Brides left scrambling as dressmaker files bankruptcy

After 30 years in the bridal business, Donna McDonald was as shocked as any bride-to-be when it came to the news about the long-respected Alfred Angelo dressmaker filing for bankruptcy. 

"It was a great company. They gave you excellent service but what dirty pool to leave us hanging there," said McDonald, owner of the Bay Bridal Boutique in Traverse City.

"I found out from a bride who called me and said 'Alfred Angelo went out of business,'" McDonald said, noting she had two calls from brides last Thursday who also had heard rumors. 

Alfred Angelo — based in Delray Beach, Fla. — finally disclosed on its web site Monday that the company had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 14, shutting down about 60 Alfred Angelo stores and leaving independent bridal shops, such as the Bay Bridal Boutique, in the dark about whether the Alfred Angelo dresses those stores had ordered would arrive in time for late summer and fall weddings. 

"We apologize for the inconvenience and hardship resulting from this event," Alfred Angelo said on its web site. 

What should brides do now? And what should anyone do when a business closes unexpectedly?

No. 1 -- Don't lose your cool but keep in contact. 

If you ordered an Alfred Angelo dress — or something else that was not delivered from another company that filed for bankruptcy —  be sure to follow up and contact the bankruptcy representative. 

In the Alfred Angelo case, send an email to: alfredangelo@mjstrustee.com. Margaret Smith is the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee for  Alfred Angelo. 

Give details of your wedding date, what you ordered and what you paid. You'd want to include your order number, the name as it appears on your order and the location of your purchase

Alfred Angelo said it would post additional information regarding the status of dresses on its web site, as that information becomes available. See www.alfredangelo.com. As of Wednesday morning, only the bankruptcy notice was available on the site. 

We've seen plenty of Chapter 11 filings for retailers — including Gymboree and Rue 21 — where the retailer attempts to restructure its operations, close some stores but ultimately keep some of its business going, maybe even just an online business.

But the Alfred Angelo's Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves a liquidation of the business.

Pay attention to what you ordered, too. If you're a die-hard fan of reality TV shows such as "Say Yes to the Dress," it might be difficult to imagine that some bridal parties don't dwell on the label of the dress. Yet some might have Alfred Angelo dress on order at an independent bridal shop and not yet realize it. 

Contact the bridal shop. Look into their refund policies. See what the store owner might do to help you.

In Michigan, Alfred Angelo had one store in Grand Rapids that was closed. But more than a dozen smaller bridal shops throughout Michigan stocked the popularly priced wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Alfred Angelo wedding dresses often sold for $1,500 or less; dresses for bridesmaids sold for $100 to $225. Once-upon-a-time the line had a higher-end Disney Fairy Tale Bridal Collection, too. 

It's possible too that your dress might have arrived this week, too. Really.

Faye Konja, owner of Konja's Bridal in Berkley, said she received five Alfred Angelo dresses for one bridal party and a single bridesmaid dress for another wedding in a shipment that arrived on Tuesday.

"We got lucky," she said. 

Konja said only two bridesmaid dresses — each a different dress for a different buyer —have not shown up yet at her store. She's trying to contact those bridesmaids to see what can be worked out. 

No. 2 -- Cut your losses. 

Some consumer advocates suggest that you contact your credit card company to dispute the charges, such as a down payment or other payment that you've made on an item that you've not received once a business closes shop.

If you arranged for some sort of automatic payment — say a monthly gym payment on a gym that closed — contact the bank or credit union to immediately stop future payments. 

If a business closes and they've not delivered your goods, advocates say consumers can file a complaint with state regulators, as well. Keep your receipts, invoices and bills to show what items were ordered, what you paid and when delivery was promised. 

The Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division takes complaints at 877-765-8388 or complaints can be filed online at www.michigan.gov/ag. Once a business files for bankruptcy, though, any recovery is in the hands of the bankruptcy court. Remember, recoveries in bankruptcy, if there are any, can be pennies on the dollar. 

No. 3 -- Watch out for scammers who play up to disasters and other big headlines. 

The Better Business Bureau recommends that brides should stay away from anyone who might claim to be able to help you retrieve your dress from a closed store for a fee. Only communicate with a designated bankruptcy attorney. 

The Federal Trade Commission regularly warns against what are called "Recovery Scams." 

Never hand over money or a credit card number to anyone who offers to recover money for items or prizes that you've never received. 

Also be careful about buying a dress on the Internet unless you're working with a known site, according to the Better Business Bureau. Beware of counterfeit designer dresses. 

Some generous brides are taking to Facebook and Twitter to offer their gently used brides dresses to some unhappy brides-to-be. But again, move cautiously because it's relatively easy for scammers to pretend to be someone else online. If you agree to meet somewhere, make sure it's a public spot, maybe even a safe lot at a local police station for Craigslist transactions and other online dealing.

Read more: 

'What does this mean?': Michigan bride-to-be at a loss after Alfred Angelo closing

Alfred Angelo Bridal closes Grand Rapids store, filing for bankruptcy

To be sure, some retailers are making reassuring gestures to generate some business, too. David's Bridal, for example, says consumers who did not receive their dresses can get an extra discount if they bring a receipt for an Alfred Angelo dress from an Alfred Angelo store or an independent bridal shop. Wedding dresses are 30% off the current price; bridesmaid dresses are 20% off the current price through Aug. 14. The offer is not valid online. 

Small retailers will work with their brides and have big sales too. 

"I'm getting a nice big banner and saying 'Huge Alfred Angelo Sale,'" said Cheryl Perry, owner of The All Together Bride on Main Street in Adrian. 

Perry said she will be putting sample Alfred Angelo dresses on sale.

She's doing her best to keep her bridal parties happy. Two brides had already received their Alfred Angelo dresses but she had five bridesmaid dresses in mahogany on order for a November wedding. She's offering to use the down payment that Alfred Angelo buyers already made toward other dresses if they order something else from another manufacturer. Earlier this week, the bride was still hoping to receive the Alfred Angelo dresses at some point. 

The Alfred Angelo brand advertised heavily in bridal magazines and was viewed as one of the more affordable labels. It was established in 1933 by Alfred Angelo Piccione and Edythe Vincent Piccione. But some retailers said the brand was hurt by a competitive Internet environment, as well as other factors. 

Related: 

After Alfred Angelo closings, strangers offer wedding dresses to panicked brides

Kristen Maxwell Cooper, executive editor of The Knot, a wedding website, said Brideside, a Chicago-based online upstart that carries the Alfred Angelo line, has arranged discounts and rush options with various manufacturers — free of charge — for any bridal parties affected by Alfred Angelo’s closing.

Brideside also maintains that its customers have the option of receiving a refund or credit, but the company says it would like to help "brides-in-need" find new options. 

"We are opening up Brideside's Alfred Angelo sample dress inventory on the crazy, stupid chance that one of our samples is a perfect match with what you need," the web site notes. To try that long-shot option, Brideside requests that shoppers send an email to aastock@brideside.com. You'd include the dress style number, the color, size and wedding date.

Can a wedding day be ruined by a bankruptcy? Hopefully not. Don't throw in the towel. Remember, it's not really all about the dress anyway. 

Contact Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com or 313-222-8876. Follow Susan on Twitter @Tompor.