There are more and more e-commerce sites popping up for Prom dresses every day. Those of you browsing the web to search for that special dress for your upcoming prom are having a tougher time knowing who is a legitimate and trusted retailer. We have all heard horror stories of customers being sent copies of popular styles, or even having a retailer take payment and never send the customer the item(s) they ordered. As retailers, we would often hear that a potential customer called a particular vendor of ours to “check” our credentials. Many of retailers in the industry realized that shopping for a Prom dress should not be such a “scary” ordeal. Realizing this, an association of trusted Prom retailers was formed to help give the public confidence in the prom buying process. The Prom Websites Association is a growing group of valued retailers in the Prom and formal wear industry. The retailers on the list must pass a strict set of rules before being approved as a member of the association. All members must have been in business AT LEAST 5 years (most have been in business over 10 years), and must have a “brick and mortar” establishment that accepts walk in customers. Other mandatory criteria included below:

Membership Criteria
Websites must:

• Be authorized dealers of the designers they sell on their website
• Be a member of BBB (Better Business Bureau) online
• Use Scan Alert or similar hacker prevention
• Have an SSL certificate
• Use Secure Server to process credit cards
• Allow customers to place online orders
• Allow customers to speak to a customer service representative by phone
• Sell new, authentic merchandise
• Provide customers with a delivery timeframe in accordance with their special event wear date
• Provide a tracking number for their shipment
• Have a physical store
• Have been in business a minimum of 5 years
• Be in good standing with their wholesalers and customers
• Complete the application process and be accepted by the association

Members that fall below this criterion or who have credible complaints are removed.