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Some SharNett clients get dresses

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By Jennie Szink, Staff Writer Updated 10:03 PM Friday, July 10, 2009

DAYTON — Sharon Arnett of the recently closed SharNett Bridal and Prom may have promised customers their orders but the number of brides still awaiting a call seems to outnumber those whose nerves have been calmed.

Jennifer Derringer, one of the lucky, said she was originally distraught over the possibility of not getting her dress before her Aug. 15 wedding. Her fiancee Thomas Ryman reassured her everything would work out and he was right, in her case. Arnett called to guarantee a final fitting for the dress after the store’s closing.

“I feel if she made the effort to contact me personally ... I think she’ll be able to get my dress to me,” Derringer said. “I’ll take her on her word.”

Most customers can’t share Derringer’s faith after SharNett closed without notice on Tuesday, July 7. Arnett said the economy forced her to make the decision the day before. More than 100 people have called in complaints to Miamisburg detective Jim Duff and Susan Neely, Montgomery County consumer fraud investigator.

“We have to look into the merits of the case,” Neely said. “Potential defendants don’t have to talk to us, but we’d like to hear her side of the story.”

Customers report they are having a hard time getting a hold of SharNett at the phone number or E-mail address left on the store’s door, at 8 Prestige Plaza in Miami Twp: (937) 718-6183 or sharnettbridal@aol.com. Maggie Sottero Bride said they cannot either, and have about 40 to 50 dresses SharNett ordered and has not paid for.

“We are a victim here as much as anyone else,” Executive Vice President Darvin Erickson said. “The best thing for the girls to do is to call us to see what to do.”

Contact Maggie Sottero Bride at (866) 735-8303.

Some brides have the option of getting back their money by opening a dispute with SharNett through their credit card company. Local bridal shops are also offering their help by reducing dress prices and service rates and calling vendors to check on bride’s dresses. One local shop owner said she knows a lot of brides are missing their dresses but a few have reported receiving theirs.

Beth Fleck has been waiting 49 years for her wedding day and said the thought of not having her dress at her wedding Aug. 29 makes her sick.

“Not even just for me, but for all these other girls, it just breaks my heart,” Fleck said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2282 or jszink@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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