Davids Bridal Dress Exchange

[cammy85]

Wasn''t really sure where to post this, so I thought I''d try here.

Situation: Bought bridesmaid dress for Septemeber wedding (Dress I have). Wedding has since been cancelled. So I have two options - either keep this bridesmaids dress I''ll never wear, or exchange it for something of equal or greater value that I could possibly wear at some point.

I''m scared that anything I would get at DB is going to look like a bridesmaids dress, but I do think some of their special occasion dresses *might* work.

If you had this option, are there any dresses you think would be a versatile choice to get? I also have a black dress and a black/white dress, so I don''t know if I should get something with color to add to my wardrobe or stick with the classic colors...

Idea 1 - I''ve seen this used as a rehearsal dinner dress several times, but is it a good ''anytime'' dress?
Idea 2 - Cute but worried it looks a little ''bridal''

Stay away from:
Dress 1 - Very unflattering on me, tried it on before - I look like i''m about 20 lbs heavier

Any other ideas/suggestions? I just don''t want DB to take my money and run and I end up with something I''ll never ever wear again.

 

[neatfreak]

You might want to try hangout or the shopping forum (the mods can move it for you) to get more responses.

 

[Sabine]

Or even try the bridal world wide page...I know you don''t want a weddingy dress, but those girls might be more familiar with what David''s is selling right now...I know when I was wedding planning I pretty much had the dress styles memorized from looking at them so much.

 

[cammy85]

bump

 

[Shoopy]

I''m going to advise against the Strapless Tulle Dress with Caviar Beading. I have the same dress (in brown). When you are sitting and its hot out, the beads get stuck to the dress and you literally have to pull it apart from the dress. I also lost a ton of beads and they would show up everywhere.

The Short Strapless Daisy Print Organza Dress is a little to bridal for me.

Have you tried selling the dress you have on places like Ebay or Amazon?

 

[cammy85]

the sad thing is, the dress hasn''t even come in yet. i''m trying my darndest to return in, my friend, another bm in the wedding was able to easily return hers, so I''m using that as a point when I talk to a manager next. My last resort will be ebay or something.

Fiery, thanks for the tips on the dresses, I appreaciate the real-life experiences with some of them - And your opinions on the looks of the other ones!

 

[phoenixgirl]

I like #1. I would totally wear that to a cocktail party, gala, very fancy dinner, or non-black tie evening wedding. #2 would limit where you can wear it because, as you said, it looks a little bridal.

 

[cammy85]

I know most people aren''t ''dying for an update'' but i figured I would anyway. David''s Bridal has a firm NO RETURN policy, but will let you exchange for something of equal or greater value if you bring it back unaltered and with tags. My dress never left the store, as it came in last sunday. I''ve called and talked with 4 separate managers, only the last one being helpful at all. The last one, Lindsey, seriously made my day.

My friend, another bridesmaid, returned her dress, no problem at her local DB store. This is where I had my big issue - they are letting her return her dress, and are telling me i can only exchange - and I bought my wedding dress, 3 bridesmaid dresses and a flower girl dress there for my own wedding three months ago. I''ve given them a lot of business. The manager called me back after I left a message this morning, and I told her that one of the other bridesmaids was able to return her dress no problem, and I''m being told I could only exchange - explained my other reasons, and asked if there is anything she could do for me. She looked up the other girl and said if she can find the return, she will extend the ''No Return Policy'' exception to me as well.

Lo and behold, she couldn''t find the return. At that point though, she finally said, you know what, I''ll just do it anyway, I just need your CC number and name, and we''ll credit your account in 24-48 hours.

David''s Bridal is really strict on this policy, for sure, and I had to jump through a lot of hoops, but I had a lot going for me...
1. Wedding was cancelled (it''s not like I just didn''t like the size of the dress or the color) and I called before the dress even arrived at the store
2. When the dress arrived after my trying to deal with the situation, I was upset. But that just meant I had proof it was unworn and unaltered.
3. Given them a lot of business in the past.
4 - my saving grace - another BM easily (and without receipt) returned her dress. I really think that''s what get me the return.

I have to say, while I am not thrilled always with the way David''s Bridal handles themselves, and I pleasantly surprised with how this one manager handled the situation. I had dealt with several that were too busy to call back or gave me the canned - no returns only exchanges. So I am very appreciative that I stuck with it and kept calling back until I got someone who would help me.

 

[Sabine]

Yay, glad you aren''t stuck trying to pick out a new dress you don''t really need!

 

[Indylady]

I like idea 1.