So today was one of those days that I thought WTF??? Do you really think the world revolves around you just because you're getting married and spending money? Don't get me wrong, I strive to make every bride feel as special as possible no matter what her situation or budget but there is a line people! Employees at Bridal stores are just that...employees. We are not miracle workers (although sometimes we do can) and we have lives outside of our work just like you do.
Let me fill you in on where this all began today. Last week we had a bride come in searching for her dream gown and, as often happens, she came in without an appointment. We always strive to serve everyone whether they have an appointment or not so we shuffled things around a but and were able to fit her in. Her consultant worked tirelessly with her to help her find the perfect gown for her and it was well within her stated budget (under by $700 actually) and was able to find a gown in stock that would need very little done to it which helped with her tight timeline. In case you are unaware of how things work in bridal, it typically takes between 4 and 6 months from the time of ordering a gown for it to arrive in the store and sometimes takes 2 months for alterations as the seamstresses can be very busy working on multiple gowns at a time. So when this girl...we'll can her "Jane" came in with a wedding date of February, her consultant jumped into action and pulled out all the stops to not only find a gown that would work, but one that she would love. Jane seemed very pleased at the end of her shopping with everything until she got to the register. Suddenly she wasn't feeling so sure about the price of the gown and wanted to shop around. We allowed her to put the gown on hold and told her she might want to go check out our outlet store when she got a chance as the gowns there are sold 25 - 50% off and are still really great gowns. Keep in mind dear reader that this was at 5:15 pm and our stores close at 5:30....and she came in at 3:00. Jane the proceeded to go to our outlet store and demand that she be allowed to try on as many dresses as she wanted because she "was going to be spending alot of money in our stores so we should stay open late for her." Our outlet consultant didn't want to be rude to her or make her feel like we didn't care so she proceeded to help her shop for gowns until almost 6:30. The stores have now been closed for over an hour and she still hadn't made a decision. We decided to hold 2 gowns for her until she could make a decision so she wouldn't feel pressured.
That brings us to today. Jane had decided on the gown from our main store and had booked an appointment to see our seamstress for alterations at 4:30. She slowly sauntered into the store at about 4:45. My seamstress usually only works until 5 pm as she has young children at home and needs to get back to them so we had already made an exception by booking her in at 4:30. To top things off, she didn't bring shoes with her and it's very difficult to hem a gown if you don't have shoes. We have a large selection of shoes avaliable for purchase so now Jane decided to start shopping again. We finally find a pair of shoes that are the right height for her (she was very specific) but once again she balks at the price. Now she wants to go look for shoes at our outlet store....5:00. I let her know that she is welcome to go shop for shoes and I would be happy to reschedule her appointment with our seamstress for another day so she wasn't rushed.....nope...Jane wants her alterations done today. So we settle on shoes and now I remind her that she needs to pay for the gown in full before we can do any alterations on it and she is fine with it...until I tell her how much the gown is. Now she starts accusing me of changing the price on her and trying to rip her off. I calmly show her the original tag on the gown with the price and show her it's the same as what her invoice says plus tax. Now she is freaking out because of the tax. Where we live, there is ALWAYS tax on everything. We have no control over it. Her friend calms her down and she hand over her credit card to pay for the gown. Once again, even with the taxes added this gown is still $650 under what she said she wanted to spend. So now we have shoes and a gown and it's time to get her in the gown for alterations...5:15
Our alterations appointment are booked in 1 hour time slots. Jane had an exception made for her as she didn't need major alterations done on the gown so she was booked for half hour as the later time was better for her and my seamstress could do the pinning in half hour....had she been on time and prepared. Now my seamstress in already 15 minutes late getting off work and she still hasn't started her job. I get Jane into the gown and then she drops the bomb. Jane wants the alterations completed and the gown ready for pick up by next week. Alterations take time...even when you are really good at them. And we have tons of other dresses being altered as well. EVERY bride gets equal time no matter what they spend or when their wedding is so when you come in and demand that everything be done to your timetable that means taking time and effort away from other brides. Jane doesn't need the gown to be completed for next week because of something like she is moving and won't be back before the wedding or the wedding is in another country and she is flying out, she just wants it done so she can have a photo shoot done in the gown....without her fiance...to send out to people for Christmas with the invitation to the wedding that may or may not be in February or June or maybe in 2012 now because they haven't actually talked about when the wedding will be or where it will be held. REALLY?!?!?! We are bending over backwards and working into our own personal time and leaving our families so that you can do things now because you just feel like it? People please promise me you will have a little consideration for employees at any store you go in to. They are there to assist you and hopefully help make things easier for you, but they are not slaves or punching bags.
Thank goodness very few Brides are actually like Jane. And a huge thank you to all the ones who make my job and my life easier by being polite and considerate!
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