Buying a Wdding Dress off Ebay?

[BatgirlBride]

So I stumbled upon a few nice pre-owned/clearance off the rack wedding dresses, all shipping from the states. Has anyone ever bought one from ebay? A few years back my sister bought a pre-owned designer prom dress and it ended up being a wonderful deal. Think I'd have the same luck with a wedding dress? Or should I totally trash the idea and just stick with David's bridal???

 

[Evi]

I'd be most concerned with sizing. I've found some differences not only with brands but within brands and styles. Perhaps if the dress is one you've tried on somewhere else then you'd know it fit.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I would buy the dress on the big size - it is easier to take a dress in than let it out if there is no fabric to do so!! I believe a good seamstress can take a dress in by up to two sizes (depending on the cut).

 

[TabZ]

Ebay favour the buyer - so with paypal protection and all that stuff, if you end up with something that wasn't what you expected it to be or in poor condition there are ways to rectify it, so if I were you if you are totally in love with the dress give it a go, there are ways to fix it if they try and take advantage of you!

 

[MrsDuck]

Ebay favour the buyer - so with paypal protection and all that stuff, if you end up with something that wasn't what you expected it to be or in poor condition there are ways to rectify it, so if I were you if you are totally in love with the dress give it a go, there are ways to fix it if they try and take advantage of you!

This!! I've heard plenty of stories about girls who ordered their dresses off eBay for a fraction of the in-store price and were thrilled with their results.

I also second the recommendation of buying a larger size for alteration purposes!

 

[Racey]

Ive had/heard a bad & good experience.

I bought a dress in my normal dress size after the seller told me it would definitely fit me (it was a dress worth over £1500 new, but I couldnt find it in any shop within a decent drive away, so wasnt going to pay out that price for a dress I hadnt even tried on - as it turns out it was even better than the photos online.) Anyway, I bought this dress, and it deinitely wasnt the size it was advertised at, in the end I sold it and i've gone to a shop to buy a different dress. And i've heard a few other horror stories

BUT

Ive been to a wedding where the bride bought off ebay and apart from her not paying out the money to get it altered so it was falling off her, it was fine.

Id do it puerly for the money you save, but DEFO get a larger size

 

[BatgirlBride]

I'd be most concerned with sizing. I've found some differences not only with brands but within brands and styles. Perhaps if the dress is one you've tried on somewhere else then you'd know it fit.

Yeah the sizing of the dress was one of the concerns I have about buying it on ebay or even online. There are a few trunk shows coming to Atlanta in the next couple of months from multiple designers. I figure I would go to a few and see if I spot any of the dresses I've seen online.

 

[lurkyloo]

I have an eBay success story—got a $1,300 dress for $500—but only because I tried on an identical dress in the correct size first. I was a little worried b/c they say that sample gowns get stretched out, so I wondered if I should order a size larger. But I ended up getting the same size, and it fit perfectly.

I'm not sure I would have done it if I hadn't tried the on dress (or a very similar one) first. Going to the trunk shows is a great idea!

 

[donald&daisy]

I have an eBay success story—got a $1,300 dress for $500—but only because I tried on an identical dress in the correct size first. I was a little worried b/c they say that sample gowns get stretched out, so I wondered if I should order a size larger. But I ended up getting the same size, and it fit perfectly.

I'm not sure I would have done it if I hadn't tried the on dress (or a very similar one) first. Going to the trunk shows is a great idea!

I got an awesome Ebay deal on a Maggie Sottero gown that I'm using as my reception dress. It retailed for $900 and I got it for $250--perfect condition, new with tags, and certificate of authenticity. I hadn't tried on this particular dress before, but I had tried on multiple other Maggie gowns in similar styles so I knew the size would fit. You can read about it in my PJ. I recommend it if the seller has good feedback and if you know your size in the particular designer.

 

[wendyiam]

Mine is a discontinued alfred angelo dress I got off of ebay, so I never tried it on before I received it, im very happy with it.

 

[bluejasmine]

Im having a wishes vow renewal b/c my wedding was extremely simple in my bf back yard. I bought a brand new Jessica McClintock Wedding dress of Ebay for $6! It still had the tags and was perfect! I did have to take it to get sized, Im only 4'11 1/2 and the sizing cost me $60 but $66 on a name brand dress is amazing! It was pretty simple but pretty, this time Im going for more elaborate tho..

 

[sewmess]

First off - I looove your screen name! I wore a Bat symbol necklace at my wedding (small, silver, classy)

Anyway - it's been a few years (almost 7) but I got my dress off of e-bay ($180!) I got the right size (when I got it it fit - don't ask about the stress pounds from then to the wedding) I still don't know if it was the extra inches or a poor excuse for a zipper, but I actually was sewn into it by my dear sister because the zipper popped the day before the wedding. And then my husband had to rip it off me - with a seam ripper, not the usual way.

It wasn't anything super special - no name brand, etc - but it worked for me & my budget. If you're a tricky size, though, you may want to do some fittings, even if you end up going the ebay route.

Good Luck and congrats!