Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 25, 2025 BBB Tip: Buying a wedding dress, prom dress, or other special occasion dress S hopping for the perfect dress is crucial to a wedding or prom. But like many purchases with a big price tag – and high stakes – a lot can go wrong. Buying a wedding dress or prom dress can come with unexpected expenses, delayed orders, surprise policies and unwanted stress before a big event. How can you ensure that dress shopping goes smoothly? • Start shopping early: Experts recommend buying a wedding dress six to nine months before the big day. You don’t need as much time for a prom or another special occasion, but experts recommend starting a few months ahead. Delivery and alterations can take time, and spring is a busy season for seamstresses. The more time you have, the more you can compare shops, and the less rushed and stressed you’ll feel. • Be clear about your budget: Be upfront so your salesperson shows you dresses in your price range. You don’t want to fall in love with a dress only to discover that it’s over your budget. • Research and try different styles: Browse online or in magazines for inspiration on what styles suit your body type. Once in the store, you’ll be able to narrow down your options. • Test out the dress: Walk, sit, stand and dance in the dress to test for comfort. You want to make sure that you’ll be comfortable in the dress for extended hours. Also consider bringing a pair of shoes to try on with the dress to make sure the height and length are to your desired taste. • Factor in alterations: Dress alterations can be costly, so double-check policies in advance. Some dress shops offer alterations for a flat fee or cap expenses at a certain amount. • Don’t pay 100% upfront when buying a wedding dress: Most salons ask for a deposit of about 50% of the dress price for expensive gowns. You should not be pressured into paying the entire cost of a wedding dress upfront. A deposit will generally be less of an issue for a prom dress. • Check the cancellation policy: Always check a store’s policy for your specific order. Each contract is different, and custom orders may have a strict cancellation policy. • Be clear about your schedule: Brides have complained to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) that their dresses arrived too late for alterations. Be very clear about schedules and leave extra time to resolve any issues. • Take your dress home: Promptly pick up your dress after your alterations are finished. You can’t control what happens at the store where you found a prom dress or wedding dress – it might even go out of business – so the safest place for your dress is at your home (or the place where you will be dressing on the big day). • Want to rent? Do your homework: Renting a dress is an increasingly popular option for proms and other special events. Be sure to start early because popular styles and sizes will sell out. Also, check BBB.org before committing to a specific company. • Check BBB: Research dress shops on BBB.org before making a purchase. What should you look for when buying a gown online? Some online sellers offer gowns that look like designer dresses for a fraction of the price. Buyers expect these dresses to be low-cost replicas, but BBB often hears that the dresses that arrive need to be more fitting and constructed from better-quality materials. If you’ve decided to buy a wedding dress or prom dress online, keep the following tips in mind: • Beware of counterfeit gowns: Authorized retailers are the only stores allowed to sell designer gowns. Anyone else claiming to carry them is likely selling counterfeits. Many dress designers do not sell their gowns online at all. • Shopping for a deal? Be realistic: As much as a budget-conscious bride or party-goer may want to find a $5,000 dress for $350, it will probably not happen. Many designers don’t allow their dresses to be discounted below a certain margin. An in-person sample sale, not online, might be a bride’s best bet for finding a discounted gown. • Double-check delivery promises: Your dress must arrive on time, so be sure the seller clearly states its typical delivery times. • Understand the return policy: Review the guarantee, return and refund policies before purchasing. Know if you can return your dress (and how much it will cost) if you are not happy with it. Make sure you can contact the company where you find the prom dress or wedding dress in case of problems. A website without contact information is a big red flag when shopping online. • Be wary of overseas sellers: Buying wedding dresses or prom dresses from an international seller might seem like a good deal; however, U.S. and Canadian laws and consumer protections will be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. • Read BBB tips for shopping online: Although a wedding or prom dress might be an extra special purchase, much of the general advice for shopping online applies here, too. See https://www. bbb.org/all/online-shopping Cool Down Our Communities – Parks, yards, natural TurfMutt Celebrates Earth Day: 8 Ways Managed Landscapes Benefit the Planet L OUISVILLE, Ky. – This Earth Day—and throughout April’s Lawn and Garden Month—the TurfMutt Foundation is spotlighting the vital role green spaces play in creating a healthier planet. “Every day is Earth Day in communities that invest in parks, schoolyards, and backyards,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which has advocated for the care and use of green spaces around us for over 15 years. “These landscapes are environmental powerhouses, helping to cool our neighborhoods, support biodiversity, and improve air quality. We encourage everyone to plant something, step outside, and embrace the nature just beyond their doorstep.” 8 ways managed landscapes help save the planet: 1. Cool Down Our Communities – Parks, yards, natural turf sports fields, and green schoolyards help reduce the urban heat island effect. 2. Boost Oxygen Production – Trees, lawns, and greenery act as natural oxygen generators. 3. Capture Carbon – Turfgrass is an efficient carbon sink, absorbing up to seven times more carbon than is released through maintenance. 4. Support Wildlife & Pollinators – Living landscapes provide essential food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. 5. Improve Air Quality – Vegetation acts as nature’s air filter, trapping dust and pollutants to keep our air clean. 6. Reduce Noise Pollution – Plants and trees serve as natural sound barriers, helping to create quieter environments. 7. Manage Water Runoff – Landscaping, especially turfgrass, absorbs and filters rainwater, helping to replenish ground water supplies. 8. Prevent Soil Erosion – Plant roots help stabilize the soil, reducing erosion and protecting land from degradation. To help children and families explore the benefits of green spaces, the TurfMutt Foundation offers free lesson plans and activities designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Discover more in the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book, and don’t miss Mulligan the TurfMutt on CBS’s Lucky Dog Saturday mornings.
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