ComplaintsforAlmeida’s Bridal Alterations

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased two wedding dresses on 3/25/2023 for my 7/1/2023 wedding. One dress at Lovely Bridal for $2782 and the other from Spark Bridal for $3115. Spark Bridal referred me to their "highly reputable" seamstress.I prepaid $900 for the work that was required for both dresses. The seamstress was very confident and put me at ease. She was to take in dress 1 on both sides, at the hips, and length and bustle. Dress 2 had to be taken in at the hips and length, no bustle. We made a follow up appointment for 5/25 for me to pick up my dresses. On 5/25, I came in to essentially "pick up my dresses" but also to try them on to ensure they fit. Both dresses were cut way too short and essentially destroyed. The owner has yet to follow up and offer any resolution

  Business response

  07/25/2023

  The dresses were altered according to customer's requests. The customer did not like they way they fit. The customer was advised to possibly add straps or a corset, but they said no. The customer never came back with any further requests, and can call visit the store.

  Customer response

  07/26/2023

  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 
  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 
  I purchased two wedding dresses on 3/25/2023 for my 7/1/2023 wedding. One dress at Lovely Bridal for $2782 and the other from Spark Bridal for $3115. Spark Bridal referred me to their "highly reputable" seamstress, ********. I called ********'s business and made an appointment for a fitting on 4/8. On 4/8, I went to ********* Bridal Alterations and had my fitting.  I prepaid $900 for the work that was required for both dresses. The seamstress was very confident and put me at ease. She was to take in dress 1 on both sides, at the hips, and length and bustle. Dress 2 had to be taken in at the hips and length, no bustle. We made a follow up appointment for 5/25 for me to pick up my dresses. On 5/25, I came in to essentially "pick up my dresses" but also to try them on to ensure they fit. To my surprise, dress 1 was cut so short that my shoes were showing, and the top was falling off me as if it wasn't touched. Dress 2 was cut unevenly ( extra fabric was uncut and hanging from the bottom) the seamstress told me it would need to be steamed and that should solve the problem. However, the top of that dress was uneven as well. She left pins in the dress that poked me and confirmed for me that the work was done by an amateur. The top of dress 2 had buttons on the side that were now in the back, the person who altered the dress took it on one side and not the other. I was mortified. I'm not sure how I kept my composure. Throughout my fitting ******** was speaking Portuguese to another woman in the store who I assume was the person that worked on my dress. She assured me that both dresses were fixable and to come back on 6/14 (2 weeks before my wedding.) I felt that the owner knew that she messed up yet she refused to own it.  When I left the store, I drove over to Spark Bridal in tears. I informed ********, the owner, what I just experienced and she was very apologetic. Once I left,  I immediately made an appointment at another dress shop. I knew that this would now require legal action as these dresses were now destroyed. On 5/27 I went to ***************************** and spent another $4160 on a new dress and $795 in alterations. On 6/14, I went back to ********* for my 3rd aptmt. Of course, both dresses were still too short and the tops were still falling down. Again, ******** told me "it's no problem, we'll fix this in two days." Again, I came back on 6/16 for my 4th aptmt and nothing was fixed. I told ******** "I cannot wear this" and she knew that because the dress was too short and the top was still huge. She told me "you lost weight" and that the "material of this dress always causes issues." I asked her why she would take the dress and tell me she could fix it in the first place knowing that the "material" was what causes the issues. Again, she refused to take accountability. I told her I cannot wear this dress; the dress was falling off me and my shoes were showing. She then told me she "felt bad," yet offered no solution. Dress 2 was still too big, and the bottom where it was cut uneven was now bustled (something I never requested.) Please keep in mind that i'm 5ft and both dresses went from being 2 ft too long to now two inches too short. Dress 1 was not fixable at all because the length was already cut, making it impossible to take in the top. Her solution was to add pads to the top to hold me up. When adding the pads, there was a 2 inch gap from my chest to the dress.  Again, I knew that this would result in legal action, so I informed her that i bought another dress. She again, blamed the fabric and told me i'm "losing weight," when i just looked her she said "that's a compliment, brides are normally excited to lose weight before the big day." She made another appointment for me to pick up dress 2. On my 5th appointment, I went to try the dress on and of course, nothing changed. I told her both dresses were now unwearable and that this was $6000 down the drain. She had other customers in the store, she asked me if she could call me later that day. I didnt want to make a scene the week before my wedding, so I left the store in hopes that she would be able to rectify this situation. She never called. I called her the next day and left a voicemail. I then text her on 6/27 (3 days before my wedding) and still no response. Had I trusted that she was going to fix both dresses, I wouldve ended up canceling my wedding. It is more than fair to expect to be compensated for the cost of the alterations and both dresses that were destroyed. $6797 in total. 
  I've included photos of all of the appointments made by her, receipt of purchases, my attempt to contact them and photos of the dresses. Additionally, i'm shocked by her response to fix my dresses was to "add straps" since the dress came with straps and we removed them because she said she could make it beautiful strapless! Why would I have her remove them just to put them back on? 
  
  Regards,
  ******
  
  
  

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