Thread: Feeling VERY uncomfortable about my BELLA order can anyone help?

At the beginning of September I emailed Bella and wanted to place a custom order. I've ordered costumes from her before. First off, I described what I would like her to make and sent her 2 pictures as examples. I asked for a quote and she quoted 550.00 I figured she maybe quoting in Euro which would be around $650 US dollars. In any case I told her "yes" go ahead with the order. She emailed me back and confirmed they would begin work right away. I asked her if she need my measurements again??? She never answered. I guess she must have them still from the last order? Has anyone expirienced this. She doesn't ask for measurements as a general policy....what if I had gained or lost weight???? (I haven't)
Last Thursday I got an email from Bella saying my costume is ready!!! I'm thinking WOW that was sooooo fast ...like 4 weeks. Then she quoted $550 this time in US dollars. Now I'm really scratching my head... there isn't a costume on her website pre-made that cheap let alone a CUSTOM made one. She also emailed me her banking info in order for me to send the money. Last night I emailed her and questioned the price on the costume comparitively to the ones on her website because I want to know what the heck I'm actually getting for $550? She emailed me back almost immediately and said "Oh your right your costume is really $700 we made a mistake....
I went to her website now just because I have a funny feeling about this whole transaction and I wanted to verify the banking information of that in which she sent me. The banking info on her website is NOT the same as what I was sent.
So how do I really know that I'm dealing with the real "BELLA". Just so many inconsistancy.
Has anyone ordered recently from her and have the banking info that you wired your money too.
I don't know what to do....

Originally Posted by RaqsCassandra

At the beginning of September I emailed Bella and wanted to place a custom order. I've ordered costumes from her before. First off, I described what I would like her to make and sent her 2 pictures as examples. I asked for a quote and she quoted 550.00 I figured she maybe quoting in Euro which would be around $650 US dollars. In any case I told her "yes" go ahead with the order. She emailed me back and confirmed they would begin work right away. I asked her if she need my measurements again??? She never answered. I guess she must have them still from the last order? Has anyone expirienced this. She doesn't ask for measurements as a general policy....what if I had gained or lost weight???? (I haven't)

Hi,

My experience with ordering from Bella (from website, from email with my drawings and at her atelier in Istanbul) : first of all, for the price, it is difficult to tell because i don't know what style you ordered but anyway that was quick !!! I ordered in may (but a very special costume i have drawn with Bella beside me asking questions) and i got it last thursday !
My feeling is that Bella is an honest person, who try to make each costume worth the price. I mean if you say, i want a 500$ cossie, she will make it for that value, if you say 1000$ the same (more beading, swaro, different work, material...).
They are maybe now "upgrading" the cossie for you ?

(550€ is far more than 650$ (about 760)).

I also transfered some money to another bank iban (is it in istanbul i think, though on website it is in belgium right ?). Here is my email : sirine[at]gmx[dot]fr, if you want to check, send the transfer infos to that email, i will compare with mine and let you know :)

Oh, and for measurements, last time i was in Istanbul so this was not an issue but i remember for another order Bella emailed me with the measurements i left on her website asking me if they were ok.

Sorry for my awful english today, i am a bit sick (and i am french :D)
Hope that helps
Sirine

I wouldn't worry too much - just make sure the email address is the same as last time. She has whipped out a couple of costumes for me SUPER quick - 4 weeks is not unheard of lately. And there seem to also be a few different sets of bank transfer info she uses - I've had up to 3 or 4 different ones saved for her on my online banking account. Have never had a problem.

Originally Posted by RaqsCassandra

Last Thursday I got an email from Bella saying my costume is ready!!! I'm thinking WOW that was sooooo fast ...like 4 weeks. Then she quoted $550 this time in US dollars. Now I'm really scratching my head... there isn't a costume on her website pre-made that cheap let alone a CUSTOM made one. .

There are costumes on her website for as low as $390US, but only a couple. I've had custom costumes from her ranging from $450 to $1000 before, so there is a big range. Maybe it did originally cost $550 but now she is adding more bling for you! :)

And I've had a few different bank details before, too. As long as you were still emailing the same address, I'm sure it will all be fine :)

First of all, I am super jealous of those of you who get a 4-week turnaround time from her. I just ordered a new bra to match an existing costume and it took months and months (and it was wrong and I had to send it back to be replaced, taking another 2 months). Second, I am not surprised that she changed the price. She did that to me too. When I asked about the bra it was one price and then when it was ready it was magically $50 more. I just don't think she keeps very good track of what she quotes people.

I feel like Bella's service keeps on getting worse and worse. I've hear a lot more stories lately of issues with her and it makes me sad. I for one will never custom order from her again. I just hope that I have enough body doubles around who like to buy Bellas so that I can get one without having to custom order! Good luck!

thank you everyone.
I will be headed to the bank on Monday to send the money. I guess because my other Bella's were $700 - $1000. I was shocked at her price and then to recant after I mentioned the price. Hopefully she is just adding more bling:-)
Happy dancing everyone.

Can you ask her to send you a picture of the costume that was made for you and verify meaurements? I don't think that's a rude request at all..especially for the price you are paying.