Three Weeks before Prom
Where do you want to buy your Prom Dress, online or cheap camo prom dresses offline
When the prom season approaches, many girls start looking for the most beautiful dresses that fit them the best from many different places. It can be retail stores or online dress shopping malls. Which place has the best price and quality for a buyer convenience and budget?
Online shopping is a new trend since 2000. The annual growth rate is 11% every year. Traditionally, all girls have shopped for dresses at wedding shops, dress specialty stores, or department stores. They tried on the dresses and compared prices and styles. However, this traditional trend has rapidly changed. Here, I would like to analyze the merits and weak points of online and offline dress buying with a price comparison.
Before you decide to buy a dress, you will need to know the basic price structure of the dress. The true cost of a dress does not mean anything until all the expenses added before it can be sold to the customer as a retail price. Most physical stores have high extras such as the rent, employees?wages, utilities, insurance, etc. Those sums add up to at a least 30% increase from the original dress cost, which is from either the manufacturer or a wholesale store. For example, if the original dress cost is $100, the expenses would be around $30, so you are paying $130 for a $100 dress. Prom dresses are seasonal products from mid-March to before July, so business activity is confined to about half of the year. We need to add this seasonal factor into the retail prices. So, if the owner wants to pursue a 30% profit, the retail price will be $338 (Original cost $100 ?expenses 30% ?seasonal factor 200% ?profit 30%.) This calculation is totally hypothetical but also realistic. It can be vary per stores by stores. You may feel that retail prices are a bit higher and cannot be justified. However, if we carefully observe the nature of the prom dress business the profit margin is not that much because it is not spread out for the entire year. The pure profit of $338 dress is only about $39.
Compared to the offline dress stores, online dress stores have much less overheads. First of all, they are not physical retail stores, so they do not need to have pay rent. Less space needed, less employees, less burden on liability insurance, less maintenance cost compared to the physical stores add up to less overall expenses. Also, the strong point of an online store is its versatility of inventory. They can carry any product they want to sell, so can be less seasonal and have fewer inventories need to carry. If the dress cost is $100, the final retail price on the Internet mall will be around $220 (Original cost $100 ?expenses 15% ?seasonal factor 50% ?profit 30%.) The pure profit of $220 dress will be $52. Here we do not add extra expenses such as technical outsourcing cost, Internet advertising cost, etc, so the actual profit per dress will be decreased after those expenses are applied.
Everyone agrees that price is cheaper on the Internet. However, there are other factors you need to consider such as the availability of a dress, quality, design, etc. You can verify stock availability at the physical stores and online by simply calling them and asking. The main weakness of dress buying on the Internet is it lacks your immediate inspection on the dress by not allowing you to touch and see in front of you before you buy it. You are the person who must see the dress, and then you drive to the store and buy it. This is a great idea. Conversely, if you want to save time and gas, and would like to pay less money for your dress, you may want to try to buy it online. Many online stores provide you high quality customer services and a reasonable return policy. All transactions can be done by their merchant account. This can protect you from being hacked for your financial information.
You can buy great dresses from any place, but the trend is shifting from traditional dress shopping to the virtual stores that we all agree will continue as long as shoppers are looking for lower prices for their dresses.
Thank you for reading this article.
Prom Checklist Prom Dresses, Beauty Appointments And More
The months and weeks leading up to your prom will consist of planning, trying on various designs of prom dresses, and preparing for your special evening. This prom checklist will help you plan the months ahead so you won't forget the little things.
Four Months 'til Prom
Plan your prom budget by pricing formal dresses, prom accessories, and beauty services such as hair makeup and nails. Start saving money for your prom gown as well as other items you'll need so there will be enough money when you need it.
Three Months to Go
About three months before your prom, start maintaining your nails and hair so they'll be the style and length you want for prom night. You can't grow long hair or nails in a week or two, but you can grow them and start maintaining their beauty over a three-month period. Also, this is the time to buy your prom dress if possible - especially if ordering online. You'll avoid last minute crowds and get the biggest expense out of the way. This also gives added time for alterations if needed.
Start looking for accessories online to go with your prom dress. You might buy these along so you won't have to spend as much money at once. Begin making reservations dresses with lace for your dinner date, and reserve a limousine if you plan to travel in luxury!
If you want to lose a little weight before the prom, now's the time to start. Begin a daily exercise cheap juniors clothes regime and start eating less at each meal. Opt for fruits instead of sweets and cut down on carbs and sugars. But don't lose too much weight if you've already ordered your prom gown!
With Two Months Left....
Get your prom dress alterations if needed. Make appointments for hair, nails and makeup at a hair salon. It might cheap online dresses be a good idea to make an appointment for a trial run so you'll know how your hair and makeup will look beforehand. Then you can make any changes to the styling if needed. Buy your prom shoes and have them dyed to match your dress. Select undergarments for your prom dress.
With Four Weeks to Go
Within four weeks, go ahead and purchase your prom tickets. Wear your prom shoes around the house to break them in for more comfort. Also, introduce your date to your parents if they haven't already met him. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and treat skin acne to get rid of blemishes.
Three Weeks before Prom
Confirm all appointments to be sure there are no problems. Try on your prom dress after alterations to be sure it fits properly. Make sure your trial hair appointment goes well before settling on a hairstyle.
Just Two Weeks to tall evening dresses Go
With two weeks left, buy your last minute prom items such as pantyhose, camera and film, a handbag and jacket to match your dress, gloves, and other items. Be sure your prom night schedule includes a time of relaxation such as a nice dinner before and a fun time with friends afterwards. Get together some materials and a scrapbook to record all the important moments of your prom.
On Prom Day
When prom day finally arrives, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. Do something relaxing to soothe those stomach butterflies! Stuff your handbag or purse with touch-up makeup, cash, a camera, identification, etc. Don't wash your hair if you plan to wear it pinned up. Get your hair, nails and makeup done at the beauty parlor (wear a button-up shirt so you won't mess up your hair). Pick up your date's boutonniere (store in refrigerator). Most importantly, get ready for a wonderful time!
Planning ahead months in advance for your prom will help you get through the preparations with minimal stress. You'll enjoy the prom day and night more if you don't wait until the last minute to do everything.
Look around online for prom dresses early so you can find styles you like. Many online prom retailers carry affordable prom dresses by various designers with stunning looks for every figure imaginable. They might also sell homecoming dresses, ball gowns, and all sorts of eveningwear. With so many choices, you can easily find what you need for the prom from your own home computer while saving time and money.
