Called 3 months before my event to see if there would be availability for a quick (2-week) alteration on a bridesmaid dress. This shop has great Yelp reviews and is close to home. My previous guy had to shut down due to COVID so this looked promising as a replacement for the long run.
I needed hem of one layer of Jersey fabric, and light lined cups put in, and I needed it within two weeks before the event (I'm pregnant so alterations have to happen as close to the event as possible). Cecilia said yes, just stop by 2-3 weeks before my event, no appointment needed.
I came by after work, there was no other customer so she was able to help me right away. The AC was out and it was mid-90s that day, so it was uncomfortable but I figured I'd just be quick. She quoted me $50 for the hem of a single layer (half the cost of the dress, and twice what I used to pay my previous local shop). She said she thought it looked good without cups. That's nice for her to say, but being pregnant and busty, there was no way I could not have lining of some sort. If the night got cold, we'd have an issue. If the night got hot, I'd easily sweat through the dress. Not to mention, there's not much actual support going on so cups would give a nice lift. IYKYK. I reiterated my desire for light cups. Then she asked why I don't just use a push up bra. I told her I don't want to have to adjust it all night, and I don't want the underwire digging into my already uncomfortable pregnant belly, could I please just get cups?
The only option she gave me was to provide her one of my bras, for her to cut out the cups and sew into the dress (???). I understand the functionality, but then you lose a $50 bra in the process. I've never gone for alterations and the facility not have cup options on site, so this confused me, given her high ratings. I decided against it and that I'd find another option for the cup part of the dress. We agreed to a Monday pickup at 5pm, a few weeks away. I got my pickup slip and was on my way.
I arrive to pickup my dress at 4:45, and she's currently helping another gentleman. So I sat to wait my turn. I give her my pink pickup slip. She gets my dress and I try on, the fit was good, no issues with alteration quality.
After trying on, I go to pay, and she begins to tell me that I need to call ahead to pickup in the future, because it can get conflicting with appointments. I told her we previously discussed 5pm so I had no reason to suspect this changed. As I pull out my wallet, she asked if I had cash. Sure, lady. At this point I'm pretty annoyed. Overpriced, no cups, bad communication on pickup protocol, and now she wants me to do her a favor by paying cash. So I paid cash, and then I asked for a receipt. To which she said she doesn't have one. I let her know I paid so I simply would like proof that I paid, and she had kept my pink slip. She said she must keep the pink slip. That's fine, I just want a receipt in its place. Finally, she marks the pink slip as paid and handed it back to me, visibly annoyed. I say thank you for the dress and I left.
She fought my requests every step of the way, and charged too much for a simple hem. I really was hoping to like this place, but it rubbed me the wrong way at each interaction. read more
