Your wedding should be the happiest day of your life, but for many couples it can turn to disaster when they are let down by wedding suppliers. Finding the right dress and wedding ring can be particularly important which is why Consumer Direct in Scotland is offering special advice to make sure that you get hitched without a hitch.
Here are three “typical” case scenarios based on calls to Consumer Direct Scotland, the government’s consumer helpline, available on 08454 04 05 06.
Case One:
Rachel was getting married in eight weeks and was waiting to pick up three bridesmaids’ dresses. After receiving a telephone call from the bridal shop she drove down to collect the dresses that had just arrived from the supplier in Italy.
To her disbelief, one of the dresses was a different colour to the other two. The shop apologised for this and said they would contact the supplier. According to Rachel, the shop said that this was the supplier’s fault and it may take up to five weeks for the supplier to send over another dress.
Consumer Direct Scotland advice:
Rachel’s contract is with the shop and so any redress would be with the shop and not the supplier. She should write to the shop to say that she is giving them the opportunity to rectify the situation by sourcing a replacement dress.
Furthermore, if that dress is not satisfactory on arrival or does not arrive within the specified five week time scale, she will purchase similar dresses elsewhere and look to the shop to refund the original cost of the dresses and pay any additional costs incurred.
Case Two:
Angela went to a bridal shop to ask about wedding dresses and took along a picture of a dress that she had seen in a magazine. The shop said that they would make the dress for her instead of ordering it in from a supplier.
A couple of months later Angela went to see the dress for the first time and was horrified to see that it was nothing like the picture. To her further disbelief, the shop agreed that this was the case but said that the dressmaker who made the dress no longer worked for them.
According to Angela, the shop also said that they could no longer get the dress from the supplier as they had stopped making them.
Consumer Direct Scotland advice:
Angela should ask the shop if they would be prepared to have a second attempt at making the dress. If the shop is unable or unwilling to do this Angela could request a refund of any money paid and go elsewhere to have the dress made.
If the cost of reproducing the dress elsewhere is going to be substantially more than the shop originally quoted Angela might wish to pursue the shop for the additional expense she incurs.
Case Three:
Susan purchased her wedding ring from a local jeweller two years ago. Since then Susan has had to take the ring back to the jeweller three times as the diamond keeps falling out.
Recently, Susan noticed a crack across the band of her ring so she went back to the shop a fourth time. According to Susan, the shop will only offer her another repair, even though she now wants her money back.
Consumer Direct Scotland advice:
If the ring keeps breaking through normal wear it would be reasonable to assert that the goods are not durable and are therefore not of satisfactory quality.
If Susan is not happy to accept another repair then she should write to the company stating this. Susan could ask if the jeweller is able to provide a replacement ring of the same/similar design and value.
If Susan wishes to pursue her money back she should state this in her letter to the trader although any refund she receives may take into account the use she has had of the ring for two years.
TIPS ON BUYING A WEDDING DRESS:
- Make sure the colour, style and style number is written on the contract.
- Make sure the price of the dress is clearly written on the contract.
- Make sure the size is correct using the designer’s measuring chart.
- Check the delivery date of your dress. Give yourself time for alterations.
- If a deposit is required it is best to use a credit card. Keep all paperwork.
- Ensure that the cancellation or refund policy is clearly stated.
TIPS ON BUYING A WEDDING RING
- Set a budget. Know what you can afford and don’t go over this limit.
- Like any other major purchase, shop around.
- Before purchasing a diamond ring, know the 4 C’s: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
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