alandenisefields
07-11-2005, 10:14 PM
To all the readers of our books, BRIDAL BARGAINS & BRIDAL PASSPORT.
Today we learned the country's largest discounter of bridal apparel---a company we have recommended for 15 years---has declared bankruptcy. With no notice, Discount Bridal Service is quitting business and leaving thousands of brides without gowns.
As authors and consumer advocates, we can say this disaster is unprecedented. We have been writing books since 1988 and have never faced a crisis like this. We have received over 200 phone calls today and another 300 emails---we are answering all of them and are working around the clock.
A bit of background: we first heard about Discount Bridal Service when we wrote our very first book, AUSTIN WEDDINGS back in 1988. We met their local rep in Austin, Texas and were impressed with their service: basically, DBS offered 20% to 40% off name-brand bridal apparel. The references checked out and we included them in our book.
DBS started out as Martins Bridal of Baltimore back in 1970. The company branched out to mail-order sales (DBS) in 1984. So, basically, we have a 21 year old company that has probably saved 100,000+ brides some tens of millions of dollars over the years. That doesn't excuse the owners for what they have done now, but it gives you some background.
When we released our first national book, BRIDAL BARGAINS, we included a recommendation for DBS. That book came out in 1990. Yes, we have sold over 500,000 copies of BRIDAL BARGAINS and that is due in no small part to the hard work of discounters like DBS (among the many other companies we have recommended). We are thankful to the thousands of readers who recommended our books to their friends and relatives. We realize readers recommended BRIDAL BARGAINS to other brides because they found it credible and helpful in planning their wedding.
Did DBS ever have complaints? Sure, they did. What impressed us about DBS was how the company's owners handled any problems---DBS (and their dealers) went to great lengths to take care of its brides. During the North Dakota flood of 1997, DBS donated thousands of dollars in dresses to help those brides whose gowns were damaged or destroyed. In an ironic twist, when other full-service bridal shops went out of business, DBS stepped in and offered to rescue brides' gowns caught in limbo at manufacturers' warehouses AT THEIR COST (that is, no profit). All in all, DBS generated few complaints and took care of their customers.
All this is cold comfort to those victims of DBS' bankruptcy: the brides, bridesmaids and dealers who will be out many dollars. We have talked with many of you on the phone and understand your anger and frustration.
As readers of our books, we pledge to you our help in this time of crisis. We will answer your emails and take your phone calls---if you get our voice mail, we are on the other line, so leave a message.
Here's our advice: FIRST, contact your dealer and see if she can help. We have heard some amazing stories about DBS dealers today . . . some are seamstresses and are sewing custom gowns for their brides for free. Others are contacting manufacturers and trying to get goods released by paying for them AGAIN with funds from their own pockets.
If you have paid with a credit card, contact your credit card company immediately and dispute the charge. Use this web site as a reference. You may be able to get a full refund on any payments.
If you paid by check, we don't have good news. Your payment will become part of the bankruptcy case---file a claim (we will have news on where to do this shortly). We would not hold out much hope you will see your money, however. You may be able to deduct the loss off your tax return (consult with your tax preparer).
IF YOUR WEDDING IS WITHIN 30 days: contact us immediately at 303-442-8792 or [email protected]. If your wedding is further out, contact your dealer and see what can be done about your gowns or a refund from your credit card company. You can always email us or call as well.
And if you work in the bridal industry, we need your help. Bridal Designers and Manufacturers, we ask you to release gowns (after payment, of course) directly to DBS dealers or consumers who show you proof of the order. We ask manufacturers to sell these goods at regular wholesale prices (that is, the price they'd expect from DBS) and not add surcharges or fees. We have faith that bridal designers and manufacturers will not take advantage of consumers in this time of crisis. We thank those retailers and internet sites that have offered to help DBS customers get their gowns.
We thank you for your understanding. We won't offer you any excuses---we recommended a company that is now gone. That is our mistake. We stand by here to help you as best we can.
Alan & Denise
authors, BRIDAL BARGAINS & BRIDAL PASSPORT
303-442-8792
[email protected]
Today we learned the country's largest discounter of bridal apparel---a company we have recommended for 15 years---has declared bankruptcy. With no notice, Discount Bridal Service is quitting business and leaving thousands of brides without gowns.
As authors and consumer advocates, we can say this disaster is unprecedented. We have been writing books since 1988 and have never faced a crisis like this. We have received over 200 phone calls today and another 300 emails---we are answering all of them and are working around the clock.
A bit of background: we first heard about Discount Bridal Service when we wrote our very first book, AUSTIN WEDDINGS back in 1988. We met their local rep in Austin, Texas and were impressed with their service: basically, DBS offered 20% to 40% off name-brand bridal apparel. The references checked out and we included them in our book.
DBS started out as Martins Bridal of Baltimore back in 1970. The company branched out to mail-order sales (DBS) in 1984. So, basically, we have a 21 year old company that has probably saved 100,000+ brides some tens of millions of dollars over the years. That doesn't excuse the owners for what they have done now, but it gives you some background.
When we released our first national book, BRIDAL BARGAINS, we included a recommendation for DBS. That book came out in 1990. Yes, we have sold over 500,000 copies of BRIDAL BARGAINS and that is due in no small part to the hard work of discounters like DBS (among the many other companies we have recommended). We are thankful to the thousands of readers who recommended our books to their friends and relatives. We realize readers recommended BRIDAL BARGAINS to other brides because they found it credible and helpful in planning their wedding.
Did DBS ever have complaints? Sure, they did. What impressed us about DBS was how the company's owners handled any problems---DBS (and their dealers) went to great lengths to take care of its brides. During the North Dakota flood of 1997, DBS donated thousands of dollars in dresses to help those brides whose gowns were damaged or destroyed. In an ironic twist, when other full-service bridal shops went out of business, DBS stepped in and offered to rescue brides' gowns caught in limbo at manufacturers' warehouses AT THEIR COST (that is, no profit). All in all, DBS generated few complaints and took care of their customers.
All this is cold comfort to those victims of DBS' bankruptcy: the brides, bridesmaids and dealers who will be out many dollars. We have talked with many of you on the phone and understand your anger and frustration.
As readers of our books, we pledge to you our help in this time of crisis. We will answer your emails and take your phone calls---if you get our voice mail, we are on the other line, so leave a message.
Here's our advice: FIRST, contact your dealer and see if she can help. We have heard some amazing stories about DBS dealers today . . . some are seamstresses and are sewing custom gowns for their brides for free. Others are contacting manufacturers and trying to get goods released by paying for them AGAIN with funds from their own pockets.
If you have paid with a credit card, contact your credit card company immediately and dispute the charge. Use this web site as a reference. You may be able to get a full refund on any payments.
If you paid by check, we don't have good news. Your payment will become part of the bankruptcy case---file a claim (we will have news on where to do this shortly). We would not hold out much hope you will see your money, however. You may be able to deduct the loss off your tax return (consult with your tax preparer).
IF YOUR WEDDING IS WITHIN 30 days: contact us immediately at 303-442-8792 or [email protected]. If your wedding is further out, contact your dealer and see what can be done about your gowns or a refund from your credit card company. You can always email us or call as well.
And if you work in the bridal industry, we need your help. Bridal Designers and Manufacturers, we ask you to release gowns (after payment, of course) directly to DBS dealers or consumers who show you proof of the order. We ask manufacturers to sell these goods at regular wholesale prices (that is, the price they'd expect from DBS) and not add surcharges or fees. We have faith that bridal designers and manufacturers will not take advantage of consumers in this time of crisis. We thank those retailers and internet sites that have offered to help DBS customers get their gowns.
We thank you for your understanding. We won't offer you any excuses---we recommended a company that is now gone. That is our mistake. We stand by here to help you as best we can.
Alan & Denise
authors, BRIDAL BARGAINS & BRIDAL PASSPORT
303-442-8792
[email protected]