Thread: Eman Backordered Through Dahlal...Grrrrr!!!

Anybody know what's going on with this?

I ordered an Eman in early February through Dahlal. Checked in for a status report the other day and was informed that Eman has been taking beyond the full 16 weeks (which is already the high end of the lead time) to produce custom orders. Ideally, I'll need this costume for a photoshoot I want to book in June....really not wanting to postpone this shoot if at all possible

Anybody else still waiting on an Eman from Dahlal? Anybody have a little more insight as to how much of a delay I can expect? I didn't get a response back from Dahlal when I grilled them for a more specific time frame, which is making me nervous....

Shaunte (or other Eman vendors), would you care to shed some light on the how's, when's and why's of Eman's production delays?

I just figure 6 months for any costume from anybody. I have an oriental originals I ordered from dahlal in january that hasn't come in yet.

Not to scare, I placed an order directly with Eman the way I had always placed an order with her, oh I'd say, about 2 years ago. I haven't heard from her at all. This was when I was still a vendor of her stuff, too.
I'm sorry to hear that you're still waiting. :0(

That is scary. I placed an order with Shante of Cairo Couture in Oct or Nov. of '07 and I'm still waiting.

Holy crap. I really had no idea this was such an issue.

Honestly, had I known I'd potentially have to wait up to 2 years (!!!) for a friggin' minimalistic simple costume that realistically can't take more than 6 weeks to produce, I would not have ordered it in the first place.

Or, I would have been much cooler with the potentially long lead time, had Dahlal been up front about the lag in Eman's production schedule. I think the least they can do is put a disclaimer on their website, or shoot buyers a warning e-mail. It's highly misleading to say a costume will take 3-4 months when it sounds like the reality of the situation is that it's been taking longer for quite some time. I also don't like the fact that customer service is not directly answering my question when I ask to what extent the costume is backordered.

I just e-mailed Serife over at Legend about a far more elaborately designed costume, with tons of cutouts and intricate beadwork, and she gave me an estimate of 3 weeks, including shipping from Istanbul. How can a bunch of lycra with fewer details take so much longer???

I guess it's time to start exploring my other options for photoshoot attire. It can never, ever be easy ,m::

I have had terrible experiences trying to custom order Egyptian costumes. If Bella can deliver my costume to my door in 6 weeks then I can't possibly understand why these other designers can't. They can't possibly be any more swamped than Bella is. Getting the run around also pissed me off. Now I will only order an Egyptian costume that is already in stock. However, I rarely buy them anymore. Bella's fit me soooo much better and are way more comfortable.

I know it is extremely frustrating and it is even more frustrating from the Vendors end. I can't speak for Dahlal but I do have a disclaimer on my FAQ's re custom ordering processing that does state that although our average is 1-3 1/2 months it is not guaranteed and can take longer due to factors completely outside of our (vendors control) and any updates are based on communication directly from the designer (Eman) in my case.

Eman just left me a voicemail stating that she's been traveling so I know that has contributed to the delay but believe me I understand how frustrating it is. This is the longest I have ever had to wait for my clients custom orders to come in. My previous set of custom orders took 3 weeks.......

I waited a little over 10 months to receive an Eman through Dahlal; I had placed that order I think about two years ago. And then the dress had to be sent back for some corrections, so all in all it was about 13 months after I ordered the costume that I could finally wear it. I do love it and would probably place an order again, but with the knowledge that the costume would just come someday, not by any specific date.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

...I also don't like the fact that customer service is not directly answering my question when I ask to what extent the costume is backordered.

Generally speaking the vendor simply doesn't know.
Egyptians want to please and will say "yes". So if a vendor asks "is it ready?" the answer will be "yes" if it is ready or close to being ready and "almost" if it isn't- even if they're staring at the uncut fabric on the bolt (haven't even started!).
If the vendor asks "has it been shipped"? The answer will be "yes" if it has been (or possibly if it is likely to be fairly soon). The answer will be "tomorrow" or "next week" or something vague if they aren't ready to ship yet.
It's a cultural thing based on different outlook on time and wanting to please. They simply don't look at it the same as we do.
In the mean time they're getting orders in from people who are physically right in front of them. Those will put off the orders that were placed from far away.
Until the vendors have a tracking number, there is no way for them to be absolutely sure it was sent.

You're absolutely right Samira! Had this been a western supplier/designer I was dealing with my expectations and demands would be totally different.

This is typical. It took 6 months for my fairly standard Great Loop to be delivered. I've only had better luck when Audrena assured me that she had bought up Amira El Khattan's time for 30 costumes and could put me into that reservation. Then it took only three months. I know I've heard the Emans take any longer.

At this point, my policy is to buy costumes at festivals and workshops, or from friends, especially if they fit. I'm done with custom orders.

Last time I custom ordered a costume (a Hannan, not an Eman) it took 11 months. I had lost 25 pounds in the meantime. Tim at Dahlal was an angel about it -- especially since they had never even processed my deposit, since they'd NEVER actually received a batch of custom orders from Hannan before. They were as surprised as I was when the dress actually arrived. Fortunately they found another buyer.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Last time I custom ordered a costume (a Hannan, not an Eman) it took 11 months. I had lost 25 pounds in the meantime. Tim at Dahlal was an angel about it -- especially since they had never even processed my deposit, since they'd NEVER actually received a batch of custom orders from Hannan before. They were as surprised as I was when the dress actually arrived. Fortunately they found another buyer.

Hmm I was about to order one of the Hanan bedlah's from Dahlal. Has me a little worried! On the same note, what about the Sultan's Secrets on Dahlal? Do they take a while as well. Darn. And I wanted to get a great loop too, its a shame it takes so long....

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Hmm I was about to order one of the Hanan bedlah's from Dahlal. Has me a little worried! On the same note, what about the Sultan's Secrets on Dahlal? Do they take a while as well. Darn. And I wanted to get a great loop too, its a shame it takes so long....

Hopefully I won't be the bearer of any bad news, my Jasmanian Devil, but don't count on EVER getting a Hannan bedlah through Dahlal if they don't offer your size in stock. They only stock one of each Hannan, in whatever size is listed. (It's always the same size, too, so if you're more or less than like 34C with a 36" belt, you pretty much can't ever get a Hannan through Dahlal). It's something about Hannan herself not replicating her designs. You'd probably have better luck contacting Hannan directly, which was addressed in a previous thread.

After reading the responses on this thread, I'd really rather NOT use Dahlal anymore. Custom-ordering is a fact of life for me, as no vendors seem to stock true petite sizes, but I'll stick to Bella and Legend moving forward, and hope more petite Emans land on the Swap page. It sounds like it's not uncommon for custom orders through Dahlal to take longer than 6 months, yet the lead time listed on the website is 12-16 weeks. I bet if they were up front about the possibility of an 11-month wait, nobody would want to custom order from them, anymore

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Hopefully I won't be the bearer of any bad news, my Jasmanian Devil, but don't count on EVER getting a Hannan bedlah through Dahlal if they don't offer your size in stock. They only stock one of each Hannan, in whatever size is listed. (It's always the same size, too, so if you're more or less than like 34C with a 36" belt, you pretty much can't ever get a Hannan through Dahlal). It's something about Hannan herself not replicating her designs. You'd probably have better luck contacting Hannan directly, which was addressed in a previous thread.

After reading the responses on this thread, I'd really rather NOT use Dahlal anymore. Custom-ordering is a fact of life for me, as no vendors seem to stock true petite sizes, but I'll stick to Bella and Legend moving forward, and hope more petite Emans land on the Swap page. It sounds like it's not uncommon for custom orders through Dahlal to take longer than 6 months, yet the lead time listed on the website is 12-16 weeks. I bet if they were up front about the possibility of an 11-month wait, nobody would want to custom order from them, anymore

Well DAMN! That stinks. I pretty much have to custom order too. I would be better sending Bella a copy of a Hanan I like, that's what it sounds like. Grrr indeed.I'm not sure I should even bother with the great loop! tee hee-Jasmanian Devil...

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Well DAMN! That stinks. I pretty much have to custom order too. I would be better sending Bella a copy of a Hanan I like, that's what it sounds like. Grrr indeed.I'm not sure I should even bother with the great loop! tee hee-Jasmanian Devil...

Well....don't give up hope just yet. Have you tried the Bellydance Store? They carry Hannans in a much more accomodating variety of sizes, so you may actually find something that fits and looks great! It might not be the exact same color or cut, but very similar.

You may have more luck with the Great Loop, actually. I inquired about a Liquid Skirt set not long ago and was told that the lead time is somewhere near 16 weeks for Pharaonics. Still a long-ass friggin' time to wait for a fairly standard looking bedlah (nevertheless "fairly standard" that I've been drooling over for 3 years!).

Dude, if you like Bellas or Sims, you really should look into getting a Legend. They only take 3-4 weeks, INCLUDING transit time from Instanbul. Can't beat that with a stick!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Well....don't give up hope just yet. Have you tried the Bellydance Store? They carry Hannans in a much more accomodating variety of sizes, so you may actually find something that fits and looks great! It might not be the exact same color or cut, but very similar.

You may have more luck with the Great Loop, actually. I inquired about a Liquid Skirt set not long ago and was told that the lead time is somewhere near 16 weeks for Pharaonics. Still a long-ass friggin' time to wait for a fairly standard looking bedlah (nevertheless "fairly standard" that I've been drooling over for 3 years!).

Dude, if you like Bellas or Sims, you really should look into getting a Legend. They only take 3-4 weeks, INCLUDING transit time from Instanbul. Can't beat that with a stick!

Will do, thanks!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

It's something about Hannan herself not replicating her designs.

i've seen plenty of (almost) identical hannans, so i dont think this would be a problem? she does troupe orders of all the sames too if you ask.

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

i've seen plenty of (almost) identical hannans, so i dont think this would be a problem? she does troupe orders of all the sames too if you ask.

A-ha! That's interesting.

I inquired about getting a custom ordered version of this Hannan I saw on Dahlal not long ago and that's the story I was told. If this is true (can somebody confirm?) I'm thinking Hannan probably just toggles with the sequin color or a trim detail or something picky and unnoticeable. So it's technically one-of-a-kind, but virtually identical to an untrained eye.

Now I'm curious....I was drooling hardcore over that Rebellious Ruffles costume that was on there a few months ago!

It's worth noting that it's not *entirely* Dahlal's fault--what she gets in terms of size, how long the orders take. First, as Samira noted, there's the whole Egyptian mode communication thing. Somehow Dahlal seems to have a more trouble than some...but then again, I've heard from other vendors about times they've had to chase down/talk to designers/costumers, so maybe in part you hear more about Dahlal's "failings" because of volume?Maybe in terms of customer orders, she does more volume with more different designers, and less time/personal contact with each of them, plus she's not Arab herself, etc?

Then there's the sizes thing. Dahlal makes, what, 2 buying trips a year? And she doesn't bring all the costumes back with her--many get shipped to her throughout the year. So, she doesn't exactly get to pick all the sizes--she gets what they send. She can ask for an assortment of sizes, but ultimately, what they make and sendis what she gets. And...though there are petite gals out there wanting little costumes (believe me, I know--until Eman came on the scene, I had a heck of a time finding anything even within the alterable range!!!), there are MORE ladies clamoring for more average sizes...plus gals who want bigger/taller costumes. Just try finding a costume for a 48" hip among what these vendors have. I've watched a beautiful someone near and dear to me search for a bedla, and vendors always giddily try to sell her on whatever *one* costume they happen to have that will fit around her hips and boobs...regardless of how unflattering the color or awkward the cut on her body--as though they think, at that size, any costume that gets on is good enough. >:-[ Talk about insulting....

As a petite woman...it's not *impossible* to buy off the rack, but it helps to:
* Get a really, really good seamstress, and budget for alterations. Be sure seamstress is someone who "gets it" will give you HONEST feedback about what she can and cannot fix.
* Develop a good eye yourself for what can and cannot be altered in a costume. (I have a whole list of what is and is not easy to fix...)
* Learn to let go--if you love it, but it can't be fixed, don't try to alter it--it'll sell for more if you don't ruin it/leave it the "right" size.
* Whenever possible...try on costumes before you buy them. This is a good way to get the sense for whether the alterations you're considering will work well or distort the proportion of the costume.
* Learn which designers tend to make more petite or petite-able costumes (for example Eman, Hanan, Bella are among these, though sometimes you have to be a little careful with Eman's bra cups if you are very small busted--be sure not to get to large a cup size because it won't pad well. Bellas you can pad to the high heavens...Pharonics are not as good for the petite of rib cage because her bra cups are wide set.)