I ordered a mother of the bride dress on February 23 2006 and was charged on my American Express Card immediately. The website promotes fast service and I typically shop online without problems. A man with a thick accent called me soon after the order and confirmed my order. He told me to expect the merchandise in Early April. Typically, business charge the account after an item has been shipped but not in this case, they decided to collect early on in the game. They promised me the merchandise for early April but charged my credit card for the full amount on February 25 2006. I never heard from anyone again. I started to become concerned around April 20, 2006 not having received the merchandise. I called their number several times, and the number is always busy. I even tried calling during late hours and early morning along with the business hours promoted and just receive a busy signal on each try. The number that I called and that is promoted on the website is 732-940-8827 (Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 PM EST). Again, I called before, during, and after the promoted hours. They also indicate a fax number on the website do I sent several faxes, fax number 732-940-8856. They never responded. I emailed them at least 25 emails and called a disconnected toll free number from the website that is disconnected. The website states “call us toll free at 1-800-297-5352 from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM, EST but it is not in service. This is the website terms and conditions… This information is found on http:--www.formalfashion.com-policies.aspx and the home page is http:--www.formalfashion.com-default.aspx Since their website also promotes a limousine service, I decided to call that number in desperation and see if I could get better contact information. Someone did answer that number at Tel: (866)4Limo-02 (866)454-6602 as indicated on the website. A man answered and indicated they were not affiliated. The formal fashion website links the limo servie to formal fashion linkl address http:--www.bestlimoexpress.com- . I would think that the two organizations are affiliated, as would any customers on the site. I told the Limo company that I received their phone number from the formal fashion website and he hung up on me. Ironically, he sounded very similar to the man that called me to tell me that I would receive the dress in early April.


I then called American Express to dispute the charge, and reported Formal Fashion to the Better Business Bureau, . I faxed all the details off the information provided to Amex and BBB. Miraculously Formal Fashion sent me an email that they credited my account and never received my order. I have an invoice of the order and was called by their company to confirm the order and delivery time. It is also ironic that a customer is unable to contact them at their main and that the 800 as promoted on the website.


I think that consumers should beware of this company and should be protected from doing business with them The website has no issues with taking order and charging credit card information. They just cannot be reached afterwards and they cannot make good on on the delivery of the product. After they take the money, they are not to be trusted. I do not want to see other suffer the experience I have gone through. Please investigate the practice of Formal Fashion and at least shut down their website so they can stop taking orders from honest customers who are purchasing special occasion merchandise only to have that special occasion ruined by unethical business practices.


I have emails, successful fax transmission statements, telephone bills, and cell phone bills to support all my claims. Please let me know what you need from me so that I can protect other consumers. I am willing to send all my information. My only hope is to help other consumers and to prevent the anguish that an organization such as Formal Fashion can cause on special occasions. Needless to say, the mother of the bride is now without a dress.