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Original poster

Prom Dress Disaster

311 replies

Promdisaster · 08/07/2022 09:27

Sorry, this might be long as to not drip feed. Apologies but could really do with some advice.

Ordered a prom dress for my daughter. Paid around one third deposit. Dress arrived in the shop the week before prom date. Went to try on and collect, but dress was too big. Seamstress made some alterations and said it would be done in time, they were working through alterations in order of prom date and to keep an eye out for an email.

Around lunchtime the day before prom, I got a text from the prom shop saying they were delivering the dresses and asking what was the latest time they could deliver that night or from what time the next morning, so I said up to 10.30pm and from 6.30am next morning.

Got a text early the next morning saying the seamstress had collapsed overnight and gone into hospital and they were trying to find another seamstress but not to worry, the dress would be there ASAP.

I told them I needed the dress by 4pm latest as daughter was having friends round to get ready/photos, then being picked up by another mum to go to a pre prom party/photos before leaving at 6pm to go to the prom.

Eventually, after a couple of messages and a phone call, the prom lady turns up with dress at 5pm. She asked my daughter to try the dress on to make sure it fitted. I was more worried that the dress would be too small now that it had been altered, so when she got it on and it wasn't too small I said it was fine and I could tighten it in with the corset . We were so relieved she had a dress. At that moment the other mum turned up to take them to the preprom party so the prom lady left.

The mum at the preprom party messaged and said the dress was too big and she had tried to pin it in but the dress was still gaping round the chest area and too big round the waist. My daughter spent the whole night miserable in a dress that was too big and is sad when she sees all the photos of the girls looking beautiful in their lovely prom dresses. My daughter is not a promzilla is is the sweetest laid back girl.

I have now had a phone message and an email asking for the balance. I really feel that I dont want to pay for a dress that doesn't fit and ruined my daughter's evening. I want to give the dress back so they can resell it.

IABU - yes the dress was worn
IANBU - it wasn't my fault, the dress didn't fit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Promdisaster · 08/07/2022 09:42

@Sarahcoggles
Exactly! They had far too much work to get done in that time. I'm worried they might argue that its been worn (we had no other choice given late delivery!) - should I lie and say she wore it for an hour for photos then changed into something else?? I'm really not sure what to put in the email.

OP posts:
NancyJoan · 08/07/2022 09:40

It's a terrible, chaotic way to run a business, but she got your DD to try it on and you said it was fine. I'm not sure what she would have done if you'd said it was too big, but you told her you were happy and sent her away.

Hugasauras · 08/07/2022 09:40

I'd send them the photos and say that you understand there was an emergency and that can't be helped, but the dress you paid for didn't fit and made your daughter's evening less enjoyable. It's not nice wearing an outfit that you feel self-conscious in or that you feel is falling down/gaping so I totally understand why she is upset, poor thing.

Sarahcoggles · 08/07/2022 09:40

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2022 09:37

Problem is you accepted it and said it was fine

It arrived an hour after the final final deadline, and there was no time to turn properly assess it.

hedgehoglurker · 08/07/2022 09:39

Yabu. You accepted the dress after trying it on. Your daughter then wore it all evening. Like Judge Judy would say, "you ate the steak".

KarmaStar · 08/07/2022 09:39

Send the dress provider photos and say she has not fulfilled the contract.
You could compromise if you wanted to a part pay her as dress is worn.
I'm sure she has insurance.
She has worked to get the dress ready but that's not your daughter's problem.
Could you agree to pay her the full amount of she makes the dress right ?then arrange to have your dd hair and make up done and have photos taken so she has something to show?
Hope it all works out for you all.🌈

midairchallenger · 08/07/2022 09:38

I don't understand why she was "miserable" because of a slightly too big dress.

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2022 09:37

Problem is you accepted it and said it was fine

Sarahcoggles · 08/07/2022 09:35

YANBU.
I don't believe that line about the seamstress. I think they took on took much work (as many businesses are doing, to try and compensate for Covid losses), and couldn't get it done in time. I'd dig my heels in and refuse to pay. After all, if they're doubting you, they can come and see the dress on your DD, and see for themselves that it doesn't fit.

Original poster
Promdisaster · 08/07/2022 09:33

@LadyLothbrook
Thank you, that's what I think 🤣. Any ideas how I can reply to the email??

OP posts:
LadyLothbrook · 08/07/2022 09:29

I think they should waive the fee as a good will gesture. If the seamstress did collapse that's awful but its all a little convenient the timing of it. I have trust issues. 🤣 Your poor daughter, she doesn't sound like a promzilla, it's an important event for teenagers and they need to feel comfortable