HELENA — President Trump put a hold on the proposed tariff increase on Chinese imports, which was supposed to go into effect on Tuesday. Because of lace and silk imports, bridal shops across the nation are on edge as they wait to see when or if this proposed increase will be enacted.
MTN News spoke with a local bridal shop in Helena, who says they're prepared no matter the outcome.
Linda Campbell owns Linda's Bridal Images here in Helena, and she is already taking measures to prepare if President Trump's proposed tariff increase is put in place.
Campbell says, worst case scenario, if those numbers were to go up, customers would see a big impact.
"A $1,000 dress would become a $1,500 dress so that's big, that's a markup that we just can't afford," Campbell said.
Linda has signed several petitions from the "International Bridal Manufactures Association" to make bridal shops an exception to the tariffs.
She has also been in close contact with her vendors, and feels at this time because of the precautionary measures she has taken, there is no need to panic.
"It's great to now that our vendors already are saying relax, it's okay, we've got you, we understand. They need us just as much as we need them. So it has kind of helped calm my nerves quite a bit, i am not really concerned right now," Campbell said.
Linda says, if you are engaged and looking for a wedding dress, come into the shop, try the dresses on, and don't fall victim to online counterfeit dresses.
"Every year we have girls come in with their boxes that they get, their online dresses they show us the picture, this is what it was supposed to look like, and this is what came to me some circumstances, they get a box with dress and a bag of lace and a bag of beads," she warned.
In the long run, Linda says you'll be spending more money to fix that dress, than you would coming into the shop and picking one out in person.
There is no word yet on when the proposed tariff would be put into place.
In the meantime if you are need of a wedding dress, now might just be the best time to buy.
Linda's Bridal Images will be holding a sample sale, Saturday October 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
