lisarab
11-28-2000, 01:21 PM
Here are my impressions of Pearl's Place.
I live in Dallas, Texas. At least live there now. After traveling all over the country in job transfers I have had the opportunity of visiting a lot of stores all over the country. I have been to what is supposed to be the very best and the worst. For my money let me say that Pearl's Place is the best. Here are some of my experiences.
Chicago - Snobby, snobby and not helpful at all, overpriced and not honest about pricing or anything.
Atlanta - Most of the above and not helpful at all.
San Francisco - Bridal Galleria, the store in Burlinghame and others are just too snobby, uppity and I cannot believe that they are still in business.
In the Dallas area, Mockingbird has little competition and they show it in their attitude and the store in McKinney is far worse. All of the above are "tag rippers" and over pricers. I mean by over pricing not even having the real retail price on their gowns, say about $200.00 more on nice designer and couture gowns. I woulld say they will make enought on alterations, not to charge this.
Now to Cincinnatti, Bride and Formal, well they have thousands of gowns. No appointments, but wait for hours, then when you find your gown you go to a central room to try on, everyone is looking at you. My best friend went with me, who was a bride. She had just had some surgery and did not want to expose herself in that environment so I was amazed when that was all that they offered to her.
After getting data I called Pearl's Place- here are observations.
Yes you, at times, have to wait on the phone. I estimated I spent about $5.00 in phone calls and saved around $1000.00 on my gown and about $1100.00 on bridesmaids for a total saving of $2200.00. I do not think that $5.00 in phone calls was too much for that saving. Fred is amazing, replies instantly, almost to questions. Does not quote every designer in emails, you have to call for some, but sends size charts that are actual scans from the lists of the manufacturer. I found some typo errors in other lists on the web for sizes.
Pearl's received every item I ordered earlier that I expected. My gown was three weeks early and my maids about 1 week. All were shipping by computer by UPS with signatures required, even my gown that was shipped to my office. I checked and their shipping charges were actually less than normal charges.
Then I happened to visit their store on a convention trip. It was totally crazy. We dropped by on a Saturday and there were about 90 brides in the store. I can see why some local brides have posted here and other sites that it is pandemonium in that store. But, Courtney finally got to help my friend. They had so many good suggestions, and she was not really going to order from Pearl's Place. I had not received my stuff but they were kind, gave us some restaurant suggestions and places to here some music and we left. One of Courtney's friends is a chef, locally and she advised us where to go also, she was there to fit a bridesmaid.
My friend, who was not planning to order there finally has ordered with Pearl's as she just could not better their price and loved the personal help.
Finally, depsite other comments, the owners of the store are there almost all of the time. This is also a plus in my mind.
Sorry for the post which was very long, but I wanted to say it all.
Lisa Rabin
[email protected]
Feel free to email me any comments-
I live in Dallas, Texas. At least live there now. After traveling all over the country in job transfers I have had the opportunity of visiting a lot of stores all over the country. I have been to what is supposed to be the very best and the worst. For my money let me say that Pearl's Place is the best. Here are some of my experiences.
Chicago - Snobby, snobby and not helpful at all, overpriced and not honest about pricing or anything.
Atlanta - Most of the above and not helpful at all.
San Francisco - Bridal Galleria, the store in Burlinghame and others are just too snobby, uppity and I cannot believe that they are still in business.
In the Dallas area, Mockingbird has little competition and they show it in their attitude and the store in McKinney is far worse. All of the above are "tag rippers" and over pricers. I mean by over pricing not even having the real retail price on their gowns, say about $200.00 more on nice designer and couture gowns. I woulld say they will make enought on alterations, not to charge this.
Now to Cincinnatti, Bride and Formal, well they have thousands of gowns. No appointments, but wait for hours, then when you find your gown you go to a central room to try on, everyone is looking at you. My best friend went with me, who was a bride. She had just had some surgery and did not want to expose herself in that environment so I was amazed when that was all that they offered to her.
After getting data I called Pearl's Place- here are observations.
Yes you, at times, have to wait on the phone. I estimated I spent about $5.00 in phone calls and saved around $1000.00 on my gown and about $1100.00 on bridesmaids for a total saving of $2200.00. I do not think that $5.00 in phone calls was too much for that saving. Fred is amazing, replies instantly, almost to questions. Does not quote every designer in emails, you have to call for some, but sends size charts that are actual scans from the lists of the manufacturer. I found some typo errors in other lists on the web for sizes.
Pearl's received every item I ordered earlier that I expected. My gown was three weeks early and my maids about 1 week. All were shipping by computer by UPS with signatures required, even my gown that was shipped to my office. I checked and their shipping charges were actually less than normal charges.
Then I happened to visit their store on a convention trip. It was totally crazy. We dropped by on a Saturday and there were about 90 brides in the store. I can see why some local brides have posted here and other sites that it is pandemonium in that store. But, Courtney finally got to help my friend. They had so many good suggestions, and she was not really going to order from Pearl's Place. I had not received my stuff but they were kind, gave us some restaurant suggestions and places to here some music and we left. One of Courtney's friends is a chef, locally and she advised us where to go also, she was there to fit a bridesmaid.
My friend, who was not planning to order there finally has ordered with Pearl's as she just could not better their price and loved the personal help.
Finally, depsite other comments, the owners of the store are there almost all of the time. This is also a plus in my mind.
Sorry for the post which was very long, but I wanted to say it all.
Lisa Rabin
[email protected]
Feel free to email me any comments-