Thread: custom orders via distributors

Nisima's post in custom hanan got me thinking.

it seems like pretty much every time i hear people order a custom bellydance costume via a distributor , such as Dahlal or whatnot, it feels like just about every time there are "issues" (wrong size, wrong costume design, taking forever...). Whereas it seems that pretty much everyone who orders directly from the designer is really happy with it all.

is this just an impression?

if not, why do you think it is that it just doesn't seem to work when ordering via a distributor? i'm not saying the distributors are incompetent or anything, but maybe the designers are less inclined to working with distributors than directly with the clients? why would that be?

if it's not just an impression, then why do people keep custom ordering via distributors? is it just that it 'feels 'safer''? or do people not want to be bothered by a potential language difficulty/barrier? or...?

thoughts?

I think it has more to do with who the designer is. For example, you can't directly order anything from Pharonics. You must order through their distributors. So, if you want a Pharonics costume and can't find one in your size in stock already, then you have no choice but to order through a distributor. Not all designers are like that, but it seems like several Egyptian designers are. I get the impression that more turkish designers will let you order directly from them.

For me, I haven't directly ordered from Bella or Sim because I don't want to deal with the language barrier and wire transfers. I'd rather just use my visa where I feel more comfortable that I can resolve any dispute between myself and the distributor. I guess it's just more comfortable dealing with an American distributor than ordering direct.

Originally Posted by Kathiya

Nisima's post in custom hanan Whereas it seems that pretty much everyone who orders directly from the designer is really happy with it all.

is this just an impression?

thoughts?

..l;,
..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;, I've definitely here issues directly with designers. Timliness, size, color, style...you name it.

I got my best fitting costume ever when I ordered a Pharaonics through Audrena. She had reserved time with Pharaonics for custom orders so it came in in the expected time - and since she measured me at Rakkassah, it fit like a dream.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I got my best fitting costume ever when I ordered a Pharaonics through Audrena. She had reserved time with Pharaonics for custom orders so it came in in the expected time - and since she measured me at Rakkassah, it fit like a dream.

I do think it has to do with the designers; I've purchased (from Dahlal) three Pharonics Great Loop bra/belt sets (not all at once!) and every time they arrived within four months, were perfect fit, color etc. Oriental Originals is another one that seems to be on top of it. Now I'm having a problem with waiting over a year for a Hanan from Dahlal, and a couple of years ago there was a long wait for an Eman Zake Assuit dress.

I did call a staff person at Dahlal and they are expecting a shipment from Hanan but haven't gotten the inventory list so don't know if my "Paramour" costume is in the shipment . Of course since Hanan is just now shipping, it will be at least two weeks before it arrives and then assuming it was made in correct size I might get it by the third week in March. Dahlal staff promised to call me when they have the costume. I did tell them that since this is the third time Hanan has had to redo the belt/skirt part of the costume that if it isn't done this time then I will expect a store credit for the full amount I paid for the Paramour. It would pay for a gold "Great Loop" and at least I know I'd get that costume without problems.

Again, I will keep you all posted. If I get the Hanan costume by end of March, it will have taken 14 months from my submitting my order! I mean, life does move on and that is just tooooo loooooong.,f::

wow, 14 months.... that is just toooooo long...!!!

Originally Posted by Nisima

I do think it has to do with the designers; I've purchased (from Dahlal) three Pharonics Great Loop bra/belt sets (not all at once!) and every time they arrived within four months, were perfect fit, color etc.

Totally and completely. All the designers have wonderful design skills...and various other strengths that may or may not focus on timeliness and organization.
I too have special ordered from Pharaonics through Dahlal and have always had good results.

Originally Posted by Kathiya

wow, 14 months.... that is just toooooo long...!!!

Sniffles, yes it is.........

Originally Posted by Nisima

I do think it has to do with the designers; I've purchased (from Dahlal) three Pharonics Great Loop bra/belt sets (not all at once!) and every time they arrived within four months, were perfect fit, color etc. Oriental Originals is another one that seems to be on top of it. Now I'm having a problem with waiting over a year for a Hanan from Dahlal, and a couple of years ago there was a long wait for an Eman Zake Assuit dress.

I did call a staff person at Dahlal and they are expecting a shipment from Hanan but haven't gotten the inventory list so don't know if my "Paramour" costume is in the shipment . Of course since Hanan is just now shipping, it will be at least two weeks before it arrives and then assuming it was made in correct size I might get it by the third week in March. Dahlal staff promised to call me when they have the costume. I did tell them that since this is the third time Hanan has had to redo the belt/skirt part of the costume that if it isn't done this time then I will expect a store credit for the full amount I paid for the Paramour. It would pay for a gold "Great Loop" and at least I know I'd get that costume without problems.

Again, I will keep you all posted. If I get the Hanan costume by end of March, it will have taken 14 months from my submitting my order! I mean, life does move on and that is just tooooo loooooong.,f::

i know several bhuzzers had issues with ordering hanan's through dahlal. but i also heard that if u order through her directly that u should get urs within a month

I ordered a Pharaonics from Dahlal, and it fits perfect! The belt is a bit loose, but I think I lost some weight since I ordered too, but it still fits...and the cup fits perfectly(the first time for that!) The right color too, I got it within the range I was expecting it. When and how good the costume fits...etc, has to do with the designers

i thought there was a website for pharaonics and u could order directly..or is that just stuff that's in stock?

Originally Posted by zfejzic

i thought there was a website for pharaonics and u could order directly..or is that just stuff that's in stock?

Pharonics does have a web site, but you can't order from it. What you can do is see what costumes/sizes they have in production and have your distributor order it for you.

Here's a link: http://www.pharaonixofegypt.com/Phar...gypt/index.php

Originally Posted by shahla

Pharonics does have a web site, but you can't order from it. What you can do is see what costumes/sizes they have in production and have your distributor order it for you.

Here's a link: http://www.pharaonixofegypt.com/Phar...gypt/index.php

ohh i see. i just got my first pharaonics yesterday and i LOVE it! red rings of desire ..g.:
too bad i can only afford the a really used ones on bhuz :-/ (which is where i got the red one)
i loooove the vintage one ezma had up for sale. i just can't afford it :(

Originally Posted by zfejzic

ohh i see. i just got my first pharaonics yesterday and i LOVE it! red rings of desire ..g.:
too bad i can only afford the a really used ones on bhuz :-/ (which is where i got the red one)
i loooove the vintage one ezma had up for sale. i just can't afford it :(

Yes, the swap meet is a great place to pick up really nice costumes that are affordable in comparison to new ones. I bet the red rings looks great on you. Doesn't Ezma have the best taste in costumes. I really love the yellow Abla she has for sale, but it's too big for me.

Originally Posted by shahla

Yes, the swap meet is a great place to pick up really nice costumes that are affordable in comparison to new ones. I bet the red rings looks great on you. Doesn't Ezma have the best taste in costumes. I really love the yellow Abla she has for sale, but it's too big for me.

yes ezma has great taste! i love my red one since it's so 'out there' in comparison to the nice springy pastel colors i have :)

lol you shameless thread hi-jackers! ^^
hey zana, i just pm'd ya :)

Originally Posted by Kathiya

lol you shameless thread hi-jackers! ^^
hey zana, i just pm'd ya :)

lol sorry. back to topic!
**pmd ya back**

Oops, sorry Kathiya.

lol gals, was just teasing ya both ^^

but i do want an answer to the original question :D

i really don't know y it would take so much longer to order a hanan through dahlal as opposed to through hanan directly. and it's cheaper when u go through her instead! (i knew this after i had ordered my set from dahlal but it probably wouldn't have ended up cheaper in my instance since i had used the january coupon code from dahlal).

by the way, i just contacted dahlal to possibly get an update on my costume and they were very quick in responding and told me if i needed it by a certain date to let them know to "let the designer know". let's hope i don't have any fiasco with this custom order like i did with my flamenco shoes (a whollllle other topic there)