Used Costume Expectations

[wyllo]

I'm curious what kind of standards are expected when purchasing a used costume. Do you expect sellers to mention minor wear and tear issues (missing stones, self tanner on the bodysuit, etc)? What would constitute an issue that would reduce the value of the dress? How would you grade used costumes (excellent, good, fair, poor)?

The costumes I've bought so have been in excellent condition, but I wonder if I've just been lucky. :) Or, are dresses for the most part kept and re-sold in good condition?

[chica latina]

I would think it depends on the value of the costume. If I buy a costume that is selling pretty cheap... I will not expect it to be in great condition. When I sell my costumes I replace missing stones or other issues and would guess many people do that.

I would recommend everyone to ask the seller about the condition of the dress before agreeing to buy.

[Katarzyna]

Yoe should definitely ask!!! you have the right to know.. and dont only ask for good bad fair but specific as in, missing stones, stains rips etc etc... I have had some great and not so great experiences with buying dresses.. Its usually best to know everything before you get the costume...

[Me]

Anything not mentioned is a problem!

If you are buying a gown online, it can be a bit risky. Generally people pay a lot for their costuming and take care of it, so usually major problems are rare (I've found, anyway.) Most people selling dresses are very careful to describe everything because they are afraid of making people angry with them.

Questions I ask are:
1. Are stones missing? If so, are they just normal flatbacks or are there unique stones missing? (Larger, sew on stones can be more expensive and more difficult to find than just plain flatbacks.)
2. Has the costume been noticably stretched? (VERY important to ask this. Stretching can cause permanent stress damage to the fabric and cause stones to pop off.)
3. Are there any tears or other things that need to be mended? Broken zippers? Missing hooks?
4. Are there any stains at all, even stains on the inside caused by self tanner?
5. Does the costume have any odor from storage, perfume, etc? (Received one once that smelled strongly of an attic.)

[wyllo]

That's a good point, but at what level of detail do you expect from the seller? I wouldn't really expect a seller to say the dress is missing five stones since that seems inconsequential to the value of the dress. I mean, maybe it would be nice, but it's easy not to notice so few stones are missing. I try to replace stones every time I wear a dress and constantly am finding that I missed one while standing on deck. :)

Here's an actual example: one of my dresses had a tear in the bodysuit, which I patched up. It was along a seam so you really can't tell it was there and it never affected the appearance or function of the dress. When I resell that dress should I mention the tear? Does the fact that it has a tear - even though it's been fixed - reduce the value of the dress? I've worn it several times since it was fixed and it shows no signs of tearing again. Of course, I want to be completely honest and fair when re-selling the dress, but I don't want to devalue it if there is no reason to do so. It seems to me that if you are too detailed then you can make a perfectly gorgeous dress sound less attractive than it is. Or maybe that's not the case?

[Me]

If it is in any way noticeable, I think you should include it in the dress history. Something short like, "Small repair along seam of inner bodysuit - Noticeable only when inside is closely inspected." Include it under other positive things done to the gown like, "Stones added to blah blah blah."

That would be my expectation as a buyer. But, I'm not an experienced seller of gowns, so somebody here might offer better advice.

[Mawmaw]

I would add that it is helpful to ask for a 24 hour grace period where you can send the costume back if you are not satisfied. Most people are willing to do this and if they will not then that should be a concern. I've had great results and some not so great.

I believe a seller should disclose anything they know about a costume. If you have a question as to whether you should disclose something about the costume you are selling, then I say disclose it. You can always send a picture of the repaired area of the costume if there is a question about it. Although, I would say a repair to the body suit is pretty inconsequential-unless it is not repaired properly.

Other questions to ask when buying used costumes: Who made the dress? How many times worn? Has it been cleaned? Are the crystals Swarovski, Korean, etc? Are you the original owner? Does the owner of the costume smoke? What is the age of the costume? What material is the costume made of (stretch crepe, satin, angel skin, etc.)?

Ask as many questions as possible. Most of us love our costumes and we don't mind talking about them.

Mawmaw

[danceronice]

If I were buying on-line, I don't think I would purchase a dress without an agreed-upon 'grace period' (say, forty-eight hours to notify the seller you were unsatisfied and mailing it back.)

[Katarzyna]

If I were buying on-line, I don't think I would purchase a dress without an agreed-upon 'grace period' (say, forty-eight hours to notify the seller you were unsatisfied and mailing it back.)

Totally agree with exceptions of international purchases. The shipping costs and risks are too high to send a gown back and forward.

[Keelzorz]

Ask ask ask away!

I do have one dress that came with a number of problems (bodysuit cut at the crotch, stain on shoulder, missing stones, mangled gloves), but as I found it on eBay about an hour before the auction ended, and managed to win it for $60, I was willing to accept just about any damage. I figured as an informed purchaser, I could likely resell it for at least that amount, either on eBay or to another dancer. All problems aside, the dress is easily worth five (if not ten!) times what I paid for it!!

However, the whole experience makes me even more cautious now that I'm shopping for a latin dress, where a tiny tear can really make a difference in structural stability.

[fascination]

hmmm...I can't even fathom buying a dress sight unseen so I would never have the expectation that a seller tell me anything...I would take a thorough look at it and offer a prcie that I felt was reasonable...I don't feel that I would need or expect the seller to tell me anything...but I would never purchase without being able to eyeball the garment in person...

[Mawmaw]

hmmm...I can't even fathom buying a dress sight unseen so I would never have the expectation that a seller tell me anything...I would take a thorough look at it and offer a prcie that I felt was reasonable...I don't feel that I would need or expect the seller to tell me anything...but I would never purchase without being able to eyeball the garment in person...

I wish I could do that when I purchase used costumes. Most individuals will not send a dress without a payment up front. If it is a local person, then that can be accomplished. But buying from unknown people from long distance is a bit more tricky. Because there is trust involved in the transaction, I have to respectfully disagree. Someone that is honest and fair minded will not mind answering your questions and will realize that you are a serious purchaser. For me, the dialogue is part of the process - especially if you do not know the person you are buying from.

However, for someone like myself, who purchases a lot of costumes, I do not want to miss opportunities for great costumes by not tapping into the second hand market. So I suppose I take a few more chances than most.

Mawmaw

[fascination]

sure...I can appreciate the difference if one is in the business of doing so...just for my own personal needs...I can avoid buying sight unseen so I do...and I recommend it if possible

[chachachacat]

Katarzyna- I adore your pink gown!! Fabulous! You look gorgeous!

[Katarzyna]

Katarzyna- I adore your pink gown!! Fabulous! You look gorgeous!
Thank you so much, I just sold it this past weekend :( i hope it will make someone else happy. It was a tad big on me (size and hight), made me worried I might loose my costume during a competition.