I gave Ivory Romance a call last week. After much deliberation, Choo and I decided not to go for the photo shoot at Ivory Romance. Why? Well, I listed some of my personal thoughts...
- Rigid: Not allowed to swap or change the content of the package while most of the bridal shops do. For example, there's no need for us to have the art magazine album and hence I thought of exchanging it with additional poses or other items. However, the salesperson commented that customers sign up for the expertise of their photographers, MUAs and designers. Even if I don't want the album, I'll get nothing and won't be able to exchange it for other things.
- "Free" hair-do: According to the salesperson, the "hair-do" stated on the leaflet was referring to having me wearing a wig instead of really doing my hair with different hair styles. If I choose to have the MUA styling my own hair, I need to pay extra $$ for it. This is rather confusing by reading the leaflet.
- Special guest features (FOC): When I signed up for this package, the salesperson Yin specifically told me that I can have my husband (or boyfriend back in 2007) as my special guests during the photo shoot for FOC. This was clearly written on the invoice. However, another salesperson now emphasised that there was a miscommunication back then as the special guest can only take photos for 10 poses only. If Choo were to participate in the photo shoot, we have to pay extra RM100 for it. This is absurb!!
- Soft copies: No soft copies will be given. Additional RM50 is required to receive the soft copies of 22 poses chosen at 4R size. Please be advised that this is before touch up. Well, as you might have guessed by now, more costs involved to own all soft copies after touch up at higher resolution (or dpi).
- Customer service: I made a request to the salesperson to arrange for us to view and select the photos on the very next day after the photo shoot as we would prefer reducing the number of trips to KL if possible. However, the salesperson told me that it all depends on the photographer and she cannot commit (though she'll try). Well, to me, this is not exactly the best customer service as the date that I've chosen was during the "off peak" period offered by her. Further more, most bridal shops that I know of are flexible about this and more than willing to accommodate outstation customers such as the Dawn's in JB. So, another minus point for it!
Well, I can go on and on and on but it was never my intention to condemn or criticise this bridal shop. I just wanted to express my standpoint and the bottom line is - be a smart consumer! Make sure you clearly understand the package before you sign up and have everything documented as detailed as possible on the invoice. Other wise, you may want to consider walking away from the deal. We have chosen the latter.
Basically, you would want to enjoy yourself during the photo shoot and not ended up walking out of the bridal shop with anger and dismay, wouldn't you?