ComplaintsforElim Boutique

• Initial Complaint

  06/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  Date of Transaction: 1/21/2023 Amount Paid: $980.00 Business committed to provide: I requested three alterations to the dress:(a) Alteration to the shoulders -- modification of lace, puff sleeves (b) Alteration in length -- shortening to a length mutually agreed upon (c) Alteration to the neckline -- lowering and shape modification (d) Removal of lace and beading - this was quoted with the work, but ultimately was deemed unnecessary by buyer The nature of the dispute:The business owner did not complete the work agreed to. The work completed was done sloppily and was not fixed. She vandalized the wedding dress by recklessly cutting the fabric against my protest and attempted to extort money from me in the amount of $200. The business owner only completed (a) of the agreed upon alterations listed above.The business owner made the dress longer in the back when it was requested to be the same length all the way around. She added bunches around the waist-line, which did not match the picture provided and was not discussed. I tried to work with her to get the work completed, but she didnt do the work agreed to.At my fitting, I tried to work with her to get the dress in wearable state. We were in agreement about what needed to be done. She cut the dress while I was wearing it and then refused to complete the work until I paid her additional funds.From credit card receipt:Store #: **** Ref #: **** Invoice No. *****

  Business response

  07/02/2023

  Dear BBB members,

  My name is ***************
  I received letter from you for ************************************* complaint. I feel sorry to sad letters.
  I can fully explain for that past 3 months happen about **************************************
  
  Since she brought, I took 3 months to reformation her after wedding dress . I was happy to work, it was very challenge work.
  She visits many without appointment, she wants to tell so many her thing. I always told to her come at appointment schedule.
  
  At 1st fitting, she showed me the picture for idea and I did work finished. A month later2nd fitting, she brough me another pictures from internet and I did work finished it.

  In April 28, 2023, when she visit for final fitting, She request many change as new picture again from internet. She wants to cut to very short. But I worried will too short. She said Its okay because I like to show to everybody shark and crazy laugh.
  I asked again Do you really want to cut now? and she said, its okay, cut it.
  I done it.
  
  It is many layers laces and very long laces, I need spend time again 3 to 4 hours to open all threads. I asked to her it will be extra additional cost $200 as I wrote on invoice Jan 21, 2023.
  
  She just angry and want to take it back without anything additional work. It already cut back side length. I asked to her pay half, she said NO, couple minutes later I said OKAY, I DO IT WITHOUT ANYTHING, she said NO. I did very kind.
  
  I read letter from BBB, its not true what she said. She made bad review on ****** review, she already complaint to the credit card company to refund money.
  
  I am running the business more than 30 years. I keep my work quality and do my best to make all my customers happy. Always I do my best.
  
  Thank you very much.
  
  *******

  Customer response

  07/09/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  ***************************** has made four false and fabricated statements in her letter to the Better Business Bureau.  I intend to outline the false statements in order below. 
  - False statement about the degree of difficulty of the work, which was then completed as a matter of course by another area seamstress.
  - False statement about the nature of my visitations, which were always by appointment as documented.
  - False statement about the consistency of the requested alterations, which were stable as evidenced by initial concept art and final product.
  - False statement that the work was completed at the second fitting, which had not begun to address many of the alterations agreed upon initially, as evidenced by photograph attachments.
  

  First, ************** claims that the work was very challenging, a concern she never raised when accepting the work. The work I requested was standard alteration work that an seamstress was able to perform without issue, notwithstanding the damage that ******* did to the original dress.
  

  Secondly, ************** claims that I visited many times without an appointment.  This is false. I showed up at Elim Boutique on the following dates for the following reasons:
  

  - January 21: Initial consultation and first fitting by appointment
  - March 24: Second fitting by appointment
  - April 3: Veil pick-up (************** told me the veil would ready for pick-up on March 31, but it had not been completed)
  - April 7: Veil pick-up 
  - April 28: Second fitting & Final
  - April 29: Serve formal notice of request for refund
  

  Third, ************** claims that I was always changing my ideas for the alterations and this made it difficult for her to satisfy the requests. As evidence that this is not the case, I am including time stamped text message screenshots of inspiration I initially sent to her. She agreed to (1) shorten the dress, (2) modify the sleeves, and (3) alter the neckline of the dress for the price of $980.
  

  Fourth, ************** claims that the agreed upon work was completed after the fitting. As evidenced by the attached photo, the work was not complete in at least four ways:
  - She had let out the dress so it did not fit. 
  - She had made an unrequested modification to the waistline of the dress. 
  - She had modified the length of the skirt only in the front.
  - She had not made the agreed upon modifications to the neckline.
  

  At this point, we agreed she would undue her unrequested modifications to the dress and discuss the next steps at a third consultation.
  
  At the second fitting, and ultimately final, consultation, ************** had further damaged the dress. She introduced holes under the sleeves and made an alteration to the zipper that would later need to be remedied by another seamstress. We discussed how the bottom of the dress could be modified. 
  This is when ************** pulled out a pair of scissors and, unrequested or directed, cut the dress, while I was wearing it. At this point, she had rendered the dress unwearable.
  After providing unprofessional service and rendering the dress damaged and unwearable, ************** demanded an additional $200 in compensation before fulfilling the agreed upon work. After this highly unethical shakedown, I ultimately decided to end my relationship with Elim Boutique and pursue the necessary alterations elsewhere.
  
  Ultimately, my complaint against Elim Boutique arises from the unethical nature of its proprietor, **************, and her conduct throughout our relationship. ************** entered into an agreement which she would then refuse to fulfill. ************** attempted to extort me for additional funds by damaging the dress beyond the point of wearability prior to informing me about surcharges. And even in the letter in response to this complaint: ************** has added to her record of false dealing, lying no fewer than four times; alluded to my insanity and my promiscuity by referencing a "crazy laugh" and how I "like to show everyone [my body]"; and generally conducted herself in an unprofessional manner.
  My complaint about her unethical behavior stands as submitted. I reject the business's response to my complaint.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************************

  Business response

  07/19/2023

  I do my best.

  I wish ********* stop by this boutique with that dress, I can finish with out any additional charge.

  Please call for an appointment.

  Thank you.

  *******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩