Wedding Dress Complaint Help/Advice Please

Ooo definatley not fit for purpose!

The first dress I was going to get was a boned corest top and someone had told me they saw someone else where the dress and the bones bowed after a couple of hours!

I would definaltey write to them and see what they say.

Send a letter before action and threaten to take legal action under the Sales of Goods Act 1979. The dress is not 'of satisfactory quality' and was not 'fit for purpose'. HOWEVER, in most cases, your rights are against the retailer, rather than the manufacturer, so it's probably best to start with them. It will be up to the retailer to prove that the dress is of satifactory quality and fit for purpose, and they would have to prove that you did something to damage the dress yourself if they dispute the complaint (which of course you didn't). It won't hurt to get an expert's report on file - take it to a dress maker/alterations business and ask them to write down their opinion of the dress. Good luck!

Also, out of interest, how did you pay for the dress? If you used a credit card you may be able to enforce your rights under the Sale of Goods Act against your credit card company.

Looks good to me JoJo. It's standard to allow 14 days for a reply, and make sure you send the letter recorded delivery, and print out the electronic signature from the royal mail website once it's signed for.

Sorry, being a bit thick, but who do I send this to? The dress shop or the manufacturer?

I ask because I already emailed the bridal shop and the lady has already replied last week saying that she thought I had a valid point and that the dress shouldn't have done this!

Your rights under the Sales of Goods Act are against the retailer, which is handy considering she's already admitted that the dress shouldn't have done that. Send the letter to the retailer - it's her who you entered into a contract with (by purchasing the dress) and it's her who had the duty of providing you with a dress of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.

Thanks ladies... will let you know of any outcomes. I've deliberately not named the dress shop at this stage either because, while it's them that's sold the dress, they were incredibly lovely throughout the dress buying process, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to other brides. It's a shame that consumer rights are such that it's the shop's fault, when clearly the problem lies with the manufacturer!

I'm in an odd situation of not wanting to name and shame!

But if, as you say, it's them I have to approach then that's got to be my first point of recourse.

To be honest there is an art to good complaining. I wouldn't go in with all guns blazing first. I would express your disappointment especially as the service/testimonials were good. Make sure you put some flattery in the first letter to get them on your side. Get your point accross but I always find that if you do it this way you are more likey to get a result.

Obviously if this doesn't get the desired effect then bring on Mrs Nasty :-)

Such a shame to hear this though, hope it did not completey ruin your day xxxx

Very interesting, thanks! And there I was blaming my chub!

Between us, me and the husband are turning complaining into an art - we're good cop bad cop and are terriers enough not to let something drop! I just didn't know what my rights are with regards to wedding dresses.

No, it didn't ruin my day completely - although I'm sunny enough to not let this get to me on the day. That's not to say I couldn't have done without the hassle or embarrassment of repetative hoiking and bras/saggy looking boobs are not something your family and friends need to see!

I know you dont want to name manufacturer yet but could you please tell me if its a bonny dress if not no naming needed if so i am now scared mine will be in, in 4 wks and its bonny unforgettable style 1811 and is a plus size dress x