I have gotten many an email asking about the safety of buying costumes from resale websites such as Fineahban and Carnival Junction. As I have told those persons I personally have never purchased a costume from any of those websites, for the most part I have never heard any negative reviews apart from sellers jacking up prices.And while there is no guarantee that the advertisers of costumes for sale are indeed honest enough to follow through with the sale after receiving your money here are some tips to ensure that you have some sort of recourse in case the deal goes sour:
*If possible do the costume sale/purchase at the mas camp.This was actually the avenue I took when I had to sell a costume; the buyer of the costume met me at the mas camp and the sale/purchase was done with an employee bearing witness. I was also able to transfer the costume to the buyer by doing a letter on the spot.
*Always get a receipt. Once you had over money to someone have proof that this was done, you can purchase a recepit book in any stationary store.
*Have all communication done via email and CC (carbon copy) the emails to the mas camp so there is a third party aware of the sale and what was promised.
*Get a written letter (or email with scanned letter and signature of the seller) informing the mas camp that the costume was sold to you and asking that the costume be transfered. Also get copies of the seller's ID and a letter authorizing you to collect the costume if the transfer deadline has passed.
*Beware of persons asking for money but are unwilling to provide you with any documented proof that they are selling you the costume. Both the transfer of money and relevant documents should be done simultaneously.
*Only pay what was paid on the costume; do not pay the entire costume amount if only a deposit was made.
*In the case of fraudulent practices please alert the owners of the websites Fineahban and Carnival Junction so the necessary action can be taken to remove the sellers.
Remember the person selling has an item they want to get rid of, the longer they hold on to it the more of a liability it becomes. As the buyer YOU have the upper hand so do not be anxious in rushing into a sale or think that you need to pay more than it is worth.
I am sure in the coming weeks you will see more costumes coming up for sale on these websites, so be careful in making your purchase and good luck in getting the costume you want!
