Thread: Bella custom ordering

Hi all,
I want to order a custom costume from Bella and so far I've sent photos for her and she said "yes I can do it for $$$" and that was it. What is the next step? I emailed her about payment information but I have not heard back yet. Should I just wait or email her some more? It has been about a week since I sent that last email.
Thanks!

It took me a week or so before Bella responded to my initial e-mail. From what I've heard, it can take as long as 2-3 weeks. So I'd give it time....though it's hard to be patient when you're enticed by sparkles and ready to buy!

When I emailed Bella in early December about ordering my costume, I emailed her pictures and told her a few changes that I would like, asking for a price. She responded in about a week- maybe slightly less, with a price and time quote (6 weeks). I responded to that, thanking her and telling her that I needed to get measurements taken with my seamstress and would be placing my order soon. She responded in a couple of days, thanking me. Maybe 2 weeks later, I emailed her my measurements, the pictures again, and a few details that I wanted changed- the same the I had mentioned in the previous email. I haven't heard from her again- I am assuming that she is making the costume and that I have roughly 3 more weeks. I've heard that when the costume is finished, she'll email payment info, I'll send the money to her bank and she'll send the costume. But I don't know for sure- have never ordered a Bella before. I haven't paid- she never gave me payment info (like what bank, etc). I guess I'll see.

BTW, where do you get those pictures? Before my password expired, i've only seen 2 or 3 weird costumes on her website gallery, when it wasn't empty, got so frustrated when my password expired before I've seen anything... Now trying to get a new password... still waiting!!!,s::

Bella will send payment info when the costume is done and ready to ship. If you've sent her your measurements already, the costume is probably in the works and you'll hear from her in about 4 weeks. If you haven't sent measurements, I would email her back, tell her your measurements and wait and wait.

For measurements she needs underbust, bust, upper hip, skirt length. You might give her your upper arm as well, for arm bands. She'll let you know if she needs anything else.

What is the least expensive model she has?

She'll work within your budget. Just tell her how much you can afford.

I sent her pictures of a Bella that I saw on Bhuz (wanted to buy it from the dancer, bu it didn't fit me). I sent in the pictures and a couple of changes that I wanted (for instance, it had bra cutouts and I didn't want that- I dance at a place that's more conservative). I also told her a couple of specific things that I did NOT want changed- the petals on the skirt, that it was a chiffon skirt, and the shape of the fringe on the bra. She emailed with a price quote (which was actually less than the seller on Bhuz was selling hers for!)

Originally Posted by amarasdance

She emailed with a price quote (which was actually less than the seller on Bhuz was selling hers for!)

Bra cut outs add to the price. You probably got a better deal because of this.

I have recieved a number of Bellas all in differnet price ranges. The biggest factor that impacts the price I have found are the amount of cutouts. Next is beading and the amount of crystals. Ive also found that the Bellas I got with velvet mermaid skirts also cost a bit more than the chiffon skirts-probably due to the cutouts that are on the skirt as well. All I know is that I have never been dissapointed-no matter what I paid. Good luck with your order :)

I Just used some photos of Sandra, with her permission of course, sent them along with my price range and Bella gave me a quote. She has my sizing of file.
If you need insperation ask Sandra I swear she has the most beautiful collection of Bella ever!

Alimah, Michelle Joyce and Maria and Summer Sahars websites also have great pics of some gorgeous Bellas in the galleries :)

If You wrote Bella Your messurement and say o.k. for the price, she will make the costume.
If the costume is ready, You get the payment information. If the money is there, Bella will shipp Your costume.
The price-range is varios from the material and the cristals and the cut-outs.
I get a new, I have had, but it was to short and the bra a little bit small. This costume will be very expensive....2000 USD...my pink one was 1240 USD...and the white 945 USD...but You can also order for 650 USD....
Every costume will be amazing.....
Best regards
Salima

Originally Posted by Salima

If You wrote Bella Your messurement and say o.k. for the price, she will make the costume.
If the costume is ready, You get the payment information. If the money is there, Bella will shipp Your costume.
The price-range is varios from the material and the cristals and the cut-outs.
I get a new, I have had, but it was to short and the bra a little bit small. This costume will be very expensive....2000 USD...my pink one was 1240 USD...and the white 945 USD...but You can also order for 650 USD....
Every costume will be amazing.....
Best regards
Salima

Your white one is in my lust folder. I love it!

ok, so I'm glad I found this thread b/c I was just going to ask the same question.

I may be taking a trip to Istanbul in May, would you ladies think it would be wiser to contact her first via email and then when there hopefully size or pick up?

or alternatlively wait until I get there and go to her? does she do that?

or do both?

I would make an appointment to go and see her. Im sooo jealous!!! You will get to see her shop in all its sparkly fabulousness!!!

>>>Follow up.. I received my first Bella and its absolutely beautiful!!!

Do we have to pay taxes and fees? I asked her, and she said that there were no taxes if she shipped it from Belgium. But that is not true? It is an additional 25 %, isnt it? Or does she send it as a gift, or mark the value as less?

bump

I dont know exactly how Bella it does, but whenevery you get something from another european country, you dont have to pay customs or any additional fees.

Originally Posted by Julchen

I dont know exactly how Bella it does, but whenevery you get something from another european country, you dont have to pay customs or any additional fees.

Yes, we do in Norway ,f::

We are not part of the EU. The max limit is 200 NOK (30 usd)

So several weeks ago, in the first week of May, I emailed Bella with a price range, an idea, pictures and measurements, everything. I haven't heard back from her at all. I just emailed her a couple days ago asking about whether she got my first email--no answer yet. Is this a usual experience? Should I assume she is making a costume for me and just sit tight a few more weeks?

Originally Posted by amiraofannapolis

So several weeks ago, in the first week of May, I emailed Bella with a price range, an idea, pictures and measurements, everything. I haven't heard back from her at all. I just emailed her a couple days ago asking about whether she got my first email--no answer yet. Is this a usual experience? Should I assume she is making a costume for me and just sit tight a few more weeks?

My experience is she would not begin to work on the costume until you accept/confirm her price. I don't know why she did not respond. Are you registered with her website? Sometimes it takes a couple weeks but if you are registered with her and gave her all the information, I do not understand why she had not responded at all. I would confirm her email, register on her website and try again. If still no response, possibly have a friend who has succeeded in the past try for you. The other issue is her English is minimal, one thought is maybe she was overwhelmed with information? So next time around, keep it straight forward and simple. It best to show her pictures of her own costumes so she has a good reference. Good luck!

Originally Posted by EliAnn

Yes, we do in Norway ,f::

We are not part of the EU. The max limit is 200 NOK (30 usd)

I think Bella ships all of her costumes with a low value, or none at all. I've had to pay tax for everything over $100 here, but never with Bella's costumes. I've never heard of anyone having to pay taxes for a Bella costume.

Originally Posted by amiraofannapolis

So several weeks ago, in the first week of May, I emailed Bella with a price range, an idea, pictures and measurements, everything. I haven't heard back from her at all. I just emailed her a couple days ago asking about whether she got my first email--no answer yet. Is this a usual experience? Should I assume she is making a costume for me and just sit tight a few more weeks?

She's most likely working on your costume already. I usually get six weeks of silence after I ask for a costume and then it's ready! ..g.:

I am registered on her site and have all my measurements listed there--but did not send the email through there, just from my own address. It is good to know that she would usually confirm first before starting on something. Hmmm, maybe I will revamp my request and try again soon.

Originally Posted by lmargaretdancer

My experience is she would not begin to work on the costume until you accept/confirm her price. I don't know why she did not respond. Are you registered with her website? Sometimes it takes a couple weeks but if you are registered with her and gave her all the information, I do not understand why she had not responded at all. I would confirm her email, register on her website and try again. If still no response, possibly have a friend who has succeeded in the past try for you. The other issue is her English is minimal, one thought is maybe she was overwhelmed with information? So next time around, keep it straight forward and simple. It best to show her pictures of her own costumes so she has a good reference. Good luck!

Originally Posted by marsbar

She's most likely working on your costume already. I usually get six weeks of silence after I ask for a costume and then it's ready! ..g.:

Alrighty...so conflicting experiences between members here..l;, Some don't hear from her but get their costumes, some hear from her when ordering a costume, and some don't hear from her at all! Well I will sit tight a few more weeks, and THEN maybe revamp my request.

Originally Posted by amiraofannapolis

Alrighty...so conflicting experiences between members here..l;, Some don't hear from her but get their costumes, some hear from her when ordering a costume, and some don't hear from her at all! Well I will sit tight a few more weeks, and THEN maybe revamp my request.

I think if you don't ask for a price quote, then she won't confirm...but she might send you an email if you ask her how it's coming along but I wouldn't expect one!

Originally Posted by marsbar

She's most likely working on your costume already. I usually get six weeks of silence after I ask for a costume and then it's ready! ..g.:

I agree that she is silent, no updates etc while she is working on the costume. However, If a price was not discussed, I doubt she is working on it. For me, I gave her measurements, pictures, discussed a few changes and she responded..."thank you for your interested in Bella. We can make your costume for XXX amount. Please confirm." Then you respond yes or whatever, then silence for 6 weeks and viola, she emails that its ready and instructions on how to wire the $ and before you know it the beautiful thing is in your hands..g.:

Originally Posted by lmargaretdancer

I agree that she is silent, no updates etc while she is working on the costume. However, If a price was not discussed, I doubt she is working on it. For me, I gave her measurements, pictures, discussed a few changes and she responded..."thank you for your interested in Bella. We can make your costume for XXX amount. Please confirm." Then you respond yes or whatever, then silence for 6 weeks and viola, she emails that its ready and instructions on how to wire the $ and before you know it the beautiful thing is in your hands..g.:

I never ask for a price quote and she never emailed me with a "We can make your costume for XXX amount"...even with my first Bella. She just went ahead and made it! Then she emails me with the price and her bank account info, I wire her the money, and she mails the costume to me.