Love is in the air as many soon-to-be brides prepare for their wedding day. BBB advises brides to proceed with caution when buying a wedding dress online, choosing a photographer and selecting a wedding planner.
Last year, BBB received more than 970 complaints against wedding related services. Common complaints were centered on a company’s unwillingness to honor cancellation and refund policies after a deposit had been paid.
“With today’s wedding averaging around more than $28,000, there’s not a penny left to gamble on unreliable vendors,” said Gary Almond, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Northeast California. “Before securing your wedding services and paying any upfront fees it’s important for all newlyweds to do their research.”
BBB recommends that newlyweds consider the following when planning for their special day:
Research all online vendors. Start with a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can lead you to unscrupulous websites or phishing scams. Also, look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trustmarks” on retail websites. Click on the seals to confirm they’re valid. Look for the “s” after “http” in the URL or the lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Be sure to check the company out with BBB before doing business with them.
Review all terms and conditions. What is the company’s refund and exchange policy? What is their cancellation policy? What happens if the company can’t hold up their end of the bargain? Who will perform the service on your special day? Be sure you understand your rights before doing business with the company.
Keep documentation of your order. For online orders, save a copy of the confirmation page until you receive the item or service and are satisfied. If you’re dealing with a company face-to-face, be sure to get all details in writing, including specific dates, products, prices, cancellation and deposit policies and signatures from both parties.
Pay with a credit card. Credit cards offer consumers the added protection of disputing any charge over $50 within 60 days of the purchase. Shoppers have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges. Never wire money.
Consider purchasing wedding insurance. Wedding insurance can cover a range of prospective problems including vendor no-shows, cancellations, inclement weather, military deployment, medical emergencies, travel delays and more.