Haggling over price of dress?

by **MsMac1980** » Fri May 11, 2022 7:10 pm

Hi Wollies
Im new here and came on for some advice!
I made the mistake of trying on an amazing wedding dress which costs quite alot.
It really is the one that I can see myself walking down the aisle in but as I said its out of the budget. Its also new season and my wedding is in a years time. I cant find it second hand anywhere online..Plus its quite unusual and cant see anything similar by other/more reasonable designers!
Might sound very naiive but has anyone got any tips for getting the price down?
I have read here about girls getting bridal shops down on the price.
Im not very good at bargaining so wondering if anyone has any tips?
I would appreciate any advice or anyone's personal experiences..
Many Thanks

Mrs W · by **Mrs W** » Fri May 11, 2022 8:50 pm

Price it in other suppliers first, my dress was meant to be 2200 and I could get in in mcelhinneys for 1600 so I told the shop I'd rather stay local but for that price I couldn't and they matched it!

Claddagh1981 · by **Claddagh1981** » Fri May 11, 2022 8:54 pm

Mrs W wrote:Price it in other suppliers first, my dress was meant to be 2200 and I could get in in mcelhinneys for 1600 so I told the shop I'd rather stay local but for that price I couldn't and they matched it!

+1 to this, im sure they wont want to let another supplier take the business, so let them know what your budget is, tell them its your very bottom line and can they match it. If not then tell them you will find it elsewhere. I really dont think they would say no unless it was a huge difference in price.

by **MsMac1980** » Fri May 11, 2022 9:34 pm

Thanks for the advice girls and I was planning to go down that line But..
I tried it on at a shop in Dublin and the only other supplier is a shop in Northern Ireland. You will not believe this though. I have called the Northern Ireland shop to ask them what price they would sell it for. The lady I dealt with said that it should be cheaper there but she would have to come back to me with the exact price.
4 times now I have called to follow up and each time I get the same response "they are not sure yet but will get back to me".My sis has called them too a couple of times also, Its almost 4 weeks now I have been trying to get an answer out of them. Its like they dont need the business.. Pretty unbelieveable when you are talking about so much money

Mrs W · by **Mrs W** » Fri May 11, 2022 9:46 pm

Try uk stockists, they'll have a bit more competition and you can get a courier to pick it up, stay away from London ones though because they tend to be dearer

by **newengaged** » Sat May 12, 2022 9:16 pm

Hiya

If it's a stephanie Allin dress I don't think the woman up North has got the best reviews on here. Now she may be fine but there was one girl I think who was very adamant that she was no good.

I know what you mean re:haggling. In the end the wedding shop gave me a free veil-better than nothing I suppose but if it is "an exclusive stockist" they kind of have you over a barrel. Maybe see if you can get a designer day-you usually get 10% off....

Good luck!

Tir Chonaill Bride · by **Tir Chonaill Bride** » Sat May 12, 2022 9:32 pm

Is it in Limavady? I am hoping to go there in next couple of weeks.

Will let you know how I get on....

by **MsMac1980** » Sat May 19, 2022 8:55 pm

Sorry Wollies, just saw all the replies!
Well my guardian angel was looking after me this week.
I got a call from the shop to say they would like to offer me the dress as a sample. I am so over the moon about this. Its significantly cheaper and a bit more manageable than before.
Cant really believe it.
It will take a little altering but should be like new!

So the moral of the story is good things do occassionally happen!

btw it was not a Stephanie Allin, didnt get to try any of these dresses on and the boutique was in Belfast, would prefer not to name it...

Jomcodoodle · by **Jomcodoodle** » Sat May 19, 2022 9:26 pm

Can i ask can you not go to the supplier/designer directly and get a cheaper rate?

by **MsMac1980** » Sat May 19, 2022 9:43 pm

I suspect that if you did this that they would just direct you to their nearest stockist?

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