Raylia brides, please read...

One very anxious Maggie Sottero bride waiting ...........

Our bride has been informed by a uk shop that they have been let down on bridesmaids dresses with Raylia that was ordered in oct delivery jan that was confirmed in writing,and that the uk supplier have stopped dealing with them as of now, even though last week were told all was on time, and after they checked with the Australian head office were told that the orders were not in production and that they have had a factory close on them without notice.

Raylia are a sister company of Maggie Soterro.

Worth just ringing to check that all is OK, I'm sure it is, not trying to scare-monger, but don't want to see anybody losing out if problems do occur.

Sorry it's been taken badly, but I just passed on what could be potentially a valuable piece of information, that could save people money, if there is indeed a problem.

As stated, there probably isn't, and you're right, the dress shop could well be to blame, BUT, if there is a problem with the factory closing (think credit crunch) then Hitched brides might like to be the first to know...

My post, was to give this advice early, so that the brides can check with their dress shops, and will hopefully find that all is fine with their order !!!! If not, it might also buy them valuable time to get compensated or find another dress.

Thanks Starstruck, if you do get any information that would be great. In the meantime I'll try and phone my shop tomorrow...

Debbie, I have to say, whilst your intentions are good (so thank you for that), I'm not sure the delivery based on hearsay is the correct approach... thanks for highlighting but I'm sure you may have scared a few girls on here... especially those without insurance!

Regardless of the actual facts, I think this is a lesson to all to get insurance, it's not that much and will provide peace of mind!

Beccy x

FOr all you know, this bridal shop could be telling the bride porkies and the real reason the dresses are not in is because they haven't paid their bill to Raylia.

For goodness sake Kerri, I'm just trying to point out that there is a 'possibility' of problems.

It was info that I thought might be useful. Sorry if I'm wrong, but who knows ?

If anybody that's worried rings their dress shop tomorrow to ask them to check with their supplier, that will be the end of the matter.

It's better that people who've paid a deposit, don't pay their balance for a dress which might not appear isn't it ? How many girls are going out tomorrow to look at Raylia or MS dresses with a view to parting with money ?

Why is it so un-realistic to you that dress suppliers might have difficulties in these times ?

I'm probably wrong, I really hope I am, and I'd be first to admit it if I am, but I'd hate to sit on info that might help someone.

Sorry, but I think its more realistic that some bridal shops might have difficulties in these times.

MESSAGE FROM WAYNE WEBSTER RAYLIA DESIGNS USA

FORWARDED AT THE REQUEST OF THE RBA FOR AN URGENT RESPONSE TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE BRIDAL CONSORTIUM INDICATING THEY HAD RESIGNED AS UK DISTRIBUTORS FOR RAYLIA

Dear Stockist
“We refer to the notice sent to you yesterday by our former distributor, The Bridal Consortium Ltd (“TBC”) stating that it is handing back the Raylia business to Raylia. We confirm that Raylia has, indeed, terminated its agreement with The Bridal Consortium. Raylia has also given notice to The Bridal Consortium Ltd that, as a result of Raylia invoices remaining unpaid, it is entitled to and is now withholding delivery of Raylia gowns to The Bridal Consortium Ltd.
As a result of the termination Raylia will, with immediate effect, take over the sale of Raylia gowns. Stockists should, therefore, send future enquiries and place their orders directly with Raylia USA Headquarters as follows:
Raylia Designs Inc
8744 S Sandy Pkwy Ste E
Sandy Utah 84070 USA
US Phone: 801 233 8454
US Fax: 801 233 8460
E-mail: **@*************.***
Please note we will begin staffing the USA office during the hours of 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM UK time. A toll free phone number will be provided to you shortly.
We regret that as a result of the Bridal Consortium Ltd’s non payment Raylia will be unable to complete deliveries of gowns to the Bridal Consortium Ltd. Raylia is nevertheless committed to both its stockists and its end customers. If stockists have any outstanding orders with the Bridal Consortium Ltd which the latter cannot complete then Raylia will assist you by taking a new order for the gowns which we will aim to complete within the original delivery schedule out of the stocks which otherwise would have been delivered to the Bridal Consortium Ltd.”
We look forward to working with you directly from our US office. In this way we will be able to provide you with the best possible service.
Please feel free to contact me directly on 801 233 8454 or E-mail *****@*************.***
Sincerely
Wayne Webster
Raylia Designs
_________________

Thanks Cruella

??

My Raylia BM dresses are due to arrive at the shop in 3 weeks. Off to phone the shop now................................

if I get any info I will post again

updated: I have just spoken to the shop (Brides Delight, aberdeen) and they have explained that they are aware of the situation but as they only dealt with the agent to order the dress they are in constant contact with Raylia direct in the US anyway so there isn't anything to worry about. Also Maggie Soterro has no link to Raylia either.

Thanks cheska, I was so worried when I read the thread as my Maggie dress isn't arriving until May! Hope you get on OK with your BM's dresses x

Speaking as someone who works for a bridal shop and works closely with Maggie Sottero, the company are going strong and all our dresses are coming in on time as promised.We do not stock Raylia dresses so can not comment on that part.

Hope this is a help to some panicing brides.

x

Hi

I was called yesterday by my bridesmaid shop and they told me that the Raylia BM dress i had ordered due for delivery in March wont be coming as they factory they use has closed. They have offered me the option of swopping my deposit on to another dress.

its not the end of the world as i can change it - but there will be others out there in a much worse state so i hope you are all ok and get it sorted. x

Sounds like it's just cconfined to the UK Raylia agent having problems then...

I hope this was helpful to some.

Hi Cheska,

Apparently Raylia is the brand name given to MS bridesmaid dresses, I'm reliably told. This is where the tenuous link came from...

Jim

I've got to say I'm really shocked at the reaction to Jim's original post. He's a long standing member who I've only ever seen making thoughtful and helpful posts. I know I wouldn't have sat on the information and he made it clear that the info was second hand. I don't believe for a second the was any scaremongering intent and as he said it would only take one phonecall from bride to confirm the situation for themselves.

Obviously I'm posting this after he's been proved correct but had I seen the thread before hand I'd have posted the exact same thing.

Jim I think you've acted with good intent and if I were a Hitched Raylia bride I'd be pretty thankful that anyone gave a flying toss enough to pass this on.

x

Here here Braw wee Chanter !!

Totally agree with BWC. the OP was simply passing on info they had heard, not saying it to be true. If it has panicked someone who has ordered one of these dresses, a simple phonecall will have put their mind at rest. By the look of it, Jim wasnt too far off the mark.

Starstruck, i think you have over reacted a bit here tbh. No one had a go at the person who mentioned that the 'well known' hotel chain may be in difficultites, so why should this be any different?

Raylia is a sister co of Maggie Sotetto I believe. My wedding dress is by Raylia and had been told from various shops the connection with Maggie S. It may well be that the problem only exists with Raylia but I would suggest to Maggie brides to check anyway. Better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks BWC and others.

I have nothing to gain by scare mongering, unless I tell you all that M&S cakes are going out of business obviously, but that's very unlikely to happen.

I spend very little time on Hitched these days, because of reactions that are way off mark, but do try to keep the posts helpful.

If I saved just one bride £100 or £200 I'd be very happy.

? all round....

I have found that quite a few times on here myself, you done a good deed Jim, can't believe people where giving you a hard time when you were obviously trying to help!

It's a shame you feel like that. Don't let it put you off posting. It is rare and everyone is really helpful.

Jim

After reading your thread, I contacted Maggie Sottero UK as I have ordered my Maggie dress from them last month, and they have actually confirmed that they are in no way connected with Raylia designs.

ALL MAGGIE BRIDES, DO NOT PANIC!!!

Maggie Sottero do not have a bridesmaid collection but the UK agents for Maggie Sottero have their own collection called EbonyRose Designs. Maggie brides if you want to call the UK office to check for yourself, the number is ****. Not sure who your sources are but they have completely panicked me and other Maggie brides for no reason! LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE AT ALL!!

Heather

Hi Heather,

as the other posts show, the info the OP gave was fairly reliable - there is a problem with Raylia dresses, and if this helped even 1 bride then he was right to post it.

From what I understand, Raylia used to be a sister company to Maggie, but are now seperated and Maggies bridesmaid dresses are now called Flirt. There was a link, and if you google both you would find plenty of links stating they are sister companies. Whether this is true or not, no harm has been done at all, and the OP did not post it maliciously.

Ok I'm a tad confused lol (it doesn't take much!). So, am I right in thinking that Maggie Sottero is not connected to Raylia? Only I ordered my Maggie dress just a couple of weeks ago and like a fellow hitcher it doesn't come in until May. Should I be contacting the dress shop?

The girls I spoke to at the Maggie Sottero UK offices confirmed that they have absolutely no connection to Raylia designs whatsoever. I ordered my Maggie dress a little while ago so was panicking when I saw the threads but I feel so much better now I know for sure that there is no problems with Maggie Sottero ? I would recommend calling the UK office, the girls there helped me so much and really put my mind at ease about my dress.

Hmm, slightly worried now. I ordered my raylia bm dresses in December and they should be in around Feb/March time. Is it only some shops that are affected or all raylia stockists?

No reason? This post has helped at least one Raylia bride so there is a reason. I have ordered a Raylia dress and they were connected to Maggie S then so whilst they might not be now I personally think calling your shop to be told there is no need to worry is better than not hearing there MAY be a problem and doing nothing about it. The information was reliable for part of it.

December - just call the shop to put your mind at rest.

To be fair, Jim hasn't always had a record of only having helpful, well thought out posts (Sorry Jim but I don't think you can deny that) and from Kerri's pov - bridal shops, suppliers etc (especially those who rely on outside bigger suppliers) that are genuine and not having problems could suffer because of stories like this if not true - rumours and false stories can spread like wildfire on t'internet, word of mouth (no smoke without fire and all that) and become self fulfilling prophecies!

Whether it was/is true or not it wasn't very well backed up by Jim if it just came from one bride who also hadn't heard it from a direct cast iron source when it was said by the looks of it and I can see why some people would be upset if the panic was caused by unfounded remark/rumour.

I hope everyone here gets their dresses ok!

Heather does it not make more sense that this is brought to bride to be's attention rather than just sitting on this sort of info?

If your birdal shop isn't having any problems with supplier that's all well and good but to slate someone for trying to be helpful is uncalled for. I could understand where you were coming from if no-one here had said they hadn't any problems but that's obviously not the case.

It would be best for all who have ordered these dresses just to double check themselves rather than wait to the last minute, a phonecall only takes a few minutes and it will save a hell of a lot of heartache and time to find another supplier who can uphold the order.

Heather I think you owe Jim an apology, you are just one of the lucy ones that's not going to have a problem but there might b may more that will.

Tbf though Jaz and I'm sure you know that I believe you if you say there have been dubious threads from Jim in the past, if I judged his threads based on a mention that he's not always been thoughtful etc., then I'd be guilty of acting on unfounded remark or rumour too.

I do believe that the word of a direct client is not necessarily unfounded and while the Maggie aspect is no longer relevent, I think it's still important to bare in mind that the info was accurate on the Raylia side. I also think he made it clear that his information wasn't 1st hand so if anyone subsequently 'panics' then it's of their own making. Mind you, I say that as if I've never dealt with a panicked bride. ?

I really think he was right to give people a heads up. Jim, you should probably remove 'maggie Soterro' from the thead title as the Raylia agency are no longer linked to them.

x

S'alright BWC I believe you believe me ?

I'm not saying it wasn't well meant but I can see why it could have potentially have caused upset. There have been posts about companies supposedly in trouble atm and while it can be useful it can also cause a lot of upset and bother for companies and related companies if untrue or inaccurate. When something like this is posted on such a big board, rather than just giving a heads up to us regulars it can be found by lots of other people and if untrue could end up costing the businesses customers if they find it while researching the company.

I'm probably rambling now but I can see why from the pov of the likes of Kerri a post like this could smack of scaremongering and she'd feel defensive over it - as I'm sure if one of Jim's flour suppliers (or something he relied on or was tied to) looked like it was having bother, I'm not sure Jim would have posted about it.