Reviews of Grad Central (Costumes)

S. Gray

My worst buying experience ever. The beads started popping off a $523.00 gown as soon as it was taken out of the box. I complained but to no avail even though the BC BBB advised me I had contacted the business within the legal time limits. Now I wish I had asked for an online close-up of the beading as it turned out to be a bit tacky. Do heed their online terms: “Grad Central is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any manufacturer's photographs, renderings, or descriptions, including size charts; or manufacturers’ catalogues, printed material or websites.” They were also not responsible for their sizing advice given over the phone. Buyer Beware! At present I have a at least a day's worth of beads to anchor and re-attach. BC law only protects the retail consumer if an item is faulty and even that is not straight forward. The only service plus was that Grad Central delivered the gown quickly.

Lori Bishop

Great friendly staff. The only thing I would say is follow the customer through to the end of their shopping experience. Don’t leave 3/4 of the way and not come back...5 stars If you had done that ????

Kim Barker

Cannot say enough good things about this place! From the time I placed the order for my daughters grad dress until it arrived, the service was amazing. I even got the dress way earlier than anticipated. I live in small town way across Canada from the dress shop of Grad Central and I was skeptical of online grad dresses, but this one was great. The dress is exactly as ordered, and is stunning. I recommend this to anyone who needs a dress for a special occasion.

Deborah Mullan

A friend and I went to Grad Central to both look for gowns for a ball and in under ten minutes I was struck by these impressions: 1. They got all snobby against strollers. Apparently you're not supposed to roll your stroller on their crappy carpet. I have idea the reason why because the lady mumbled, but yeah, it's a big NO-NO. Who knew? Is it because strollers are dirty? Mine sure isn't. In fact, I rarely use it. Most people's shoes, especially in this goose-poo city, are a LOT dirtier than stroller wheels, which are 360º versus shoes where are flat on the ground all the time. 2. Despite some of the dresses original prices being $700 but being on sale for $199, they are strikingly low-quality. Beadwork is coming off. Compare that to a gown I bought 10 1/2 years ago (elsewhere, at a shop in Bellevue, WA I think) and none of the beadwork is coming off yet (and I've worn it on multiple occasions). We found another dress where the stitching around the bust was coming undone. One probably won't get more than one event out of the dress, if one is lucky and it doesn't fall apart on the night of the event. 3. They completely ignored me (except for the whole stroller thing, of course). My friend and I were both looking at dresses but I guess because I have a toddler I'm not worthy of being looked after? Who knows? They were kind of snobby, really. They also thought they knew more than they did. Kept talking instead of asking questions and we felt like they were trying to push use elsewhere. Not a great way to sell dresses. It's disappointing because I've walked past this store countless times and always wanted to get a nice dress or gown there, but I don't think I ever will and am recommending all of my friends against it.

Mike S

Very helpful. Family owned and operated.

Telva Earle

These guys are AMAZING!! They helped me out after the shop I bought the dress from decided to close and keep the money and the dress. They were able to get my daughter her exact dress. Thank you all so much.

Autumn Fraser (autumnfraserr)

Can’t say enough about the excellent customer service we received. Great selection of dresses and the guidance we we’re given while trying them on was awesome.

Kate Tompson

Staff are super friendly and super helpful and very knowledgeable about what looks fantastic on every body type

Crystal Gilbertson

Amazing staff. Patient and helpful. Dress selection was second to none.

Autumn K

They fitted me way too big, infact 3 sizes too big, and I told them I thought it wasnt right, but they insisted. When the dress arrived, it was far too big. I need to get it tailored like crazy now costing me even more money. Also, for paying 600+ dollars I did not even receive a duster bag, just a cheap plastic covering.

mackenzie bishop

If you want a really gaudy dress that is defective, this is the place to shop.

Dana LeComte

Be sure you are aware of their policy before you buy. They ONLY agree to have the dress to you by the grad date no matter what they say in the store.

Olivia C

Great staff, great dresses, very accomadating. No complaints.

Kyla Painter

They fitted me way too big, after i mentioned that the size would be too big on me they were very rude about it. once the dress got in it was so big that they couldn’t even alter it. when we called and asked for a refund or exchange they wouldn’t do either of it. i had to buy a new dress with a month left till prom when i got this dress in january. i was VERY sad about my experience here

Brian Mander

Unique

Debby Fernandez

We had a lovely experience at Grad Central. As per Covid protocols there were only 3 customers and guests in the store. Attendants were extremely helpful and sincere in suggestions and guidance on colours and styles. We had a list gathered from their extensive website and that helped them get an idea on style. They also pulled their suggestions as well. They measured twice to make sure on sizing and suggested a seamstress for hemming etc... Overall I was beyond thrilled that we got a dress in an hour...which is beyond amazing shopping with teens! I have no hesitation recommending this store.

J Fox

Amazing customer service, beautiful dresses!

Shari O'Neill

Really helpful and nice. My daughter found her dream grad dress. So many dresses to choose from.

caitlin sears

We were all very unhappy with our experience at this shop. The lady that helped us was rude, overbearing, and did not listen to anything the girls asked for. She pushed dress styles and colours on us that weren't what we asked for. My daughter asked to try on a dress and the sales person told her she couldn't try it on if she couldn't afford it, then completely talked over me when I tried to tell her we could afford it. She made several disparaging comments about the girls bodies. The dress selection was quite limited, and fairly expensive.

Carly Ward

I just bought both my prom dress and winter formal dress from Grad Central. I had the best time there! Right away I was greeted and felt at ease! They grabbed all the dresses I liked and more they felt would look good. Not only were the two ladies honest and helpful but they made me felt so confident and special in my favourite dresses! They were so lovely. I would 10/10 recommend this store

emily vanvliet

The service was great!! They helped me choose my dream dress were very helpful! They defienetly knew their stuff! Thanks a bunch

Sam G

Went in a couple months ago just looking - lovely dresses and the two gals were so helpful. I ended up in a bind needing a dress a few weeks ago and they sold me a GORGEOUS Alyce gown off the rack and it was like new. They treated me great and they have a fab selection. I highly recommend checking here for evening wear! Thanks gals!!!!

Andy Walker

Ok

Kimberley

We were at Grad Central two weekends ago and found the perfect strapless black beaded Alyce Paris prom dress. The staff was wonderful, my daughter pulled dresses that appealed to her and they made sure to check their school prom list. We were glad that they didn’t let her try dresses on out of budge or if they were already purchased for the school she attended; that would only bring heartbreak if she tried one on and found out she couldn’t purchase it. The staff was so friendly and helpful; I would definitely recommend it to people. Thank you for a wonderful relaxing experience.

Lindsay Suddaby

I was astounded when I walked into the store at the sheer quantity of glitter surrounding me. I believe there were two dresses in the whole store that didn't have bling on them (I asked!). I was looking for a dress for a solo recital, but 90% of the dresses there are poofy princess and/or neon and/or encrusted with sparkles, which was not at all what I wanted. The staff was friendly and helpful, but I wouldn't recommend going here if you want something classic or understated. Both dresses I tried on were exceedingly cheap material and felt like they wouldn't last a whole evening, never mind multiple wearings. Perhaps that's fine for the high-school set, but don't go looking for quality there!

Gillian P

Feb 2021. Excellent customer service from the young lady who helped my daughter pick an amazing dress for grad... but the chiming-in from an elderly lady was not only incorrect regarding how the dress was to be worn and fit (in an attempt to help sell the dress, I assume), but another lady was dismissive and condescending to me when I suggested I'd alter the dress as needed myself. In front of my daughter as she struggled with the decision of picking her first fancy gown... on a day that should've been a special experience for us as mother-daughter... who traveled and stayed overnight to buy at this shop... in a year where they basically had no fun grad celebration to wear this dress because of the pandemic... THIS was our weekend away celebrating her and her grad. I bought the expensive, beautifully beaded dress and altered it myself (because I'm a seamstress) and she looked amazing at her very brief grad experience.

emilysmokey

The service was excellent. The ladies were very helpful and very honest. They were very honest in what suited us. We highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a beautiful dress. We traveled from Manitoba and would recommended this shop to anyone traveling through Victoria.

Islander Abroad

Do not buy your dress from Grad Central! Poor quality. Ordered in from China. Beads fall off sizes aren’t accurate. The owner makes no effort to fix or resolve issues. My daughters dress was ordered November 2018 and didn’t arrive in Victoria until April. Because we live up island, we had a family emergency I wasn’t able to pick the dress up for just over 2 weeks. My daughter tried the dress on and complained that it felt tight, the sales girl said that it’s supposed to be very fitted, and that the seamstress could alter the dress. As well sew on the beads that had fallen off. Our seamstress said there is no way to alter the dress it’s 3 inches to small. We would have to change the whole design of the dress and add ribbon to lace the back, costing hundreds of dollars to make the alteration. On closer inspection so many of the beads are loose, crooked. It’s going to cost a fortune to repair this dress. Grad central refuses to even acknowledge the issues. I have reached out asking for help. They refuse saying I took to long to pick up the dress, when it took them 5 months to get the dress in the first place. Do not buy your dress here. Awful service and garbage product! Don’t waste your time or money! Looking at 50% of Grad Centrals reviews, they must be friends of the company. They respond to their negative reviews with the same response, that they have been in business for over 20 years and provide good service. No accountability whatsoever. Shame on you grad central. You are right I was worried leaving your store with that dress, I was scrutinizing the product, I was concerned! Your store clerk professional dress fitter kept reassuring me that the dress fit like it was supposed to, that it could be altered by the seamstress if necessary. She even ripped off beads from the sample dress to add to our dress because she agreed there was beads missing. I should have refused the dress but I had already paid for it 5 months prior, due to family issues we weren’t able to get to you within the 2 weeks of when the dress finally arrived to your store, which is a poor excuse to not help your customers resolve issues. Do not give this business your money. The dresses are sub par and literally falling apart by the seams. I’m disgusted by our experience and even more disgusted by Grads Centrals response to my review!

jasmine taschereau

Such a great place! Stunning dresses and really kind staff! If you are looking for a prom dress this is the place to go, they make you feel welcome, make sure you get the right fit, and help with anything you need.

Aislyn Wheelock

Came in with my sister to play in dresses and get a feel for what she wants for her 2019 grad-- so many gorgeous dresses, with really great prices. Not to mention how sweet and incredibly helpful and involved the girls here are :)

Larissa Alithea

My daughter and I had an amazing shopping experience at Grad Central in Victoria BC. The staff were extremely attentive and we found the perfect prom dress that fit my daughter perfectly. Highly recommend.

Leah Renell

Have just bought my third daughters dress today!! The service was fantastic and the woman working in there know their stuff. My daughter is a plus size girl and we have had some issues with other stores and how she was treated. As soon as we got in we were treated amazingly and with in 30 minutes we had our dress and were out the door. Thank you for all your fantastic help!!

Mike and Annie Craig

They were amazing there this morning. They are helpful and patiend and knowledgeable. Awesome!!! Not a bad word to say. Thanks ladies.

Nicole McFadden

Wonderful experience! We've been looking since September for the perfect dress for my daughter, Joanne was so helpful, she really knew her stuff in terms of not only style but color and overall cut/fit! We're elated to have found her the perfect dress, they have a great selection to choose from, our experienced was very professional, yet relaxed and we did not feel rushed as we had previously with other shops. I would highly recommend Grad Central, and will definitely be back when my second one graduates!