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Often a prospect does not see what one is looking for
on our web site, but we can make just about anything.
Please see our New
Costume Request page.
The process begins with your vision. Please describe
it. Send us pictures (JPEG, BMP or GIF preferably).
If we need to, we research it. When our designers visualize
your description, we then may draw a rendering. We go
through an iterative process of how you want your costume
to look and feel. We make whatever changes you desire
within reason. Once you decide that we’ve got
it, we quote you a price, options and terms.
We won’t compromise your vision unless it violates
copyright laws. We also don’t compromise on using
quality materials and workmanship. We can sometimes
use less expensive materials (e.g., pleather instead
of leather, satin instead of silk) to lower cost. We
can sometimes stitch and construct using theatre quality
instead of historically accurate or museum quality.
We could also incorporate less detail than originally
envisioned to lower costs. These options are discussed
as needed. The most expensive cost in a commissioned
work is labor. These are fixed costs depending on required
skill and experience.
Once we agree to go forward, we require 100% of the
cost up front on costumes under $400.00. For costumes
that are more expensive, we require 50% of the cost
up front to begin the project. We may send you pictures
of the materials selected. Sometimes, you may need to
feel the fabric swatches, so we send them to you. Once
we agree on the materials, we begin your project. Turnaround
time varies greatly. It can be as little as a few days
to as long as a few weeks or months. Sometimes we are
challenged to find the perfect materials, and a project
gets delayed. However, you are informed of our progress
in detail at each stage of the project lifecycle. The
most challenging aspect of every project is finding
the perfect materials.
During each step of the project, we may send you pictures
so that you can freely comment on our progress and suggest
changes that may be required. We make every effort to
design to your specifications and give you exactly what
you want even if we have to do something over again.
Sometimes we have to compromise our original vision
and we discuss it. Reasonable requests are generally
accommodated. As a rule, all the details that are important
to you should be documented in email. If you do not
document your requirements, and leave too much to chance
or assumptions, miscommunication may happen and bumps
in the process result. There are no contracts or refunds,
so please spell everything out clearly at the beginning.
Please, no surprises unless you are willing to consider
adjustments in the cost of the project. Sometimes, mistakes
happen and every effort is made to find a mutually agreed
upon solution.
We provide insurance that covers you for up to $950
on PayPal transactions. Insurance is optional and not
included on other payment methods. Sometimes, we carry
the insurance ourselves, or we purchase insurance through
the carrier.
We make every effort to always be straightforward
with you and sometimes in one-of-a-kind projects, compromises
need to be considered and accepted. Generally, we require
another 25% payment once we are well along in the process
because you can see evidence of the project nearing
completion. We require final payment, including shipping
and insurance, before we ship your order. Shipping costs
vary greatly, but we try to quote you up front, and
we prefer to use carriers with tracking.
Under rare circumstances, your order may require alterations
to fit perfectly. We will absorb the cost of alterations
and shipping provided you give us ample time to get
the job done right.
We do accept jobs on very short notice, but we may
charge extra to requeue projects to get your project
done on time.
Thank you for your further consideration and patronage.
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