Not All Tuxedo Rentals Are the Same
Paul Pannone from 1800MyTuxes.com has some tips on keeping the tuxedo rental quality on par with the quality of the rest of the wedding.
In the wedding planning process, the majority of decisions rest squarely with the bride and/or her family. The day revolves around her wishes and desires, to fulfill the dreams she’s had since she was a little girl. Careful consideration goes into the time, the place, the setting, surroundings; right down to where she will live with her new husband. A new life, a new beginning for her and her man —but a ten year old tuxedo used with all of the careful consideration?
Unfortunately, that’s what is happening. Because the formal wear “industry” has undergone so much consolidation and fragmentation over the past decade, manufacturers have slowed the creative process, leaving many retailers stranded, using garments that are way past their prime and some, even past their usefulness.
But in all the turmoil, it’s becoming easier to identify the pitfalls, especially if you walk into stores that still carry garments bearing expired labels that were made by defunct manufacturers. Some include Christian Dior, Raffinatti, Lord West, Claiborne, Formal 1 and numerous others that will not be mentioned.
Some of the pitfalls of renting tuxedos and the most concerning involves sub renting and not trying on the garments before the day of your event. Clearing houses called wholesalers are responsible for sub renting garments to local area shops that order through their catalog. What this means is, your most important person’s component tuxedo parts could be in four separate states up to two weeks prior to your event. Chances are good that you will never know the difference but there are those chances you will.
When ordering your formal wear, why not simply follow the rules used when you planned every other portion of your event? Simple, common sense questions like will this be the actual garment my fiancé will be wearing? Do you own your own garments? Is this a discontinued style? Do you have the ability to change an entire outfit for my out-of-town-guests? Can help you complete a less stressful time on your special day.
Chris Easter of The Man Registry has asked us to write about the specifics when looking for tuxedos.
Like all businesses, there are good and bad in very market. The best way to determine whether a tuxedo shop updates their inventory is to check them out. http://www.1800mytuxes.com/about.htm describes why independent owners that buy and maintain their own inventory will provide the best experience when renting or buying formal wear.
As stated in the page’s information, owners are there to help you every step of the way and rely on repeat, referral business that only comes from doing the right job and caring about you can provide.
Currently, discussions regarding the proper advertisement of new fashion products tuxedos rage on. In the national Newsletter, E- Formal News, we’re polling retailers, manufacturers and consumers to see what’s important to them. It is agreed that fresh, new style updates are the only way to provide real value. Discussions involve an actual expiration dates in garments or documented usage reports of how many time garments have been rented. But, as you would imagine the information would not be flattering to most organizations and therefore will probably never been implemented.
Another way would be to advertise new products but most manufacturers say they’re not able to spend the adequate dollars because of lack of sales. The result is an ongoing vicious cycle that ultimately only hurts YOU—the consumer and operators that constantly spend the proper amount of money to update their merchandise and level of service. So, as you see, Not All Tuxedo Rental Are The Same!
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This story will continue to be updated on our external blog, http://1800mytuxes.wordpress.com and also at http://www.1800mytuxes.com , adding NEW merchandise from only the best suppliers that are partnering in with store owners found to be committed to providing you with the best level of merchandise and services– at the best prices. For answers to these and more questions you may have when in the process of selecting your formal wear, feel free to contact us at 516-312-0090 or mailto:info@1800mytuxes.com
Tags: Tux Rental Tips, tuxedo designers, tuxedo quality, wedding pitfalls, Wedding Tuxedo
September 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am
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September 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
…When ordering your formal wear, why not simply follow the rules used when you planned every other portion of your event? Simple, common sense questions like will this be the actual garment my fiancé will be wearing? Do you own your own garments? Is this a discontinued style? Do you have the ability to change an entire outfit for my out-of-town-guests?
In reply, the comment written above does not represent the entirety of the Tuxedo trade. Just because an operation sub-rents garments does not make them less inferior to those that own their garments. I have a very successful formalwear business that utilizes the support of a larger wholesaler to provide the highest quality service to my clients as can be attested to by the continuous referrals, the vast number of thank you notes and the accolades we receive in reviews that can be found online. My business is a dedicated tuxedo shop that is solely focused on the rental and sales tuxedos. Unlike men’s clothing stores, dry cleaners, tailors, bridal shops and worse the “one-stop-shop/we-do-it-all wedding centers,” I don’t do it as an ancillary part of business to supplement revenue.
I use a wholesaler that manufactures their garments, creates new fashions every year and replaces their garments. My wholesaler is also dedicated solely to tuxedos. It is their merchandise, they maintain their own facilities, they have as great a stake in their client’s success and because they are better equipped to clean and care for the garments then so called “In-Stock shops” that use a neighborhood dry cleaner. The pitfall there is that these dry cleaners that “In-Stock” operators utilize often have several local competitors using their services and merchandise gets mixed, lost and delayed. So when the tux shop says “oh yes ‘Ms. Future bride’, your fiancé will be wearing that very tuxedo,” make sure you ask to write his name with permanent marker in the lining of the coat. Wholesalers because of their purchasing or manufacturing power are able to offer a multitude of sizes in vast variety of styles, colors in etc. that most “In-stock” shops couldn’t possibly afford. Thus they have small inventories and less to offer.
Most “In-Stock” operators not self-contained and cannot operate without the help of wholesalers so when they often find themselves with a “gap” in inventory, to fulfill their obligation they call upon a wholesaler, that will help them, but the wholesalers main focus and commitment remains with Tuxedo shops, such as mine, that are exclusive and do the highest volume. While manufacturers are being blamed by other sources, the sources are cognizant it is truly because a majority of operators ceased purchasing goods after the heydays of 1998, 2000 & 2001. Many operators claiming to be in-stock shops have made poor purchases, which is at the crux of why they are in the position of renting outdated or even overused merchandise.
Thus be careful of broad-stroke statements and for a balanced and objective view read the “I Do’s (and Don’ts) of Choosing Your Formalwear Provider.”
http://tuxsmart.com/report.htm read especially #9 on this subject
September 12th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Free Special Report Available
September 12th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
free special report available at tuxsmart.com #9
September 12th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
…When ordering your formal wear, why not simply follow the rules used when you planned every other portion of your event? Simple, common sense questions like will this be the actual garment my fiancé will be wearing? Do you own your own garments? Is this a discontinued style? Do you have the ability to change an entire outfit for my out-of-town-guests?
In reply, the comment written above does not represent the entirety of the Tuxedo trade. Just because an operation sub-rents garments does not make them less inferior to those that own their garments. I have a very successful formalwear that utilizes the support of a larger wholesaler to provide the highest quality service to my clients as can be attested to by the continuous referrals, the vast number of thank you notes and the accolades we receive in reviews that can be found online. My business is a dedicated tuxedo shop that is solely focused on the rental and sales tuxedos. Unlike men’s clothing stores, dry cleaners, tailors, bridal shops and worse the “one-stop-shop/we-do-it-all wedding centers,” I don’t do it as an ancillary part of business to supplement revenue. I use a wholesaler that manufactures their garments, creates new fashions every year and replaces their garments. The wholesalers are also dedicated to tuxedos and because it is their merchandise and they maintain their own facilities they are better equipped to clean and care for the garments then so called “In-Stock shops” that use a neighborhood dry cleaner. The pitfall there is that these dry cleaners that “In-Stock” operators utilize often have several local competitors using their services and merchandise gets mixed, lost and delayed. So when the tux shop says “oh yes ‘Ms. Future bride’, your fiancé will be wearing that very tuxedo,” make sure you ask to write his name with permanent marker in the lining of the coat. Wholesalers because of their purchasing or manufacturing power are able to offer a multitude of sizes in vast variety of styles, colors in etc. that most “In-stock” shops couldn’t possibly afford. Thus they have small inventories and less to offer.
Most are not self-contained and cannot operate without the help of wholesalers so when they often find themselves with a “gap” in inventory, to fulfill their obligation they call upon a wholesaler, that will help them, but the wholesalers main focus and commitment remains with Tuxedo shops such as mine that are exclusive and do the highest volume. While manufacturers are being blamed by other sources, the sources are cognizant it is truly because a majority of operators ceased purchasing goods after the heydays of 1998, 2000 & 2001. Many operators claiming to be in-stock shops have made poor purchases, which is at the crux of why they are in the position of renting outdated or even overused merchandise.
Thus be careful of broad-stroke statements and for a balanced and objective view read the “I Do’s (and Don’ts) of Choosing Your Formalwear Provider.”
http://tuxsmart.com/report.htm #9 especially
September 12th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Hi,
While Mr. Commisso eloquently points out some very valid arguments, the focus of attention remains on the desire of consumers to actually see the groom dressed in the outfit he will be wearing on the most important time of his life. To simply be asked to use one’s imagination leaves a precarious possability for error the week of the event.
Plus, Specialist stores that own their own merchandise are able to make changes on the fly in minutes– whereby those that import their garments in from a third party will require at least 24-48 hours to make exchanges. After all, people do fluxuate in weight and brides have been known to change their minds, right?
We thank Mr. Commisso for his thoughts and invite further discussion and questions:
Please direct them to:
Paul@1800mytuxes.com
Or call 516-312-0090
September 13th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Mr. Pannone does not clarify that while his own tuxedo business in Long Island operates efficiently using state of the art equipment and has an extensive inventory at his disposal that I’ve witnessed first hand, that the vast majority of “In-stock” tuxedo shops do not even come close to his level of service. Most other stores are antiquated and while they may be able to play “Dressy-Bessie and Dapper Dan” giving false assurances, they don’t have the ability to follow through on the quality for the day of let alone the entire wedding party. They don’t have a clue as to how to be progressive like Mr. Pannone, that as he says, these operators survive by wringing out every ounce of life and from garments that are defunct labels. I myself would like to make the manufacturers or stores be required to date the merchandise that can track the first turn of the garments.
If you read Mr. Pannone’s other online discussions you will learn that this industry is in trouble and he is correct in my opinion because it doesn’t have enough stores that are either like Gino’s (his) or Tuxego (mine). There are many more shops out there apart from his or mine, whether “In-Stock” or those that order goods from a central location, that are far too disinterested in upholding our trade with any pride. His opinions beyond this exchange, and I agree, that there are even far fewer of those that sub-rent that care are valid. However as he himself acknowledges in his many of his articles that I am an anomaly in our trade and certainly of those that sub-rent. Tuxego has a very unique approach working solely by appointment consulting with clients one-on-one on the nuances of formalwear, so that couples can experience how the groom will look seeing and feeling the merchandise first hand. I invite you visit my website at http://www.tuxego.com to get a feel for how we can provide the best of both worlds, allowing the groom the ability to try things on should he choose and offer a wide range of styles, colors and sizes that again most little operators do not have the purchasing power to maintain such merchandise and cannot offer without the aid of a wholesaler. Most important and is that we provide candid feedback on painting their wedding picture in the beginning and the follow through in our service is the reason we come highly recommended. If the groom were to put something on, provided it was available, in some “in-stock” shops they would say nary a word if it looked ridiculous because their thinking is more about “don’t ruffle the bride’s feathers” and get the order because it has been a while since the last one. On the flip side those that simply use a catalogue put little effort into assisting a wedding couple and if they get the order great, if not they are working on volume and margin, especially men’s clothing stores in the malls. I can assure you they won’t get in other shops whether “in-stock” or places where tuxedos are an ancillary part of their business the unique experience they will have in mine. It was my hope that I could have continued this discussion allowing us to speak generically without aggrandizing my specific business, but it became apparent that I needed to set myself apart from those that Mr. Pannone paints with a broad brush. One last point that Mr. Pannone makes allowing for the bride to change her mind on the style a couple days before the wedding, I am certain that 97% of all tuxedo shops do not have the ability to accommodate such a request regardless of whether “in-stock” or “sub-renters”. Again most in-stocks are not as efficient and professional as Mr. Pannone’s and don’t have the inventory or a system of accounting for it and the average “sub-renter” does not employ systems or have the clout with wholesalers to make it happen.
Ultimately the goal of every operator should be that our efforts result in happy clients who enjoy their very special day and I think there still exist others such as Mr. Pannone and myself that do that consistently.
I invite Mr. Pannone to have the last word and encourage others “chime in”
All are welcomed to reach me at Anthony@tuxego.com
September 14th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
We again thank Mr. Commisso for his thoughts, stand alone opinions and now turn it over to you, our valued customer; to decide whether you find it better to use your imagination, order through a book and swatches or to visit a true SPECIALIST that owns and maintains their own property.
Here are some reasons why it would be to your advantage http://www.1800mytuxes.com/about.htm
Per your requests, we plan to direct you to new products and deserving manufacturers in our future segments and will continue to answer any and all your questions or concerns when faced with the confusing questions invloving tuxedo rentals. Remember, they are not all the same.
mailto:Paul@1800mytuxes.com or call 516-312-0090
September 14th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Mr. Pannone’s post warranted a response from me in particular that this discussion has been elevated to great exposure over social media “airway.” Most in stock companies are not of the same caliber as Gino’s formalwear and thus I would label Gino’s as a Specialist. I don’t know what criteria Mr. Pannone’s uses for defining a specialist? I don’t know who gets to set the standard? I would assume that is up to the consumer. If my definition of specialist is an on premise owner operator that works diligently to provide bride and grooms with attention, thoroughness and quality then I think by most standards I would be considered a SPECIALIST. My hypothesis is that all the others that sub-rent are not at my level of expertise or efficiency. In my opinion and that of my clients, I would fall into the category of a specialist Like Mr. Pannone I have appeared on a national and local platform, in print, on radio, TV and my knowledge of this trade is as good if not better than those that have had double my years in the business. Though we have catalogues in the store, just as every single shop in the country, I don’t rely on them, instead I have the merchandise of every style coat and color vest I carry, and grooms if they choose, can try them on. I have coats from size 3 to size 74 in my store available to try on. Can every so called specialist brag of the same? Just visit http://www.tuxego.com and evaluate from the detailed explanation of what we do and how we do it, the thank you notes, professional endorsements and the photos of how my shop is merchandised and tell me if there are “in-stock” shops that look the same? I have a larger alteration area then some full blown tailor shops I’ve seen. I have systems in place to safeguard as well as any other “specialist” shop to create stress free events. I have what a lot of in-stock shops do not, merchandise that is manufactured annually and new styles infused every year. In my opinion think the first place to start weeding out inept operators of the past from specialists, is to guide consumers away from shops resting on their laurels of being in business for decades, and renting decade old merchanidse. I’m not a “twitterer” so if anyone outside of Mr. Pannone wishes to contact me I’m avaiable at anthony@tuxego.com.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Again….. we thank Mr. Commisso for his valued opinions that happen to be outside the wider concensus of his peers and the public. We congratulate him on his past successes and hope the parade does not pass him by, anytime soon. However, the wind of change and tides are expected to turn against the Commissos of the world, as people begin to ask the right questions and demand to see the actual product before they make any decisions,
Wewish him well.
We encourage you to contact Commisso at his e-mail, you will find him very entertaining.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:32 am
I’m not going to continue to fence with my friend who is somewhat of a folk hero in this dwindling trade. For with the same tenacity and eloquence he demonstrates in our exchange in this blog, he has used his mighty pen to take down some of the largest and longest manufacturers that were getting fat and happy off of the sweat of the little guy. After 10 years of his newsletter, EFN, there are now fewer manufacturers competing against one another, unfortunately as Mr. Pannone will attest they don’t offer much. We can hope that with his words and now much greater exposure that this trade might again have hope. Maybe Mr. Pannone will help establish manufactures and resources that will offer dedicated formalwear owner-operators like me, other options so that all tux shops will operate the same and under his guidance emerge the foundation of our trade.
To clarify his use of the word peers, this could only be true if their were others that can meet with the standards of a niche category that through my efforts I have created and as Mr. Pannone has said himself makes me an anomaly in this trade. I’ve only three friends in formalwear, Steve Stromberg of Jascott, Rich Elmlinger of Tuxedo Junction and with this exchange, no one would ever guess that Paul Pannone is the other. We consider ourselves to be close friends and allies that have had many warm and endearing emails and conversations over the years and only two months ago we met in the middle in Mount Kisco, NY for lunch. The internal operations of Gino’s and Tuxego are different, but the obvious remains the same, and that is the level of passion and service we have for what we do. As we’ve often stated we agree more than we disagree, but on this one we’ll have to accept that we have some differences of opinion. In our phone conversations, he has promised himself the last word so again I invite others to contact me directly if they would like data that I have on consumer’s experiences with other type operators, as this was my last word. I appreciate MansRegistry.com for offering such a forum and a place to gain an openness of other’s perspectives.
Anthony@tuxego.com
September 24th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Dear reader,
Once again, we welcome you to the Tony Commisso corner!
The beauty of America is to be able to say whatever we want, whenever we want– regardless of whether anyone is really interested. The fact remains that those of you contacting E- Formal News, 1800mytuxes, Paul Pannone or any of our associated businesses are expressing concern over tainted merchandise in suspect stores and not being able to to try on the ACTUAL PRODUCT you are expected to wear (or newer) on the most important day of your life. Commisso has expressed concern over the expsoure, time and time again– and rightfully so– he is not “yet” equipped to supply you with the service and try on capability but, possibly after this exchange, he may.
Please read the latest addition to information that YOU, the consumer, are helping to guide us with. Go to http://1800mytuxes.wordpress.com Soon, you will be receiving additional information and POLL questions that will help us in providing manufacturers with exactly the products you’re searching for.
We thank Commiso for his enteratinment value, theatrics and possibly giving us too much credit.
Humbly,
Paul Pannone
1800mytuxes
*****We do not endorse any of the companies or statements made by Commisso or anyone else that associates themselves with us.
If you wish to hear our position on this or any matter, please call 516-312-0090 or e-mail us at info@1800mytuxes.com