Shipping and Ordering

We understand that most people need their costumes for a specific event, so we strive to ship as speedily and accurately as possible. If you need your costume by a certain day, please note that in the "Comments" section on the checkout page, and we'll get in touch with you if we don't think it will make it in time.

Items ordered by 2 p.m. Central Standard Time will be shipped the same day on business days Monday-Friday. Orders after 2 p.m. CST will be shipped the next business day.

We offer several shipping methods through two different carriers - United States Post Office and UPS - to give you plenty of choice in what method works best for you.

Flat Rate $6.95 Ground Shipping

The best shipping bargain! Our cheapest method of shipping, if you choose this option your entire order ships for just $6.95, no matter the weight. This offer is available only for the 48 contiguous states and excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We choose a shipping method - it may be shipped by either the United States Post Office or UPS. These packages usually arrive within 7 days but could take as many as 10-12, depending on your location and the volume of packages (for example, at Christmas all ground mail tends to be slower). If you urgently need your package by a certain date within 10 business days, this may not be your best choice. If your package is delivered by USPS, your tracking number will show when the package is delivered to your post office but may not provide much information on the package's path while it's in transit. If it's delivered by UPS, more detailed tracking information will be available.

UPS Ground

UPS Ground shipping typically starts at $6 and increases with the total weight of your purchase. UPS Ground packages usually arrive in 4 to 7 business days and have a tracking number that provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

See the time-in-transit map below to find out how quickly your package will typically get from us to you. Please allow at least a day or two extra because these ship times may vary slightly.

U.S. Priority Mail

USPS Priority Mail shipping starts at $7.99 and increases with the weight of your package. This option is available in the United States to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. It is also the best option for APO/APE addresses. Priority Mail packages usually arrive in 3 to 5 business days but could take up to 7, depending on your location and the volume of packages (for example, at Christmas all USPS mail tends to be slower). Deliveries outside the 48 contiguous states typically take a day or two longer. Your tracking number will show when the package is delivered to your post office but may not provide much information on the package's path while it's in transit. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

UPS 3 Day Select®

Guaranteed delivery by the end of the third business day to every address in the 48 contiguous states. Your tracking number provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

UPS 2nd Day Air®

Guaranteed delivery by the end of the second business day to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Your tracking number provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping CArt or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

U.S. Express Mail/Overnight

Express Mail shipping starts at $18.99 and increases with your total purchase price. Express Mail packages ordered before 2 p.m. Central Standard Time Monday through Friday will be shipped the same day and arrive to most locations by 3 p.m. the following day. Express Mail packages ordered after 2 p.m. CST will be shipped the following business day and will arrive on the next business day after that. Orders placed after 2 p.m. CST on Friday may not arrive until the following Monday (though Express Mail does ship on Saturdays, so if you order by 2 p.m. on Friday, you may receive your package on Saturday), and orders placed on Saturday or Sunday will not be shipped until Monday, to arrive Tuesday. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

***Please include a phone number where you may be contacted during the day so in case there is a problem with your order, we can still ship out the same day.***

Check guaranteed overnight shipping times from our zip code (35401) to yours at the USPS website.

UPS Next Day Air Saver®

Guaranteed delivery by 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to commercial destinations where UPS Next Day Air® is committed by 10:30 a.m. or noon. Shipments to residential areas are delivered by end of day. (Saturday delivery is not available.) Your tracking number provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping CArt or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

All packages ordered after 2 p.m. CST will be shipped the following business day and will arrive on the next business day after that. Orders placed after 2 p.m. CST on Friday may not arrive until the following Monday, and orders placed on Saturday or Sunday will not be shipped until Monday, to arrive Tuesday.

***Please include a phone number where you may be contacted during the day so in case there is a problem with your order, we can still ship out the same day.***

UPS Next Day Air®

Guaranteed delivery to all 50 states and Puerto Rico by 10:30 a.m., noon or end of the next business day, depending on destination. Some shipments to and from remote locations may require additional time in transit. Saturday delivery is available for most U.S. locations for an additional $15 charge; please note in comments section if you need Saturday delivery. Your tracking number provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

***Please include a phone number where you may be contacted during the day so in case there is a problem with your order, we can still ship out the same day.***

UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.®

Guaranteed overnight delivery on business days by 8 a.m. to major cities in the 48 contiguous states and by 8:30 a.m. to most other U.S. cities. Saturday delivery is available for an additional $20 charge; please note in comments section. Your tracking number provides detailed information about your package's whereabouts from the time it leaves our door to the time it arrives at yours. You can check the price in the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your zip code.

***Please include a phone number where you may be contacted during the day so in case there is a problem with your order, we can still ship out the same day.***

International Shipping

We offer two trackable airmail methods of international shipping through the United States Post Office. Priority Mail International usually arrives in 7 to 14 business days from shipment, depending on your location and customs in your country, and Express Mail International usually arrives in 4 to 7 business days from shipment to most areas. We ship to most international countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand, and Norway. You are responsible for all taxes or fees that your package may incur. We are sorry, we cannot legally mark your item as "gift."

Many countries have restrictions about the types of goods that are allowed to be imported. If one or more of your items cannot be imported into your country, we will attempt to contact you before shipment; this may delay shipment. We recommend checking into your country's rules about imported goods before ordering.

Check guaranteed shipping times from our zip code (35401, United States) to yours at the USPS website.

You can compare shipping prices on the Shopping Cart or Shipping and Billing page of checkout (before completing the transaction) by entering your country, choosing your shipping method, and clicking "Apply." Our prices and shipping costs are listed in U.S. dollars. To check how much your purchase would cost in your country's currency, we recommend this currency conversion website.

Shipment Tracking

When we ship an order, you're automatically sent an e-mail with a link to tracking and shipping information. In the case of UPS shipments, you can just click on the tracking number and find out where your package is. If you've shipped by USPS First Class or Priority, USPS will tell you if the package has been delivered to your local post office. Don't panic if it says it has been delivered, but you haven't received it yet. That usually just means it will be delivered the next day. If you shipped by Express, the shipment information will be more detailed.

If the tracking information says your package has arrived but you haven't received it, contact your local post office. Often, they have attempted to deliver it and left a note requesting further action from you. If they say they delivered it, but you haven't received it, contact your neighbors to check if they received it by mistake. If the post office insists they delivered it, and your neighbors have not seen it, we will provide you the documentation needed to report a theft to the post office.

Ordering Information

We accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express and PayPal via our secure Internet ordering system. We will never sell or share your personal information with anyone. You're safe with us!

We can also accept orders and answer questions via phone or fax at our physical store, Party Makers, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. We have voicemail available on the weekends and evenings and will respond asap to messages during business hours.

Phone: (205) 765-7801 or (205) 722-0466
Fax: (205) 752-9801

Party Makers/Candy Apple Costumes
2500 7th Street
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401

Payment Methods

We accept payments via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal. In some cases we can accept money orders or checks, such as from a school or organization, but such cases must be approved ahead of time by phone or e-mail. Your order will not be shipped until we receive the check and it clears (usually 5-10 business days), so please allow plenty of time.

Out of Stock Items

If an item you are interested in says "out of stock" or a particular size is out of stock, please e-mail kaykay (at) candyapplecostumes.com or call us at (205) 765-7801 or (205) 722-0466 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CST. We can help you determine when more of that item might arrive, or if it has been labeled out of stock in error. During the month of October and especially the two weeks prior to Halloween, we will not be getting many more costumes in stock and costumes will sell out quickly. During that time, if a costume is marked Out of Stock, in many cases it will be out of stock until the following Halloween season. However, we keep hosiery, 20's costumes, 50's costumes, 60's costumes, 80's costumes, Marilyn Monroe costumes, pimps and hos, French maids and as many other costumes as possible in stock througout the year.

On rare occasions, more than one person may order the same item at almost the exact same time, especially during the higher-volume sales time close to Halloween. In that case, the later order will be cancelled, or you will be asked if you'd like to order a similar item. We will work to resolve the issue and get a satisfactory costume out to you as quickly as possible. Your credit card will not be charged until the item is shipped. PayPal payments will be refunded if an item is found to be out of stock.

If the costume you want is down to 1 or 2 in quantity - especially close to Halloween, when our sales volume is higher - you might want to indicate in the "Comments" section of your order an alternate costume you might like instead, in case it sells out. Especially in the case of Overnight shipping, please include an additional phone number where you might be contacted during the day, so we can notify you as soon as possible if there is a problem with your order.