Dark Garden

12/21/11

A Reply to the First Comment

by Dark Garden at Citysearch

I am the Boutique Manager of Dark Garden. I have worked here for 11 years. This gives me a wonderful opportunity to correct some misconceptions written about in the first comment.

Our corsets are made on the premises, in San Francisco. The prices reflect the living wage we pay our amazing seamstresses. We publish the prices of all our items on our website and in a brochure available to anyone.

Customers may make payments towards their order. When 1/3 of the total cost on Custom, and half of the total for Ready-To-Wear corsets is reached, we make their corset. The balance is due when the corset is complete.

The lead time for Ready-To-Wear orders is 5-8 weeks. Custom corsets take 3 -4 months. The time it takes also depends on the customer coming in for fittings in a timely manner or returning their fitting mock-up quickly. If the client has an event for which they need their garment, we do everything in our power to make it happen.

We do not charge a storage fee. However, we do like when customers pick up their completed orders promptly.

Thank you so much.

Dark Garden.

08/30/08

Good quality on custom items, just know what you're getting in to

by muffyn at Citysearch

The merchandise quality is excellent and they have a good selection of different corsets and waist cinchers. Their strength is in custom garments, for which they offer a good array of styles and fabrics. All of this sounds good so far, but there are a few other things to be aware of before entering Dark Garden. First, the prices are high. They?re not unreasonable for the quality of the garments. If you choose to buy something, expect to shell out some serious money. Second, for custom work, you won?t know the price until after all of the detailed decisions have been made. This makes sense, but there?s no heads up to say fabric corsets in this style range in price from X to Y while leather corsets in this style range from Y to Z. This puts customers in an uncomfortable situation if they don?t necessarily have a spare $1000 to invest in a custom corset. You will be asked to pay almost the entire cost of the item as a down payment. If cost is an issue, ask pricing questions right from the start. Third, it can take a very long time to get your item. You can pay extra to rush the order. However, no guarantees are made on the delivery date. My custom order took 6 months to complete. Fourth, the sales staff is very polite. However, they speak in a stilted, overly conscious fashion, which I sense is trying to evoke a sense of olden times. I?m sure some people find this very charming. I find it rather creepy. I?d rather be spoken to like a normal person than feel like I?ve accidentally stumbled into the Renaissance Faire and am trapped with a group of folks that take it all a little too seriously. Finally, if you order a custom garment, you need to pick it up promptly. They charge a storage fee if you do not pick up the item. Dark Garden is a great place for custom corsets, waist cinchers and related items; just go in prepared and you?ll have a positive experience.

• Pros: Quality of workmanship, material and style choices
• Cons: Time to get custom items, cost, lack of information prior to making choices

04/28/06

Lovely top quality items.

by cybelea at Citysearch

The custom made corsets are a dream I've had mine for 4-5 years ow and it still fits very well and is in excellent shape.

The worksmanship is superior and the store is a really fun place to search for sexy items!

• Pros: top quality work, reasonable prices
• Cons: no parking

12/28/04

Beautiful

by autumnatic at Citysearch

Dark Garden is a beatiful store with gorgeous merchandise. How many places can you find corsets, custom made or otherwise - and they make theirs right on the premises ! The quality of their garments is very high, the fabrics they use are just lovely - and the sales help is as polite and helpful as can be. It is tucked away in an alley, but really worth the trip. I know where I'm going when I'm ready for a wedding gown !

• Pros: good customer service, unique product, worth the high price
• Cons: , odd hours