just trying on dresses.. is it ok, with no intension to buy

I don't think I would mention that you arent buying that day... and really don't mention that you want to buy a dress online... They'll be nice as long as they think they will have a sale in the future...

I went to the Alfred Angelo bridal shop with the picture of the dress I wanted in hand. I tried on the one I picked out and several others and my MOH and mom also looked at dresses. I key is, as mean as this is to say, is to not let them know you don't plan on buying it right now. Since your wedding is so far, they prob arent expecting you to buy it so early so I doubt they'll be pushing you to buy it. Just let them know your just shopping around for things, mainly just looking at different styles, and they should be ok. The woman that helped us was really nice; I almost felt bad for not ordering it from the shop...then I saw the price and quickly stopped feeling bad.

Well whether they like it or not, the fact of the matter is you have to try dresses on to see what looks good on you! Before I was engaged, I did this with a local shop type of place...my mom and I saw how cute the place was and just popped in. I was honest with them that I wasn't even engaged yet, and they were really nice about letting me try on whatever I wanted.

Be honest and say that you've only just started looking. If their service is any good, they won't turn you down! I would keep an open mind about where you get your dress too...buying online has its advantages, but you don't get the service and the guarantee with buying in a store. You never know, so just don't rule out any possibilities!

I would just tell them that the wedding date is so far out but you are so excited about dress shopping and just love their store that you decided to start trying on styles to see what you like and will make a final decision later on. That way they will still cater to you like a potential client, but wont push you to buy. It worked for my friend a few years ago.

I went to a dress shop literally the day before I got engaged to try on dresses, figuring I was going to get engaged soon and after that every dress I would try on would be in contention for The One - I had no clue what I was even looking for! So a friend and I went and they wanted to know practically everything short of our mother's maiden name and SSN. They let us try on two dresses each and then shoved us out the door. The second time I went shopping there was no pressure, I tried on as many dresses as I wanted to, and the staff was trying to help me find the correct dress and suggesting dresses. The first shop would only bring out dresses I mentioned specifically and was rude about me wanting to browse. I'm not sure if it was because store #1 was a huge chain (2 guesses which one) and the second was a boutique, but store #1 definitely lost my sale because of their attitude. So they might treat you differently. (cont'd)

But the truth of the matter is you have to browse before making a decision - and if they treat you well you'll come back to them. I'm much more likely to go with a store that doesn't have exactly what I want but treated me well and will work with me than one who has what I want for the price I want and could care less about my business. It isn't like you're walking into a restaurant where it is expected that you'll order something - you shouldn't have to walk out of a bridal salon with something just because you walked into it.

I agree w/all PP's never give too much information!!! ;o) you are dress shopping b/c you ARE gettng married! Have fun with your girls!

I agree...they dont have to know your intentions or even when it is youre getting married. If they ask your wedding date just say its in the next few months but you havent locked in that date yet with your venue or something. I agree with everyone else, if you provide too much information and they know they arent making a sale, they wont be eager to help you out and you do need help when you go there! good luck and have fun!

I would go in for sure and Just say I am getting married. If they ask when Just say that its undecided and that you want to start looking at dresses. They should never turn away a customer! LOL Like everyone else said Just dont give them all the info! But I think that would be a great thing to do! I Loved trying on dresses!

My BFF works at a local bridal shop and the reason they don't like brides shopping without intent to buy is because it wastes their time. At her shop, the consultant works with one bride at a time and devotes themselves to her. She makes 8$ an hour and gets about 15% commission. If she spends three or more hours putting dresses on you in hopes of it resulting in a sale she might loose out on other potential clients who come in and are actually purchasing their dress.

Now, you have to shop around before you buy. Everyone knows this. I think you should also take advantage of this moment being that your girls are with you. Also remember that the same dresses you try on might not be available in 2011.

I would tell them that you do plan on buying from their store but you won't have the money to do so for another year, but this is the only time you can dress shop with your girls because they are from out of town. They should understand. Just be respectful and don't take up one girls entire day. It is harder work than you think, those dresses are heavy. It would be great if you could go on a weekday, as Saturdays are normally the busiest. Maybe make an appointment to go in to, instead of being a walk in. You could also tell them that you don't need full attention, that they could help another girl the same time as you, that two people could help you, or one of your friends could help you in and out of dresses.

At my BFF's bridal shop the consultant helps you into dresses, but I went to Davids Bridal with a friend this weekend and I had to help her in her dresses and hang/unhang them. I don't know which is the norm.

Wowjunkie "but store #1 definitely lost my sale because of their attitude"

I totally agree with you... There is no way I would by a dress from Davids Bridal (guessing thats your chain) after going to a local shop. Like I mentioned the difference in help is huge. DB's consultant was kinda rude and she kept disappearing....

Thank you ladies all for your suggestions and opioins.. I might be moving out of state this is why i wanted to try and get this done next month. again thanks.. i will definitally keep all this in mind. and chelsey, i will be considerate of the employee I understand that a sale is for commsion and i definitally don't want to take up soo much of their time, i like the idea of letting them know that i will need a bit of help but not 100% of their attention..

Thank you all. :-d

My friend and I wandered into that "big chain" before she was engaged just to look. We wandered around. She found one that she really really really liked and wanted to try on. They wouldn't let her try it on because she had to have an appointment. They lost her business and mine that day. Funny thing is, we went back after she was engaged... horrible service, tiny fitting rooms, and pushy pushy pushy! That cemented for me that I would never ever go there again. I had to for my SIL's wedding though when I was her BM. Once again, rude pushy people! I guess you don't have to be customer-minded when you work for a large corporation...

Chelsey S - You hit it right on the head. The other part of that is those consultants have to wait for their "UP" time again which may not be for days depending on how busy it is and how many consultants there are. All the consultants I worked with were happy to show dresses and they are pretty smart about knowing who is serious and who is just fishing.

The only time I remember any of them getting upset about showing was when a girl and her friends and relatives(about 10 of them) took hours of her time and were very rude.

I'd say go and look and have fun. Most bridal appointments are set up for 1 hour. Keep an eye on the time being respectful of your consultant - put yourself in her shoes.

Mayo27 Just read your last post - you have it!

Have fun looking!

I feel like if your a bride you have the right to try on as many dresses as you want no matter if you intend to buy it or not...(that being said I personally only tried on 8 LOL) Wedding dresses come in so many sizes, shapes and designs you may really not know and it is up to YOU how many you try on. IMO it doesnt really matter if your wasting the shops time... that is their JOB to assist a bride with finding the dress of their dreams no matter if you are going to buy it now or in 2 years. I do understand in this economy the people at the dress stores need to make money too and probably would rather spend their time with a bride who is actually going to buy a dress in the near future but customer service would suggest that they would help ANY bride no matter when your getting married. I agree that you should be considerate of the shops and people as well but you deserve to look for dresses just as much as someone who is getting married in a year... your BOTH brides!!!

I have to say I agree with Melissa 110%. I think it is very poor customer service to even have the thought that you may be wasting your time with a bride who may not buy right away. Every bride that comes in is a potenital sale. I also think that if you go to a shop with that kind of attitude, you wont want to buy your dress from them anyway. I went to a big box shop and just tried on dresses, they asked me if I was looking to buy that day, and I said I am not sure, well I didnt buy a dress that day. I ended up buying a dress online. BUT, while I was there and after the fact they treated me just fine and with much respect. They gave me attention and all the help in the world. Even after I left they called to follow up and see if I had found my dress. Take your time try on all the dresses you need to... you never know where you will find the one!!!

From a vendors point of view... the staff usually work on commission. A good shop is going to give you good service, hoping that you will feel that the based on their service, you will want to purchase the gown from them. But most brides don't make that decision on the first visit, and as far as I am concerned shouldn't. You should shop around for your gown!

Now understand this... some won't feel very motivated to help you if you let them know upfront you don't plan on purchasing the dress that day. And please never say you are shopping with the intent of purchasing online. So be discreet.

But if you are like most brides... if a person goes out of their way to give good service and if the price is reasonable, most will ultimately purchase the dress and/or other items from that shop and the salesperson who helped them. That's only the right thing to do. For tips and advice about this http://www.perfect-wedding-dress-finder.com/dress-shopping.html

It's a little dangerous. I've seen too many brides buy a dress and change their mind later. You COULD try on, and then not buy hoping you can get it for less later once the 2009 becomes "last season" prices.

Well, I went today to try on dresses the lady was very nice, and I was very honest.. Clearly she knew i wasn't buying since she did year me say it wasn't til 2011.. She did make "thats is far from now" remark but not at all in a rude way. I got the best feeling in the world.. I don't wear dresses soo this was soo odd and just overwheling in a great way for me to see myself look like a bride.. it was amazing.. I never had this dream ever!! soo it's amazing.. I was honested saying I'm interest in buying my dress there however we may be moving but I want to try them on now being it may be the last time with my girls that I have a chance for a long time.. But I"M SOOOO going there to get my dress... IF we move I'll have to take "mini vacations" up here to visit my sister and other family n friends and then head over to the shop to start finializing things.. When the time comes.. I'm very much hoping the dress I absolutly loved is a little cheaper as pp said it will be "last season"..cont.