10 Tips for Buying a Halloween Costume Online
Many of you are already in the process of buying your costume and many of you are shopping online. Finding Halloween costumes online is great! It’s convenient and you have literally thousands of options available right at your fingertips. However, we know that there may be some challenges, questions, and maybe even fears – especially for those who are not as web savvy. Today, we’re going to help you by walking you through the process on how to find the right costume at a great price.
Step 1: Finding a costume. As mentioned above, shopping for costumes on the internet is great because you can access a large selection without having to leave your house. Once you find the style that you like, it’s time for step two.
Step 2: Review the size chart. When buying clothing online, it’s always important to review the size chart – especially when it’s costumes. Halloween costumes are notorious for having a smaller fit and less stretchy material. When reading the size chart, it’s important to look beyond the dress size and actually look at the inch measurements. That size 8 dress that you normally buy from your favorite store may not have the same fit in costumes. Also keep in mind that many people are shaped differently, especially women. If you carry your weight in a specific area on your body, you’ll want to pull out that tape measure and compare your results to the sizing chart. Lastly, remember that you can always take in a costume but you can’t make it bigger.
Step 3: Compare price and shipping fees. It’s no surprise that many online retailers carry the same Halloween costumes. What’s great about that is that you can compare the price for the same exact item! However, it’s not only important to get carried away with the price of the costume, you have to keep in mind that you will likely pay for shipping fees. Some things you might want to ask yourself include what are the shipping rates and do they offer flat rate shipping or free shipping?
Step 4: Review the return policy. Before you commit to buying, take a second to review the return policy. During Halloween, many retailers have blackout dates where they do not accept returns between certain dates. Also be aware that many retailers do not accept returns on certain items, usually wigs or hosiery. If you review the return policy, there are no surprises.
Step 5: Research the processing and delivery time. Many shoppers are looking for costumes because they need to wear it to a certain event and need it by a very specific day. That’s why it’s important to understand the processing and delivery time of the website you are ordering from. Processing time refers to how many days it takes before the order ships. Some companies take days before they ship out orders so keep an eye out for companies that offer same day shipping. Also be aware of delivery time which is how many days it will take before your order is delivered and is in addition to the processing time. If you need a costume in a hurry, it’s important to review the shipping options and delivery times to ensure that your costume arrives when you need it. Also remember that many shipping companies do not deliver on weekends so if you know you need it for the weekend, make sure your delivery date falls on a weekday.
Step 6: Read the reviews. Another great thing about the internet – reviews. Before you commit to your purchase, it’s always a good idea to read the reviews on the product and the company you are buying from. Did a previous buyer say that the costume is great or has a tight fit? Also, what are the customers saying about the company itself? Do they ship quickly? Are they easy to reach if you have a question? These are important in deciding not only what to buy, but who to buy from.
Step 7: Look for coupon codes. Before you complete your order, there’s one little thing you can do to try to save some money on your order. Go to Google and type in the company name plus coupon code and see what you can find. Many companies offer coupon codes and although some might have expired, it’s always a good practice to look just in case. You wouldn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to save now, would you?
Step 8: Review your payment info. During checkout, it’s important to double check all the information you provided. Many customers run into problems when their payment is declined, especially when it’s over a tiny detail like a missed number. Some of the most common reasons the payment is declined is that the billing information does not match the credit card. Simply put, your billing address is linked to the address where your statement is mailed. Also, the verification code can be a bit confusing too. This is usually the last three numbers on the back of your card unless you are using an American Express. On an Amex, the code is a four-digit number on the front. (Tricky, huh?)
Step 9: Check your order as soon as you get it. Always check your order as soon as you receive it. Do not wait to check it until when you plan to wear it. Why? If you have a problem with your order, (i.e. it doesn’t fit or it’s damaged), you will not have much time to resolve the issue. On top of that, many companies have a limited window of time to request a return. Always, always check your order right away.
Step 10: Leave a review. This is a bonus tip but it is definitely good karma. Remember how confused you were when you were shopping for your costume? Help others out by leaving a review. When you leave a review, you’re giving others useful advice to help them find the right costume and the right company.
With these shopping tips, finding your costume online will be a breeze this year. Do you have an online shopping tip that you’d like to share? If so, leave us a comment below.
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