Mandy, how are you guys doing today?
As far as the dresses go; I'm using Ebay for mine and so far I've been very pleased with the combo of price, quality and speediness. The same sellers are on ebay.com and ebay.uk.co amongst others and I am highly suspecting some sellers to be on there with multiple accounts (same dresses for both sellers?!
). Few tips;
- check out their feedback. There are a few that just are bad, ignore them and do yourself a huge favor.
- some will have a "starting at" price. They're trying to suck you in with prices for gloves and as soon as you select the dress they are adverticing with through the picture; BIG old price, you can just as easily shop at home for that amount.
- only bid on dresses that are up for bid. Buy now options are expensive when you find out the small amounts many of the "open to bidding" dresses go for.
- if your size or wanted colour is not available; be patient. They'll repost them over and over again
- don't get yourself into a bidding war!!!!! As dresses get posted many times, I just wait out until I find the desired dress that has no bid on them. I will NOT go beyond the opening price. If anybody bids against me; have fun with it. Yes, it can take a bit longer, but we've got plenty a time at the moment. Got my first dress at opening price this way and friends have done the same. I'm actually having a few bids on a few dresses as we speak (again with the same strategy).
- found the dress you desire? Have a look at the other Ebay (so the UK one if you are on the .com and vice versa). I've found most dresses are cheaper on the UK-ebay at the moment, but have seen times where they were cheaper in the $ price. Comparing does pay off!
- I've found the posted measurements to be rather accurate. Be carefull to read the full text, as they're stating themselves; the mentioned measurements are NOT those of the body that would fit into the dress but of the dress. Makes it easy for you to compare with dresses at home, keeping in mind that different styles can alter meassurements.
Not sure if we can name sellers on here, so if anybody want names, just sent me a PM. The only thing I ask for; don't bid against me.
Big, aint it?
Hopefully the casualties will be limited, but from what I've seen and heared I'm afraid that won't be the case.
Actually sent my parents a quick text about this subject. They just arrived into Bangkok this morning. Now the city will not be at risk, nor their final destination (both were more than safe during the 2004 disaster), but we've learned from the 2004 one how poor communication can easily become in the whole region as soon as something hits. Combine that with the lack of proper information easily for grabs in Thailand and we've come accustomed to us needing to inform any family in Thailand about what is going on in the world and even across the street from them. Just being thankfull that this year they've decided to fly with Emirates and uncle is already been in Thailand for about a week. They have used airlines that would've made for an interesting flight today (connecting in the surrounding area). Blegh, I just hate the combination of tsunami and Asia. Guess it still takes me back to that horrible week in 2004 where we and officials seriously feared said uncle to be one of the many victims. I know they're safe and by now we just laugh about political instability in the region, but this has turned out a touchy subject.
it's awful. My thoughts are with all effected. 
Perhaps we should all email them and plead!!!
I mean, no complaints if it were a match, but odds are probably better at winning the bingo? 
We are very thankful she is at peace. We really learned how awful brain cancer is, and pray none of you ever have to deal with it for a loved one. (Stealing a few minutes on the computer now.)
I'll have to think of a Plan B for purchasing my main supply of toiletries. 
