Thread: How is "The Bellydance Store - Audrena.com" ??

I just got off the phone with Audrena from "The Bellydance Store" Before I order Isis wings from her, has anyone every ordered wings or anything else from her? What was your experience like? Fast delivery? Were you satisfied? ty!

I...well...I have mixed feelings.

The good: when I ordered an in stock costume I had it within three days. Very good shipping/communication.

The bad: Audrena seems a bit spacey sometimes. I custom ordered two costumes from her in April. She only sent me confirmation for one, after going through this long spiel on the phone about how she always requires written confirmations for her orders before placing them. I noted on the single confirmation form I received that I also wanted X costume in Y size and Z color.

Apparently my costume(s) are now in, because I just got a cryptic credit card receipt in the mail in which she charged me the balance for two costumes. Or maybe she just remembered to send the initial receipt with the deposit. It is very, very unclear. All I can say is that she's up there with Bella in the poor communication department at this point. I will call and follow up this week to see if my costumes have REALLY arrived yet....

Anyway, that's a long way of saying that I've had problems with communication over custom orders, but everything in-stock that I've ordered has come fast and in good shape! (I can't even complain too much about the custom order if it really is here...that's fast turnaround!)

I believe Audrena is in poor health too.

I have ordered several things from her and there was always issues. She has had at least one stroke and it has severely affected her memory and business operations.

On a positive note, I will say she always tries to make you happy in the end; just be prepared. I've had the same sort of issues not only on custom orders but also on simple in-stock orders like veils, etc.

oh, ladies, ty so much for your candid comments! when speaking on the phone to audrena i got the distinct impression that she wasn't quite following the conversation at times, i won't get into particulars. if she'd had a stroke that would certainly cause poor communication and a lack of focus. i really wish her the very best.

you gotta' love bhuz...fast information...and a lot of help from fellow bhuzzers. thanks everyone!

Although this is a bit late... I've the same spacey issues with her, but wanted to say I've gotten 2 wings from her and the quality is amazing. She even sent some for me to try to test to see if they'd match what I was going for, and was able to send them back no problem and then paid for just the one. They're colored wings, kind of stiffer fabric. Not a big fan of the black band around the neck, but the wings themselves are great.

I honestly wish I found this thread before I had decided to place an order with Audrena back in August 2009, in you voice mail she had said that if put an order down I would have the costume by January. I put the deposit down and finally finished paying for the whole item off in February along with a requesting and estimated time of delivery, at the time she claimed end of March/April, by mid April I called her and she said that she had reinjured leg and that she couldn't make it to the post offfice (giving me the belief she had the costume) I told her that's fine if she is going to be heading to Spring Caravan I'll find her booth and get the costumer from her assistance there. I get to Spring Caravan and they don't know anything and her assistance say that she will call me in a week.

A week later (Mid May) I call her myself and she tells me she can't get hold of Amira, but once she does she will call me with updates (so now it sounds like it's still in Egypt being made). I let it go. Finally its the middle of June, no word from Audrena, so I e-mail her bluntly. "I want to know the estimated time of arrival of my costume" No word, a week later I call her she picks up and she tells me she is depressed, and having financial problems, and that Amira won't make the costume until she receives all the money for the costume (which I have already paid back in February) and that she had used her money to travel to shows, and the show had low turn out. She tells me she will be looking into loans and will update immediately on her financial status when there is change. I express that since she took my money and did not put it towards the costume, that i would prefer a refund (I am swallowing my seething anger) because I understand financial strife and working at antique shows myself and dealing with low turnout. She emails me a 6 days later updating me that she still has not found funds, but she will try to get me my costume to me before "Ramadan" (August 11, 2010) I email her the day after expressing that I do not want the costume anymore, and want a refund. That she needs to contact me immediately. I give her 24 hours and she does not respond, so I call, and she does not pick up. So I send an e-mail telling her that due to her non-response that I will go through my bank to get the refund. She calls me 3 hours later telling me that she has sent payment to Amira and that I should get the costume in 3 weeks. I tell her that I have e-mailed her the day prior requesting for a refund and emphasizing that I had told her in previous conversations. I also indicated that I did not trust her, and that I doubt she actually was able to get payment to Amira. That if this is the case she needs to forward me written confirmation with Amira. (At this point I think this is a conniving ploy to buy more time). I am giving her till this Friday for the written confirmation since Audrena indicated that she can't get a written confirmation from Amira until a couple of days. I honestly doubt she will, but I'll giver her the benefit of the doubt.

Help! I paid Audrena $200 last August. I have made MANY attempts over the last year to contact her via e-mail and phone. She isn't responding. At first I wanted a costume, but now I just want my money back. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry to hear that. But you might have to just join the club unfortunately. There are lots of dancers having problems with Audrena right now it sounds like.

Originally Posted by Sadiyabellydancer

Help! I paid Audrena $200 last August. I have made MANY attempts over the last year to contact her via e-mail and phone. She isn't responding. At first I wanted a costume, but now I just want my money back. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I asked her to make it right with other items.

To Eshtaamar: I don't think belly dancers should just lie down roll over and take it. If Audrena has this much "problems" everyone should spread the word that she is an unreliable vendor. People shouldn't get screwed out of their hard earned money, especially with this economy. Whether its $100 to $850 it's unfair of Audrena to be using it for her own economical needs ("Robbing Paul to pay Peter") In the end the costumes going to be wrong in color, style and size as well!

To Eshta Belly Dance: I like RaqOn's advice, the only issue is with all these issues, do you really think you're going to get what you really wanted at Audrena's booth. Again $200 isn't that bad, and I hope you find Audrena at Belly Dance Shows/festivals, but for anybody who unwittingly gave Audrena more than $200 I hope you can attempt to get money back from the bank or the credit card company! This way Audrena will have a big company seeing the pattern and using their collections department.

I wasn't defending her in anyway. I was just pointing out that this seems to be a big problem right now. And by saying join the club I meant just that. EVERYONE is having problems getting their costumes. I think it's just a horrible way to run your business. This is one of those situations where it pays to do your research ahead of time. Reading the many problem posts has kept me from purchasing from her. And I am glad Amira is aware of it.

Fortunately I have never had this problem with anyone, but only because i never bought a costume that was not done yet.
I would be very frustrated, I don't care if it's only $50, no one has the right to use your money for their needs. If I ever ordered a custom made costume, I would definitely use a credit card that has a really good customer service support team. (I have a couple of those) If the costume was not done within the time frame, of course I would try to communicate, but if i was given the run around, I would get my refund from the credit card company.
I think we work way too hard for our money, some of us are single moms, others are trying to provide for a whole family... whatever it is, no one has the right to take your money and not deliver what was promised.
Oh, this makes me so mad, and it didn't even happen to me!