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How To Buy A Used Wedding Dress

by: SmartShopper | last updated: September 16, 2009
Category: Smart Shopping | Tags: wedding dress, second hand, bridal gown

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How To Buy A Used Wedding Dress There are a plethora of choices as far as wedding dresses are concerned; however the list gets a little shorter if you are searching for a wedding dress that is low-priced because it is used previously. However, there are numerous ways of getting your hands on a reasonably priced or even a free wedding dress without compromising on quality.

The Internet

Internet auction sites have a wide variety of used wedding dresses on offer; some even designer, for a fraction of the original price. A search in the wedding dress category can bring up hundreds of results and most dresses are obviously quite affordable. However, some dresses are inevitably outdated and may have suffered minor damage. The caveat here is being ready for unexpected surprises when you receive the dress. Make sure that there are no hidden costs and shipping is free; also ensure if there is an exchange or return policy if the product is damaged. If you are worried too much about quality then it is better to reconsider the option of buying it on the internet since the dress may not turn out to be suitable. If you do decide to buy the dress on the internet then it is imperative that you contact the vendor by telephone or if possible arrange a meeting so that you can scrutinize the dress. Another option is sites such as Craigslist where you can find used products that are being sold in your vicinity.

Thrift and Consignment Stores

Thrift stores and consignment stores deal in various products; wedding dresses can be one of the items that can be procured at such places. However you may have to contact the owner of the store in advance for getting a good deal. This is because these stores may not have the dress handy and would have to search for it themselves before offering it to you. Do not completely depend on these sources because it is always good to keep other options open. Be ready for avoiding contingencies that may force you to opt for a sub-standard product or may even leave you empty handed, which would be horrible.

Borrow It

Another good option is to borrow a wedding dress from one of your friends or relatives. Many people will be happy to help you out since wedding dresses are worn ideally only once or twice in a person’s lifetime. Contact your relatives and friends and keep a word out that you are searching for a wedding dress. This can only prove effective if you have intimated about your need to your acquaintances well before the wedding day. I do not believe anyone would be unwilling to lend a wedding dress for a day; and even if there is a slight mismatch of sizes then a seamstress can fix the problem in a jiffy.

Renting it

Another option is renting the dress if you do not plan to keep it with you. However renting the dress is costlier compared to buying a second hand one. Many on-line as well as high end stores cater to the need of a customer who is looking to rent a dress. It’s a good option to check the prices of renting the dress; you may even end up with a low-priced deal with exquisite wedding attire.