Why do they go?

[Sandy Ouellette]

Being a bridal boutique owner, it baffles me as to why brides continue to go to the big box store. They have all heard the nightmare stories, but they insist it won't happen to them. No way can a small business compete with a national advertiser, the only way is to educated the bride. They have to realize they do not save money by shopping there. Chain stores, chain photographers, and chain florist are not always the best solution. Heck, most of the time, that is the worse choice a bride can make. What can we do to fight againt this problem? We need to join forces in order to continue to offer our brides the top quality service they deserve. I would love your input.

[SML Weddings]

I must admit that when I got married three years ago I also went shopping at David's Bridal. I did find the perfect wedding dress but my problem with them was having it cleaned (there was a spot) and steamed. I left it for them two weeks before my wedding day (which is when they told me to drop it off), I went to pick it up two days before my wedding and they didn't have it done. I then had to send my maid of honor the day before my wedding to pick it up and they still didn't have it done so she had to go back two hours later to pick it up.

I enjoy offering advertising for smaller boutiques and businesses on my website because they are so much easier to work with. I know that if I call up one of my advertisers that has a small business and tell them that I have a Bride with a particular request then my Bride will get superb service. If I send a Bride to a superstore I will never know what type of service they will get and I know that the superstore never refers my business to the Brides because they don't care about helping out other wedding businesses.

[Margaret]

What we need to do is STRONGLY recommend local smaller vendors in our areas. I have heard the stories in my area as well, but I think that it goes back to thinking that if I go to the bigger stores, that the discount will be better and sometimes folks are willing to scarfice good customer service for price.

[By Invitation Only]

I agree with your opinion that smaller business can't compete with national advertisers - and I think that says it all. I don't know about you, but I can't afford the advertising/marketing, colour catalogs, mailings, etc. that these larger "big box" stores can afford and/or offer. I've tried to get into local wedding expos - but the last fee I was quoted was $1,000.00 for a table stuck out in a back hallway. A "good" table was $5,000.00. WIth no budget for advertising, I have more trouble getting my name out to the public. I do my best to stress the things I can offer: personal service; speedy turnaround; unique designs; and 100% customizable invitations, and hope that means something in this day and age.