8 when they knew a 10 was needed seems poor. As the wedding is only 4 weeks away I'm hoping they the alterations will be just made although am wondering whether we'd be able to claim a refund on the basis that the dresses ordered are not as stated on the original order. Obviously this doesn't really help us in terms of get two bridesmaid dresses and we'd probably have to spend as much if not more elsewhere although am wondering if we could reasonably pursue a refund in this situation?

74jax

To start with, if worried you'll end up with no dresses, spend a day looking in town at alternatives, debenhams bhs etc.

Hunt out your copy of the contract. What did your partner sign. if she signed the order for the wrong sizes I'm not sure if you can do anything, but if they changed the order afterwards without you knowing I'm sure you will have more say.

Have you paid a deposit. Do not pay anymore until you are fully happy. If at the very worst at least you've just lost a deposit, not more. Do not pay the balance until your happy.

To reclaim your deposit if not happy, buy the other dresses from debenhams ot wherever so you aren't stressing over that, then consult your insurance, is it covered? Is the deposit actually worth the stress of fighting over? Write to the shop, state you do not have the dresses as per your contract and enclose this, and wish to have your deposit back. Might be different if it was a non returnable deposit. Speak to CAB if you don't get anywhere.

Check to see if your contract allows you to swop to another dress.

Ruby_Roo

You may be entitled to your money back in the circumstances, but only if they can't fix it and getting your money back would mean the store retaining the dresses, you can't have your cake and eat it.

I'm not sure what you're meaning about the extra material - the dresses are at least one size too small, I really struggle to see how extra material is going to get around this? I'm no seamstress but it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I also wonder if having the dresses altered would prevent you getting a refund if they can't be sorted.

I would be phoning them and politely demanding that they re-order them on a rush order or that they contact other stockists to see if they hold any of the dresses in the colour and sizes you need. If they can't supply new dresses in the right size, then at that point I'd be pushing for my money back.

As the previous poster says, don't pay them a penny more until you've got dresses which fit both bridesmaids.

dommers

Thanks for the comments so far. I certainly won't be paying any more money until it's sorted. I wouldn't expect to have a refund and the dresses and am not sure where you got that impression from.

The extra material is for some other alterations which needed to be made by the shop, even with the correct sizes.

Will chase them again tomorrow to see if they are able to supply the dresses in the sizes ordered as per the contract, which is what we want. If they can't then will contact CAB to get their view about asking for a full refund (deposit included) as they won't have fulfilled the order as stated.