Buttons & Bows Childrens Boutique By: Chassen Couture — Local services in Town of Smithtown

RESPONSE -

First and foremost, I want to clarify that my review is based on accurate information and not false claims. When I purchased the dress in March, I was told a different time frame for delivery than what ultimately occurred. As the event neared, my concern grew, and I found myself increasingly stressed about whether the dress would arrive in time. The last thing any parent wants a week before a significant event is to be left wondering about something as crucial as their child’s communion dress. If you were aware that the season was already late, why accept the order in the first place? As the business owner, it is your responsibility to manage such factors and set proper expectations for your customers. Given your experience, I can only assume this is not the first time you've encountered delays, and it’s clear there were more effective ways to handle this from the outset.

I repeatedly asked for an exchange due to MULTIPLE delays, but my requests were dismissed. I explained to you multiple times that 1 WEEK before communion was not enough time, and that’s why I asked for an exchange weeks before this. Yet, you responded by saying, “that’s enough time.” You kept assuring me the dress would arrive on time, but when I expressed my concerns, you rudely told me I could simply take the sample dress instead—knowing well it didn’t fit my daughter. It felt like you were just brushing me off. To make matters worse, you went on to say I should be more "appreciative," which, as a customer, is the last thing anyone wants to hear.

Moreover, my husband reached out to you directly, and you verbally confirmed that a refund would be issued, which was later confirmed in writing via text. I was never offered an exchange despite my numerous requests. A straightforward exchange could have resolved the matter promptly and alleviated the significant stress we experienced.

Ultimately, I received a new dress ONLY 1 DAY after the refund was confirmed. The situation had already caused considerable distress and frustration. Had an exchange been offered or clearer communication provided earlier, this entire ordeal could have been avoided.

The manner in which this situation was handled is not only unprofessional, but also sad and concerning. I truly hope you’re okay, because the way this was managed reflects a serious lack of professionalism. I made every reasonable effort to resolve this matter amicably, but the lack of cooperation and responsiveness from your side made it impossible. I sincerely hope you take this feedback to heart and reflect on how you handle customer concerns moving forward. I genuinely wish you the best, and I’ll be praying for you.

ORIGINAL BELOW:

I ordered a communion dress in March, expecting it to arrive on time as promised by the owner. However, due to multiple delays and poor communication, the dress only arrived today—just one week before my daughter’s communion. The owner initially assured me it would arrive on time, even after I corrected the date. But as the shipping dates kept changing, she promised a refund, which led us to buy a last-minute dress elsewhere. Now she’s denying ever offering a refund, despite having proof. Weeks before the event, I reached out multiple times for updates but received vague answers. I even offered to choose another dress, but was offered a smaller one that didn’t fit. She’s now claiming it was a custom order, but it wasn’t, and she didn’t measure my daughter when we visited.

I've heard from others with similar experiences, and I’ve learned she offers discounts in exchange for positive reviews, which makes me question the validity of her...

I have never written a review before, however I am compelled to for the first time. On the surface, this place seems quaint and nice. Everything is there to suck you in and glam up your little princess.

My wife and daughter had fun dressing up there. However, after you find "the dress" then everything goes south. First, the owner will ask you to post a positive review on her site and she will take 10% off the price. Sounds good - discount right!

Wrong. Instead of taking money off, she actually charged my credit card instead of debit reduction. A $320 dress now cost me $400. She now had to run a double debit to get the cost back to normal. This took multiple calls over and over to fix.

As this was going on she tried convincing us that the dress was more than she quoted us. What?

Letting all that go, we were told our dress, veil, and tiara are ready for pick up. I travel 30 minutes to get there... no veil and tiara. Seriously... why make me come in if you do not have it all. She apologized and promised to personally drop it off at my house. More lies.

As my daughter and I sat in her store trying to correct the financial burden she put me through with over billing... she had me sit there as she helped other customers like an idiot for over an hour. It was so rude... she has my money so she makes my 8 year old and I sit there as she ignores us to make new sales.

Even one of her clients in the showroom actually felt so uncomfortable with the way she was handling things she offered to do the accounting for the owner to show her how she totally overcharging and not applying the discounts correctly. I was mortified sitting there. This girl has no care for anybody. My daughter was so distraught over how this lady was treating everybody. Even my 8 year old saw through the fakeness of it all.

Finally, 1 1/2 weeks before communion. Still no veil and tiara. She told my wife and I - she will no longer drop it off to us. We will have to come and pick it up if it even comes! What!!!! For real. She told my wife she don't have time for our daughter's veil and she don't want to help us. Told my wife go write a bad review... so what... she said she will get her clients to just counter with a good review by giving them a discount.

I asked around and found out that we are not the only ones. This is the norm here. She tries to jam it all through before she gets busted.

Regardless, I'm so broken over all of this. What should have been something special is now a nightmare. And guess who suffers the most... my 8 year old daughter.... who this business owner can give two ** about. Just pay her money and step...

This place shouldn’t be in business. Owner was completely rude. I made an appointment to buy my daughter’s First Communion dress. My daughter was so excited because this was our first store and she couldn’t wait to try dresses. The owner showed up late to our appointment which I understand, it happens. We went in and I was asked what my budget was. I didn’t know what the costs of dresses are so I gave her a number that came to mind and said if I find something we like, we can always go up. She said that my budget wouldn’t even cover the cost of the shipping. Then I asked well, can I look around and maybe we like something and buy it, price isn’t an issue. When I pointed to a dress my daughter and I liked, she said “that’s my design, over your price point.” Lastly, her air conditioning wasn’t working so she basically asked me to leave because someone was coming to fix it. I apologized to my daughter for the owner’s behavior; my daughter was heartbroken that she didn’t even have a chance to try on one dress because we were more or less kicked out. I called other Communion stores and they were so pleasant on the phone. I made sure to put the call on speaker so my daughter can witness good customer service. The owner also made sure to badmouth a local, Merrick, Communion dress store. Thankfully I had started shopping early so I made sure to let other mom’s know not to even make the trip out there because of the horrible experience we had. We purchased a beautiful dress and felt like a princess trying on dresses at...