Igowns.com

My daughter and I tried to get onto igowns.com last nite to check the status of her gown and couldn`t find the site. By reading your messages it looks like we got ripped off. I will provide all information including the mailing address that I have this evening when I get home from work. I will be filing a police report also.
Posted by Nancy; updated 11/24/04

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Stephanie,

No one on likes to hear that people get scammed on anything especially as important as this but we should all practice the saying "Buyer Beware". I don`t personally think that anyone should trust such an important decision to the internet . Everyone wants to get a fair deal. I think that some of the comments on this topic have been very negative and ignorant against bridal stores. As a bride, I chose to visit several bridal stores before I chose which one that I wanted to trust.

There are several industries that have a much larger markup on their product and those that say all bridal store owners are dishonest and greedy are just not telling the truth. I don`t know if you have had bad experiences or just believe the individuals that are preaching "Do not trust any retail stores". Be a wise shopper and choose carefully regardless of what you shop for but drop the paranoid pitch of bridal stores are out to get ya!

Not every bride is the same and neither is every store. My experience was very positive and so was my girlfriend`s in another state.

I hope that the first poster of this topic gets a fair resolution to their problem and that people can start being more positive with their comments.

Target, Dillards, Gap, Sears and other mall stores are not out to get anyone and neither is any privately owned bridal salon. People need to appreciate others more and I don`t understand all of the negativity out there.

Have a Happier Day.
Posted by lmc; updated 11/24/04

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Shannon, please read back and inform me of what spot I said that you deserved to be ripped off. I have re-read every post and at no time did I put that. I did put what comes around goes around. If you at no point went into a full service bridal shop for assistance, props to you for finding your dress on your own. I give you credit. You are one of the few. As for sitting around making brides feel bad, what right do you have to judge me when you are criticizing others for doing that to you. You have never met me nor have you worked with me. I have no problem justifying what my gowns are worth. I also know there are bridal shops very near me that have the same gowns as me marked much higher, but, I am not in a position to judge that as I do not know their overhead. I am a very caring and hard working individual who bends over backwards for every bride I have ever worked with, as well as those who "use" my stock. Good luck with your wedding.
Posted by belle; updated 12/01/04

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Belle, you may not have come out and said that you wished Shannon was ripped off, but your `what comes around goes around` comment is pretty much in the same vein. And as far as her judging you, you made the assumption that she went into someone`s shop and `used` their stock, only to go back home to order the same thing on the internet. Her mother never said that in any of her posts, neither did she. Your business is no different than any other retail clothing business. People go into a store, try on something, and if they see what they like, they go to other businesses, especially if it is a name brand, to see if they can get the same thing at a better price. In fact, it is no different than ANY retail business. The bottom line is that everyone, INCLUDING BRIDES, are trying to get the most for their money. If that means buying something on line, then so be it. I personally bought my dress on line without needing to go into a `bridal salon` to shop. I didn`t `use` anyone`s inventory. You seem to think this cannot happen, however, a lot of people order things out of catalogs....it`s not a new concept. Why should it be any different for a wedding dress? And for you to come on here and whine about brides purchasing their gowns on line, well, that is just petty. If you cannot `compete` with the internet vendors, perhaps you either need to find another way to advertise and market your product, or join the ranks here on line, rather than wishing someone ill will. I hope you have enough common sense not to let the name of your shop out on this message board, because I guarantee with that attitude, you will definitely lose business.

Shannon, I hope everything works out for you and you have a wonderful wedding!
Posted by Theresa; updated 12/01/04

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Thanks Debbie!
All the best to you, as well.
:)
Posted by Shannon; updated 12/02/04

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Hi Belle.
Ok, you never said that we deserved to get ripped off, but you did say and I quote "what comes around goes around", basically implying that we deserved what happened to us. Am I wrong??? No, you never used certain exact words, but both you and I know what you meant.
You are right, I never met you and I do not have the right to judge you. You might be a nice person for all I know. But, what I do know is that you DID try to make us unfortunate brides feel bad about our decision to purchase a gown online and that was not very nice of you.
Now, visa versa...Who are you to judge us? You are upset because you say that I am judging you, but you are doing the same.
Look, I don`t wish anything bad your way. Actually, I wish you all the best. I just wanted to let you know how bad you made me feel. It`s like you were purposely trying to rub salt in the wound.
Posted by Shannon; updated 12/04/04

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Shannon, I did not set out to make you feel bad. Perhaps it was a bad day, not that that is an excuse. I am however tired of being used by brides. I know you were not one of them, so I appologize. My anger should have been directed down the proper avenues. I did receive a real eye opener however 2 days ago as to why some brides feel how they do about bridal shops. I hope you`ll allow me to share this story with you.

I had a bride come in 2 days ago looking for a gown she found on an on-line site. It is a line I carry. I spent 2 hours with this girl, then she proceded to tell me her intentions were to buy it online because it would regularily retail for $4000, but she could get it from them for $220, and she realized how "high our mark up is". THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The dress would be about $500 regular. After you pay your shipping, steaming, pressing, searching for a seamstress etc. What was saved? nothing, and shops were made to look bad. Another unfortunate factor that happens is what is called "knock offs" A design is copied and a "designer label" hand sewn in, when in reality, it isn`t the original you ordered. Unfortunately alot of brides are more inclined to believe online retailers than the real shop. For us it is a fact of life.

I do truly appologize, and I wish I could help you. I wish you the best in your wedding and future together.
Posted by belle; updated 12/04/04

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Belle,

Don`t worry, not all brides want to find their gown on the internet. There are definately those that value the professioal expertise of an experienced sales consultant.

I personally love to save money and even second hand shop for many day to day clothes but when it comes to my wedding gown I only wanted to trust a decision that important to a hands on experience in a bridal store that I carefully chose. Not all stores are ones that I would want to shop in. I do understand the cost of doing business for a physical store vs. An online web site.

My son and I were recently in Frys Electronics doing our homework on computer parts before we made our purchase to build a new computer. He made a comment that he couldn`t believe how much cheaper the parts were on the internet and he wondered how they could sell them so cheap. I briefly explained by telling him to look around at the huge store and imagine how much their electricity bill and rent was and then look at all of the staff that they had to answer our questions and explain the difference in the quality, performance and models of all of the different manufacturers that we were interested in. He quickly understood!

A wedding gown is much more important than computer parts. My son has the expertise to build the computer himself and understands alot of the differences of the quality without taking the time of the staff. However there is nothing to try on or worry about being shipped on time or at all or without defects.

I could never imagine selecting my gown by clicking away on my computer. It is also hard to believe that someone could choose a gown that would suit their body and style by looking at a picture in a magazine or on a computer screen. I personally do not like the idea of buying everyday clothes from a catalog or online. Quality and fit is very important to me and I will continue to always try it on and see how things make me feel and look at how they are made. I think if truth be told most of the brides that purchase online visit at least one store to see, feel and try on dresses to at least determine what style looks best on them.

Everyone needs to appreciate each other in the chain of making a wedding gown to selling it in a retail store. It is probaly not as easy as some may think to get the perfect gown. The retail stores also know what manufacturers to trust as far as their quality and delivery time. This knowledge is valuable to me and I choose to save my money in other areas and sleep better at night.

My gown is being shipped to the store that I chose in mid February and I was careful to verify that the company that I bought it from actually has an account and is authorized to do business with the designer that I chose.

I am going on and on but think that this post needs to take a more positive light. To the original bride that had a problem with her gown order - I am truly sorry for your stress. To the bridal store that has commented, you are right - the phrase "buyer beware" is a popular saying for a reason. It doesn`t mean that the bride deserved to be taken but it does mean that we should all make are important decisions more cautiously. Another saying, "if it seems too good to be true, it probaly is" also may apply.

Everyone have a Great Day!
Posted by lmc; updated 12/04/04

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Hmmm this last post seems very fishy?! If this person did but these gowns from Igowns LAST YEAR, why is she now post a postive message??
This should make all of us brides to say

"HMMMMMMMM?"
Posted by Beth; updated 01/22/05

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Nothing fishy - I did NOT buy online. If you are referring to my post as fishy, I don`t understand????
Posted by lmc; updated 01/27/05

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I am not quite sure what all the history is about these posts...BUT, one thing I do NOT understand is why is everyone debating whether or not brides who buy on line `use` the retail shops to try gowns on first? in reality, if a town has 3 or 4 bridal shops, as an example, do you not suppose that the bride who is going to buy from a retail shop goes to ALL OF THEM and looks and tries on gowns at ALL OF THEM before making a decision as to which one she buys? So I just do not see the difference. There are many different types of people in the world...some can afford anything, some are on a very tight budget; some can afford anything but don`t want to spent thousands on a dress they will wear once; others will cherish, preserve and keep their wedding gowns and only want the best....as one of you said, some can buy from a catalog and a picture, others need to have the item on their body in order to decide. BUT, there`s plenty of room for all of us who try to meet the needs of all these varieties of brides. There is just as much a place for the honest, above board business person who does not have a retail storefront, as there is for the owner of the full service bridal shop...as long as we are both honest and fair to the brides we meet.

BUT, I still bet that hardly a bride walks through the door of ONE bridal shop and picks and chooses her gown, without ever having been to all the others in the same town, trying on and looking and pricing...

JoAnne
Posted by JoAnne; updated 01/27/05

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Michelle works at Charletts Wedding and More in Portland, OR. ( 503-297-9622 ) Michelle`s address is 1400 Southwest 211th Ave, Aloha, OR 97006 Her parents names are Terry and Marsha Priest (503-649-3934) address is 20465 Southwest Francis Aloha, OR 97006. Michelle is currently going by the name Donalyn Priest. This is all the info I have. Please post for anymore personal info on Donalyn Priest. I have alot of dirt on this scum bag. How about getting together with the same attorney to bring her to justice? I think it would be better in numbers to go after her!!!!
Posted by barb; updated 05/29/05

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Michelle is working at Charlettes Wedding and More in Portland, OR (503) 297-9622. Michelle`s current address is 1400 Southwest 211th Avenue Aloha, OR 97006 Her parents names are Marsha and Terry Priest their address is 20465 Southwest Francis Aloha, OR 97006 Their phone number is (503)649-3934.
Does anyone have an attorney. I think we should all get together with the same attorney. We will work better in numbers. Please respond with any new information you might have!!!!! LETS GET HER!!
Posted by barb; updated 05/29/05

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Barb

I would be interested in any info you have on this person as I think I may know how you can get in touch with her that is not via phone.
Posted by doug; updated 02/21/06

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I know where she is and how to find her
Posted by doug; updated 02/21/06

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What do you have in mind? I would love to see her brought to justice. What she did was wrong and she shouldn`t get away with it.
Posted by Shannon; updated 02/24/06