If It's Too Good to Be True...IT IS!

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

Your Shop is a Jewel

Recently, I received this gracious thank you note from Amy. She visited us before returning to England after completing her college degree.

" I want to thank you for providing such a beautiful range of modest wedding dresses and formals to chose from. I got very frustrated looking at other shops thinking about all the work and expense involved in adjusting the dresses I saw. I was very pleased with my dress and the

 bridesmaid dresses I chose."

"I appreciate how kind and helpful you were both on the phone and through e-mail. I think your shop is a jewel; I hope many more like-minded Christians will find out about you. Thank you very much."

Weddings 50 Years Ago

My thoughtful mother annually renews a subscription to our home town newspaper us. The town is actually too small to have a newspaper so it's the Yell County Record covering the entire county news. One my favorite articles is the 50 Years Ago, YCR Revisits the Past.
Having a bridal shop, I am always drawn to the wedding announcements. The simplistic descriptions and unique vocabulary draw such an elegant picture of what it was like. I love envisioning how she might have looked and felt on her wedding day.  The one thing that is probably the same for every bride through the years is the love she has for her groom and the dreams she has for their future together.
For those, like me, that  share the love for the days gone by, I thought I'd share a recent reprint of a wedding announcement from September 1961.

Stewart-King-Arrangements of white gladiolus and glowing white tapers against a background of coal green fern adorned the altar of the Parkway Baptist Church of Minden, LA. For the wedding of Miss Billie Jean Stewart and Bobby John King on the afternoon of Saturday, July 16.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Era J. Stewart and the late Mr. Stewart of Minden, LA. and the bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. John G. King of Ola, AR.
The Rev. Cornelious Uhrens of Little Rock, AR performed the ceremony. Miss Patsy Slay, organist played nuptial selections as the candles were lit by Frances Simpson and Miss Peggy Sue James and accompanied Miss Rita Barron as she sang "Because."
Mrs. G.D. Shores attended her sister as matron of honor and the bridesmaids were Miss Gloria Ann Hill and Miss Frances Stewart.
Roger O'Neil of Little Rock, AR served as best man and the groomsmen were Jerry Strickland, Dicky Simpson and Tom Freeman.
The bride entering the church with her uncle, Marvin Stewart, who gave her in marriage, was lovely in a ballerina length gown of white embroidered organza over slipper satin. The basque bodice designed with a boat neckline edged in embroidered scallops and elbow length sleeves extended to a point in back and accented by a large flat bow of organza. The bouffant skirt terminated in embroidery scallops. Her tiered short veil of misty illusion was held in place by a crown. She wore white satin slippers, short white gloves and a single strand of pearls. The bridal bouquet was a cascade of snowy white stephanotis.
Mr. and Mrs. King are residing in Minden, LA.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. King. I hope you have lived happily ever after.

Choosing Who to Bring to Gown Shopping

Bridal gown shopping is serious, fun. It can be overwhelming with all of the choices. It gets tiring trying on those heavy gowns. Besides the mental and emotional stress of deciding which one will be the choice you live with the rest of you your life.

That's why selecting the right guests to accompany you to your appointment is so critical. This shopping day is like no other, one to be cherished. So choose wisely!
Randy Fenoli, of Say Yes to the Dress, warns of the ones to beware of in his 'Top 10 Entourage No-No's"
10. Negative Nelly - If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't! Honesty is good, when ask, but don't be critical.
9. Opinionated Family - focused on their own opinions, not concerned about the brides opinion. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, yours isn't the only right right one.
8. Budget Bullies - never push a bride beyond her budget. Support her vision and respect her budget. If you're not paying, you shouldn't be picking!
7. The Bickering Friends - Don't argue, this takes attention from the bride and the shopping experience. Leave your drama in the car.
6. The Stubborn Mom - don't make the bride feel like she has to please you first. If you respect her, she'll respect your opinions. Purpose to develop a special bond.
5. The Bossy Friend - Never tell the bride what to do. Listen and focus on what the bride feels.
4. The Unfocused Guest - Focus on your bride, not everything or everyone else in the store. Bridal ADD says "I'm more important than you."
3. The Overbearing Mom - Don't force your opinions on the bride. You had your day, help her create her own day.
2. The Jealous Bridesmaid - Don't let envy take over, it only makes you look bad and the bride feel guilty.
1. The Spotlight Stealer - Don't choose a dress that looks the same as the brides. Even something outrageous like we saw at the royal wedding. You'll get attention, but not the kind you want.
It's a privilege to be there not a right. Make if special for the bride. Help her analyze her choices and choose what's best for her.
Now, call 803-548-3900 or Contact Us, to schedule your gown consultation and a then carefully choose your guests to come with you.