FAQ: Costume Rentals

How do I contact you to rent a costume?
How long is the standard rental period?
Can I rent for longer than the standard rental period?
Can I rent a partial costume or change/add pieces to the rental?
What information do you need from me to rent a costume?
How do I pay for my costume rental?
Can you ship rental costumes? What shipping methods are available?
How do I ship back my rental costume?
Do you offer local courier services?
Can someone else pick up my rental costume for me?
What happens if there is a problem when I return my rental costume?
What happens if I damage any part of the rental costume?
What is the replacement cost for a damaged or lost costume or piece?
Will I be charged if there is existing wear on the costume?
What happens if I am late in returning the rental costume?
How do you handle sizing when shipping costumes?
What sizing information do you need?
Can I come to your store to try on the costume before renting?

How do I contact you to rent a costume?
     You can come to our store, call us at (888) 482-1632, or send us a costume request form.

How long is the standard rental period?
     Our standard rental period is for three days, two nights. The price listed for the costume on our website is the rental cost for the standard rental period. This is our "one day" fee; we allow you to pick up the costume before your event and return the costume the day after. If your rental is over a weekend, you can pick up the costume on Friday and return on Monday. The price does not change if you need the costume for a shorter time, as we still need to prep the costume, complete the paperwork, and clean the returned costume.

Can I rent for longer than the standard rental period?
     Yes! Our week-long rental rate is the standard rental rate plus half. For example, a rental with a $95 standard rate would be $142.50 ($95 + $47.50) for a week-long rental. Depending on availability, you are able to rent costumes for as long as needed. There is an additional fee per week for extended rentals. We also offer special rates for stage, television, or film. Please contact us for our entertainment industry pricing.

Can I rent a partial costume or change/add pieces to the rental?
     We can add to or change out details to most of our costumes. During our busy Halloween season, we discourage partial rentals. During off seasons, you are able to rent partial costumes and individual pieces. The rental price for partial costumes is judged on a case-by-case basis, and is based on the amount rented.

What information do you need from me to rent a costume?
     We will need a completed rental contract that has been signed and paid for. If you come to our store to rent a costume, we can fill out the contract in-store. You will need a credit card and a valid photo ID. If we are shipping the costume to you, we will need detailed measurements and a signed copy of the contract. We fill out the contract over the phone, and then either fax or email a copy of the contract to you for your signatures. Once we receive the signed contract back, we will call you for payment information.

How do I pay for my costume rental?
     We accept all major credit or debit cards. If you are in-store, you can pay with cash, however, we need to charge a $1.00 minimum to a credit or debit card. We need to have a credit card on file for our own security. Boston Costume does not store your credit card information. If you are an institution that cannot pay with a card, contact us to figure out an alternative payment method.

Can you ship rental costumes? What shipping methods are available?
     We are able to ship our rental costumes within the United States. We do not ship to Canada, Mexico, or overseas. Please note that some of our costumes cannot be shipped due to size and/or fragility, and can only be picked up in-store. The delivery charge is not included in the standard rental price. We ship the costume to arrive by the day before you need it. You are responsible for shipping the costume back to us the first business day after your event.
     We ship via FedEx. We offer shipping methods varying from Express Saver (3rd day) to First Overnight (early morning next-day delivery). We do not offer ground shipping, as it does not guarantee a delivery date. This does mean that the shipping cost is higher than ground shipping. We do, however, pass our special discount rates on to our customers.

How do I ship back my rental costume?
     You can use any shipping method or carrier you choose. You can use Ground shipping unless the costume is needed back at our store sooner, which would be agreed upon ahead of time. We recommend choosing a shipping method that offers a tracking number and/or insurance. The return shipping is often less expensive than the delivery shipping.

Do you offer local courier services?
     Yes. We can arrange a local courier for delivery and/or pick-up of the costume. The courier fee is based on the delivery location. You may also arrange a courier fee of your own choosing.

Can someone else pick up my rental costume for me?
     Yes. Your spouse, friend, intern, courier, etc. may pick up the costume in your stead. The person picking up the costume will need to present a valid photo ID.

What happens if there is a problem when I return my rental costume?
     If a costume is damaged or pieces are missing upon return, we will fill out a Problem Contract form to detail the specific issues. You will need to sign the form as acknowledgement of the issue. We will later assess the matter and determine the extra fees (if necessary). If you know you have lost a costume piece, you can request to pay the replacement. The replacement fee will be determined by a supervisor.

What happens if I damage any part of the rental costume?
     We will assess the extent of the damage. If it is a stain, we will attempt to remove it. If it is a tear, we will judge if we can repair it. If we are unsuccessful, you will be charged a replacement fee for the item(s). You may also be charged a fee if the cleaning or repair took substantial time.

What is the replacement cost for a damaged or lost costume or piece?
     The replacement cost varies greatly depending on the item. Some of our rental costumes are a collection of various garments and accessories, and are as not dependent on an individual piece as some of our other costumes. Replacement fees for these pieces, for example, a pair of socks, are comparatively low. Costumes with definitive pieces (such as parade animals and Deluxe Darth Vader) are compromised with just one missing piece. Replacement fees for parts of these costumes will be much higher.

Will I be charged if there is existing wear on the costume?
     No. We know that rentals show wear over time. You are not liable for any defect that already exists at the time of rental. For fresh stains, rips, cracks, and missing pieces at return, we will fill out a Problem Return form.

What happens if I am late in returning the rental costume?
     As per the rental agreement, we have the right to charge half of the rental fee for each day the costume is late. Please contact us if you are going to be late. If you are shipping, we understand there will be transit time. You are not charged late fees for that transit time.

How do you handle sizing when shipping costumes?
     The sizing information needed varies for each costume. We will ask you for the appropriate sizing and measurements for your costume. We then match up your measurements in the proper sizes as best we can. We may suggest a backup costume if the original costume will not fit. We do the best we can with the sizes given, however, we cannot guarantee the costume will fit.

What sizing information do you need?
     For men, the standard sizing list includes: jacket, waist, inseam, neck, sleeve, hat, and height. For example:
          Jacket: 44R
          Shirt: 16.5"/34"
          Pant: 36"/32"
          Hat: 7 3/4 or 23"
          Height: 5'-11"
     For women, the standard sizing list includes: bust, waist, hips, hat, and height. For example:
          Bust: 36" (bra size plus one inch for each cup size, so a 34C would be a 37" bust)
          Waist: 30"
          Hips: 38"
          Hat: 7 1/4 or 22.75"
          Height: 5'-6"
     Please be as detailed and accurate in your measurements as possible.

Can I come to your store to try on the costume before renting?
     Yes! It is always best to come to our store to try the costume on before the rental. This is the only way you will definitively know that the costume and its accessories will fit properly.