Chitchat 'The Aisle Bridal' Suddenly Run Road! 26 Sinkie Couples Lost Deposits! Wedding Company So Unprofitable?

Hypocrite-The · Jan 31, 2019

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IDEAS & ADVICE

WEDDING VENDOR SUDDENLY WINDS UP? HERE'S WHAT CASE SAYS YOU SHOULD DO

The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has issued an alert on wedding services company For You Wedding Services, which closed abruptly and became uncontactable.

01 AUG 2018 BY REI KUROHI AND JAN LEE FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Consumers have complained that For You Wedding Services abruptly cancelled their wedding package contracts and became uncontactable. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER
SINGAPORE - The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) issued an alert on Tuesday (July 31), stating that it received six complaints about the closure of For You Wedding Services between July 22 and July 30.
Consumers have complained that the company abruptly cancelled their wedding package contracts and became uncontactable. These consumers said they had paid monthly instalments amounting to about $108,000 in total.
Various netizens have come forward to complain about the company on social media. In November last year, WordPress user Erli Elfira wrote a blog post complaining about difficulties in dealing with For You.
She wrote that she and her husband filed a police report and sought help from Case and was hoping to find other complainants.
She wrote a lengthy blog post dated Feb 1, 2018, detailing her bad experience with For You. She had engaged the company after her sister-in-law, who supplies wedding cakes to the firm, recommended it.
However, the firm did not meet her expectations. Ms Erli posted screenshots of WhatsApp conversations with For You, where staff seemed slow to reply to the couple's requests for updates and meetings for discussions.
The couple were planning to have their wedding in August last year at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. For You promised to book the venue with better rates but Ms Erli found out about two months before the wedding that the venue had not been booked. (See these 7 signs your bridal vendor may close down)
She subsequently terminated For You's services and asked for a refund, but requests to do so were ignored. The couple eventually managed to recover some $1,500 but lost more than $2,000.
Facebook user Firdaus Jan wrote on July 23 that he had paid about $14,000 for his wedding, which was to take place in less than a month, before the company closed down and became uncontactable.

Addressing the post to Idham Salehuddien, who runs For You Wedding Services, he wrote: "I have worked so hard to save up for my wedding. It took me years to save up, but you happily took my $14k and run. You have given me and my family a hard time, because of your heartless actions."
See also: 3 WAYS TO ENSURE YOU GET THE BEST FROM YOUR WEDDING PACKAGES
On Mr Idham's personal Facebook page, where he is listed as the owner of the wedding service firm, there are comments beneath posts about wedding services calling him names.
Affected consumers with unresolved disputes against the company can contact Case for assistance at its website www.case.org.sg, or on its hotline 6100-0315.
Case encouraged consumers to purchase wedding insurance that covers business insolvency to ensure that their prepayments are protected in the event that a wedding agency closes down abruptly.
Consumers should also do their own research on a company's reputation before engaging them, seek to minimise their deposit payment as much as possible, and never make full payment upfront to the company, Case advised in a Facebook post.
See also: BLURRY OR UNDELIVERED PHOTOS! HOW TO AVOID A WEDDING ALBUM DISAPPOINTMENT
This story was originally published on The Straits Times.
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Hypocrite-The · Jan 31, 2019

laksaboy said:
I recommend McDonalds for wedding parties, their packages are cheap.

Unlike those fly-by-night bridal studios who're only hell bent on ripping you off then vanishing, McDonalds is reliable and won't run away.

McDonald's Wedding Party | © McDonald's
Hong Kong / GUIDES & TIPS

Why McDonald’s Weddings Are a Hit in Hong Kong

Matthew Keegan

Updated: 3 May 2018

Fancy ordering a wedding celebration with a side of fries? Well, now you can. That’s right, Hong Kong is the only city in the world where you can host an official McDonald’s wedding party.

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Of all the weird and wonderful things you can do in Hong Kong, hosting your wedding reception at McDonald’s probably takes the crown. Due to customer demand, the fast food chain launched its wedding party service in Hong Kong in 2011 and it’s been all the rage ever since.
Couples can choose from a total of four different wedding packages, ranging in price from HK$2,999 (US$380) for the ‘Happiness Party’ to HK$9,999 (US$1,275) for the ‘Love Forever Party’. The most expensive package includes venue rental for two hours, a pair of McDonald’s balloon wedding rings, character gifts for 50 guests, 50 pieces of invitation cards and thank you cards, a party MC, and even a McDonald’s apple pie wedding cake display.

The happy couple pose on their big day wearing McDonald’s balloon wedding rings |© McDonald’s
Since launching in 2011, the wedding program has expanded from three restaurants to over 15 and continues to grow in popularity. Jessica Lee, a spokesperson for McDonald’s, told CNBC: ‘We started the program because many customers tell us that McDonald’s is where they first started dating…McDonald’s is where their love stories grew.’
Lee added. ‘This connection is exactly why they want to hold their wedding parties and even anniversary parties at McDonald’s — to relive sweet beginnings and bring their romantic story full circle.’
So there you have it, proof that love can blossom in the most unexpected places – even in McDonald’s.
Currently, the wedding party service is something unique to McDonald’s Hong Kong. So if you fancy celebrating your big day ‘Big Mac’ style, a trip to Hong Kong it will have to be.

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Hypocrite-The · Jan 31, 2019

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More than S$55,000 lost in prepayments after The Aisle Bridal Boutique closed suddenly: CASE

SingaporeMore than S$55,000 lost in prepayments after The Aisle Bridal Boutique closed suddenly: CASE
image: data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==
The Aisle Bridal has suddenly closed, leaving 26 customers with prepayments in the lurch. (Photo: Instagram/The Aisle Bridal)
31 Jan 2019 01:31PM(Updated: 31 Jan 2019 01:40PM)
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SINGAPORE: A bridal agency has closed suddenly, causing affected customers to lose more than S$55,000 in prepayments, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said on Thursday (Jan 31).
Since Nov 7 last year, CASE has received 26 complaints from customers that the owners and representatives of The Aisle Bridal Boutique and The Aisle Bridal Studio have become uncontactable.

At least S$56,770 in prepayments have been lost by the affected customers from the sudden closure, the watchdog confirmed.

Both companies are still live on Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's (ACRA) registry.
CASE added that a new company has taken over The Aisle Bridal's premises at 59 McNair Road.
READ: Read the fine print, says CASE, after online shoppers auto-enrolled in membership scheme

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Affected customers have been told to pay additional fees ranging from S$900 to S$2,250 should they wish to proceed with the original wedding packages they had signed up for, according to CASE.
Another bridal agency, Lovette, has registered 59 McNair Road - The Aisle Bridal Boutique's previous address - as its own address on its website.
Channel NewsAsia has contacted Lovette for comment.
On Aug 14 last year, The Aisle Bridal announced on its Facebook page it was "going through a change of management".
"Please rest assured that we will definitely honour the deals you had with The Aisle Bridal," it said.
"As we are in the midst of the transition period, there is bound to a little uneasy (sic) in your heart."

Another post on Sep 5 advertised "great deals coming up for 2019/2020 couples". Subsequent posts invited potential customers to a month-long open house.
"Celebrating our change of management by introducing our 2018 packages to all upcoming wedding couples (before they sell out)!" one such post said.
The last post was on Sep 25, before the page went silent.
READ: CASE issues advisory on Danish retailer LuxStyle over purchases customers did not agree to
Affected customers may file a claim at the Small Claims Tribunals while The Aisle Bridal is still live on ACRA, CASE confirmed. They can also approach the watchdog for assistance on 6100 0315.
"We would like to encourage consumers to consider purchasing insurance that covers business insolvency when they take up bridal packages," CASE added.
"This will ensure that their prepayments are protected if the bridal agency closes down abruptly. Consumers should also do their own research on whether the bridal agency has a good track record of delivering their services promptly and effectively."
Source: CNA/jt(mi)
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Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

Case issues alert against The Aisle Bridal after it suddenly closed
The Aisle Bridal services included pre-wedding photography and videography.
PHOTO: Lianhe Wanbao
THE NEW PAPER

Feb 01, 2019
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An alert has been issued against The Aisle Bridal after 26 complaints were lodged against it over sudden closure.
The complaints, made between Nov 7 and yesterday, were made by brides- and grooms-to-be, who have lost at least $56,770 in prepayments to The Aisle Bridal Boutique and The Aisle Bridal Studio, said the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said yesterday.

The previous owners and representatives had suddenly become uncontactable, consumers claimed.

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They were later told a new company had taken over the premises and had to pay an additional sum of between $900 and $2,250 to proceed with the original wedding packages they had signed up for.

The registered office address of The Aisle Bridal is in Townerville at 59 McNair Road. Its services included wedding packages, pre-wedding photography and videography and "Korean concept" photo shoots.
In its statement, Case said affected consumers may file a claim at the Small Claims Tribunals and that the business is still live on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's register.
Case also encouraged consumers to consider buying insurance that covers business insolvency when they take up bridal packages.
This will ensure that their prepayments are protected if the bridal agency closes down abruptly, it said.
Consumers should also research if the bridal agency has a good track record of delivering its services promptly and effectively.
The public can visit Case's website (www.case.org.sg) for more tips on what to look out for when engaging a bridal agency.
Those who need further help may call Case on 6100-0315.
This article was first published in The New Paper. Permission required for reproduction.

sweetiepie · Feb 1, 2019

Hypocrite-The said:
The price is not always right

Wedding insurance

KNN smlj advice is this KNN asking you to look for higher price to get con KNN and asking you to pay more money to take another risk of insurance company running road KNN

Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

With regards to all this con job crap,,I realise singkies are not that smart etc.. or rather have a hack care attitude. For wedding there is 3 main things. Photo Shoot, the ceremony and banquet. Why cant these couples just book all 3 seperately? Photo shoot,,,just get the photo company to do it. For ceremony, hire yr own photographer etc. THis one use kawan also can,,or some film maker undergrad. Than banquet book directly with the restaurants.....the one common trend in this matter is the 'agent' that arrange all this,,,one stop shop stuff are the ones that bankrupt sooner...and please note, commercial fraud,,take deposit and run is perfectly legitimate because it is not a criminal case. The owners etc are not personally liable,,,and they will say see u in court,,because the legal route is too expensive so these fraudsters know they can get away with it.

laksaboy · Feb 1, 2019

Hypocrite-The said:
With regards to all this con job crap,,I realise singkies are not that smart etc.. or rather have a hack care attitude. For wedding there is 3 main things. Photo Shoot, the ceremony and banquet. Why cant these couples just book all 3 seperately? Photo shoot,,,just get the photo company to do it. For ceremony, hire yr own photographer etc. THis one use kawan also can,,or some film maker undergrad. Than banquet book directly with the restaurants.....the one common trend in this matter is the 'agent' that arrange all this,,,one stop shop stuff are the ones that bankrupt sooner...and please note, commercial fraud,,take deposit and run is perfectly legitimate because it is not a criminal case. The owners etc are not personally liable,,,and they will say see u in court,,because the legal route is too expensive so these fraudsters know they can get away with it.

Sinkies are too trusting, lack discernment, easily swayed by hype.

Some of them also believe the more you spend on a wedding/funeral, the greater your love/filial piety. The sales people exploit this emotion effectively.

Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

sweetiepie said:
KNN smlj advice is this KNN asking you to look for higher price to get con KNN and asking you to pay more money to take another risk of insurance company running road KNN

If wedding insurance is required, it just shows how little protection the consumers have. And the stupidity of singkies with regards to this is mind boggling. A proper country with a well regulated commercial market will have protections for consumers because the free market is designed around consumers. But it it too hard for pap to do anything because to enforce regulation is too hard. So in turn,,,if consumer protection is weak and cheating is easier, most businesses will do it. As a result, consumers will spend less because of lack of confidence. Than good companies etc will also find it hard to survive due to better cash in banks than wasting it, All this have knock on effects. That is why a well regulated economy and fraud prevention etc is important. If not spend for what?

Scrooball (clone) · Feb 1, 2019

Wedding insurance? How about getting the useless CASE to behave like a real consumer protection agency?!

Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

laksaboy said:
Sinkies are too trusting, lack discernment, easily swayed by hype.

Some of them also believe the more you spend on a wedding/funeral, the greater your love/filial piety. The sales people exploit this emotion effectively.

I have seen some green shoots,,alot in my family have gone the budget hack care what others think route. Some have just a funeral for 1 day,,u turn up or not up to u,,,,and for wedding they kept it simple,,,all DIY,,,book restaurant themselves, and the ceremony all chip in to help,,,none of all this song and dance and show off crap,,,its the marriage that is the priority not the wedding

sweetiepie · Feb 1, 2019

Hypocrite-The said:
If wedding insurance is required, it just shows how little protection the consumers have. And the stupidity of singkies with regards to this is mind boggling. A proper country with a well regulated commercial market will have protections for consumers because the free market is designed around consumers. But it it too hard for pap to do anything because to enforce regulation is too hard. So in turn,,,if consumer protection is weak and cheating is easier, most businesses will do it. As a result, consumers will spend less because of lack of confidence. Than good companies etc will also find it hard to survive due to better cash in banks than wasting it, All this have knock on effects. That is why a well regulated economy and fraud prevention etc is important. If not spend for what?

KNN if need insurance as a consumer then KNN liao smlj also can have insurance KNN who allowed this nonsense wedding insurance company to operate KNN

mojito · Feb 1, 2019

Scrooball (clone) said:
Wedding insurance? How about getting the useless CASE to behave like a real consumer protection agency?!

What? You expect the hardworking folks at CASE to work for free? :FU:

Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

mojito said:
What? You expect the hardworking folks at CASE to work for free?

It should be a properly funded agency and have powers to investigate and persecute,,not a bloody legal advisory group and a dumping ground for scholars to get cushy jobs..

Scrooball (clone) · Feb 1, 2019

mojito said:
What? You expect the hardworking folks at CASE to work for free?

To add insult to injury, u need to pay these clowns membership fees and admin fees before they will even TRY to help u. No guarantee of success.

Case Submission (This website uses pop-up. Please enable pop-up before proceeding)

All applications must be accompanied by relevant documents such as receipts, agreements, credit card slips, letters, etc.

Please complete the form below on details of your complaint and submit to us. After the officer assessed your case, if you need us to handle it, you will need to join us as a member, as we are an Association.

Membership Fees

No.Type of MembershipAmount (GST inclusive)
1.Life$428
2.Family$32.10 per annum
3.Ordinary/Single$26.75 per annum

Administration Charges

If a case is taken up by a CASE Officer an administration fee is charged according to the claims as follows.

No.Range of ClaimsAdmin Fees (GST inclusive)
1.Below $5,000$10.70
2.$5,000 to $10,000$21.40
3.$10,001 to $20,000$53.50
4.Above $20,000
[Every $10,000 or part thereof ]$53.50

Hypocrite-The · Feb 1, 2019

Scrooball (clone) said:
To add insult to injury, u need to pay these clowns membership fees and admin fees before they will even TRY to help u. No guarantee of success.

Case Submission (This website uses pop-up. Please enable pop-up before proceeding)

All applications must be accompanied by relevant documents such as receipts, agreements, credit card slips, letters, etc.

Please complete the form below on details of your complaint and submit to us. After the officer assessed your case, if you need us to handle it, you will need to join us as a member, as we are an Association.

Membership Fees

No.Type of MembershipAmount (GST inclusive)
1.Life$428
2.Family$32.10 per annum
3.Ordinary/Single$26.75 per annum

Administration Charges

If a case is taken up by a CASE Officer an administration fee is charged according to the claims as follows.

No.Range of ClaimsAdmin Fees (GST inclusive)
1.Below $5,000$10.70
2.$5,000 to $10,000$21.40
3.$10,001 to $20,000$53.50
4.Above $20,000
[Every $10,000 or part thereof ]$53.50

So to the PAP,,,commercial fraud has already been outsourced....than have pap do what ?

meepokboy · Feb 1, 2019

Any use to write to PAP MP? Or this kind of cases they will tai chi away because such assistance rendered are considered pro bono

rushifa666 · Feb 2, 2019

What? Chjnks can stop showing off?

rushifa666 · Feb 2, 2019

Btw i love it how people have already been scammed but shittines still refuse to publish who is the boss

bobby · Feb 3, 2019

To those couples who have paid and lost their deposits with Aisle Bridal...take this as a sign that your marriage is fucked.

Hypocrite-The · Dec 22, 2019

Commentary: Bridal studios and deposits – beware of putting too much down for your big day
Beautiful Love Wedding studio closed last week, prompting questions over the potentially predatory nature of the bridal industry. Priyanka Elhence dishes out some perspective on the matter.
File photo of the interior of a bridal shop.Bookmark
SINGAPORE: The sudden and unexpected shuttering of bridal studio Beautiful Love Wedding this month left many couples in the lurch.
Customers who had already paid deposits for packages with the studio weren’t able to contact anyone from the company after it closed down, despite company officials stating they were proactively reaching out to the affected clients.
As of last week, 34 complaints have been lodged with with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) about the studio’s closure.
What makes the bridal industry and its customers so vulnerable to such risks?
SUDDEN CLOSURES THE NORM
It’s not the first time we’ve heard of a reputed bridal studio going belly up.
READ: Commentary: Getting married at year’s end is a Battle Royale
Last year, two studios, For You Wedding Services and The Aisle Bridal Boutique, closed shop. It was estimated that customers lost at least S$164,000 in payments then, compared to the S$103,000 forked out in prepayments by customers in the Beautiful Love Wedding saga.
In 2018, CASE fielded 138 complaints about bridal service providers such as photographers, studios and co-ordinators, up from 102 in 2017. Prior to that, the shutting down of wedding studio Sophia Wedding Collection in 2015 led to CASE receiving 339 complaints from upset customers.
The bridal industry seems plagued with high operational costs and subsequently needing to charge exorbitant prices.
File photo of the exterior of Beautiful Love Wedding, with rent notices pasted on the glass. (PHOTO: Ang Hwee Min)
While the news might lead some critics to conclude some shady bridal companies are operating just to make a quick buck by charging exorbitant prices for their packages, and buyers should beware before depositing thousands of dollars, the better and more famous bridal boutiques have been in the business for decades.
These boutiques have built their reputations on hard work, persistence and honesty, going by what their customers say.
Since time immemorial, couples want the moon at the lowest possible price. But bridal companies face high start-up costs, including rental, ensuring a stock of exquisite gowns and enlisting photographers on retainers, so keeping business afloat can be challenging.
READ: Commentary: Sasa shutters in Singapore – the writing was on the wall
Are there no checks and balances authorities can put in place to protect unwitting couples? Why don’t authorities certify the better ones?
That sounds like but isn’t a viable solution. Beautiful Love Wedding itself was accredited by Case Trust. Fate was out of authorities’ hands, as the studio cited increasing business costs behind their closure.
But they certainly could have handled things better and forewarned their customers.
THE DISRUPTED WEDDING INDUSTRY
Long gone is the era when newlyweds accept the one-size-fits-all fixed price formula for their special day.
The advent of social media has disintermediated the wedding industry by enabling consumers to find individual vendors for gowns, photography, and so on through online word-of-mouth.
The Facebook page, SG Budget Brides, for instance, is a platform for almost 4,000 brides who share information, pictures, company reviews and more, allowing soon-to-be-married couples to discover more reputable bridal studios or avoid shady vendors with a poor track record.
(Photo: Unsplash/Wu Jianxiong)
Apps like Bride Story throw up a litany of choices on venues, wedding planners, photography and pretty much anything you need for your big day – with price lists, reviews and contact details available on demand.
These platforms have given couples more choice and customisation. Some even have a chatbot to help with troubleshooting.
Couples can now harness the power of the Internet to find options that suit their needs no matter what their price is – from buying second-hand wedding dresses off Carousell, or hiring wedding planners who count celebrities and socialites among their clientele.
READ: These are the wedding planners behind the biggest nuptials in Singapore
As the wedding industry undergoes disruption amid heightened competition, bridal companies have to constantly remodel their regular packages to better match the desires of potential customers.
For instance, wedding boutique La Belle Couture has practically halved the price of its packages (which include gown and suit rentals, make-up, bouquets and photography) to strike a delicate balance business and customer preferences.
Average package prices at La Belle Couture now hover around the S$4,000 mark, a far cry from its usual range that can go up to S$8,000. The boutique’s high fixed costs include a big inventory with stock of up to 600 gowns and 300 suits at a time.
READ: Commentary: The death of the department store and a dwindling middle class
Furthermore, La Belle Couture has had to tweak its mix-and-match packages, letting customers buy credit that can be spent on wedding-related items such as corsages or hairstyling and make-up trials. Ironically, the studio used to have an expensive à la carte pricing menu with the sole purpose of encouraging clients to take a package.
The ubiquity of Internet reviews has also forced bridal businesses into being transparent with their pricing and services. As a result, customers are no longer willing to accept artificially differentiated packages that do not suit their needs.
A couple getting married. (Photo: Pixabay/ericaa1215)
In this time of restructuring for the industry, is it any wonder some shops are closing down?
EVOLVING WITH CURRENT TRENDS
Surviving on just gowns and photography may not be a winning formula anymore for bridal studios.
If the past slew of shutdowns teaches us anything, it’s that there is an urgent need to evolve with current trends.
1. ONE-STOP BRIDAL SHOPS
While some couples still prefer to have a convenient, all-in-one package, more prefer going directly to different vendors to have more control over their big day.
To capitalise on this preference, some studios have aimed to become a one-stop shop for all wedding services. These studios work with different vendors to deliver their customers’ varying requests.
READ: Commentary: The wild world of pre-wedding photoshoots
Truly Enamoured has earned itself an enviable reputation of being an affordable one-stop bridal studio.
Though their strongest draw is the designer dresses they bring in fresh from the walkways of New York and Milan, from gorgeous Inbal Dror and Berta gowns to glamourous Cinobi cheongsams, they also offer packages with popular photographers like Android in Boots, renowned wedding make-up artiste firm The Makeup Room and suits for the groom by INVENTORY – starting at S$5,800.
2. MODULAR PACKAGES
A common misconception about bridal studios is that they tend to only offer rigid template packages, peppered with lots of hidden costs.
(Photo: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)
However, contrary to that belief, most bridal shops are able to customise the package accordingly to cater to an increasing number of brides who might have strong preferences for a particular photographer or florist, or prefer to DIY some parts of the wedding.
At most bridal studios, like The Louvre Bridal, clients can mix and match from a wide range of wedding services to customise their ideal package, with everything in black-and-white so that there are no unexpected costs later.
3. COLLABORATION FOR LONGEVITY
Couples who do opt for all-inclusive packages want them convenient and affordable. This has led to collaboration among service providers in the industry. For instance, hotels offer tie-ups with boutiques, photographers and even jewellers.
Established wedding companies have also branched out into other wedding services, leveraging their own reputation and expertise.

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