Anyone have info on discountbridal.info?

[Chelle98]

Hey in everything I have ever read since planning this wedding we are told DO NOT buy a wedding dress online. But then I get this book and they don't say that. Well I found a site before I ever even got engaged. www.discountbridal.info. They have the most beautiful dress and it looks EXACTLY like the Oleg Cassini dress I tried on at David's Bridal. I have never been a fan of David's but went one day anyway and of course found the dress I want for $1000. I did not buy it. And this dress looks 100% the same and it is $499. But is this a reliable website I wonder. Has anyone shopped this site? And if so what was your experience like????

[lunaeterna]

I've been wondering the same thing. I found a dress on their Web site that I adore and can't find in any store, so I've been considering ordering from them, but am hesitant to because there is so little information about them available...and it's taking a big chance when you can't see, touch, and try on the dress in person. I did a bit of research on them, and have found mixed reviews so far. Their parent company is International Bridal in Dayton, Ohio, formerly owned by Jill Dixon. The following are not good signs and have made me hesitant to order from them:

Here is a link to the page on the Better Business Bureau's Web site, which gave them an unsatisfactory rating:

http://www.dayton.bbb.org/common.html?location=/home/common/www/mis67/report.php&bureau=day&compid=26000646&national=Y

Here are links to a couple of stories describing a scandal with the previous owner of the business:

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/10/07/loc_wwwloc1jilt.html

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/2535991/detail.html

On the other hand, here is some positive feedback I found (11th post down from the top of the page, from bebe0315):

http://www.blissweddings.com/weddingforums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7486&FORUM_ID=36&CAT_ID=9&Topic_Title=dress+delemma&Forum_Title=c.+The+Lounge

Last but not least, it's also a bit disconcerting that they use PayPal as their primary payment method. Conventional wisdom dictates using a credit card for purchases whenever possible in the event that a dispute arises; at least you have the credit card company as a mediator and there is a grace period before the funds are withdrawn. PayPal takes funds either straight from your bank account or from a credit card you specify, but the credit card is now being funneled through a third party, and so is at one level of remove between the vendor and the customer. Encouraging the use of a regular credit card is part of presenting a professional image as on online retailer, and there seems to be no good reason why these folks aren't doing that.

Rather a gamble, at best. I'd be very interested in any other info that people find.

[Chelle98]

WOW!! You did a lot of work and found out a lot of
info! I thought I was doing a good bit of work but
you did so much more. I am at work now, but I am going
straight home to look over all the info you have provided.
I had been thinking I was just going to chance it and buy
my dress then post how things went. But now I first want
to read over everything you've provided!!


Thanks,
Michelle

[Chelle98]

How do you know these two articles are about this company?

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/10/07/loc_wwwloc1jilt.html

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/2535991/detail.html

I didn't see the name in either article to be positive.
Either way this is some great info, when is your wedding?
If you end up ordering from this site please let me know
how it goes and I'll be sure to do the same if I go w/them.

[daddyspunkin]

I ordered my dress from there on Saturday (April 9th) and it came in today!! I did not put a rush order in or anything...just paid regular shipping charges and it only took 4 days! The dress is just as beautiful as the one I tried on at Davids Bridal (same dress, but $300 cheaper!!!!!) The dress was turned inside out to keep the beading from getting damaged and kinda balled up and put in a plastic bag. The outside of the bag was a little dirty from the shipping process, so make sure you wash your hands before you touch your dress. You'll need to hang it up and have the wrinkles streamed out, but I think it's well worth the savings. I bought a slip (more big savings) and a garment bag from them too...the garment bag isn't quite was we were expecting, but it holds the dress and keeps the dust/dirt off of it and that's all that really matters. I'd highly reccommend them to anyone!!!

[Chelle98]

Oh your input is so helpful!! I was just going to go for it
in a few days but now I know that someone has had success!!
I feel so much better about it!!
Can I ask you a question. Did you make your order online,
thru e-mail or did you call them???? That is awesome that yours
came so quickly!!!!

[daddyspunkin]

I ordered it online through their website. They sent us an email when they mailed the dress so we'd know to be looking out for it. I can't tell you how happy I am with my dress and with their service!! I highly suggest going through them! :) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

[Chelle98]

I thank you very much for all you imput.
I have decided to go w/them. I hope I have
the same great results that you had!!!