Last updated:May 6, 2009 at 01:31 AM

      In what is a patently illegal practice, many shops mark their gowns over suggested retail and then offer you a 'discount.' Gee, thanks! For example, we visited one shop that was offering a 10% discount off all special-order gowns. One gown we saw had a price tag of $1100 - we later learned the suggested retail for the gown was just $1000. Their big 10% discount knocked $110 off the gown, bringing the gown down to $990. The real discount was just $10 off the real retail price - a puny 1%." (Bridal Bargains)
      Below is an example breakdown of price differences.