Monday, January 25, 2010

you don't have an appointment...

as my friend and i pulled up to a bridal shop.
that shall remain nameless.
all i was thinking was this place looks kinda ghetto.
we talked about not going in.
then figured what the heck.
we are here.
we have an appt.
lets just go check it out.

we walk in the door.
we're "greeted" with a may i help you.
my friend stated we had an appointment at 11.
the lady shot right back, no you don't.
in a snotty attitude and beady eyes.
my friend said yes we do.
the lady once again said no you don't.
i'll look in my book.
her book was a calendar laying open on the counter.
we all looked at it....11:00 - Annie.
go figure!
bet ms. snooty pants wasn't feeling all high and mighty then.
she didn't apologize for being wrong or anything.

my friend and i went about 20 minutes early thinking we could look around ourselves.
we thought wrong!
the lady explained to us that we will find in our bridal dress shopping experiences that most places do now allow you touch the dresses and look at them yourself.
my friend who was with me said that was a bunch of b.s.
she has been out shopping for dresses for two of her cousins and her other friend many times in the past 6 months and she has never been to a place where they don't let you look around the store. she got married a few years back and said she never had been told that before herself either.
anyway, we followed the rules and took a seat and proceeded to freeze our butts off.
the place had NO HEAT!!
she told us they were having heat problems and to keep our coats on.
it wasn't even 30 degrees outside and it wasn't any warmer in there!

i showed her some photos of dresses i liked.
she pulled around 6 dresses for me, i liked 2 of them.
the store was very small and they didn't have much of a selection.
she was being all smiley and trying to redeem herself.
she seemed too fake though.
i tried on one dress and shivered the entire time.
no clothes, no heat...brrrrrr!
the first dress, i loved!
no photos....that wasn't allowed either.
i didn't even bother to try on the other dress i liked.
it was a size 18, not.gonna.work.

our appt was at 11, we left at 11:10.
with smiles on our faces.
the lady handed us a card and asked us to review our experience.
it was my first bridal dress shopping experience and it was one for the books.
the store that has been in business for 40 years can't afford a sign out front.
it had a banner hung with string.
no heat.
and bad customer service.
thanks for nothing ms. snooty pants ;)

i did end up going to another store the same day.
where we had an excellent experience, i will post more on that tomorrow.
i have pictures too!!

onto the rest of my weekend....
the dress shopping took place on saturday.
i got to spend the entire day with one of my besties!
we went to the dress stores, out for noodles, made weekly goal charts and played with her adorable little boy who is one. it was such a fun day!
that night i worked out and then billy and i made chicken tortilla soup, it was delicious!!
we watched the wild hockey game and i was asleep by ten.
i got 12 hours of sleep and woke up at 10 sunday morning.
sunday was my brother's birthday, he is 25. crazy to think, he is all grown up! ;)
i did the cardio max workout and then i went to my parents house to have my bro's birthday lunch.
my mom set up a yummy taco bar at his request, we ate and then went downstairs to play buck hunter.
i suck at that game! ha! it was still fun though.
after, i went to the gym and cooked some breakfasts and lunches for the week.
i'll post on that later this week.
then i went back to my parents for part of the vikings game and chili dinner.
what a nail biter of a game! i was quite bummer they lost :(
jeez, i talk about food a lot.....i heart pretty much all food big time ;)

i apologize for the long post with no photos...
lots of photos planned for tomorrow!
i hope everyone had a FABULOUS weekend!!!

btw, "she" (other bestie) never came over last thursday!
we had bad weather and she didn't want to drive.
i don't blame her for that.
we have made plans for this thursday.
hopefully it all works out!

74 comments:

Melissa said...

Ummm, that is ridiculous! I touched every last dress when I went shopping last month. That place sounds ghetto. Do not let it ruin this incredible experience! I'm sure yall can find somewhere waaaayyyy better! I'm glad you didn't waste too much time in there with that rude woman!

meredith said...

wow, i would have been so mad!! of all places to be rude and have bad customer service!!

can't wait to see pics from the other store, though!

Jennifer said...

I kind of understand why you have to have an appointment to look, so the bride can have their full attention. But I don't think it should be a requirement. They make looking for dresses like buying a house or something. let a sister browse!!!!!!!!! gah!

LWLH said...

Wow what a nasty lady..good luck with dress shopping! I cant wait to go!

Danielle said...

Wow, I never had a bridal shop tell me I couldn't browse or touch the dresses! Photos weren't allowed at most places though. Wierd. Like I'm going to steal their design and go make my own dress? I think not.

Sounds like a great weekend!

Kristin said...

That sounds so dumb! My friend and I went to Alfred Angelo when she was looking for her dress for my wedding (i let each girl choose their own) and the lady was like "you have to have an apt to look" the store was EMPTY so I was like well, we're just going to browse then, nothing searious! she was so mad, my friend found a dress she loved and wanted to try it on. The lady, remember there is NO one in the store, goes "well all our rooms are filled" even tho EVERY single door was open and none of the rooms were full!! we were so ticked so my friend just walked into one and tried on her dress and the lady came over and POUNDED on the door telling her to get out because YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT!! so my friend just SAT in there! lol needless to say she didn't buy the dress and when we said something about "this was the dress we were going to buy" the lady immediately started bending over backwards to "help" us! those places really suck! hope your other experiences are better!!

Live, Laugh, Love said...

That lady was a huge hiney. She's supposed to make you want to do business with them,not drive you away in ten minutes. The first time i went to a bridal shop with my girls, the place was the complete opposite. It was hot as crap. The bridal section was in the attic of an old three story building. We also couldn't take pictures or put the dresses on without the associates help. yeah, i felt a little uncomfortable standing there in my leopard undies as the associate struggled to pull the dress down over my humongous tits.lol. Ntways. Can't wait for the photos!!!

Shannon said...

I'm sorry your first dress shopping experience wasn't better. You should definitely go on wedding wire and leave them a review, hopefully it will help save other brides the trouble of going there. The place I bought my dress from wouldn't allow pictures until you ordered the dress. However I knew the designer and style number so I just found the dress on line to look at later one.

Can't wait to hear about the second store you went to!

Kristin said...

Wow! How Rude! I am sooo sorry that your first dress shopping experience was so horrible! Let's hope that you never have to go back to that horrible place! The rest of your weekend sounds really fun though! :) Yaay for that!

Tara Gibson said...

awww im sorry your first dress shopping expirience wasnt the best. I cant wait to see the pics from the second one though!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I would have freaked out! I would complain on your little review sheet she gave you. I'm sorry she was crappy to you though! At least the second place was a much better experience!!!

Sounds like a great weekend!! :-)

Candice said...

That is crazy!!! I have never heard of a place that won't let you look around! And won't let you take pictures???!!!! That is awful! And who is rude to a bride picking out her wedding dress! I'm sorry girl! I'm glad you had a good experience the second place you went! That is ridiculous!!!!

Have a great Monday :)

carrie1 said...

That bridal lady seemed like a total Biotch!

I probably would have turned around and left if, she said I didn't have an appointment!

I'm glad the rest of your weekend went well! =)

Gwen said...

I used to manage a bridal store here in town and that store just sounds AWFUL!!! We tailored each session to the bride. If we could tell she wanted to be pampered we would bring dresses to her but most brides wanted to just browse and pick the ones that caught their eye. I'm glad your second experience was better and I can't wait to see photos!!! XOXO

Ashley said...

ew, so sorry your VERY First dress shopping experience was so bad. :(
Sounds horrible. A few of the bridal shops I went to (and they were not ghetto) did not have all their dresses out front to see and look at. The place I got my dress (which I loved the place) asked the bride questions-LOTS Of questions. Then she came back with 6 dresses to try on. From there, she would gather more to try based on what you did and did not like out of the 6 she first chose. MY dress was the 5th one I tried on at that store. I tried on a few more, but the 5th one was "The one". She really listened to me...and it was not what I THOUGHT I wanted...a good bridal dress consultant should ask and listen! :)
GOOD LUCK with the search.
AND, I would stay clear of D*avids Bridal. I went there with a friend who got married and it was crazy ghetto. NOt sure if they are all like that, but the one i went to was horrifying.

Jax said...

Wow. I cant believe that! People in the service business need coaching. Gosh. It's amazing how one person can ruin a whole experience. Glad you were able to laugh as you shivered your way out of that crazy store! Wowo.

ELP said...

Such a bummer that the 1st place you went to was such a drag...glad it got better and I can't wait to hear about the 2nd stop!!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

That first place sounds HORRIBLE!!!! Even if I would have found the most amazing dress I wouldn't have purchased it there. Sheesh!

Lauren @ Dreams Take Flight said...

Wow, that's insane! I can't believe she didn't even want to let you look around and touch the dresses...I've never been wedding dress shopping but that sounds crazy! I'm glad your second experience was better. Also, chicken tortilla soup sounds delicious! You should share the recipe! :)

Katy Mary said...

I hate snooty sales people. It makes me so angry when people treat you poorly when you are there to possibly spent money on their items!! I hope you send in a review!! The rest of your weekend sounds fun and makes me really want Mexican food!! I'd love the recipe for chicken tortilla soup!

Baby Momma said...

Weird dress shop. I got my dress at a place where there were no gowns on "racks" and they brought them out to you according to preference...but it was a NICE place with NICE people. This is how all the dress shops did it in the "olden days" usually it's only a super nice boutiques...I would LOVE to see your review of that place lol

Lindsey said...

That is so lame!! Sorry friend!

Ambs said...

You stayed in that awful, cold place A LOT longer than I would have!!!

Anonymous said...

sorry! that sucks!! I a tried on a few dresses at a few places and did end up getting mine at my favorite place!!
cant wait to see the photos!

Alicia said...

bummer! that sucks that she was such a snot! but i hope the next store was way better, i can't wait to see pics!!! sorry about your vikings! favre got hit hard last night!!

TexanCouture said...

Dang that dress place sounds horrible!! At least you were able to move on to a better one! I can't wait to see pics!

S said...

UGH Dress shopping! Some of those bridal stores can be so pretentious. It was so nice when I found my dress though. it was like the clouds parted and there was light and angels sang. Ok, that is a little bit of an exaggeration, but it was wonderful when I put on "THE" dress. Good luck. And don't worry about talking about food too much. If I was eating yummy food, like you, I'd talk about it too!! Have a good day Doll!

Cole said...

I'm sorry you had a sucky experience! I can't wait to see the pictures form the second place though. :-)

Bridal shops are supposed to bend over backwards helping you!

Aishlea said...

Can't wait to see pics from the second store! That first lady ought to know better! She is ridiculous!!! You should be able to look and touch! Don't let her ruin all the fun... :)

Unknown said...

That's crazy about the dress shopping, but hey you have a funny story to tell!!!
We just got married over a year ago, and I went to like 4 shops and they all were sweet, we grabbed our own dresses (6 giddy girls in the store, they couldn't hold us back!) took photos and everything. Don't worry you'll have a blast and when you do try on "THE DRESS", you'll know and you'll have a moment. Cheesey sounding, yes but it happens!

Sounds like a fab weekend:-)

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

Wow, at first I thought you were quoting "Pretty Woman" or something like that...so rude! So glad you left this quickly. This is one awkward store, and no one should ever return to that one. :( So glad you had a much better time at the second stop thoguh. :D Woohoo!!! Love your posts...with or without pictures! :) Have a terrific day hun! :D

Marian said...

Ugh, don't you hate when you have such a downer experience. But I'm so glad the 2nd place was much better. And I'm not a fan when they don't let you take pictures, but I went to places like that as well. Sigh.

But can't wait to see pictures!!! YAY!!!

xoxoxo

Lauren said...

That is lame customer service, they don't deserve your business!!!!

Stephanie said...

Gee. Hope you filled out that survey. How can they expect you to have a good experience with no heat? Glad to hear you moved on to the next place.

Mrs. Hanson said...

Uhmm I think I know what Bridal Store your talking about... my sister had a similar experience when we went dress shopping for her wedding... YIKES! Anyways I am glad you found somewhere else to shop :) Cannot wait to see the dress.

Lindsey said...

Some bridal places are so strict. Sorry you had a bad experience. Glad it got better. Oh and I was bummed the Vikings lost too. I wanted Brett Farve in another super bowl!

Brittany Ann said...

That's crazy! I got my dress from a boutique, and they let me touch and sort through dresses! It's part of the process!

Katie said...

I can't wait to see pictures from the good dress store!!

The Rest is Still Unwritten said...

That is so weird. I know a lot of places won't let you try on without an appointment but I've never heard that they won't let you look around. Ugh. Glad you had better luck at the other store and I can't wait to see what you tried on!

Anonymous said...

What a jerk. You deserve better than that!! Hope the other times you go dress shopping go far better than that!

mackenzie said...

what an experience!!! i love that you left at 11:10! hahah!! glad you went to another store and there are pictures!! i cant wait to see them!!! ahhh!!

and thank you for your sweet words!! i just wrote an update, blah! no infection means something else is going on!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your bad experience. But it is kinda fun after it's over to talk about it! I have plenty of "did that really just happen" moments that happened during the wedding plan. Can't wait to see picutres!

Working Mommy said...

So sorry that you had such a bad experience :( It does suck that the customer service was so horrid - you should report them to the BBB. As for the pictures, it is true that some places don't allow pictures...it is just a policy that some follow.

~WM

Unknown said...

Oh snap, I would have bitch slapped that asshat with a quickness!!!

Caroline said...

Can't wait to see pics from your dress shopping trip! :)

Annie said...

Bummer that you 1st dress shopping trip was a bust!! They apparently do not want ANY business...what kind of bridal salon doesnt let you look around?!? puh-lease...guess you will be taking your business elsewhere :)

cant wait to see what you have found!!

Mrs. Cup said...

Ugh. I had a bad experience once too. The lady was less than helpful and in no uncertain terms called me fat!! It takes the wind out of your sails. But just keep pressing on...there are some really great shops out there and don't settle for anything less than what you really want!! And the internet is your friend. Sometimes what you try on in the boutiques can be found on the internet for A LOT less!

Lived With Love said...

oh no that sounds like a horrible bridal shopping experience!! i hope your next ones are alot nicer :) and allow you to take pictures! xxxxx

Perfectly Imperfect said...

What is wrong with people?! I would have freaked out on that girl! Can't wait to see some pictures of the dresses you like!

Sarah said...

Ugh, sounds like a nightmare! Good thing your next appointment went better or you might have been scarred for life!

Iva Messy said...

ohhhh no!!! EKK!! so sorry!!

Nicole said...

that's crazy! i work in event business and would NEVER act like that. ugh!

Alyssa said...

I work in a bridal shop, and that is SO NOT how it goes! You poor thing! Come to NY and I'll show you the way it's supposed to be done!

Jenni said...

Oh my goodness!!! I am dress shopping in March...I hope I don't run into ladies like that!!! Although, Davids Bridal is kind of like that from my experience....

Kim Axani said...

Wow what a bitch ... I'm not looking forward to bridal dress shopping myself .. I'm scared I won't find the right one .. oh well!

Just Add Walter said...

I hate that you had such a horrible experience with that first shop... that place is crazy... no heat!? no touching dresses?!? no taking pictures?!? um, hello.. they need to get with the times.. people need pictures!!!!!! That makes me want to write them a nasty letter! ROAR!

ok, vent over!! haha

Brown Girl said...

Oh man, I haven't had any bad shopping experiences yet for dresses but if I had I would have walked right out of there especially for how much dresses cost!!! Can't wait to see what you liked!

Perpetual Prep said...

I had a very similar situation happen when I was dress shopping. Needless to say, I walked out of the store and made sure to tell EVERYONE bride I encountered to AVOID that shop. Hmph. What happened to customer service?! Gah. Have a good night :)

{andthisiswhatshesaid} said...

Some people are so annoying.

Ela said...

Oh that is terrible. I'm so sorry your first experience was awful but I'm glad it ended up well. Can't wait to hear/see more :)
xo

Lori said...

Hey Bride to Be!! So sorry to hear that your first experience at a Bridal store was horrible!! Guess What?! Mine was too!! I thought I would never find "the dress", we tried another store that same day and I found my dress. So don't lose hope!

I was at a bridal shop this evening getting fitted for my bro-in-laws wedding in June. It reminded me how much I love weddings. Her colors are pewter/ivory. Can't wait to hear more about your special day!

BTW, you would look beautiful in any wedding dress!!

Kassie said...

ooh, that makes my blood boil just reading it! I want to call the corporate office and complain!

Q, La, and Gooner said...

That is sooooooooooo terrible! How on earth did they ever stay in business so long!!!?

Jessica said...

I can't believe that someone would be like that in a bridal shop - aren't they trying to SELL the dresses there? Sorry you had such a crappy first experience!

theluckiestmrs said...

What a bummer! I can't believe that she was acting so rude! Goodness...I'm glad that you were able to go to a friendlier shop that same day! You deserve to be pampered!! Anyway, can't wait to see the pictures in your next post!!! :)

Becca said...

OMG! I can't imagine how that place has stayed in business for 40 years. I am glad you had a much better experience once you left there! CRAZZY!

Confessions of a Northern Belle said...

That dress owner sounds like a skank...haha. I have yet to review the boutique I bought my dress from b/c even though I loved my dress, boy was their service a nightmare! I just can't bring myself to bashing Miss B from Bridal Bells just yet... maybe a year from now I'll randomly do an evil post.

Shay said...

Ok BOO! to that dress shop for making it not a good experience! you should have been having a blast not freezing to death in a shack!

Blair @ Reasonably Swanky said...

Oh no! I hate that your first time was so bad, this should be a wonderful experience. There is always someone who stands in the way! The first place I went, which came highly recommened...I walked in and the first thing I saw was a ghetto fabulous chick chowing down on a greasy hamburger. When I walked up to ask her a question she put her finger up b/c she was chewing. This place carried Vera Wang and this is who they had representing them. I did not even bother staying. I hit the road and tell everyone I know to stand clear of them.

Anyway....have a great day!
xo
Blair

Mrs. Pick said...

So sorry to hear about your bad experience with dresses! I hope your other experiences are much much better!

Oh, and I love me some food too! I find I post a lot about it too!

A Real Housewife said...

what a horrible first dress shopping experience! at least it didn't dampen your mood. you'll find the perfect dress...and from someone who actually wants to help you feel good about it!

saucyminx410 said...

I had a couple of bad expereinces with bridal shoppes. The first one was a chain store (that shall remain nameless) we went just to check out the sale items that are so widely advertised (know who I'm talking about yet) and it was awful! We didn't get anyone's undivided attention, we were in a dressing room the size of a bathroom stahl and to make matters worse our sales rep kept leaving to take care of someone else so my mom had to get me in and out of dresses - it was terrible- needless to say we ended up buying my dress from a store where one person gave us undivided attention and treated us like we were making the major purchase we were. The other shop trouble was for bm dresses where a sales rep made a larger friend of mine feel like crap. Don't take shit from bridal sales reps. demand proper treatment or don't give them your business. End story! Sorry you had to go through that!

brooke said...

UH!!!! WEIRDO!!!! i cannot handle folks that give bad customer service! how in the world do they expect to receive new business?? word of mouth is a companies main source of advertising AND IT'S FREE!!! jeez...just astounds me!

so glad the rest of your weekend was fun and full of yummy food!!! mmm...love me some food too!

Kim said...

Umm she BETTER come!!! Lol Let's hope she doesn't blow ya off, bc if so then I'd have to say it sounds like she doesn't want to. Crazy.

Well I'm glad that you chose a diff. store bc that one you explained sounds way too ghetto. ha. :)

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