bridesweb
07-18-2005, 02:47 PM
I was a DBS dealer for about 7 years...I checked them out for about 4 years before I jumped on board. I did so for several reasons. One, I could not afford to start my own bridal business; my father and I looked at a few and being an accountant he said they were being run like hobbies and not for profit and Two, being an alteration specialist in bridal and formal wear, I thought I could enhance my income (which I did through alterations not DBS)
Thinking back to seeing bridal shops come and go in the area I live, and having majored in retail merchandising in college, I surmised that:
1. The bridal business requires a very serious business and
marketing plan to be profitable.
2. The bridal business is very competitive.
3. The bridal business is very expensive to meet manufacturer's
minimums - don't forget, they are in business to make a
profit also.
4. A bridal gown is a "costume" worn most likely one time.
Costumes are expensive to make - I know, I have made many
bridal gowns and only the very wealthy could afford my prices
and quality of workmanship.
By the way, I sold very few bridal gowns locally as a DBS rep; mainly through my web site. Local brides ususally went to David's and I ended up with the alterations.
Just my two cents...
Thinking back to seeing bridal shops come and go in the area I live, and having majored in retail merchandising in college, I surmised that:
1. The bridal business requires a very serious business and
marketing plan to be profitable.
2. The bridal business is very competitive.
3. The bridal business is very expensive to meet manufacturer's
minimums - don't forget, they are in business to make a
profit also.
4. A bridal gown is a "costume" worn most likely one time.
Costumes are expensive to make - I know, I have made many
bridal gowns and only the very wealthy could afford my prices
and quality of workmanship.
By the way, I sold very few bridal gowns locally as a DBS rep; mainly through my web site. Local brides ususally went to David's and I ended up with the alterations.
Just my two cents...