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Internet Buyer Beware

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Dear Brides-to-Be:

RE: Internet Pricing

It is a pleasure to be working with you to pick out your perfect gown. This is one of the most important decisions that you will make throughout your life and we want to make sure it is perfect. You have already spent many months of researching the Internet and magazines, visited countless stores, and tried on hundreds of dresses. Now, it is finally that time to purchase the perfect dress. However, before you make your purchase, we realize you have one more question. Why are Internet stores cheaper?

Internet stores are cheaper because they do not offer you full service. Since you and the stores have already spent countless hours doing all the research, the Internet store will only ask what style and what size you want. You then pay the 100% + shipping up front. In a few months, you will receive your dress in a little box. The dress will not be pressed nor steamed. Often, Internet stores never open the manufacture box they get to check if it is perfect before reshipping to you. They just stick another label and forward the same box to you. This dress is now yours without much recourse. Since all the dresses are hand made, each dress is made a little different. If the size or fitting is not right, you are stuck with it. Internet stores never see you, tell you how you look, offer samples to try on, give fitting, nor offer full service. In conclusion, internet stores must be cheaper because they don’t offer full service and they will take all your money without ever investing their own money nor time.

We on the other hand are a full service store. This means that we have an expert bridal consultant team to spend hours in finding your dress, offer hundreds of samples to try on, offer expert advice, and have customized fittings. First, we offer a one stop shop where you can also find headpieces, veils, jewelry, petty coat, shoes, bridesmaid, mother’s dress, flowergirl dresses, tuxedo, albums, toasting glass, cutlery, etc... Second, it is only here you can find the entire local banquet halls, restaurants, DJ, decorations, florist, limousine, wedding cake, travel agent, etc. Third, the price you paid includes free shipping, all the time assisting try-on, all the different sample designs, all the newest samples from a wide range of manufactures, proper measuring, ordering, receiving, quality checking, making sure the dress received is made correctly, pre-fitting, post-fitting, steaming, etc... Fourth, once we receive your dress, we can offer you further expert alteration, customizing, adding special details, bustling, temporary storage, and final fitting. Finally, after your wedding, we can assist in repairing damaged gown, cleaning and gown preservation. Needless to say, the small saving in price does not add up to the true cost of being a full service store. This is why full service store charge only slightly more than the Internet stores.

Today is the day you will make one of the most important decisions; Make sure it is done right. Don’t think you are saving some money now but only to pay more later. However, if you still choose to buy from the Internet, we will still be glad to help you. Please check off which of the following service you wish to receive on our “Internet Bride-to-Be” ordering form.

Again, thank you for giving us an opportunity to be of service to you.

Sincerely,

The Staff at Millies Bridal

Internet Bride-to-Be:

Here is a list of services provided that is usually not offered by the internet store.

PAYMENT OPTIONS ON PURCHASES:

The internet store is going to require a 100% deposit on the purchase.

(Dress price + shipping cost + rush fee if necessary) At Millie’s, we require a 50% deposit to order and we offer payment arrangements on the balance. We do not charge our customer shipping fees and we do offer shipping arrangements if necessary to get the dress to your location after it has been inspected for flaws.

SAMPLES TO TRY ON

At Millie’s we carry hundreds of wedding gowns in-stock ready to be reviewed by the bride. The dresses range in size from 1 – 32. On the internet you can only view pictures and hope that the dress looks on you the way it does on the model.

PROFFESSIONAL CONSULTANT

At Millie’s you will receive fast friendly service. We will pull the gowns for you and help you to decide which style is the best one for your body type. We will help you to determine what shade looks best on you. If your wedding requires a temple ready gown, we carry several styles in stock that are Modesty cut and several of our manufacturers will adapt a style into a modesty cut for us.

PROFFESSIONAL SIZING

Manufacturers have different size charts. We will help you to determine the correct size for best fit after alterations. We will choose the size that will require the least amount of alterations saving you money on the end product. Different manufacturers have different tricks that the bridal store will know to allow alterations to go much smoother. Some manufacturers offer hollow to hem measurements and others don’t. Some offer extra length or petite cut and others don’t. This is nice to know when choosing the designer that you want for your gown, depending on the style chosen.

ORDER PLACEMENT

We will hold all orders placed by your bridesmaids until all of the girls have come into the shop or placed their orders over the phone. This will help to make sure that all of the dresses ordered come in the same shade from the manufacturer.

NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENTS / HANDLING DISPUTES

At Millie’s Bridal we will notify the bride when all of the bridesmaids have been in and deposits placed. With the wedding gown purchase we make every effort to place the order while you are still in our store. This prevents any unanswered questions between us and the manufacturer. If something is left off or not answered on the internet you are usually simply out of luck when the gown arrives. Should your gown arrive damaged in any way we will deal directly with the manufacturer to settle the issue, with the internet sale you are on your own and may not notice a flaw before it is too late to rectify the problem.

NOTIFICATION OF THE RECIEPT OF YOUR PURCHASE

At Millie’s Bridal we will notify the bride when all of the bridesmaids have arrived and request that the girls come in to try on the dresses. We will continue to help in the process and have you meet with the seamstress. The alterations costs will be discussed prior to any changes being made to the dress. (Alterations are not included in the price of any of our garments)

STEAMING AND PREPARATION OF YOUR GARMENT

We will steam, iron, ect. prepare all garments prior to notification of receipt of goods. At Millie’s we want you to see the dress as your guests or companions will see it, at your event. We will also prepare the gown again at no charge for the event the item was purchased for. If your gown arrived purchased over the internet you will need to take the dress to a bridal shop or dry cleaner to have it prepared for your event at an extra fee.

Tux and Bridal Professionals Don’t forget the most important, at Millie’s we will temporarily store your garment at no extra charge. Once you receive your item from the internet you must figure out where and how to store it. Come on in and see us we can help!