Post all "Knock Off Wedding Dress" questions/comments here

[mochamakes3]

I agree with Bonnie, they only guarantee 80-90% replica. If you tried on the real one and expected the same you'll be disappointed. Plus at this point they can only make minor adjustments, for your list you would require a brand new dress. Can you honestly say you expected an exact replica for under $200?

[Karen&Rene]

I'm hesitant to recommend babyonline since I haven't gotten my dress from them yet, but I sent them photos with markings all over them indicating what details were important to me to include in the dress, and they were fine with it.  They even asked for specific measurements such as "how far down should the back of the dress start?"  I should be receiving my photos from them in less than a week, and then I'll post them on here. 

Originally Posted by shootystar 

They just said that they can't make it "like you asked in the picture." and that they are "incapable" of it and that I should just go buy the dress from the bridal shop if I wanted it like the photos. Which might be a time thing but sounds more like they just think the dress is too complicated and don't want to make it anymore. It is disappointing since I already told them that it is fine that the pleats are different, fine that the flowers are different, fine that the lace is different. I just want is the top to have a waistband, all be pleated, and not to go down as far. They are obviously capable of pleating well, can probably add a waistband without trouble (well it seems simple to me, a complete non-sewer ) and I gave them the exact measurements for how long the bodice should go down. I didn't think I was being suuuuper picky and difficult, but I maybe I am. Well, if they say that they can't do it, I should just trust that they can't since they know their abilities best, but who can I ask to make it now?

 

Jeff Lui wants $216 for it, which is fine, but can't show me any photos of his lace or appliques. Topspartner will take too long now, probably even if I do rush service with the holiday coming up.

 

 

I think you have to start a dispute first.  
 

Originally Posted by shootystar 

Also, does anyone know how to request a refund through dhgate? Monica bridal said that they called dhgate to give a refund but they said the refund process requires me to request one through my account. I can't find any refund buttons to click!
 

[shootystar]

Prettypigpig: I got advice on this forum to make it really detailed so I did. I thought that by putting the measurements, it would take any guesswork out of it for them. I thought the tone of my comments on the pics was nice but straightforward to avoid confusion since English isn't their first language, are they coming off as mean instead? You say there is a way to deal with mainland Chinese, can you tell me what it is so I don't come off as rude if I approach someone else to make the dress? I'm embarrassed now and worried that I came off like a jerk. >_>

 

mochamakes3: I didn't expect an exact replica, I just thought that the 95% closeness they told me they could do would be in the shape of the dress. I'm fine with the lace and details being different. I'm fine with the pleating being different, I didn't ask that they copy that funky switching pleating on the back of the dress or anything. I just wanted a waistband and the length of the bodice to be correct and not cover my butt or hug my thighs. And yeah, they did originally say that they'd make me a new dress so I thought the adjustments I was asking for would be fine.

[mochamakes3]

I know how much it sucks when your dress isn't what you wanted, so I really do hope it gets sorted out.

 

Maybe if you include all those measurements on the picture when you are requesting quotes from others it would be helpful.

[prettypigpig]

Karen,

 

Most of the dressmakers (except Topspartner) were OK when I send them with all the pics and details/instructions/preferences BEFORE I order the dress/ BEFORE they start making the dress.

Shooty's requests came AFTER the dress is finished, 2 weeks before a super big national holiday, and her wedding is in March.

Me and Ginger spent a lot of time to socialize with the rep on the chat, and told her all our concerns and expectations before the dress was made.  I spent 2 months of chatting with various dhgate reps.  Monica Bridal took 2-3 months to make my dress because of the amount of appliques and beadings on layers of tulles and satins.

 

Shooty,

Due to the time constraints, here are possible solutions:

1) take the dress, get it fix and add the appliques by a local seamstress.

IF NOT, dispute on dhgate, get a refund

2) go ask Babyonline if they can do it in 10 days, and ship it by UPS.  However, their tulles and beadings aren't as nice as Monica Bridal's.  I ordered my bff's dress from them.

3) Goto Davids' bridal, and get an inspired dress

4) Get a sample dress from a local bridal store

 

 

 

[mochamakes3]

I have to say that this is exactly why I ordered my dress in October. That way I would have plenty of time to find and order a replacement if necessary.

[Ginger1961]

Bonnie is absolutely correct.  I spent weeks talking with the Monica Bridal rep and before that months deciding on a dress and asking questions.  This last dress they made for me was the first dress I sent to her way back in early fall.  Then I changed my mind.  However, I did ask her lots of questions to ensure I got all the information to her.  My photos looked similar to yours shootystar with writing all over it.  Here is where I think your two problems are right now:  As Bonnie and another poster said, you have sent the specific instructions after they have made the dress.  The second issue I believe played a major factor and maybe the most important one, is that you have already tried on the original.  You are wearing it in the photos correct?  From my limited dealings with them, they do not want to make a dress when you've had the original in your hands and on your body.  They feel they will disappoint.  Then, of course, your timelines and their holiday all played into the situation as well.  If you can get a refund get it.  If you can't, have them ship the dress to you and see what you can have done with it at home, like Bonnie said.  I would be sending those photos to other vendors to see what the response is and how quickly they can make it.  Or go buy one.  That's really all you can do.  In the end, you are not out a lot of money.  I understand that your are frantic because you do not have a dress.  Go out looking now.  I bought a sample for a great price.  I had that going into this entire Knock off dress process.  It was like insurance or something.  I also started a year in advance.  I'm sure it will work out.  Just take a deep breath and map out a course of action.   

[prettypigpig]

Shooty,

 

You weren't rude, and I understand ur concerns. Mainlanders are special, you have to go slow and subtle (smooth talks and crack some jokes), rough and "direct" usually don't get received well.  I think they just find you difficult to please, and due to the time limit and holiday, they would rather focus on other orders with less special requirements. 

[m00sie]

Shootystar, they probably said no because they think you will be too hard to please and they want you to be happy.

 

I would suggest you contact some of the other chinese vendors. Send them the pictures you sent monica bridal (with all the instructions on them) and ask them if they feel confident that they can make the dress how you want it. If possible, ask if they have made anything similar and ask to see pictures of the finished dresses. Also ask if they can send you a pic of the beads/appliques too.

 

If you have time (I'm not sure that you will) you could source the beads and appliques yourself and send them to the vendor. That way you are guaranteed to get what you want.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/ENJOY-DRESS-STORE

 

This seller has good feedback and I have seen some of their work and it is fantastic (over on the weddingbee boards).

 

Goodluck!!

 

 

[cookiemunchkin]

I actually think its a good thing they told you that they cant do it... its better than them trying and you ending up disappointed again if it didn't turn out the way you were hoping.  Your detail was great, but maybe its too complicated for them to do?

 

Try babyonline... I sent them a lot of detail before I ordered my dress too (chatted with them for a couple weeks as well) so we were totally on the same page.  They even showed me the beadings they were going to use before they used them!  They charged me more than they normally charge (based on whats already available in their online store, I paid about 60% more) but I think thats because of the specific detail I wanted.  Regardless of who you go with though, I dont think you're going to get an exact replica if thats what you are going for... styling will be similar, but the dress will still look quite different.

 

Originally Posted by shootystar 

They just said that they can't make it "like you asked in the picture." and that they are "incapable" of it and that I should just go buy the dress from the bridal shop if I wanted it like the photos. Which might be a time thing but sounds more like they just think the dress is too complicated and don't want to make it anymore. It is disappointing since I already told them that it is fine that the pleats are different, fine that the flowers are different, fine that the lace is different. I just want is the top to have a waistband, all be pleated, and not to go down as far. They are obviously capable of pleating well, can probably add a waistband without trouble (well it seems simple to me, a complete non-sewer ) and I gave them the exact measurements for how long the bodice should go down. I didn't think I was being suuuuper picky and difficult, but I maybe I am. Well, if they say that they can't do it, I should just trust that they can't since they know their abilities best, but who can I ask to make it now?

 

Jeff Lui wants $216 for it, which is fine, but can't show me any photos of his lace or appliques. Topspartner will take too long now, probably even if I do rush service with the holiday coming up.

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen&Rene 

Did they just outright refuse to make it or did they say they just couldn't make in time due to the holiday?