Order Method
We accept orders by phone, fax, email, mail, and through the website. Practically any way you can get it to us, we can accomodate. Our store incorporates a fully functional seamstress and design shop with custom design, tailoring, alterations, and custom garment and gown making with nationwide service. You do not need to be local to us for your dream design to come true.
International Orders
International orders can be placed through our website, however our website calculates shipping via UPS which can be very pricey. We recommend that international orders email us or send orders by fax for manual processing. This way we can quote your order with USPS which is far less expensive shipping. International orders can be made by wire for larger purchases or using Paypal for smaller purchases). Once you are ready to go ahead with your order, we will send you a order invoice through Paypal requesting payment. If you do not have a Paypal account, visit http://www.paypal.com/ to create one. All payments need to go to orders@bbeautydesigns.com to come to us effectively.
Payment Types
We accept Paypal (Accepts American Express), VISA, Mastercard, and Discover directly through our website. Checks require a minimum of 10 days to clear before we can release an order. Orders paid by cashiers check or money order are processed immediately.
Payment Terms
Normal terms for costumes are 50% down as a deposit, with the balance due prior to shipping (when your costume is completed). Add-ons such as wigs, shoes, and other accessories need to be paid in full upfront. If your costume is over $500, we allow payment plans which will divide the full amount in a series of equal installments up until your costume needs to ship. This allows for a smaller upfront deposit and the ability to pay over time. Please note that with either payment terms, payment must be made in full prior to your costume shipping, therefore booking in advance is recommended to spread out your payments.
Deposits and Payment Plans
Deposits are 50% down on all custom orders, 100% down on manufactured merchandise. The balance of your order needs to be made when the order is completed.
Non-payment
Deposits are 50% of fees on custom orders. Deposits cover the material costs of your order and/or initial labor on your order (if you are providing materials). Custom orders are a contract for services rendered. If you cancel your order before work has been done, you will be refunded the difference in cost between your deposit and materials purchased and materials will be given to you or disposed of at your request. There is a 25% restocking fee for all manufactured items purchased on your order. If you cancel or stop production on your order after we have started, you will be responsible for labor costs to date and your partial project will be given to you or disposed of at your request. If your project has been finished, you are responsible for your total balance. If you are unable to pay labor costs beyond your deposit or final balance your we will hold your custom order for up to 30 days to offer you the opportunity to make payment plans and honor your contract. If your contract is not honored after 30 days all monies paid and rights to your custom order are forfeit. We reserve the right to refuse future business from those persons who contract us to make a custom order and result in non-payment.
Booking your Costume
Booking in advance is highly recommended. Even though our shop can handle large volumes of costumes, if you wait too long, we could be booked for the time period you need.
1. Start with an Idea
You need to have a basic idea of what you want created. We will need a sketch or picture to make sure we understand what you want.
2. Think about your Accessories
Remember we can create the whole package for you. Custom boots, weapons, and more.
3. Determine a budget
You will need to determine a budget. Although all our costumes are constructed with high quality we can do basic versions or highly detailed and embellished versions on a costume. Costumes will range in price based on the cost of materials, how embellished or how detailed the costume is, and how much time it will take to construct. We try to give as many options as possible to fit all kinds of budgets.
CUSTOM ORDER POLICIES
Initial Communication
Prior to receiving your invoice, we have gotten either a basic or detailed synopsis of what you would like created. We can make from photos and sketches. Often times we only get a single view of a character or costume idea for basic quotes. However if your inquiry is serious, you will need to specify what you want sides, backs, and the details to be like. We include 1 hour of free research on each costume whether booked or not. Mostly this is to get a basic idea of the costs and labor involved to create it, and depending on the costume, this research is done upfront to give you a generic idea of cost. Most costumes do not need additional research unless we are not provided with important angles such as what the back, side, or details of the costume look like. In some costumes the back is exactly the same as the front and don't need any elaboration. However if your costume is detailed, you will need to provide additional shots so we can get a 360 degree view of the costume. If any research is needed on your costume that you are unable to provide, a research fee will be added to your order assessed at $40.00/hour. Simple costumes do not need much in the way of research unless you ask for a rare color or material to be sourced. Historical or authentic movie reproductions take more research time to analyze movie stills, look at historical sewing techniques, etc. You will need to authorize an upfront amount of research time as part of your invoice. We will let you know ahead of time if your costume requires a research fee.
Invoice/Order Confirmation
Your costume will be detailed out in an invoice format as an order confirmation. You can choose to book it or review it at this stage. A costume is only considered booked when a deposit is put down on the invoice (50% of the invoice total).
Review your invoice. It is important that any specifications are outlined there, as the invoice will be used as a point of reference when your costume goes into production. Everything you need spelled out such as materials used, specific notations such as changes from your photo/sketch/or design, colors, etc. need to be spelled out on the invoice. If you ever choose to make changes while your costume is in production, they must be submitted in writing. Even if you specify details in a phone conversation or in person they must be re-addressed in writing even if there is no additional charge for them. Your invoice is your contract, so make sure all your key points are addressed in it. We will revise it whenever you request changes and let you know if there are any additional charges for those changes.
Moving Forward
To accept and book your job, you will need to put a 50% deposit. This is usually done by phone with a representative. Normal terms for costumes are 50% down as a deposit, with the balance due prior to shipping (when your costume is completed). If you need to use a different payment method for your balance or you wish to be contacted before final balance is charged to your card you must specify at time of booking or at least a week before your costume is due to ship. Add-ons such as wigs, shoes, and other accessories need to be paid in full upfront. If your costume is over $500, we allow payment plans which will divide the full amount in a series of equal installments up until your costume needs to ship. This allows for a smaller upfront deposit and the ability to pay over time. Please note that with either payment terms, payment must be made in full prior to your costume shipping, therefore booking in advance is recommended to spread out your payments.
When you book your costume with your deposit, this is a good time to discuss your timeline/deadline with your representative to make sure we can accommodate you. You will want to specify two dates: when you actually want the costume to arrive to you and when your actual event date is if you have one. These dates will be used as guidelines to determine when scheduling production of your costume. Both dates will appear on your invoice.
We will purchase your materials directly after receiving your deposit, so unfortunately all deposits are non-refundable.
Measurements
Once your costume is booked, we will email you a measurement sheet for you to fill out (or if you are local to us, we will take measurements at your booking). It is important to measure accurately (have someone do it for you if you are unsure). We are able to catch some irregularities and contact you, but mostly what you specify as your measurements are what we will use. Do not add ease into your measurements (pad them). We will do this automatically depending on the material and the type of fit you are looking for. As well, fill out as many measurements as you can. Not all of them may be applicable, but the more we have, the more we can figure out your body shape and figure.
Note: If you only provide a few measurements, or minimal measurements, your costume will be made using a standard size that will fit the measurements you provided. Please note that if you only provide a few measurements, your garment cannot be truly tailored to your size and will be more generic. We can tailor the costume after it is finished if you like, but you will incur alteration charges i.e. if a sleeve is too long and you didn't specify an arm measurement, altering the costume will be at your own expense.
Production
Once we receive your measurements, your costume will be scheduled for production. Our production schedule is very heavy at all times of the year, so it is probable that we will not begin working on your costume immediately. It will be scheduled for the next open production slot with sufficient time to complete it before your deadline. Production slots are assigned on a first come first serve basis, so we recommend you book early in case of any delays. We typically book 1 month in advance solid on full costume builds with the ability to fit in smaller projects and production in between with shorter 1-2 week turnarounds.
During the course of production we will be clarifying any details that are needed that may have not been stated early on as they come up during building your costume.
Finalization
Unless you've booked a project that evolves with several fittings and design aspects, your costume will be finished by your requested date. Final balance will be charged and your costume will be shipped to you. Tracking information will be emailed to you from UPS to the email we have on file for you. If you are local, we will call you to make final payment and pick up your costume. If for whatever reason your card declines, or we are unable to reach you for final payment, please read our "Period of No Response" policy.
Period of No Response
If you place an order and we are unable to reach you after three attempts, your order will be held up to 1 year until which time it will be considered abandoned and you will forfeit all payments you have made and your order will be cancelled. If any order is received with no correspondence past one month up to 1 year, the order will be eligible for store credit less 20% to cover any fees and restocking fees incurred.
Receiving your Costume
When you receive your costume (or when you come to pick-up your costume), make sure you try it on right away and inspect it for any flaws. Any defects or issues need to be reported to us immediately so we can remedy any problems.
Satisfaction Guarantee
We want our customer's to be 100% satisfied with the quality of their purchases with us. Therefore we have a detailed guarantee to make sure that you feel protected in purchasing from us. We go to great lengths to ensure that your items arrive to you with professional presentation. If any damages or quality issues are present for an order received contact us within 24-48 hours of receipt with customer service to issue return and/or replacement of your order.
Our guarantee covers:
- A garment's finished size will be made to fit the measurements provided by the client. Remember most garments can be made with minimal measurements provided, but the more measurements you provide allows us to make it less of a generic size and more of a tailored size.
- Flaws in stitching, craftsmanship, or sewing. Any unraveling at the seams, any degree of unprofessionalism in the sewing, and any flaws in the product upon arrival.
- Quality of the material when we select the material.
- Design flaws on a garment we designed.
Our guarantee does not cover:
- Someone else's work. We do not cover problems not related to the work we did or to the satisfaction of the overall garment.
- Your own material. Whatever material you provide determines the quality level of that product.
- Incomplete measurements. Garments can be made with minimal measurements, but how many you provide determines how tailored you want the garment to be. You cannot provide generic measurements and complain that your garment is not tailored. Or complain about the fit in the garment for a measurement you did not provide i.e. the sleeve was too long, but you never provided a sleeve measurement.
- Rips or tears after a garment is worn i.e. you snagged the satin in your dress and complain of quality in material.
- Return of worn items or items created/purchased for special events.
- Design flaws on a garment you designed.
- If you injur yourself while wearing one of our designs or produced items. You wear everything at your own risk.
- If you change your mind about your purchase.
- Complaints on items not specified on your invoice/contract.
If we make a mistake, we will fix it. If the item is flawed beyond repair we will replace it. Each item is inspected for flaws before it leaves.
Care of your Garments
We use basic guidelines for the cleaning and care of your garments. If you are unsure of how to care for your garment, please ask us! We will not be responsible for dry cleaning problems or washing problems. Choose cleaners who will take proper care of your garments including those who are experienced with elaborate costumes and gowns, will test trims and beads to make sure they can withstand the chemicals they use, experience regarding stains and spots, and test for bleeding when working with garments with white and colors mixed. Pay the extra money for someone who takes the time.
