Buying from a Trunk Show, or Ebay, or Your Neighbor's Sister's Cousin

Tight budgets seem to be the mainstay of weddings these days. Everyone likes to save money but a bride must understand that a savings in purchasing a gown that has fitting problems might create a big alterations bill. A bargain is not always a bargain.

added February 2009

I have not heard any good stories from any of this type of market. It is very risky. I would not personally buy this way. Saving money is a good thing but using the knock-off market usually gets you wasting the money you do spend.  

added October 2007

Hello Leanna,

First my I say how grateful I am to have stumbled upon your website! I’ve just started reading a bit of everything and am amazed how much useful information there is. Also, I’m so thankful to see you’ll accept and answer questions because you’re just the person I want to talk to. I just started dress shopping last weekend for my May 2008 wedding. I had some luck and found a gorgeous Maggie Sottero wedding dress, style Vienna (http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=vienna&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=8&style=A3021- ); however, since my fiancé and I are paying for the wedding ourselves I don’t feel comfortable with spending a small fortune on a dress. I’ve been trying to find ‘similar’ dresses that are closer to my price range, and while I can find ones with similar attributes, nothing can meet or beat this dress. Now I did find someone selling this dress, worn once with no alterations except hemming and bustling, on eBay in Canada (I’m in the US) in a size 8. I asked the seller and the person who wore it is actually a size 8 and a 36B. I don’t have my measurements right now (none of the shops seem to want to measure, they just throw a dress you and don’t discuss size) but because I’m a 36D I’m almost certain this dress won’t fit. The only question in my mind is, because this dress is a lace up dress, would it be possible to alter it without making it look like I’m stuffed in something too small? Also, one of the shops I went to mentioned ordering a panel of the same material to insert in the back extending the fabric that covers your skin under the laces. Is this possible? If so, where would you order the panel from? Or should I just drop the entire idea of the once worn size 8 off eBay because no matter the financial savings in purchasing the dress (though I know alterations would be more) it’s not worth the stress?

Thanks! ~Danielle

This just might be a good deal for you if your other measurements are close to the size 8. Will the eBay seller let you return the gown if it doesn't fit? Many bridal gown sellers do that.

Good Morning Leanna,

Right now, no, my measurements are not at a size 8…over the past few years while being blissfully happy with my fiancé I’ve put on a few pounds that I previously lost, neglecting the gym. I’m only 25 years old though and usually can drop weight very fast when I jog. I did read your section on loosing weight, and I completely agree; however, I just want to loose it for the pictures (and my health). Don’t worry though; I plan on using the next month to drop the weight (down to a size 8) and maintaining thereafter. For me, I think these are more than reasonable goals. I’m quite confident I can quickly get my waist and hips measurements back to the size 8 quickly…I just know I don’t loose in my bust and even when a few pounds lighter I was still a 36D.

I’ll have to ask the seller if she’d let me return it, but because it’s not a bridal shop, just someone trying to sell her dress, I’m doubtful. I suppose worst case I could try to resell it myself.

Thanks! ~Danielle

Actually, it's quite common for eBay sellers to have return policies, even for wedding gowns were a bridal store will not return a gown for any reason. If not - I have heard stories of buyers selling the gown for more than they bought it for. It all depends on how you describe and picture it and who is looking at eBay any given week.

I think you'll be fine with this dress. The lacings are very adjustable. Part of the reason for their popularity I would guess. You may want to plan for enlarging the panel as you thought, but that should be an easy change.

added July 2007

Hi Leanna,

I desparately need your advice on this gown I am thinking of purchasing.

Here is the situation: I live in Maryland and I called a CA bridal salon that has a Reem Acra Gown I am very interested in called Magnolia. The retail price for the bridal gown is $3250.95 and it is a sample gown for half the price ($1626). I believe the dress is silk satin. Its the perfect size 14 in the color Ivory, but there are flaws on the dress.

The flaws are:

Some beading and threading are no longer intact, there are 2 snags in front on the skirt of the dress, and in the back about 2 inches from the zipper are the major 2 snags that worry me the most.

My concern is there any way to fix the snags in the back by the zipper? I was told that it could possibly look less snagged when the dress is pressed and drycleaned.

Please tell me your honest opinion on this gown. Is this worth buying and dealing with major alterations? Also, can you do Alterations on a Reem Acra gown?

The small snags that look like loops can be pulled to the back of the fabric. The snag by the zipper can not be fixed and will not look any different after drycleaning. A few threads on the surface of the fabric have been cut creating the snag effect. BUT I would not worry about this. No one at the wedding will notice it and it will not show in your pictures. If you hadn't sent me such close-up pictures pointing out the snag, I would not have noticed it simply looking at you in the dress.

If I were you, I would buy the dress and be very happy for saving $1626.00. Even a full priced gown can have this type of thing in the fabric that happened from the shipping process. This is a great deal.

added July 2007

Hi!

I am seriously considering purchasing this Monique Lhuillier lace gown from a seller on ebay -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170129902091&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:US:1. I believe it would only have to be altered down one size to fit me, however the dress was made for someone who was 5’10” AND planning on wearing 4” heels (wow…that’s tall!). Conversely, I am 5’5” and since my groom is on the, er, shorter side (5’8”) I probably wouldn’t wear more than 3” heels, for a total height of 5’8” (versus the 6’2” the dress is currently suited for).

I am concerned since there is no waist to take the dress in at, that taking 6” off the bottom of this dress would be difficult. Am I correct? Thanks!!

Six inches may not seem like much but you will loose a lot of the sweep if it's done at the bottom. A talented Alterationist can hem it in the upper leg area since it's totally lace, but it will be expensive to do. The lace can be cut and moved up so that no seam shows in the lace pattern. You could run into other problems in the body area for the gown is set for a tall person. The proportions may be very off and need altering too, adding to your expense.

It would be wise to have the person you plan to alter this see it before you buy it. I could do these alterations but she may not know how and then you're stuck.

Also, I would be very worried about paying $1,400 for a dress I could not try on first. There is no return policy on the listing.

added March 2007

Hi Leanna,
I love your website - how wonderful of you to share your knowledge with everyone! I am from Connecticut like you and think you're just brilliant. I have a question... I am dying to take this bargain, but I will take your advice.

I really love this dress from hard-to-find Eternity Bridal, and although I haven't tried on a dress with cap sleeves yet, I feel pretty confident that this is the dress. I am a street size 4 with 34D breasts and am 5'2". I am behind schedule in ordering, though - I am getting married in 7 weeks. Here's my question: I can order the dress from a shop for $599 and have it in 2 weeks if in stock, 6 if not. I would still have alterations though, considering my height. OR, I could buy this dress in a size 16 from a bridal shop on eBay and have it altered all the way down to my size, which would probably be faster.

I have included pictures of the dress and would be very grateful for your advice.

Eternity Bridal Picture 1:
http://eternitygowns.com/assets/bridal/2005fall/images/8205sm.jpg

Eternity Bridal Picture 2:
http://eternitygowns.com/assets/bridal/2005fall/images/close/8205close.jpg

Thanks a million! Audrey

I would not buy the 16. It will be very difficult and costly to alter - like making the dress from scratch!

I know the alterations will be rushed with ordering, but odds are you will only need a hem. Have you asked about rush shipping options?

Dear Leanna,

Thank you so much for your response! I thought at first that the 16 would just mean plenty of extra fabric for the alterationist to work with, but reading through your site I learned about things like structure!

I didn't think to ask about rush shipping the dress, but I will now - it would certainly be worth the extra cost. I was also worried about the hem considering the lace on the bottom, but I guess they would just take it up from the waist.

Thank you once again! Audrey

-----------

Hi Leanna, it's Audrey again,
I just wanted to update you on my dream dress. I have been calling all
over the country and finally located it in Utah in a size 8, and at
10% off too! I was measured and am right between 4 and 6 on the bridal
chart. I just wanted to check with you that this will be okay to
alter.

That's so much better than a 16!! You should have no trouble getting it to fit beautifully.

added January 2007

Your website is great --thank you. My daughter saw a Maggie Sottero dress that she loves and I can't afford. I have been contacting ebay stores from china that sell cheaper wedding dresses and asked if they could clone the dress. Am I looking for trouble? Have you had any experience with this type of dress acquisition?
thank you,
RJ

I have not encountered this particular situation but I think you're asking for trouble. You do not know the people who will be doing this deal and they are in another country. Anything can happen and you could loose the money and have no dress and there would be nothing you can do about it because they are not in the US. I could see this working if you knew someone personally in China or if you were planning a trip there, but I just can't see it being a safe deal otherwise.

You do have one thing in your favor - most ebay stores have a degree of reputation through the ebay rating system. If they are new to ebay I would be very cautious about them, but if they have a feedback rating of over 100, they are probably a honest company.

There are many options for buying gowns with less expense. There are web sites that sell used gowns at great discounts. Plus you can find a gown very close to this one in design and have it altered by someone here who you can talk to face to face and know that if something goes wrong you have some options.

added January 2006

I found my "dream dress" at Priscilla of Boston (it's from the Melissa Sweet collection), but it is a little out of my price range. (I thought it was part of a sample sale, but it wasn't.) I just happened to see the dress on ebay, but I have some concerns about buying it used.

The bride selling the dress is 5' 7 1/2" but I am only 5' 1". Will it be difficult to shorten the dress so much, especially if it has already been altered previously? Also, what if the dress has already been altered to include a bustle? I wanted some advice before I emailed the bride or put in a bid on the dress.

Thanks so much, Grace Lin

This is probably no problem. Can you send me the ebay link so I can look at it?

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I emailed the bride today to ask about any alterations which have already been made on the dress. Hopefully she gets back to me tomorrow. I usually wear a street size 2-4, but I am much shorter than she is, so I wanted to be sure the alterations wouldn't be too complicated. Thanks, Grace

There's about 6" difference between you and this lady, give or take a little for what shoes you choose. It's not easy to see in the pictures if the gown has a waistline, but it's doesn't seem to - so any hemming has to be done at the bottom. There looks to be much beading or embroidery of some kind at the hem in the front that would be a shame to cut off but it is very near the edge. Since you need 6 inches this is going to be tough to hem.

I would really need to see this gown to advise you for sure, but I haven't meet a gown in my 20+ years of altering for brides that I could not hem in some way that looks nice. There are many unconventional ways to hem other than the 2 main ones of at the waist or at the bottom. Its only limited by your imagination and how you want the gown to look like. Neatly placed tucks, pleats or scalping gathers all can be artfully used to bring up a hem without cutting off any fabric. This gown is very sleek and simplistic in design. Adding elements like these I think will change it more than you may like.

I don't know how popular these gowns are on ebay, but I would take the chance, wait 5 days and see if it doesn't sell and then offer the seller to ship it to you on approval. This is too much money to get stuck with a gown you can not hem to your liking and there are many other beautiful gowns out there to choose from that will fit your size situation better.

I tried the dress on in a bridal salon today and had a friend take some pictures of it. Since these pictures show the dress more clearly, I was hoping you could take another look and tell me how difficult you think it would be to hem. Does hemming involve altering the train also, or just the front? I just love the dress and would love to wear it if at all possible. Thanks so much for your time!

There is decoration very close to the hem that you will loose if you hem the gown in the normal fashion. You have to decide if that is ok, or if you want to use tucks or some other method to bring the front up.

Normally the train is not shortened, but it can be if you want. It will be an extra expense.

added September 2005

added May 2004

I have a question for you----
I recently went to a Trunk Show for a St. Pucchi dress.
The dress that I have fallen in love with comes with a hefty price tag of $8,000.00!!!!!
After a brief back and forth with the sales lady--with me about to walk away---she suddenly offered to sell me the dress, the headpiece, the veil, and alterations for a total and final cost of $7,200.

This may seem odd, but I didn't trust this at all, and walked away. I felt as though this woman was going to sell me the dress right off the floor!

Does this ever happen? Do brides sue these salons for lying to them? And if so, how common is this?
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE BEING SCAMMED????

Thank you so much! Hope you can help!

-Cristina

Was it that you wanted to order the dress you saw and not buy the one in the trunk? It's quite common to get discounts on dresses from the rack. That's how many brides get more dress than is really in their budget. Alterations are always needed whether you order one or get one off the rack so it's not always a bad deal. The gown might need cleaning so you need to figure that expense into your budget, but you usually need a finish steaming that costs anywhere from $60 to $100, so having the thing cleaned doesn't add much.

If they told you they were ordering the dress and then gave you the one from the rack, then I'd complain. But since they offered such a discount I would not think they were intending on ordering a fresh, new one. It's not a scam and it's very common for Trunk Show sales. They just need to recoup their investment in the rack gowns so they often sell them for less than the list price because they have been tried on by many brides and may be slightly worn.

If you like the gown enough, go back and talk to them and make sure you understand what they are offering. They may even make you a better offer.