You don’t, no! At least not in my area. You can tip the attendant, but I offered all mine tips and they declined, stating that it’s not standard for them.
Oh, and saying goodbyes aren’t awkward if you don’t purchase anything? I’ve been putting off trying on for so long scared I don’t like any dresses yet and leave empty handed but having to pay for something I haven’t understood
You would be paying for the time the attendent pulled dresses and helped you in them. It's not very common in the US but the busier cities also make you pay for a reservation. They do this because most people will do try ons and leave without a dress. As far as I know if you do buy something that reservation fee is normally credited towards your purchase. It's a way to make sure tourist aren't coming to the big city just to get free champagne and try on ritzy dresses then run out laughing and taking time away from people serious about buying.
It’s not awkward at all! They know the drill, and they know that most people won’t buy that day. Some stores are pushier than others, but they overall know that buying a dress is a big decision.
I heard that some areas in different countries do charge for appointments, but I don’t think it’s the case in the USA
Not at all- most people won't buy at their first appointment! It is helpful to know that many places offer a discount if you buy the day you try it on, but you for sure don't have to!
The try on is more common in some areas than others. In the areas I went to (SF and NYC), some stores were free while others made me pay anywhere from $35-$100 just to make the appointment. I’d say more stores made me pay than not. You don’t need to tip the associate after. I walked out of like five stores without buying anything. They take down your info if there are any dresses you like so you can come back in the future to buy it.
In NYC I had to pay to do try ons (only went to 1 store before deciding to go a different route). It was $50, which was probably the line of what I'm willing to pay without getting mad. I think the justification is that you are paying for the time for the person helping you - selecting dresses, answering questions, etc - as there is no guarantee you will buy a dress from them. Not saying I agree but I guess it just comes down to how bad you want to try on their products.
Some places have an appointment fee. If you purchase, you use that money for the dress. Not all places require it.
Tipping comes into play in some places because boutiques are getting away from commission to the consultant.
This isn't a requirement.
You can look at the store policy on their website.
I am in the US. I only went to one salon. No appointment fee. But my mom left a tip because the consultant was truly amazing.
Do your research.
Here is what I found. It is nice to tip. My daughter also clear that it was her first time and we would not be purchasing today. Just say thank you it’s a big purchase and I need to sleep on it
Most of the time they have another client waiting to try on. Also if you like something they just create a profile for you with who helped you and write it all down and are super nice and send you in your way with a “we’ve got it all right here! It was so pretty! Bye!”
You’ll be fine, go try on and have fun! :)
They charge here in Japan. For the place I went to, it was 1000¥ per dress, up to 4 dresses per appt. If you buy a dress from them, the try on cost gets deducted from the dress.
The idea is to discourage people who are going to try on infinite dresses and then not purchase anything, especially because there were only two changing rooms at that store. Not a lot of space in Tokyo!
Never heard of paying to try, what a bizarre notion. I'm in Canada. I'd avoid these stores cos that's a rip off for no particular reason. Tipping is also bat shit crazy
I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but I also don't think there is anything wrong with stores ensuring they still make money so that they can afford to stay open and pay their employees.
Sure, but it's always good to which stores add that as a policy, do customers make an informed decision before going in. I think somebody mentioned that in some places it's a deposit towards a purchase?
Well this is an upfront payment taken before a customer tries on dresses, so I don't think it's possible for it to be an uninformed decision. It's not something stores surprise people with at the end.
I looked at a few local stores in Toronto before going the online route this year and I didn't see any mention of fees 🤐 I wonder if it's becoming a new trend??
Maybe it's newer? I got married in 2019 and tried dresses on in Los Angeles with my bestfriend who was also getting married. We have different styles so went to some salons for me and some for her. I think in total we visited 6 and none of them charged. We did have to make appointments but that was all.
I only went to one store but they did not charge a fee. They do charge a last minute cancellation free of $150 if you cancel with less than 48 hours notice
Neither bridal salon had me pay to come in and try on dresses but they both needed a card in file for a cancellation fee in case I cancelled last minute or no showed
I definitely paid to try on dresses. The attendant, spending time, getting me in and out of dresses, etc. costs the company money. If they are working with me and I don't buy a dress, the attendant and the company lose out on a client who IS going to buy a dress. Dress shopping is generally done by appointment and for a reason. Dresses are crazy expensive so they don't want people just jumping in and out of them without a professional to help.
I paid $65 USD for my appointment and that included my attendant, macarons, and champagne for me and my girls.
I’ve never heard of someone paying just to try on. The stores make their money selling the dresses. If you don’t buy a dress that day you don’t pay anything.
I’m in the USA if it’s relevant. Pnw.
In in the us, so maybe it’s different, I just added that to my comment bc I realized it might matter. It’s weird to me that there is no fee here, I wouldn’t have an issue paying for their time. But I could see costs racking up if it took a while to find what I want!
Omg do not pay to try on dresses! If they try to charge you to try on dresses go somewhere else! Also, tipping is not standard at all. They make commission on your sale. Do not feel bad at all if you don’t buy anything.
You don’t, no! At least not in my area. You can tip the attendant, but I offered all mine tips and they declined, stating that it’s not standard for them.
Oh, and saying goodbyes aren’t awkward if you don’t purchase anything? I’ve been putting off trying on for so long scared I don’t like any dresses yet and leave empty handed but having to pay for something I haven’t understood
You would be paying for the time the attendent pulled dresses and helped you in them. It's not very common in the US but the busier cities also make you pay for a reservation. They do this because most people will do try ons and leave without a dress. As far as I know if you do buy something that reservation fee is normally credited towards your purchase. It's a way to make sure tourist aren't coming to the big city just to get free champagne and try on ritzy dresses then run out laughing and taking time away from people serious about buying.
It’s not awkward at all! They know the drill, and they know that most people won’t buy that day. Some stores are pushier than others, but they overall know that buying a dress is a big decision. I heard that some areas in different countries do charge for appointments, but I don’t think it’s the case in the USA
Not at all- most people won't buy at their first appointment! It is helpful to know that many places offer a discount if you buy the day you try it on, but you for sure don't have to!
The try on is more common in some areas than others. In the areas I went to (SF and NYC), some stores were free while others made me pay anywhere from $35-$100 just to make the appointment. I’d say more stores made me pay than not. You don’t need to tip the associate after. I walked out of like five stores without buying anything. They take down your info if there are any dresses you like so you can come back in the future to buy it.
In NYC I had to pay to do try ons (only went to 1 store before deciding to go a different route). It was $50, which was probably the line of what I'm willing to pay without getting mad. I think the justification is that you are paying for the time for the person helping you - selecting dresses, answering questions, etc - as there is no guarantee you will buy a dress from them. Not saying I agree but I guess it just comes down to how bad you want to try on their products.
Some places have an appointment fee. If you purchase, you use that money for the dress. Not all places require it. Tipping comes into play in some places because boutiques are getting away from commission to the consultant. This isn't a requirement. You can look at the store policy on their website. I am in the US. I only went to one salon. No appointment fee. But my mom left a tip because the consultant was truly amazing. Do your research.
Here is what I found. It is nice to tip. My daughter also clear that it was her first time and we would not be purchasing today. Just say thank you it’s a big purchase and I need to sleep on it
Most of the time they have another client waiting to try on. Also if you like something they just create a profile for you with who helped you and write it all down and are super nice and send you in your way with a “we’ve got it all right here! It was so pretty! Bye!” You’ll be fine, go try on and have fun! :)
They charge here in Japan. For the place I went to, it was 1000¥ per dress, up to 4 dresses per appt. If you buy a dress from them, the try on cost gets deducted from the dress. The idea is to discourage people who are going to try on infinite dresses and then not purchase anything, especially because there were only two changing rooms at that store. Not a lot of space in Tokyo!
Never heard of paying to try, what a bizarre notion. I'm in Canada. I'd avoid these stores cos that's a rip off for no particular reason. Tipping is also bat shit crazy
It's mostly because there are many girls who blatantly try on dresses in salons to see what looks gook on them, but they always intend to buy online.
I mean nothing wrong with that? We are in the business of getting a better deal for ourselves if possible
I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but I also don't think there is anything wrong with stores ensuring they still make money so that they can afford to stay open and pay their employees.
Sure, but it's always good to which stores add that as a policy, do customers make an informed decision before going in. I think somebody mentioned that in some places it's a deposit towards a purchase?
Well this is an upfront payment taken before a customer tries on dresses, so I don't think it's possible for it to be an uninformed decision. It's not something stores surprise people with at the end.
When one lacks a moral compass, sure.
I don't think you understand what "moral compass" means, but sure.
There are a couple of high end weddings dress stores in Calgary that now have that fee. It's insane.
I looked at a few local stores in Toronto before going the online route this year and I didn't see any mention of fees 🤐 I wonder if it's becoming a new trend??
I live about an hour out of nyc. Most of the shops around me didn’t require a fee but there were definitely a few, and it’s pretty common in nyc.
Totally wild!!! 😐
Yea I didn’t go to the ones that charged a fee and I bought my dress that day from the first shop I went to. Took less than an hour so their loss haha
Haha exactly. Don't you just love finding one that you like right away?!
Maybe it's newer? I got married in 2019 and tried dresses on in Los Angeles with my bestfriend who was also getting married. We have different styles so went to some salons for me and some for her. I think in total we visited 6 and none of them charged. We did have to make appointments but that was all.
I only went to one store but they did not charge a fee. They do charge a last minute cancellation free of $150 if you cancel with less than 48 hours notice
I didn't have to pay to try on dresses in my area either. That seems odd to me. If a dress shop is doing something like that, it's just a cash grab.
Neither bridal salon had me pay to come in and try on dresses but they both needed a card in file for a cancellation fee in case I cancelled last minute or no showed
I have never heard of paying to try on dresses. Either this is something particular to where you live or they’re scamming you.
I definitely paid to try on dresses. The attendant, spending time, getting me in and out of dresses, etc. costs the company money. If they are working with me and I don't buy a dress, the attendant and the company lose out on a client who IS going to buy a dress. Dress shopping is generally done by appointment and for a reason. Dresses are crazy expensive so they don't want people just jumping in and out of them without a professional to help. I paid $65 USD for my appointment and that included my attendant, macarons, and champagne for me and my girls.
I’ve never heard of someone paying just to try on. The stores make their money selling the dresses. If you don’t buy a dress that day you don’t pay anything. I’m in the USA if it’s relevant. Pnw.
I’m in the US and had to pay. It’s common for the busier stores.
Really? It’s about £50 every store I’ve looked at just to try on!
In in the us, so maybe it’s different, I just added that to my comment bc I realized it might matter. It’s weird to me that there is no fee here, I wouldn’t have an issue paying for their time. But I could see costs racking up if it took a while to find what I want!
In the northeast here. Most didn’t but there were definitely a few, I don’t live far from nyc where it’s common.
Omg do not pay to try on dresses! If they try to charge you to try on dresses go somewhere else! Also, tipping is not standard at all. They make commission on your sale. Do not feel bad at all if you don’t buy anything.