Brides Beware: BridalTips.com Warns Top 10 Wedding Scams Turn Happiness to Horror.BridalTips.com Announces "Top 10 Worst Bridal Scams" Just in Time for the December Peak Engagement Season FORT LAUDERDALE Fort Lauderdale (lô`dərdāl), residential, commercial, and resort city (1990 pop. 149,377), seat of Broward co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic coast; settled around a fort built (c.1837) in the Seminole War, inc. 1911. , Fla. -- Every weekend 44,000 weddings are held across the country at an average cost of $28,000 in the $50 billion bridal industry. But behind images of smiling brides and grooms is an industry fraught with unethical unethical said of conduct not conforming with professional ethics. practices and outright scams. "Overeager o·ver·ea·ger adj. Excessively eager; too ardent or impatient. o  ver·ea brides and grooms are so excited about their big day that they often overlook warning signs that they're getting scammed," says consumer watchdog consumer watchdog n → organización f protectora del consumidorconsumer watchdog n → organisme m pour la défense des consommateurs Jeff Ostroff, President & CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of ConsumerNet, Inc., which runs BridaltTips.com. Based on consumer feedback, some of the "Top 10 Worst Bridal Scams of 2006" according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. BridalTips.com, include: * Bridal shops that fraudulently pass off cheap gowns as designer gowns, or charge full price for used or damaged gowns * Photographers who ransom photos, demanding more money * Reserving a limousine that never arrives * Florists who provide less flowers than promised * Contracted musicians who never show * Jewelers that lie about diamond quality or switch diamonds during cleaning The full Top 10 Wedding Scams list and tips for avoiding them can be found at www.bridaltips.com. "You must treat your wedding services like any other business deal," says Ostroff. "That includes securing all verbal promises in writing." Some tips for avoiding scams include: * Don't buy a dress without a tag. It's a sign the shop may be selling cheap wedding gowns at inflated designer prices, violating the FTC's Textile Act. * Before dealing with a wedding vendor, review their records online on the Better Business Bureau and county court records. These will reveal if you're dealing with an ethical business. It's free and only takes minutes. * A diamond engagement ring is a significant emotional purchase. Before you dive in, make sure you understand the product by researching online or by reading diamond books. Ensure your research is visible in a folder as deterrent. * Insist on a diamond graded by the Gemological Institute of America The Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, is a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology. The GIA is also well known for its gem identification and grading services, and developed the famous "four Cs" (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat (GIA Noun 1. GIA - a terrorist organization of Islamic extremists whose violent activities began in 1992; aims to overthrow the secular Algerian regime and replace it with an Islamic state; "the GIA has embarked on a terrorist campaign of civilian massacres" ) and an invoice that details the 'Four Cs' of your diamond. It's your guarantee of quality and can be used in court. "With a little research, common sense, and insisting on written contracts from wedding vendors, consumers can avoid these scams and have the wedding they've always dreamed of," says Ostroff. About BridalTips.com BridalTips.com is a consumer advocate site which educates brides and grooms in all aspects of planning their wedding, with emphasis on strategies to avoid scams, making their planning easy and automated, and making sound financial decisions. About Jeff Ostroff Jeff started BridalTips.com in 1997 (and CarBuyingTips.com in 1998) after he and his fiance encountered and thwarted thwart tr.v. thwart·ed, thwart·ing, thwarts 1. To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of: They thwarted her plans. 2. numerous scams while planning their wedding. Jeff made it his life's mission to help other brides and grooms save the most money and protect themselves from bridal scams. Contact: Jeff Ostroff (954) 755-4094. |
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