Bad dress shops

You just got engaged. Congratulations! What is the first thing you want to do? Go shopping for a dress. You can't wait to find the perfect dress. Even brides who are strictly jeans and a t-shirt type can't wait to shop for their wedding dress. Some have the perfect idea of how their dream bridal gown should look, others haven't got a clue. This is where you are relying on finding the perfect shop for that perfect dress.

I am here to say that you need to kiss a lot of toads before finding your prince, and the same holds true for finding the perfect wedding dress. You need to try on lots of gowns to find the one that makes you feel like you are the most perfect and beautiful woman in the entire world. And to try on lots of gowns, you will need to visit lots of shops.

Bridal shops are not all created equal. There are small boutiques and large shops. Mom and Pop businesses and national store chains. Some stores carry exclusive lines only to them, some can get anything you want shipped in and still others opt for a more customized approach by making your gown only for you---a one of a kind creation. Whatever style, color, and material you choose please choose a store that cares about you. You will not be sorry.

You want to shop at boutiques that cater to you; bring you something to drink; ask your opinions and listen to them; help you in and out of the dresses; don't run to answer the phone leaving you unattended; offer to alter any part of the dress that needs taking in (or out); and generally makes you feel very welcomed and special. If they don't ask your name, ask if you getting married or make you feel welcome after 30 seconds of entering their store, then they are not the store for you.

I recently visited such a business a couple of days ago. I had 20 minutes between appointments and decided to visit a very well-known bridal store in Des Moines. Many of my brides get their gowns from this establishment so I decided to find out what the hoopla was about.
Maybe I looked too old to be getting married (I'm not) or maybe it was because I didn't have a ring on (it could have been at the jewelers getting cleaned), but I could have been a gnat for all this store cared. Nothing--nada, no greeting or anything. I walked around the store very slowly, looked through dresses and jewelry, feigned interest in a pair of shoes (that's not hard for me), and glanced through a leaflet on one of the side tables. I even held a dress up to me in the mirror. Nothing. After 15 minutes, I left.

Gosh, they must have been awful busy. I was the only customer in the store (not kidding).
Maybe they had bookwork to do. If talking on the cell phone is bookwork, then I'll buy that.
They didn't want to pressure you. Saying "hello" doesn't threaten me, nor make me want to flee in a panic.

No, they just plain ignored me and I walked out. I will grant you, I could have asked for help, but why should I? If they don't want my business enough to ask me my name or at least give me a courtesy greeting, then they don't deserve my business. Give me a flash of smile and genuine interest in my visit and that store will get my business every time.

Boutique owners, don't complain to me about not getting any business if you can't be bothered to say hello to each and every person that walks through your door. If Quick Trip can do it---so can you!