sample sales: Has anyone ever attended a designer sample sale and found a good deal? I've been reading stories online about brides that found $3,000 dresses for $600. Does anyone know the cons to buying a sample sale gown? I'm worried about it being dirty or stained, but if it's coming from a reputable, high-end boutique, do you think they would sell dirty and stained dresses? What about alternations? Would be too risky to have a gown altered by someone that may not be familiar with the designers work and designs?|||I bought a sample gown - beautiful gown, great price. You can try it on so you will know if it is dirty or damaged. The only downside to sample gowns is that you have to be a sample size. You can have gowns alterned down (within reason), but if you are above a size 6 (about) or taller than about 5'6", you probably won't have much luck with a sample. As to alterations... I don't think it is familiarity with the designer as it is skill level. Go with recommendations, and get the alterations done EARLY in case there is a problem.|||The dresses will be slightly dirty and you have to purchase them how they are. Most alterations are quite simple unless you get an extremely extravagant gown.|||Sample sales are hit or miss. With sample sales, everything is ordinarily sold as-is. Because of that and the fact that they are samples, they won't really cut you a break for a stain or anything like that. Sizes in sample sales are pretty limited though and not all sample sales give you the opportunity to try on stuff. As for alterations, so long as you get a good seamstress you'll be fine.