So I made an appt today to re-try the shop sample which my dress will come in Feb 2012, so that I could re-remind myself of the look to start getting ideas for veil, tiara and any jewellery etc - got there, told her why I was there, so the first thing the assistant said to me was 'so are you buying your accessories here then?' - I said I didn't know yet as I wasn't sure what style etc, she then got a bit short with me and said 'I see - will you be wanting to try your dress then or not?' - so I said yes, and as I was in the dressing room sorting the underskirt she's talking to me through the curtain asking about shoes, again would I be buying today etc - I said I wasn't sure as I wanted to look around first to get more ideas etc - got the dress on, and she put one veil on me, said it was fine and I should get that one - it was nice, but I didn't really get to see any different lengths etc -and then she said 'that's £120' and put it back on the rail - then tried a tiara on me, and I said that a friend had offered to lend me hers but I hadn't seen it since her wedding 3 years ago so it could be an option, to which she said, 'well, we'll stop looking at tiaras then if you're having your friend's one' - i had to ask how much the one I was wearing was, she said £140, and then she started havign a go about shoes - had I ordered yet, I was concerned about heel size vs skirt length vs comfort etc and she as basically trying to get me to go for the B Adams Gaga shoes which were 250 - they did look nice though but it was a struggle getting her to let me try them on! Came out there a bit of a blur as I felt like I'd really upset her day by not buying anything, and was a bit concerned as when I tried the dress I wasn't as excited as when I ordered it. Then popped into a new bridal store on the way home to see their veils etc - asked about tiaras etc, was totally apologetic about having not ordered the dress from them and was it cheeky to just come in to look at accessories and the woman was soooo nice! Said i could treat the shop as my home and wander and browse at my leisure, then she asked why I was so nervous, I told her about the other woman and before I knew it was crying in front of a total stranger! Total mess! She was really nice and said I should complain as dresses aren't cheap and good service costs nothing, she showed me a complete range of veils, shades and lengths etc and the veil I would want she says she could do for 65 (much more in my budget!) - she also said I should sleep on my dress issue, and if I'm really not sure then I should ask to re-try it and either ask for my deposit back or offset what I've paid already towards another dress! She also said I shoudl ask for a swatch of the dress material so I can match veil, shoes etc and this is standard so I shouldn't feel scared to ask for it...

Am so annoyed about the first dress woman, and can't believe I've given her 425 of my own money already! Really wish I'd got service like I did from the second shop, only they weren't open the weekends I was looking for a dress so had no idea - but the second woman did say that while I was unsure I shouldn't try on more dresses as it would confuse me further, and I shoudl try the original on first to see if I still get excited about it....aarghhhhh!!

So now I'm mustering up the courage to send the scary woman an email about the swatch as I'm too nervous to do it by phone - ridiculous! Can't believe how upset I felt! Or that I cried in front of a total stranger who I haven't even bought anything from!!

Don't let her upset you - we've had so many b2bs on here who have suffered the curse of snooty dress shop ladies. I bought my dress privately because of an encounter like this.
They're not all horrible sweetheart but I think you should go back to the shop, speak to the manager and lodge a formal complaint, demand your deposit back and get your dress from the other shop. It's not like buying a dress from a high street store for £60, you're buying a dress that costs hundreds (or thousands) of pounds, it's the most important dress you will ever wear and the least these assistants can do is be polite and helpful, if they can't manage that then take your custom somewhere where it WILL be appreciated
xxx

Thanks - just wrote a ranty email about service etc and deleted it, and have just emailed an enquiry about the swatch instead, in case if I say I don't know about the dress then she won't send me a swatch! - then tomorrow I'm going to write in and ask about the refund policy etc and explain I'm not enthusiastic about the dress, which may be down to the customer service I experienced putting doubts in my head! Will see what they say about that and make an appt to go in with someone else apart from my mum and grandma who helped me to choose the dress, and see if I get excited again - if not, I'll try to get my money back and visit the nice lady instead! Can't believe how upset I feel - but I asked the second shop lady and I asked if it was normal to feel indifferent when you try your dress again, and she said no, if it's THE dress I should be itching to get it on and never want to take it off! argh...!!

If she is the manager then she ought to know better where it concerns customer service! Best way to deal with that is to tell her politely that you don't appreciate the way you were treated, she made it seem like she doesn't appreciate your custom and you would prefer to buy your dress elsewhere, just make sure she agrees to refund your money first!
xxx

yes i agree take a good friend with u who wont put up with her attitude and wont be too afraid to say anything as she has nothing to lose. I would ask whereabouts in the process r u of getting ur dress, have u ordered it yet? is it being made? if not i would ask for ur money back and say u didnt appreciate the customer service u received and r now going to look elsewhere! in my eyes if u havent got the dress yet then they r inclined to give u ur money back. try not 2 feel too put off by the lady in the shop though, as u know they r all not like that and maybe she was having a bad day! still doesnt excuse her attitude though, if shes in this business she needs to be accomodating! its a once in a lifetime decision! hope everything works out for u x

aww hun so sorry but if the shop has ordered ure dress u cant change it!

seems like she must of had a bad 'pmt' day lol shes jerkyl n hyd elol

lol thanks Maryann!!