Press releases
26 March 2006
Wedding Bell not Wedding Hell? Consumer Direct Can Help
For many couples their wedding day is an event to celebrate with family and friends. Choosing rings and the ‘perfect’ wedding dress are priority for many couples. At Consumer Direct London we have a good idea when wedding plans go wrong, so take our advice and follow our top tips to prevent these disasters happening at your wedding…
Here are 3 “typical” case scenarios based on callers to Consumer Direct London.
Case One
A week before her wedding Emma went for the final fitting of her dress. To her disappointment the shop had ordered the wrong dress! Emma reluctantly accepted the wrong dress, as she was due to be married the following Saturday. A friend told her about Consumer Direct so she contacted the consumer helpline and received practical advice about how to obtain a possible compensation.
Case Two
Chloe collected her dress after 6 weeks of careful planning. Not only was it the wrong colour, but it was badly marked. Chloe asked for a replacement as she had paid £820. The shop would not replace the dress. Chloe contacted Consumer Direct and after following the advice she obtained a new dress from the shop
Case Three
Sahira had decided on a custom made diamond wedding ring. On her wedding day to her horror the stone fell out of its setting! The diamond was found but this still could not make up for the upset. Following the advice from Consumer Direct she returned to the jeweller and obtained a repair within a reasonable period of time.
The average cost of a wedding dress is £750, and £850 for a diamond wedding ring. Knowing your consumer rights before you buy can make all the difference:
Tips on buying a wedding dress
- Make sure the colour, style and style number is written on the contract.
- Make sure the price of the dress is clearly written on the contract.
- Make sure the size is correct using the designer’s measuring chart.
- Check the delivery date of your dress. Give yourself time for alterations.
- If a deposit is required it’s best to use a credit card. Keep all paperwork.
- Ensure that the cancellation or refund policy is clearly stated.
Tips on buying a wedding ring
- Set a budget. Know what you can afford and don’t go over this limit.
- Like any other major purchase, shop around.
- Before purchasing a diamond ring, know the 4 C’s: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
For further advice, you can always call Consumer Direct London on 08454 04 05 06.
