DBS DEALERS: What are your plans?

[caligirl]

Now that DBS in closing it's doors forever..I am just curious to see how many former Dealers are sticking it out in the bridal industry?

[Djames]

I am going to try and stick it out. I was new with DBS so I have been trying to figure out over these past few days, how I am going to continue.

Davina

[JoAnne Schnepp]

There is so much opportunity in the bridal business, especially for people who aren't trying to milk a bride for all she has!! I will stay in it. I was also selling accessories, invitations and even doing some rental gowns and selling discontinued gowns to brides who waited to long to order. My husband is a wedding photographer too. Brides like getting lots of things done with one person and still getting discount prices, believe me!

See my posts elsewhere...re: a thought about how we could organize and continue to do this DBS thing ourselves without them as a middle man taking most of the profits.

I have gotten in contact with several manufacturers to see if I could buy from them on my own without having the storefront, and I have already had one tell me YES...no minimums to purchase or anything. Plus, you know there are some good, and very inexpensive gown makers on Ebay, from China. You can get nice gowns at wholesale rates like under $200 and that includes all the shipping. You should go browsing and see the deals and the wonderful testimonies they get from brides. I know someone who owns a bridal shop in Oregon, and they get most of their gowns from a Chinese source, who actually even puts their store label into the gowns. This owner didn't like dealing with a lot of the manufacturers, so went looking elsewhere!

We could all do the same......or team up and create our own system.

JOAnne

[stacij]

I plan to continue in the industry. I will always have invitations and accessories. After all the mess is over, I will see about working with attire again. I don't have time to deal with that right now!

[Audley]

I'm staying in and have even been in contact with a couple of others who also are interested in forming another company. The concept for DBS is wonderful and I do believe they initially had their hearts in the right place and performed a great service to literally thousands of brides over the past 20 years.

My issue is over the way this thing was handled. When Alan and Denise Fields broke the story, I read it by e-mail and actually, kept getting closer to the screen and squinting to make sure I was reading correctly. I read it twice and then called my husband, (who's an attorney) and forwarded the e-mail to his office.

Any other (former) dealers interested in sucking it up, getting through this with dignity, and starting over? After the grieving and worry is done, I'm not interested in just looking backwards. As I see this, I've learned an invaluable lesson and don't want to waddle, for too long, in disappointment and resentment. As I said, I still love the concept of helping brides find that "perfect" gown for a lot less than they should have to pay. I want to try again.

What I'd really like to do is have Kim Strauss and a couple of the reps help us with this possible formation of another company. Someone mentioned this already in the forum-it's great idea. Kim, let us know if you're interested!

Audley
Happily Ever After Bridals and More
Youngsville, Louisiana
[email protected]
337-857-7575

[Chat Lunatique]

My thoughts exactly.

Never have I been so happy to be a low producer for DBS!

[caligirl]

Audley:

You can count me in.....
I will email you privately.

[gown designer]

I'm in it for the long-haul, as my business is over 15 years old. My tenure with DBS was only since 2001; I joined up because I didn't want to sink a lot of money into inventory. I produce a lot of custom designs and that really came in handy when DBS informed me they couldn't deliver on three maids' dresses for this weekend. I had the fabric on hand, so that bride is taken care of.

Good luck to other former dealers and to all the brides who got caught in this mess. I have been able to obtain a couple of orders directly from the manufacturers (thanks Alexia Designs) and although I'm temporarily out some cash, I felt very responsible for getting the merchandise to the brides. A disappointed bride is NOT good for business! If I can be of help to anyone, please email!

I'm looking at this as a blessing in disguise (although I couldn't see it as such last week). God will provide!!!!


Tricia
Tricia's by Design
Ft. Blackmore, VA
[email protected]

[Ideal Bridal]

I've already started making accounts months ago when deliveries were starting to become erratic. I have a brick and mortor store and I'm going to continue to plan, invitations, accessories, and sell gowns. I was suprised to see the companies that have floor sample programs with hardly no cost... Alexia, McKenzie Michaels, and Dessy are a few... and we are making a decent profit instead of 8 bucks a gown.... and we can still discount. Anyone who would like assistance with this process can e-mail me [email protected] maybe a few dealers can set up accounts and do this legit.

[JoAnne Schnepp]

I too would love to be in the feasibility planning of something like this. I will email you privately also so you have my address.

JOAnne

[MAD GROOM]

I am figuring at least some of you guys dealt with distributors my problem is my fiancee went directly to MArtins on june 11th, they took her order and 481 dollars and some change and tried to push her into paying for the whole thing up front and she refused thank god and now the problem is the wedding is 13 weeks away and the dress she ordered has 16 week leadtime and now we are out money and the dress she spent 15 months looking for andhad her heart set on on june 11th they had to have known at MArtins this was coming and they willingly took her money and because Martins had been so longstanding she did so in good faith ... so shame on you dbs / Martins for screwing loyal area customers who trusted you ....

good luck to all brides i know my fiancee is truly apprehensive about giving any one any money for a dress she cant walk out of the store with immediatley after this ...

[Why]

Why would you want to work with the snakes again. Kim and the service reps are snakes. They are DBS and Martins as a whole. Do you think they will be different this time? They were in on this scam. Don't be fooled again Audley. Learn from this big mistake. Good luck with starting your own business. You don't need them.

[Amy T]

Hi Audley!

There are already a couple of us that have been in contact regarding this very same opportunity. We are going to be scheduling an initial conference call in early September. Would you like to join? Also...feel free to contact me prior so we can compare notes: 206.240.3999.

Best,
Amy Trenary

[elluji]

Hi, Amy

I just sent you my personal information. Will you keep me posted about your conference call, if it is open for others to join in? Thanks.

Marcia

[Up in the air]

We are planning on sticking this out.

I think all of the former dbs dealers need to try to keep in contact. If any dealers could please send any contact info to us we will compile a list (a minimum of an email).

Please send an email to [email protected]

[Karen Lockwood]

I plan to continue offering bridal wear and accessories to local and out-of-town brides. I'm still exploring possibilities. My business name is Affordable Bridals, Inc, website www.affordablebridals.com, (440)734-2680, and (888)698-6867 (after Monday).

[Real Bridal Shop Owner]

Mr. Fields,

I must reply on this site and hopefuly set somethings straight. My wife and I have been a "mom & pop" bridal retailer for 17 years. We have 2 simple rules - "Treat your customers as you would like to be treated" and "Take care of your customer TODAY or somebody else will tommorow". By living by those two simple rules, we have had a successful business. We are not the Trumps but we are living the american dream - Working hard and owning our own business.

We got into the business because we ourselves got married. Both myself and my wife came from different jobs but we thought that there had to be a better way of planning a wedding. It wasnt just the prices but the overall planning of the wedding. So we decided that we would venture into the bridal busines, using our experieces from our previous jobs and adding that into our new store but with more. Shops in our area didnt offer the services that we do now - Gowns,shoes, jewelry, invitations, alterations, favors, all wedding accessories, tuxedos - everthing needed for the wedding. The main thing we give every customer is personall servive. We know every bride's first name. We treat them like family. We feel that's our formula for success.
We also can find our brides travel agents, florist, entertainment, resturaunts, limos, jewelers, hair stylist, even doves & buterflies. And we have been doing this for 17 years. Now we dont carry every bridal gown or designer and not ever bride buys their gown from us, but we treat every bride the same. Even today, we are trying to help every bride who has bought through DBS. Now we can not match the DBS price, but we try to do the very best for them. To make 10 or 25 dollars a gown is is why Martins is closed today.

As far as the bridal indusry goes, to be an authorized retailer, we have buy samples from each designer, 2 times a year. We carry over 50 different lines from bridal, BM, FG MOB. With each desinger you have to purchase about 12 bridal gowns, twice a year along with BM, FG, MOB etc. So as an average, we spend anywhere from $3000.00 to $10,000.00 per designer - twice a year for the new styles or season. Do the math. No add in all the other itmes needed - shoes jewelry, veils, headpiece, slips, bras, etc. Then you have to pay rent, taxes, utilies, advertising, payroll (if you a busy enough to afford employess), insurance, etc. But we knew this going into business. I even thought of being a DBS dealer, but after reading into them, I was concerned that I would not have direct contact with the deisgners. Meaning I was solely depending on DBS/Martins, which scared me. So we started with a couple of bridal lines, then added some more lines and went from there. It was a struggle at the beginning but we are still here, thank God after 17 years. Even today, we still worry about every gown order. Just last month, Bridal Originals, after 58 years in the business, decided to close. But the difference was that they sent us a letter on 6/14/2005,informing us that they would not be accepting anymore new orders after 6/24/2005 and that all orders would be completed by 9/15/2005. That's the way to do it. We will miss this compnay and we applaud them on how they are handling a very sad situation for the owners of this US bridal designer.

So Martin's comes up with this buiness plan and on paper it sounds great. "If Avon can do it , why not us". But in the bridal industry, "trans-shipping"- one authorized dealer selling to an unauthorized seller - is prohibited by just about all designers. This rule was in place BEFORE DBS was born. Martins new this but did it anyway. As far as the designers go, many knew what Martin's was doing and did nothing to stop them. I aggree, the designers are partially to blame for DBS beginning. They saw extra sales coming in and turned a blind eye to it. Some designers like Bridal Originals, stop doing buiness with Martiin's in 1997 because of DBS. But then internet came along. This was a way for FSBS to combat against DBS. Offer discounts on gowns that they WERE authorized to sell. No middleman. Now the designers have two problems - DBS and the internet. Over the past 5 years, designers have been pulling lines from Martins with the latest being Alfred Angelo and Maggie Sottero. Two major bridal designers that they can no longer offer to their DBS dealers. That hurt them. They are DBS dealers who have struck a busniess agreements with FSBS to buy some designers from them. The way this worked was the bridal shop, authorized dealers would sell the gowns to the DBS dealers, adding 15-20% onto the wholesale price plus the shipping. Sometimes this was a better deal that what DBS offered. But again, the DBS dealers were relying on a middleman and not directly working with the deigners. Many bridal shops closed and again left these DBS dealers out in the cold. Now the designers are prohibting prices of gowns on the internet and the sales of gown on the internet. Many designers are now instituting MSRP - Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price- Just like Sony does for their PS2. And we the retailers have no other choice to abid by these rules or lose this designer.

So now we have the problem today. Martin's Bridal closes, closing its retail stores and DBS, leaving all DSB dealers left to handle brides and their orders. And you have the people here, Mr. & Mrs. Fields, blaming the full service bridal shops and the deisgners. Let me tell you something Mr. Fields, and I am sure that just about every bridal shop owner in the U.S. will agree with me when I say - We feel for every bride today who is having a problem receiving their gowns. We hope that EVERY bride receives their gown that they choose and paid for in time for their wedding. But for Mr. Fields to demand that FSBS offer gowns at cost is ridiculus! Mr. Fields, are you selling your books at cost? Are you making a profit on your books? Of course you are. You sell your bridal book for $14.95. Seems fair. But do you tell your customers when they order your bridal book that your wholesale cost of $7.98! Of course not. You are in business to make a profit, just like us and the DBS dealers. We also feel bad for the DBS dealers who now have to pay the desingers AGAIN for the order so that their customers can receive their gowns. How is this fair to these people? It's not. And we feel for them because we as FSBS could be in the same situation if a designer decides to close down with no notice like Martin's.

So in closing, we hope every bride receives the gown of their dreams. Contact your DBS dealer, who I know will do everything humanly possible to help you. If they cant help you, please know that many FS Bridal Shops will help you the very best they can.

As far as Mr. Fields, I hope you change your attitude towards the FSBS as we are not the enemy. You attacks against us is unethical may maybe illegal. I noticed that you changed you posts regarding all the designers. You have done a diservice to all involved causing fear and panic when its not needed. Granted, many DBS dealers and DBS customers had no idea on what was going on and your post informed them but to say "Dont give the bridal shops the biz" is wrong!Plain and simple and it may come back to bite you!!

Again to all brides, we wish you all years of happiness and hope that you get to wear the gown of your dreams and please know that we the retail bridal shops are professionals and are willing a ready to help you on one of the most important day of your lives!

A U.S. full service bridal shop owner

[jojob]

Hello Audley -

I love your attitude! Pull up your stockings and move forward, right? Excellent attitude. I am not a former DBS rep, but would like to help with the formation of a new company. I am in the garment industry and I am a (former/non-active) CPA with corporate background. I may be able to add some good value to the mix!

JoJoB

[reneejonbridals]

I am glad to hear that you are still going to stay in the bridal business.
We cannot let DBS run our lives when we enjoy selling and creating to brides to be and making their dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!!
I sell on e-bay and find the customers are from bridal shops, dbs res and brides to be.
Let us team up!
Great attitude!
renee jon designs bridal
bridal designer
I create bridal gowns and bridal veils!
[email protected]
909-860-8842

[reneejonbridals]

You can count me in.
E-mailed you privately!
I am glad to hear that you are still going to stay in the bridal business.
We cannot let DBS run our lives when we enjoy selling and creating to brides to be and making their dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!!
I sell on e-bay and find the customers are from bridal shops, dbs res and brides to be.
Let us team up!
Great attitude!
renee jon designs bridal
bridal designer
I create bridal gowns and bridal veils!
[email protected]
909-860-8842

[reneejonbridals]

Please contact me also.
I am glad to hear that you are still going to stay in the bridal business.
We cannot let DBS run our lives when we enjoy selling and creating to brides to be and making their dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!!
I sell on e-bay and find the customers are from bridal shops, dbs and brides to be.
Let us team up!
Great attitude!
renee jon designs bridal
bridal designer
I create bridal gowns and bridal veils!
[email protected]
909-860-8842

[caligirl]

Hi Renee:

Saw you over on www.bridalindustry.com.
I also noticed that some folks over there are cutting and pasting our messages from here to there, and making comments.

You all may want to go and visit that message board and see what the FSBS's really think of us..LOL!

Oh well, such is business.

Good luck to everyone from DBS!

[sandi j]

This is to the one called "WHY".
You have alot of nerve. You don't even know us.
What happened was not a set up. These are real people
going through tough times. Be a little more mature and
stop the name calling. We are out of jobs too. Do you think we
ENJOY that?

[joannes]

REALLY! I am saddened that ANYONE would want to say bad things about those who worked in the Service Center!! All of my encounters with those gals were wonderful. Occasionally someone would be a bit short, which I always attributed to being stressed and simply overlooked it.

These women were EMPLOYEES! They were not business partners. I doubt they knew there were any problems unless it was at the very end in early June. And even if they did....employees follow directions.

They are out of work and losing money just like the rest of us dealers. They were NOT part of the decisions being made here.

We are all stressed, but we don't have to be mean. Think before you post.

[tmfloral]

DBS Dealers I was a former dealer and I might be able to help. Contact me at [email protected]

Happy to help

[starsrhonda]

Joanne

I agree - I would love to be part of the system - please email me and lets all get together. Thanks Rhonda