Question:
Have you got yours ready to sell?
It's almost that time of year....
I'm going to try to post this link that came in an email today.
It's a costume idea gallery from Better Homes & Gardens.
http://www.bhg.com/costumegallery/
Answer:
Sell??? Well maybe... I guess I have a couple of these hanging around... with no particular use... various states of completion
This was my idea from last year... for my son, the Jester, size (about) 7. I visited a thrift shop, found 2 pairs of similar sized/weighted sweatpants & 2 similar sized/weighted/style/plain shirts. And 2 pairs of different colored socks (since we only owned "white"). I went to Hancocks & bought a winter hat pattern & some fleece remnants.
For the pants... I don't like doing waistbands. So I cut one leg (the left leg, probably) off both pairs of sweatpants... cutting just below the waistband and then following the front & back seams. Leave enough fabric below the waistband to sew (without bulk) the next pant leg to it. Attach... done.
Same for the shirt. The only plain shirts that I could find were long-sleeve henley's. I don't like collars either. So I kept the front button placket and cut off the rest of one side. Re-attach... done.
I put bells on the tips of the jester hat... I'm sure that you can figure out better ways to attach them than I did. Ours fell off within an hour or so.
You could cut off some other sweatpant legs about 1/2 way down and have more variety of color. You could make a "collar" that had a ruffly or scalloped edge. You could wear elfish shoes. You could paint your face. Or not.
BTW, did I mention that you will end up with 2 sets of costumes?
Did I mention that the hat is a perfect winter hat and will get compliments all winter??? Just choose 2 colors that go with the current winter coat!
Answer:
I already sold my "bob, the builder" sweatshirt... amazing what a square shaped sponge and some fabric paint can do to a cheap sweatshirt! I know that sweatshirt was worth 4x the original price by the time I sold it... the year AFTER ds wore it. Oh, and it was far sturdier, flexible, and warmer than the store versions.
Answer:
I have a nice clown costume I made years ago. I sometimes think about selling it but I still hang onto it.
I do wear it once in a while. I dress up, put on my clown make-up and chase the dog and cat around the house.
(not really )
Answer:
My challenge this year is to create VeggieTale's Larry-Boy. I've been surfing and collecting pictures. There are no REAL store ones out there... Any ideas or recommendations? Perhaps it is an opportunity for someone here to create a business to promote to Big Ideas...
I would gladly swap a size 7 jester or a size 6 princess or a size 2 ladybug COSTUME (maybe all of them) for a size 8 Larry-Boy COSTUME... !
Answer:
I love the cowboy doggie costume!!!!!
(Elaines BHG link)
Doobee would pout like a 2 year old if I put that on him.
Answer:
When have you found is the best time to sell Halloween costumes & Halloween costume patterns? Now, Mid-September, or the end of September?
I put two costume patterns up to test the waters this week but they are just sitting there. I have one tote full of costume patterns and five totes full of costumes.
Thanks.
Answer:
I'd guess mid-September to early Oct, but I'm no expert and I haven't researched like gw4music or others here have. Hope they'll stop buy and weigh in...
Answer:
Originally Posted by jenileigh When have you found is the best time to sell Halloween costumes & Halloween costume patterns? Now, Mid-September, or the end of September?
I put two costume patterns up to test the waters this week but they are just sitting there. I have one tote full of costume patterns and five totes full of costumes. Pattern buyers/sellers buy and sell year round. More sell now (late summer-midOctober), but that market is much more stable than the costume market. I rarely buy patterns online so the following info is related to costumes.
As a buyer, I see an increase in listings anytime after school starts up (that varies by geo) through the end of October.
As a seller, I list after Labor Day through Oct 15 if I am offering shipping like Priority Mail. Oct 15 + 7 days to pay + 3-4 days to ship/arrive takes you up to Oct 26... close enough for me.
Also, since the selling time is a fairly short window of time, I usually put a high BIN on my auctions... significantly higher than anything was currently selling for... and the extra BIN $ was well worth it. Generally I don't use BINs.
If I am offering Parcel Post shipping, I would stop my selling even earlier or drop the PP option long before mid-October. I do not want to be part of the end of October panic. However, there are eBayers who are willing to ship Overnight up through Oct 28th or so. I would guess they require immediate payments through Paypal.
ymmv