Costume rental is a great way to simplify the costuming process. You not only can find a higher quality getup that might have otherwise been out of yo...
Costume rental is a great way to simplify the costuming process. You not only can find a higher quality getup that might have otherwise been out of your price range,
or the project’s budget, you don’t have to worry about finding the room to store it, or feeling obligated to use it again. What’s the fun in dressing up if you have to recycle great ideas? Besides, fabric yellows as it ages and takes on mysterious smells. Save yourself the embarrassment and just find a shop that has rental options.
But there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so. Every costume is not created equal, nor is every retailer. The last thing you want to do is find the costume of your dreams, only to put it on and find that it smells like someone else’s deodorant or is shredding at the seams.
When looking for the right retailer to meet your costuming needs, don’t be shy about asking questions and doing some research. If it has a website, this is a good way to find out some quick facts, but you have to know what you’re looking for.
How long has the shop been in business? If it’s been around for a while, then you should be able to find online reviews or look it up on the BBB. Your friends might have even heard something from Susie down the road. Ask around.
But don’t worry if the shop is new in town. You can still use these other tips to decide if it’s going to be able deliver.
How often does the shop clean its costumes? This should be published on its website or visible somewhere in the store. Your best bet is to find someone that cleans the merchandise after every use. Not only will this keep your date from asking why you smell like mold or someone else’s cologne, but it’s a good indicator of how well the distributor takes care of its costumes.
Regular cleanings means the store is paying close attention to the details. It’ll be able to catch small stains or tears that need to be taken care of before you take it home and take responsibility for it. There’s nothing more upsetting than having to take credit for someone else’s abuse of the costume.
Find out what the shop’s policy is on after hours emergencies. If you’re picking up your costume rental on Friday, but the party isn’t until Sunday, it may be Sunday before you realize your order is missing a shoe. Does the shop check their email after hours? Is there an emergency contact number? Find out how it handles those kinds of things
How far in advance can you reserve your costume? It’s best to plan ahead. You’re probably not going to want to work with someone who won’t let you reserve your gear until 48 hours before the big event. The sooner you can commit them to the rental, the better. If you’re stocking for a play or a theme party, you’ll probably be making your plans weeks, maybe even months, ahead of time. That’s a good time to call the store and reserve what you need.
Check shipping prices, if applicable. It’s heartbreaking to find a deal that seems too good to be true, only to find out that it is. Some places will try to make up for the rental discount in their shipping fees. Other, more reputable, carriers are likely to give you a shipping discount on larger orders, and won’t rip you off on small ones.
Look for testimonials. These, hopefully, will be on the shop’s website, but you can probably find some customer reviews in other online forums, too. Don’t be shy! If the referrals have listed their name and business, call them. They’ve been through the costume rental process and can give you some good tips and honest feedback.
