Don`t Go To Davids Bridal

October 22, 2003

David’s Bridal Cororate
101 Wasington Street
Conhohocken, PA 1428

RE: Houston location on San Felipe

Dear Director of Customer Service,

I am saddened to say that my experience with the David’s Bridal store in Houston (San Felipe) has been a total nightmare. Not only have they treated me (the bride) horrible, but my mother, and my bridesmaids as well.

I first went to David’s Bridal because I have gone there in the past and it was a pleasant experience. I have now realized you are only treated with respect as a prospected customer. Once you become a customer, respect is the last thing you are given.

I first had trouble with my consultant. Or should I say all of them. I would never have the same girl. Anyway, her name was Monique. My sister called in, left her credit card number and address in order for her dress to be shipped. They told my sister they could not charge her card until everyone was measured and everyone paid. Which later I found out was a total lie. Once everyone was measured and paid in full; the paperwork for the girls was missing, along with the credit card information. Leading to my bridesmaids feeling stressed because they had no idea who had there information and had to provide it again.

Secondly, I took my mother in there to try on Mother of the Bride gowns. As we were trying gowns on, a girl (I believe her name was Sara) who worked as a consultant threw the door open and told my mother and I to get out, we were not a “new bride” and the rooms were for “new brides” only. After getting my mother (to whom would be more than happy to serve as a witness, along with my sister) out of the room I spoke with a manager. I told them what happened, they told me she was new and was being watched. I had nothing but problems already with this store. I mentioned to the manager that I would not recommend this store, and would take my business elsewhere. She promised me it would be taken care of, that she was sorry, and offered a garter for the misunderstanding. I accepted, feeling as though it was just a round of bad luck. I guess I should have read about David’s Bridal on the internet before thinking it was a wonderful place to do business. I noticed there are several complaints to the Better Business Bureau, to which I will complain to next if nothing is accomplished here.

Thirdly, I was told that is would take about six weeks for the dresses to come in. Well yesterday, seeing how it had been about two months, I called David’s Bridal myself. The supposed manager working in the morning was VERY RUDE. She told me she could not find any paperwork and asked who my consultant was. I then proceed to tell her that I have had several. She continued to be rude, therefore I raised my voice. She told me she would not listen to me if I continued to raise my voice. By this time, I had no other choice. I spent so much money there, but couldn’t get anyone to listen to me. And every time I did, my paperwork was missing as well as my bridesmaids dresses. She then put me in contact with Tomone (the gentleman who is in charge of calling). He told me very rudely that he has on his call log that he called me on the 10th of September. Which I was NEVER called because if I was, I would not have been calling wondering where the dresses were. NO ONE has access to my phone; therefore there is no way for the message to have been erased. When I told him this, he said he knew what he did and that is all he cared about. I then asked to talk to a different manager, in which he proceeded to tell me that he was one. Which I found out today was a false statement. I asked him what happened to treating the customer like a king or the customer is always right? At least he found the dresses.

I then called Christian Dossey and faxed to her a complaint letter. She is apparently to busy to handle complaints until Friday, and I am tried of fitting around “David’s Bridal’s” schedule. Therefore, we end up where we are at today.

I called today to see why, if the dresses came in a month ago, did no one mail my sisters dress (as she had paid extra for) to her in Louisiana? He told me they just mailed it yesterday and he just let it sit for a month. He has a thousand dresses and can’t just worry about me. So, did he ever make that phone call since he doesn’t have time for his customers?

I can not write anymore as this is upsetting me to much. If need be, I will write again. I think this should get you started.

Sincerely,


Houston, Texas
Posted by cw; updated 03/14/04

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David Satelo, who wrote in on 3/5/2004, is a liar. He does NOT own anything, much less David`s Bridal. Davids` Bridal is owned by May Company and is managed by a fine group of individuals out of a corporate office in Conshohoken PA. While Davids has its cons, it is a great place to find a high quality affordable wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. You will NOT get one on one service like in a smaller salon, however you will get a great value and the help you need to outfit yourself and your wedding party. Give them a chance, they are growing and many times a company in rapid growth has its problems.
Posted by M; updated 03/14/04

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I went to Davids Bridal in Milwaukee, WI. I too had nothing but problems. I was a bridesmaid, but the bride had to have her dress re-ordered two times. The first time it was because there were numerous rhinestones missing and the second time is because they "misplaced" it!! Three weeks before her wedding!! We were in there three times the week before her wedding. The bridesmaids shoes, which we had dyed there, were missing two out of the four, and they said that one of our bridesmaids "gained weight" in only one week! and that she would have to pay for the extra alterations(this was told at the final fitting). So...lets just say, non of my friends, or any of my three sisters will ever be going back to another Davids Bridal again!!
Posted by nmcallahan; updated 03/15/04

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You are so right....they charge you the bag they put your dress in i happen to get the dress in the store(yeah the one everyone tries on) supposedly they never order them you get them there off the rack not only do you pay full price but you get it all wrinkled i asked them to press it, guess what she said i needed to call and make an appointment to bring it in for pressing....after spending $1000.00 for my dress i had to pay $10.00 for my bag to take it home..
Posted by margaret; updated 03/15/04

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Same here, they are way over priced and you don`t get enough included for the prices you pay. My opinion
Posted by mel; updated 03/15/04

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I went to one today with my jr. Bridesmaid who is my 12 yr old sister and when we first walked in we were offered help. At that point in time we were just looking but when I went to ask some questions and see if she could try a dress on nobody was to be found. I found a dress my sister and I agree on, that itself is a miracle, and will have to look elsewhere. I did get the designer and style number so I can shop for the same dress elsewhere or similiar style.
Posted by Brandy; updated 03/15/04

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I don`t see how people can say they are overpriced. They are basically a discount bridal store. I thought their prices were really good!
Posted by Macy; updated 03/15/04

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David`s Bridal is worse than a discount bridal store-- it`s a Bridal Sweatshop. Their dresses are cheaply made and look it. I wouldn`t wear a wedding dress from Davids if someone paid me.
Posted by Steph; updated 03/15/04

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I will never EVER support David`s Bridal. Nor will I ever spend a penny there or let a family member or friend do so either. They are misguiding, they mistreat their customers and only want money!!! I feel so terrible reading other brides` horror stories from David`s. At least my best friend didn`t already buy her dress. But our story will make anyone think twice about them.
While I was at the gym working out with my best friend that is getting married, this years David`s Bridal $99 Spring Sale came on the tv. There right in front of us was her wedding gown advertised for only for only $99, not only once, but twice. We left the gym immediately and went to David`s. She tried on the dress was about to buy the dress and everything to complete her attire right then and there. Her consulant then informed us that it was not $99 but was indeed advertised in the commercial. My friend was devestated!!! She went home and wrote a respectful letter to corporate and asked that they stick to their word and give er they dress for the advertised price.
She got a letter in the mail back from corporate today. They were rude and insulting. Telling her that she didn`t know what she saw and hat they reviewed that tape and she was basically an idiot.
Needless to say we will be writing them back and will tape the commercial. And we will never step foot into any David`s Bridal store ever again. We will take our business elsewhere and talk nothing but the truth about them: that they are a disgusting company and should be put out of business.
Posted by Mary; updated 03/26/04

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You aren`t the only ones who had trouble with David`s Bridal. When I got married I was coordinating a wedding with people in 4 states. I figured the best chance for all of them to get measured and get the right sizes was to order through David`s Bridal. I went to a store in Iowa and was basically bull rushed through the store. I had previewed dresses on their website and had a list of exactly which ones I wanted to see (thinking this might save time). Well, they couldn`t find half of the dresses. Of the ones they found several were 2-4 sizes too large and when the consultant went for pins so I could see what the "real" size would look like, she never came back. After an hour (I was trying to give the benefit of the doubt) I left because I found out she went off shift and left me in the dressing room with no notice and no one knew I was there.

I then went to another store in Oklahoma City. Let`s just say the first day was perfect. I found a few dresses that I wanted my mother`s opinion on (since she was paying for it I couldn`t just get it on my own). I scheduled an appointment for the next day with my mom. That day was a NIGHTMARE. It turned out that they made my consultant come in on her day off so she was very upset. The other people in the store were rude to us. They tried to push us to buy everything right then and there although they couldn`t show us a single one of the bridesmaids dresses I had picked out as potentials. It just went downill. After about 5 hours of this circus we left.

Ironically, David`s Bridal somehow inputs a potential brides information into a data base that none of the employees seem to know about because I kept getting calls for the next year from companies who wanted me to buy their stuff for my wedding who kept saying they got my info from David`s Bridal.

My tip for brides-to-be:

Find a small friendly salon: The one I bought my dress at was run by an absolutely amazing Chinese woman who gave me discounts left and right because she asked what my budget for the dress was. I got discounts by buying the dress off the rack instead of ordering one that has never been tried on. She personally made any adjustments that needed made while my mom and I went to lunch and had it all perfectly ready to go when we went back.

As far as bridesmaid dresses: SHOP SALES! I found my bridesmaids dresses at Dillards on sale for $50. They were absolutely stunning and they have actually worn them again!!
Posted by Heather; updated 03/27/04

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Most of my girls are from out of state so I had the same thoughts, Davids Bridal. I found the perfect dress paid for 5 of 6at $160 a piece. They assured me that if the dress didn`t fit they would exchange it no problem. When I went to pay for the 6 th dress the price had come down to $47 and was discontinued and they could not do anything about the price I had already paid. Then when the dress came in it was too small for 2 of my girls. One of the girls got in the next day and was able to exchange it, no problem. The other did not live anywhere near a Davids and it took a couple weeks before she could ship it back to me to exchange. When I came in they said they no longer can exchange between stores! So we had to buy another dress and have it shipped for an extra $15 dollars. The only redeeming thing that Davids did was call stores across the US in one of 3 sizes that could be altered. They called my after business hours to tell me that they had finally found one in Minnesota. Their service was great, but seemed to change things way too frequently. At least the dress was a fraction of the cost, but now I have an extra one.
Posted by Valerie; updated 03/28/04

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I wish I would have read all of this a year ago! Going to David’s was the BIGGEST mistake I made! I always get a different story from the employees. I wish I would have never bought my dress or my flower girls dress from there. My bridesmaids will be going elsewhere. I am just glad to read that it is not just me.
Posted by Disappointed bri; updated 04/06/04

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I totally see where you are coming from. Not only have I had a horrible experience with Davids, my best friend as well has her fair share of problems. The saleswomen at the Buffalo NY location are rude and nasty and make you feel like they are doing you a favor when the wait on you.
My biggest problem with them was dealing with the junior bridesmaids dresses. I stressed how important it was that they matched the other girls. They assured me that the style I picked and the colors would be the same and I had nothing to worry about. Then just by chance one day I strolled in to make sure everything was ok. Thats when they told me that the jr BM dresses didn`t come in that particular color for that style anymore. I was absolutely livid! My mother called the next day and chewed them out. An hour later they called me at work and said that "miraculously" the Jr BM dresses in the color/style/sizes I wanted came in but they couldn`t hold it very long. Being that the one girl is out of town, I grabbed that one, but had to have the other Jr try on the dress. When her mother called to make the appt. They were rude and said it was be hard to "fit" her in their schedual because they were soooo busy. Well, they were the ones who stressed that we needed to buy the dresses ASAP.
On top of that disaster they didn`t put my order in when I asked, luckily knowing my past experience with them I called to make sure they didn`t mess up, but obviously they did. They also ordered the wrong style for one girl.
My best friend friend who is getting married a month before me has had just as horrific time as I had, but if I get into everything we`ve both dealt with I`d be here all night.
Posted by Jill; updated 04/07/04

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I dont think everyone should judge ALL of the davids bridals. I have been to Davids bridal here in southeast michigan and they were nothing but GREAT. They treated me so niiice...sitting with me and going over details about the dress i wanted. They helped me with everything and were helping me try on dresses left and right. It was all about ME. So i guess all you other people just have bad workers at the david`s bridal in your area.
Posted by Moi; updated 04/07/04

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Moi, just curious -- have you recieved your dress and had the alterations done?
Posted by Kay; updated 04/07/04

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I had a terrible time with David`s, but I got even in the end. David`s decided that it was proper to order my Bridal gown in a different size then the one that I had tried on. Most likely to hit me up with a high alteration bill. I should have known that there would only be more headaches to come. My first consultant for my girls` dresses was great however David`s seems unable to hold on to the good employees so I quickly became stuck with a different saleswoman. Her name was MaryAnn. From the moment I was told MaryAnn was my new consultant I was stuck with her. David`s told me that I had to stick with her as my consultant. Fine. Then I went through the hassle of having all of my girls fit. I even paid extra to have a dress shipped to Atlanta. Well needless to say they botched it. They didn`t ship the dress, and gave me a hassle about getting a refund saying it was imparative that I find the recipt for the shipping cost before they could refund it. I was livid! I went to the store and asked to speak to the manager . I told her that the recipt was in Atlanta and there was very little that I could do to obtain it in the near future. She told me I could bring the dress back and that they would ship it. I refused stating that the dress should have been shipped months ago and that I had already made alternate arrangements. She then told me they would send me a check for the $15 that I was owed. I was surprised that I actually recieved it. It was the first, last and only promise David`s managed to keep. After all of my order was in I asked if I would be able to order my bride`s maid dress for my best friend`s wedding and get the same 15% discount as my girls did. I was told that it would be fine. So I left happy. Well sometimes happiness is short lived, especially when it comes to this store. I went in to try on the dress and to purchase it. I was then told that the 15% would not be honored because my friend did not buy her gown there. I could not believe it after I had spent a combined dollar amount of over $1,500 I hardly think $15.00 should be an issue to them. Appearently I was wrong. Well after all they had put me through as well as what they had put my friend through I felt it was time for some justice along with some customer service. So instead of order my dress for my friend`s wedding under her name I simply added another "fictional" girl to my order. Not only did I recieve the discount, I also beat them at their own twisted little game. It wasn`t a matter of a few dollars it was the prinicple of treating people(especially customers) decently and with humanity. I am happy to say that I am free of David`s Bridal and will not return. I also tell everyone who is getting married to save themselves the headache and avoid David`s at all cost.
Posted by Laurie; updated 04/10/04

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Having my bridesmaids buy their dresses at Davids was the BIGGEST mistake I`ve made during my wedding planning process. Not only are they downright RUDE and uncordial, they are also disorganized and VERY unprofessional! 3 times they`ve lost my paperwork, and somehow manage to blame it on me!
Their customer service is also atrocious! I had a girl from out of town in to try on a dress. The woman helping(or should I say wasn`t helping at all) left us high and dry for 40 minutes. Then she was rude and nasty and gave us the excuse that they were busy. In fact, every time I go there they use that tired line. They told my bridesmaid to call in the order from Florida to New York and pay an extra 15.00 for shipping. When she did call they were nasty to her and told her she would have to wait because surprise surprise, they "were busy". So instead I just told her to go to the Davids in here town and the girl helping us would just have to deal with the fact that she lost the sale.
I`m so glad I went to a small family owned shop for my wedding dress. What a huge difference between all that pandemodium and Davids and the relaxing, friendly enviroment to this other shop. Not only that but their dresses were much more reasonable in price. I know several brides to be and I have told them NOT to go to Davids and to go this other shop.
Davids needs to realize that they aren`t the only show in town anymore, the smaller shops will eventually crush them if they don`t make some drastic changes!
Posted by Elizabeth; updated 04/12/04

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Thanks for the warning we will consider this. I have looked at a few dresses there and have found some I liked what should I do
Posted by Cristal; updated 04/12/04

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I had a terrible terrible experience w/davids bridal as well...i canceled by bridesmaids dresses from there...forget it...i wish i wouldnt have got my gown from there...i second the DO NOT GO TO DAVIDS BRIDAL
Posted by alicia; updated 04/15/04

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Laurie, so what if David`s gave you a different bridal consultant!! Who do you think you are, royalty?? Maybe the other consultant had to quit her job for some reason, maybe she was ill or something. Who knows? The world does not revolve around you.
Posted by Lisa; updated 04/15/04

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Of course any bride needs to be treated like ROYALTY! Its supposed to be a "Once in a Lifetime" event and brides should deserve to be treated like a Princess. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and Lisa I wouldn`t personally attack someone just because they wanted to express their opinion. This forum is about DAVIDS BRIDAL. If you want to take out your own personal bitterness out on others, go somewhere else more appropriate where someone might care.
Posted by Julia; updated 04/15/04

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IF YOU NEVER BELIEVE I WORD I SAY,PLEASE BELIEVE THIS AND STAY AWAY FROM DAVID`S BRIDAL. THEY ARE VERY RUDE PEOPLE. MY CONSULTANT (WENDY) TOLD ME THAT "DRESSES IN MY SIZE WOULD BE VERY LIMITED AND HARD TO FIND" ( I WEAR A STREET SIZE OF 14-16) HOW COULD THAT BE HARD TO FIND. A FRIEND OF MINE WAS TOLD THAT "SHE HAD TO MUCH JUNK IN HER TRUNK TO FIT IN TO ONE OF THERE GOWNS"

STAY AWAY FROM DAVIDS BRIDAL.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE VISIT BRIDAL WAREHOUSE. THEY ARE THE BEST. I HAD TO TRAVEL 2 HRS FROM HOME TO THEIR STORE IN NASHVILLE, TN BUT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE TRIP. THE SAME DRESS AT DAVIDS WAS OVER $800, I FOUND IT AT BRIDAL WAREHOUSE FOR $349. IT WAS PERFECT!!!
Posted by KIM; updated 04/16/04

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Ladies, Listen UP
I`m only going to say this once. I`ve had experience working at David`s Bridal as a consultant. Do you think it is easy catering to a plethora of women who all are picky, whiny, uptight, I want this day to be perfect, babies. I have met some of the most immature women working there. I have personally been treated rudely, ignorant and disrepectful for simply following store policy and trying to give outstanding customer service. But no, that`s not enough. Think about it. Is it humanly possible to suck up to everyone and remain 100% wonderful. Bridal Consultants are human just as everyone else. By the way, I wonder how many of you without you lying, are giving great customer service on your jobs. First of all David`s Bridal is David`s Bridal and not Vera Wang. It is in comparison to the Walmart of the wedding industry. You cannot be mad because you get a knock off for half if not 75% off the price of the dress. If you want outstanding customer service, go to a high class store where there given it. Furthermore, do you honestly think after some of you bride to be`s have tried on millions of dresses, possess attitudes and are barking orders are going to get what you want. Hmmm... NO!!! Nextime as with anytihing do your research. Don`t judge the bridal consultants because just know they have a heck of a job to fulfill dealing with a thousand pounds of estrogen a day. One more thing, here`s a tip, if you feel uncomfortable about ordering time, please, please come in 6 months to a year in advance and you shouldn`t have any trouble. I apologize on behalf of the bridal consultants who sincerely have an attitude problem, just know that`s not everyone. Grow up and know this world is not FUNLAND. With that being said, don`t let anyone steal your joy! Good Day!
Posted by Robin; updated 04/28/04