Hiya!

I ordered one of my bridesmaids dresses about 3 weeks ago from Pronuptia on Ecclesall Road. The dress was by Alfred Angelo and its a Ivory, long, chiffon dress with a black sash.
Last week I decided I didn't want my bridesmaid in Ivory and wanted her to wear a black dress with a Ivory sash. I called Pronuptia and they said this was fine. The next day I received a phone call from Pronuptia saying that I will have to pay £65 to cancel my order and then re-order the dress (I've already paid the full amount of £160 but they said I only had 7 days to change my mind (which I wasn't told at the time!)
I don't have to pay the £65 till the dress arrives.

Pronuptia say I have to pay the cancellation charge as the dress material will have been oredered in to have the dress made (bearing in mind the dress doesn't arrive till March 2010!), now you're not telling me that somebody as big as Alfred Angelo order in the material yard by yard per dress ordered. Surley they have it in bulk?!

Anyway, rant over.

Just wanted to know what everybody else thinks/would do?

Yan x

I'm really tempted to write a letter of complaint/discust but don't know if I'm just over-reacting?

I agree with you and i would write a letter of complaint to Alfred Angelo, i would kick up a stink in Pronuptia too as you were told this was ok and advised of the additional cost later, they are just trying to screw more money out of you, plus you should have 28 days to change your mind not 7 xx

Thanks Kez.

I have sent a complaint to Alfred Angelo who were very snotty and said that due to the data protection act they couldn't tell me why they require this cancellation fee and whether the do charge £65 or Pronuptia are making money from this too. They also said the can't do anything about it as my contract is with Pronuptia so they suggest I take it up with them!

For one, I don't have a contract with Pronuptia and also Pronuptia are telling me the charges are for Alfred Angelo and not for them so I'm kinda stuck in the middle not knowing what to do.

Yan x

Tut thats typical passing the buck.....I would put pressure on Pronuptia as if they value your custom they will be able to waiver any charge, i believe that this will be completely up to them, like you said, im sure AA dont buy fabric by the yard. Good luck hope you get it sorted xx

Thanks!

It's just another stress that I don't need I suppose.

Yan x

I think you should read all the paperwork that Pronuptia gave you when you signed for the dress and paid the amount. If it is not clear then you need to write them another letter, I would really advise that all your complaints are in writing so you have evidence - if you it in the future.

Hope that helps and good luck, I agree it is not something you should have to deal with when planning your wedding :)

Data protection act? oh really? did you ask them to quote chapter and verse on that one?

The data protection act is to protect INDIVIDUALS' information from misuse by large corporations, and most certainly does not prevent ANYBODY from telling you what they're levying charges for - I've never heard anything so ridiculous! (Well I have, but it was somebody in a call centre snottilly telling me some claptrap about the data protection act, which it transpires she hadn't actually read when I interrogated her :D )

Your contract is indeed with Pronuptia rather than their supplier, so read your paperwork, although I'm fairly certain they're supposed to read you any contract word for word before you sign it else it's not legally binding

If you paid by credit card, your credit card company is as liable as the retailer in any screw ups, so read the small print that came with your card (if applicable)

Finally, if you have household insurance, you more than likely have access to a free legal advice hotline, so make use of that - the number will be in your info pack

Oh, and one last thing.... make your bloody mind up and stick to it, and things like this won't happen :P (says she who swapped her bridesmaids from ivory tops to black when the ivory ones were found to make the white leather bridal dress look a nasty shade of grey ;) )

Oh dear honey this happens alot. I deal with alfred angelo myself as i have a shop and i can tell you 110% they do not charge a cancellation fee for changing an order only for full cancellation of order.
The fee your being charged is from Pronuptia, there making a quick buck from you so to speak.

This is unfortunatley commen practice in the larger bridal chains and is so unacceptable.
As the above postes stated check the paper work given when ordering your dress, if it doesnt state the charge in there then they can not hold you to ransom for it.
Pronuptia charge these fees as most people sadly accept the fees and pay them without looking into it further.
You are one of the clever ones who have stood up and said hold on a sec, well done.

If you need anything further for your wedding party in the lines of dresses etc then please feel free to contact me. I stock the dresses at alot more reasonle prices then Pronuptia lol.