Wedding dress altered, now too small. Advice please!

EssexGirl

My friend is getting married in 2 weeks time. She came to me today very very upset.
She had chosen her dream wedding dress from a wedding boutique in a large well known Essex shopping centre.
They ordered her the dress in a size 18, which she questioned when they ordered it in that size. She has never been a size 18, she a 12-14 at most.

The dress arrived and at first fitting the dress was huge on her. So they charged her £400 for alterations on top of £1500 for the dress. It has finally come back but is now at least a size too small as they have taken it in too much. The dress has a lace bodice and buttons on the back. Another seamstress in the shop saw it and told her to unbutton it immediately as the dress would rip. The photos she showed me make it look like she has a muffin top on her back! She hasn't gained any weight, in fact she has lost some. They have taken it back to "see what they can do with it"

What rights does my friend have in case they can't sort the dress? Apparently she signed some sort of contract with the bridal store. Surely she has some sort of consumer protection regarding this? :eek:

pinkshoes

EssexGirl wrote: »

My friend is getting married in 2 weeks time. She came to me today very very upset.
She had chosen her dream wedding dress from a wedding boutique in a large well known Essex shopping centre.
They ordered her the dress in a size 18, which she questioned when they ordered it in that size. She has never been a size 18, she a 12-14 at most.

The dress arrived and at first fitting the dress was huge on her. So they charged her £400 for alterations on top of £1500 for the dress. It has finally come back but is now at least a size too small as they have taken it in too much. The dress has a lace bodice and buttons on the back. Another seamstress in the shop saw it and told her to unbutton it immediately as the dress would rip. The photos she showed me make it look like she has a muffin top on her back! She hasn't gained any weight, in fact she has lost some. They have taken it back to "see what they can do with it"

What rights does my friend have in case they can't sort the dress? Apparently she signed some sort of contract with the bridal store. Surely she has some sort of consumer protection regarding this? :eek:

She is entitled to the dress that she paid for.

If they can't fix it, then she is entitled to a FULL refund. Part of the contract would be having the dress ready BEFORE the wedding, and if they can't get it right, I am sure a court would understand why she didn't want to give them another chance with a different dress in such a short space of time.

Regarding fixing this, then "seeing what they can do with it" sounds dodgy. I would be telling your friend to put her foot down, and INSIST that she gets the dress she pays for, and no panels to be added at the back.

Unless there is additional material hidden somewhere, then making it bigger sounds like it could be a bit of a botch job.

Make sure she takes a couple of people with her when it is 'ready'.

I would also give them a 7 day deadline to sort it out, as she will need time to find an alternative otherwise!

EssexGirl

Thank you PinkShoes. That's what I thought, but I needed to clarify with someone who knows more than me.
I'm working tomorrow when she goes back, otherwise I would have gone there with her and not left until a satisfactory agreement was made. I'll have her fully briefed and ready!

ocean90

I'm not sure of your friends rights but what pinks shoes says makes sense. All though I do know that some dresses depending on style need to be ordered a size or 2 bigger. (Lace up backs fit 2 sizes either way) But as the shop work with these dresses on a daily basis they should know how the dresses fit size wise. If it's way too big then that will be something that alot of bridal shops do to make alteration money. Your friend should have and can insist they order this in the right size or just one bigger for proper alterations. Taking a dress in is easier than taking it out, this could require the dress to be mostly taken apart and material added so seams and a material difference are usually visible. I would make sure I got a new dress in a smaller size and alterations done from there. From what I have recently read the shop should do this. Hope this helps.

unholyangel

Whether they'll be able to let it out will depend on the style, material etc and also where its too tight.

For example if its just the bodice, it might be a easy fix of altering the buttons & fasteners slightly while installing a back panel of fabric so theres no gaps in the material showing skin).

Did the seamstress take the measurements or did the shop take them and pass them over? I'd be more worried of the abilities of the seamstress if he/she did it themselves. If they only received measurements from the shop then its likely they're competent at what they do, just the shop isnt!

As above your friend should be able to get a refund and - given its a wedding dress - may also have a claim for additional damages on top of the refund.

LilElvis

How did she pay for the dress? If any of the cost was paid by credit card then they are equally liable.

EssexGirl

LilElvis wrote: »

How did she pay for the dress? If any of the cost was paid by credit card then they are equally liable.

Sadly it was all by debit card. Nothing by CC.

Le_Kirk

Hey pinkshoes, just seen your signature and thank you for pointing out the error of some peoples ways: -
Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
They go along with advice & advise and bought & brought

McKneff

Credit card -S75

Debit card - chargeback, try that one if it doesnt work out, check out the times though

Leo2020

In regards to ordering another dress and having that made to fit I am wondering is there enough time? Not sure how long it takes to order in a dress but I'm guessing that two weeks to order and then alter is not enough? If they aren't able to make the dress bigger or not able to make it bigger without also look good then a refund would the only option. Just wondering if it is possible for her to start looking at alternatives just in case they can't alter the dress? Some places have ex-display, clearance dresses, etc. Would that be an option should the worse come to it?

pinkshoes

EssexGirl wrote: »

Thank you PinkShoes. That's what I thought, but I needed to clarify with someone who knows more than me.
I'm working tomorrow when she goes back, otherwise I would have gone there with her and not left until a satisfactory agreement was made. I'll have her fully briefed and ready!

I would REALLY advise her to take someone with her. She will be under a lot of pressure, so it really is best that she is not on her own.

Can she find someone else to go with her for moral and rational support?