Shopping for Halloween costumes can often feel like a trick, not a treat. The Better Business Bureau often receives a surge of complaints related to costume and merchandise delivery, repair, and refund or exchange issues. The BBB can help you with your search of Halloween costumes . . .
- Plan ahead. Order early, even if the company promises that it will arrive within days, in case the costume doesn't fit.
- Browse around and check pricing. Comparison shop, online and offline, before you buy. The costume's advertised price may differ from the final cost; take into account sales tax and shipping fees.
- Investigate the Company. Visit www.bbb.org to view their BBB Reliability Report.
- Confirm a point of contact. Look for full contact information on their Web site, including a phone number, e-mail address and a physical street address; be cautious of sellers that only provide a post office box.
- Locate the BBBOnline Reliability Seal. If the company claims to be a BBB Accredited Business, look for their BBBOnline Reliability Seal on their website.
- Inspect the return, refund and shipping policies. Pay close attention to time limits on returns and other restrictions. Make note, some retailers only offer in-store credit for exchanging merchandise and some businesses refuse to refund or exchange seasonal merchandise, such as Halloween costumes.
- Ensure secure connections. Before submitting a payment over the Internet, make sure the Web page is secure. On secure pages, the Web address begins with "https:" instead of "http:" on the payment page; the browser displays the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen; or a lock icon appears on the status bar.
- Pay safely. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment for online purchases; you may be able to dispute the charges if the goods don't arrive.
- Keep a record. Save a copy of the order confirmation page or request a confirmation e-mail to make sure the item, the quantity and the payment matches what you purchased.
- Examine your purchase. If the costume arrives but is damaged, doesn't fit or match what was ordered, contact the company as soon as possible. Tell them your concern and what you're looking for: repair, exchange, or refund. Use e-mail, if available, and save a written copy of your correspondence.
For more information, visit www.bbb.org. Happy Halloween!