KatherinesDressUpBox

Frequently Asked Questions:

I am interested in commissioning a costume

or gown. What is the first step?

our e-mail address can be found on our “Contact Us” page. Be sure to give us as much information as possible, including the costume or type of gown you are interested in, how soon you need it, and which state you live in. If you have a certain budget in mind, let us know. We will respond with our preliminary cost estimate, and an estimate of the time it will take to complete your order. Later, there will be a measurement sheet for you to fill out, and a contract to sign and mail or fax to us.

Do you do wedding dresses?

Yes! We specialize in Medieval, Renaissance, and other historic fashions, but we can create a gown for you in any style you desire. We can do research for you, or use your own ideas for your gown. You will have a wide variety of gorgeous fabrics and materials to choose from, to create a memorable gown for your very special day!

Your prices are higher than costumes I could buy at a local store. Why is that?

We are a custom design costume shop. This means that each item is made to measure and to order, and nothing is “mass produced.” And we only use high quality materials. For your money, you are getting a unique, one-of-a-kind item.

How do I know that my costume will fit? What if it doesn’t?

When you place your order, we will ask that you fill out a detailed measurement sheet. It is crucial that these measurements be accurate, in order to get a good fit. However, since each persons’ body is “put together” a little bit differently, your costume may require minor alterations after you have received it.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept payment with Visa or Mastercard, cashier’s check or money order, or personal check. (With a 10-day waiting period for personal checks.) Checks should be made payable to “Katherine’s Dress-Up Box, Inc.”

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes. For fabric sales, we offer percentage discounts based on the type of material and the quantity you order. With costumes, we offer discounts for groups of 20 or more, when the costumes are identical in style.

I need my order quickly! Do you accept rush orders?

Generally, we need about 12 weeks to process each order. (From the time we receive your down payment.) A “Rush Order” is one that is due in 6 weeks or less. Additional fees involved with rush orders include more expensive shipping costs of both materials and of the finished product. Depending on how quickly you need your order, these costs can be substantial. Larger sized rush orders (more than 5 items) may be subject to additional labor charges, as well. It is best to give us as much time as possible to complete your order, to avoid these fees! Additionally with rush orders, you may be limited as to the types of materials we can obtain for your costume, and there may not be time to send fabrics to you for your approval.

I placed my order and gave a down payment, but now I’ve changed my mind. Can you cancel or change my order?

The answer to this question depends on how far we are into the construction process, and what you have ordered. We can cancel orders for Dress-Up Trunks: if the trunk has not already been shipped, you will receive an immediate full refund. If the trunk has been shipped, your cancellation will be handled as a return (see below.) For cancellation of custom costumes or gowns, depending on how long it has been since you placed your order, you may or may not be eligible for a full refund. Call us to discuss your situation. Changes to the design of your costume or gown during the construction process will result in additional fees.

What is your return policy?

We accept returns of our “Princess Opal” and “Princess Ruby” Dress-Up Trunks, for a full refund minus shipping charges. If you have questions about your custom item, please call us to discuss your concerns. We are dedicated to your satisfaction, and will strive for a fair solution to any problem or difficulty. You must call us in advance to authorize return of custom trunks, costumes or gowns, however with these items, we offer only a partial refund. Please remember that when you commission a custom trunk, costume or gown, you are ordering a unique item that we probably cannot resell to anyone else, so your refund amount will reflect deduction of our materials, labor and shipping costs. With a custom item, you should be very sure in advance that you really want the item, and if you have second thoughts after you have received your item, you may come out better in the end selling it yourself, perhaps in your local newspaper or with an online auction like E-Bay, rather than returning the item to us. In any case, please contact us to discuss your situation.