Me: "Welcome to Simply Elegant! What special event are you shopping for?"
Customer: "I'm looking for a mother of the bride dress and the wedding is in 3 weeks!."
Me: "On, my! That's not much time! What color were you hoping to wear?"
Customer: (as she's handing me a picture from our website) "Something in navy, I see you carry this brand. I ordered it from an online site, but it looks horrible! I guess it wasn't really the company site."
This has happened several times this year and I feel so bad for these customers that have been tricked by the "cheap" prices. By the time you correct your mistake you've spent much more than you planned on or should have.
"In 2011, an estimated 500,000 illegal garments came into the United States. In 2012, this number grew to approximately 600,000 by all estimates we can assemble." said Steve Lang, president of American Bridal and Prom Industry Association. The ABPIA is working with the government to create legislation in an effort to combat the sell of counterfeit goods.
In 2008, we had the economic decline in the US then in 2010, the Chinese had a revolution and many factory workers did not return to their factory jobs after the Chinese New Year. This greatly increased the cost of products and production which raised the cost of American goods.
Unfortunately, many Americans are unaware of these types of international events and think small businesses are taking advantage of them by raising prices.
Now the Chinese know with those two factors many unwitting Americans are looking for some price relief. Since they aren't known for living by the golden rule, they are happy to violate trade laws and take advantage of bargain seeking Americans. That's why your order has to ship to you as a gift, to avoid the costly custom fees and likewise why it can't be returned.
The popular
Allure Bridals has posted a list of over
75 counterfeit websites on their website. These are not authorized dealers of their gowns. This means they are either transshipping (illegally selling through an authorized dealer) or a Chinese business copying the styles and selling as if original.
So how can you determine if it's a counterfeit site? Here are 5 things to look for...
Size Chart
They will only offer one size chart even though they are showing many different brands. Each brand has their own size chart that will vary slightly from the next. So this is definitely a clue to BEWARE.
Broken English and Wrong Terminology
I had to laugh at how bad this comment was from one of the blogs....
" High waist wedding dress is fat bride no two choice..."
and a dress description ...
1/2 Sleeves in Mermaid Style Beadings Sash Satin Overlay Lace Chapel Train Wedding dress (DWD-252)
Production Time
A fully hand beaded gown can take up to 24-30 days to complete, then there's the actual construction time of the gown. These sites will offer 7-12 business days construction a key to poor quality.
Payment Options
They all offer Western Union as a payment option.
Contact Information
They have international phone numbers or only email contact. One bride told me that the customer service representative she placed her order with just kept saying that "it be sexy" when trying to ask questions about the dress. (maybe that's what American's are know for?)
For more information on this topic you many be interested to read this blog by Lynette Robinson http://replicagowns.blogspot.com/
It is important that we as Americans be educated consumers knowing quality, value and trustworthiness of the business and products you are purchasing from them. With reviews widely available on the internet take time to discerningly read them and ask your friends what businesses they used and what their experience like before ordering online. Your safest option is to shop in America.
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:
Owner of Simply Elegant, Dana Ellison publishes "Fancy That" a bi-weekly e-zine. Get your FR*EE modest brides shopping guide: "What Every MODEST Bride MUST Know to Turn Wedding Gown Shopping into a Delightful Experience" at www.simplyelegantforyou.com . Get updates, ideas and sneak peaks on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/simplyelegantforyou
Of course, it's not just wedding gowns and formal wear. This story aired last night on Fox News.
