House Of Brides - Beware!
For all you soon to be brides out there, a warning goes out to anyone shopping at any House Of Brides store in Chicago, IL. They also have a website, boasting "the world`s largest bridal mall". Let me tell you that this was the absolute worst shopping experience I had ever had in my entire life! The website has very, very good prices on nearly all designer wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. I printed out a copy of the bridesmaid and flowergirl dress I intended to order and took it to the store in Schaumburg. I wanted five bridesmaid dresses and two FG. The snotty receptionist told me the dresses were ugly and gave me a quote $100 per dress higher than the website. She also could not guarantee me shipping, and told me that she had never even seen their very own website. Their wedding dresses were dirty, and the consultant offered me a slip so dirty I would not let it touch my skin. After an hour of being treated rudely, I left. The consultant never once attempted to help me with anything, even though I had made my appointment six weeks in advance. Everyone at the store was extremely rude and arrogant. Unfortunately I drove four hours to get to the store. The great thing is, I found my dress the same day at the BrideSmart across the street. When I got home, I looked on the Better Business Bureau`s website and was appalled at all of the complaints all five stores had lodged against them. One store had even closed down after 111 complaints in 18 months!! So brides, beware of this store and their website! The website is merely a ploy to get you into the store where the dresses are much, much higher priced. And the way the consultants and other workers treat people while they shop for the "happiest day of their life" should not be tolerated. Good luck to all of you, and don`t visit those stores!!
Posted by jodi; updated 03/17/09
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I went to the House of Brides in Glenn Ellyn and had a wonderful experience. I brought pictures from the website of dresses that I wanted to look at and was able to try them on. My consultant, Fran, was extremely helpful and listened to what I was looking for in a dress. She pulled dresses that fit what I was looking for. I found "my" dress that day. I did not feel rushed at all, and she was very helpful in helping me to pick out my dress and try on hair accessories and veils. The price was cheaper on the website then in the store, so she sold it to me for the less expensive price. When my bridesmaids came in for their dresses, Fran, was just as helpful as before. She even gave them all discounts, even cheaper than what the prices were online.
For my first and second fittings, Toni, the lady in alterations was amazing. Fran was there also to help with everything. For my second fitting, my dress fit perfectly and I bought my veil and they even gave me a discount on it. I would recommend going there to anyone. They are all so helpful and give you all of their time. Of course, you need to make an appointment for every visit, but that is to be expected.
Posted by Geneen; updated 03/17/09
