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.
Orders with Express and Next Day shipping ordered by 2 p.m. Central Standard Time on business days Monday through Friday will be shipped out the same day. Most orders with Expedited shipping ordered by 2 p.m. Central Standard Time will leave our warehouse the same day on business days Monday-Friday. Most Flat Rate and UPS Ground orders also will be shipped the same day, but during the high-volume Halloween season, they will receive a lower priority and will leave our warehouse within 1-2 business days.
Shipping times are counted in business days, Monday through Friday, and the day of shipment does not count in shipping time. If you need your costume by a certain day, please note that in the "Comments" section on the checkout page, and we'll attempt to get in touch with you if we don't think it will make it in time. However, please do not choose a method that will not get to you by the date you specify (such as 3-5 day shipping when you need it in 2 days), as it may delay your order while we attempt to contact you.
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.
When will my order be shipped?
If I order today by 2 p.m. Central Standard Time and choose Express or Next Day shipping ... today.
If I order today by 2 p.m. CST and choose Expedited or 3-Day shipping ... today.
If I order today by 2 p.m. CST and choose Flat Rate or UPS Ground shipping ... today or the next business day.
If I order today after 2 p.m. CST and choose any shipping method ... the next business day.
Note: Your order may be delayed if there is a problem with your address, payment method, or order. If you need your order quickly, it is especially important to provide an accurate way to contact you by phone and e-mail.
Flat Rate $6.95 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 because of the increased shipping charges to those areas.
Your order may be shipped by either the United States Post Office or UPS, so please note if you do not get postal mail. 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 2 to 7 business days, depending on your location, 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 1 day extra because these ship times may vary.
Expedited
Our Expedited mail service gets priority by us, and your package is shipped by a method that will get to you within 3 to 5 business days. Your package may be shipped by the United States Postal Service or by UPS, depending which method we determine will get to you faster and more efficiently. Expedited 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/FPO/APE addresses. Deliveries outside the 48 contiguous states typically take toward the longer end of the shipping time range. Your package will be trackable via a tracking number.
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.
Express
Our Express mail service gets priority by us, and your package is shipped by a method guaranteed to arrive to you in 2 business days. Guaranteed delivery by the end of the second business day to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Your package may be shipped by the United States Postal Service or by UPS, depending which method we determine will get to you faster and more efficiently.Your package will be trackable via a tracking number. 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®
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.
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.***
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, depending on your location and customs in your country. We ship to a limited number of international countries - the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. You are responsible for all taxes or fees that your package may incur. We are sorry, we cannot legally mark your item as "gift."
Note: International shipping times cannot be guaranteed, as we have no control over how long your country will keep the item in customs, so we recommend allowing a week to two weeks extra.
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 no longer ship to many countries because of import/export rules.
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. You can just click on the tracking number and find out where your package is. USPS tracking numbers 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. UPS tracking numbers will describe in detail the journey of your package from us to you.
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 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
Phone: (205) 722-0466
Fax: (205) 752-9801
Party Makers/Candy Apple Costumes
3875 Greensboro Ave.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405
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) 722-0466 between 8 a.m. and 4 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.
