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My letter to a local dress retailer about charging extra $ for plus sized dresses
I was in getting measured today for my sister's wedding in August and was infuriated to find that the store could get away with charging extra $ for plus sized dresses. And I don't mean like $2-$10 like you do at Target. I was charged $40. I have been fuming about it all day. Not to mention I will have to get the bust altered smaller so the $222 I spent today will be even more expensive because I have to get it altered smaller. So I decided to write them a letter. I'm not the type of person to raise a fuss about much but this was a huge deal to me being a former morbidly obese woman. Now that I am of a more average size, yet still considered plus, I'm still angered that stores can get away with charging more money for larger clothes. And I don't find the "it uses more fabric so it costs more to manufacture" arguement to be acceptable.
Here is my short but sweet letter:
I thought it was important that I share with you how I feel about the fact that you (and/or your dress manufacturers) find it acceptable to charge an extra fee for plus sized clothing. Doing this is a form of discrimination and is sadly the only form of discrimination that is socially acceptable. I, however, do not find it acceptable. I would suggest that you remedy this so as to be more inclusive to your customers and maintain any current customers. I can proudly say that I would never chose to patronage a store that has the audacity to charge a "fat fee", but due to circumstances out of my control I am ordering my dress from your store. But due to the simple fact that I am being charged an extra $40 because I am over a size 20 (according to you, even though I am a size 16 everywhere else I shop)I will not purchase anything in your store in the future, or recommend your store as long as this fee is in place. For example, have you ever seen an "All-you-can-eat" establishment weigh or measure their patrons and charge heavier people more because they will consume a higher quantity of food?
Please consider changing this unacceptable business practice. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: My letter to a local dress retailer about charging extra $ for plus sized dresses
While I don't think it's right, I do think the extra fabric is why they do so (whether or not it makes sense it's what they'll probably say)
I was in a wedding at 8 1/2 months pregnant and I had to pay an extra 60 bucks for a maternity dress- the non maternity style was the exact same, they just had to move the waist up!
I think lots of places just want to charge extra for anything they can come up with.
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
I agree with this somewhat. I do think it's because of the extra fabric, but I was in a wedding a couple of years ago, and required a larger size mostly due to my chest size. They ordered me a dress that was at least two sizes too big, and I had to pay the "fat fee," then I had to pay probably about $50 to have it altered back to my size, which included removing at least 6" at the chest. It was the only place in my area where I could get the dress, so I was stuck with it. I will not shop there again if I can help it, and I will warn people about it any chance I can.
I find it hard to believe that a size 20 is 40$ more than a size 18.
If they want to charge a fat fee, they need to have a different price per size, or else, it is discrimination.
Oh yeah, I forgot when you go from a size 16 (a "normal" size) to an 18, their cost goes up $40 a dress. Thumbs up for understanding, afg.
OMG, I love your bedding! *swoon*
ONYD!
Seriously, $40 extra is ridiculous.
Lol. Your ignorance makes me laugh.
while yes, plus sized dresses use more fabric I don't think that it was $40 more than the next size down. And if stores want to use that as an excuse they should charge by size, not just tack on an extra fee for larger dresses. Otherwise it is discrimination.
Ummm, you are an idiot.
Ok for starters, afg is not an idiot. You may not agree with her comment but she is not an idiot tyvm.
I think it was David's Bridal that used to charge more for dresses that were considered plus sizes. Now they have a lot more that are the same price for sizes 2 to 26.
Is it that they are charging more for the dress or is it that the bride selected a dress that doesn't come in plus sizes so they have to add fabric to it?
Good letter.
I love the bedding too- where did you get it?!?
I made it
)
I hate this policy too - and made sure to pay the extra amount for my bridesmaids who needed it without them knowing. I did not want them to feel bad about themselves because of the dress shop/manufacturer.
While plus sizes might require more fabric, a size 2 or 4 requires less, so should they get cheaper prices? How about petites? When did we start buying clothes by the yard?