BRIDE|STORE|INFO
Buying Online - The Bad
DESIGNER DRESSES 80% OFF
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? READ ON AND AVOID THE TEARS OF DISASTER!
So, you want to buy wedding dress online? Who wouldn't love a "designer" wedding or prom dress for 80% off the regular price? But as we know, these "bargains" can turn into an expensive mistake very quickly. We hope this article will give you an insight and the knowledge you need to avoid becoming a victim.
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO PAY?
The scam and rip-off sites regularly boast 80% off. Yes, the big brand designer names have large margins but they do produce high quality so we need to get this clear!
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THESE QUALITY GARMENTS AT SUCH LOW PRICES!
We know designer bridal gowns cost many thousands of dollars and well in excess of $,5000 is not uncommon but let's look at a genuine low cost "designer" dress that the sells for $1,500 to $2,000. It would cost at least about $500 or $600 to make yet scam sites offer cheap "copies" for less than $200 or $300 and that includes shipping which costs $50+. So if you take the shipping cost out of the mix, it means they make the dress for less than $150 to $250. They spend a huge amount on Google advertising and of course they have to make profit so, it doesn't take a genius to work out that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to make acceptable quality at these prices.
EXAMPLE - AIRE BARCELONA WEDDING DRESS
If you look at the example below, Ali Express (via DH Gate) don't say what the original price of this dress is but they sell their knock off version just $189 (plus shipping at $37). If you buy two or more, you get an extra 5% off. Is that possible? No, it's impossible!
Original Aire Barcelona dresses normally sell for well over $2,000 or $2,500 so, in effect these rip off sites claim to be able to make and sell this dress for just $189. Check out our blog where we have an article and video dealing with the cost of fabrics and labor to make a wedding dress. Without giving too much "inside" info away, they are claiming to be able to sell this dress at about 1/3 of what it costs Aire Barcelona to make it. In our world, 1+1 does not = 5.
Bear in mind that the fine quality lace used in the dress is a pattern made for Aire Barcelona so will you receive anything close to the original? We don't think so!
THE SHORTCUTS
To make a wedding dress for less than 50% of what the original cost, they need to take many shortcuts!
In most cases, they use:
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low paid, poorly trained or untrained workers
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inferior quality fabrics
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single fabric layers instead of double or multiple layers,
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unlined dresses,
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lightweight "pads" instead of properly constructed built in bra,
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insufficient and/or poor quality boning,
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poor quality interlining,
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cheap beads that discolor in a weeks
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low quality applique that is applied, in many cases, with glue. Yes, glue! Same with sequins.
Another common problem is poor quality sewing and badly cut patterns. In the case of the pattern, it doesn't matter if the customer provides measurements or not as poorly trained workers are incapable of producing high quality.
THE RESULTS
The examples on our "ugly" page and on the left of this page should convince you but we must admit that we didn't know whether to laugh or cry when we saw the fake below. This is one of our favorite new designs by Berta Bridal and we estimate it retails for a lot more than $3,000. You can find this stunning gown in a variety of colors on Ali Express (via DH Gate) for an amazing $112 with free shipping. Even the most trusting among us could be forgiven for being a bit skeptical.
You hear that "voice" in your head telling you it's a bargain that you simply can't resist. "Buy wedding dress online and save a fortune" it screams. But hold on! Think again before you buy. The inset in green is possibly the worst attempted rip-off we have seen. Hideous color for sure but the dress? I guess this is what a "bargain" dress can look like. You've been warned!
