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Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below our most frequently asked questions that our customers ask. Hopefully they will answer the majority of your questions though if not, please visit our Customer Services page and do not hesitate to contact us.
- Is your web site secure?
- What's the best way to find what I want?
- How can I tell if an item is in stock?
- A product is showing out of stock, when is it you are likely to recieve the next shipment?
- I do not know what size to order, what do you recommend?
- How long will my order take to arrive?
- Why does my costume differ from the image on the website?
- Do you offer exchanges?
- What is the cost of postage and shipping?
- Do you ship to BFPO addresses?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Do you accept the Euro or other International currencies?
- The price of a product I have just bought is now lower. Can I have a refund?
- Since I last looked, the price has gone up. Can I buy at the old lower price?
- Can I order two or more costumes to try on and return unwanted ones?
- Can I cancel an order if it is no longer required?
- What happens if the product I buy does not fit?
- What are the washing instructions and what care should I take?
- What if the product is faulty?
- What are the rules and how do you manage on VAT?
- How come I can buy the same item cheaper from the USA?
Is your web site secure?
Yes! We take Internet security very seriously. The 'Hacker Safe' logo is a seal of approval from an independent company based in the USA called ScanAlert who specialise in ensuring web sites are configured correctly and safe from hackers.
Our http://www.joke.co.uk website is tested and certified daily to pass the FBI and SANS Institute Internet Security Tests. ScanAlert's security auditing technology allows the Hacker Safe logo to appear only when our website current security status meets the highest published US government standards. If we fail in any one day, the logo does not appear. The logo also includes a dynamic date format which changes to give the date of the last test.
As a shopper, you are guaranteed that our website is safe to use. Our daily ScanAlert audit is our commitment to you to ensure our website is a safe place to shop. If it is safe to shop, the logo will appear immediately below with a 'last tested' date:
Our second commitment to Internet shopping is the use of the Verisign digital certificate. Whenever you enter personal data into a web page. At such a point and normally at the checkout process, when you see the http:// web site prefix in your browser change to https:// and a little padlock appear in the bottom right hand corner, you can be assured that any data that passes between your web browser and this site is encrypted with a Verisign digital certificate. The padlock should be in a locked position when any data is sent from your browser to our web site at the checkout or Paypal servers.
Contrary to media hysteria, you have more rights as a consumer purchasing online and our deployed systems are more secure than giving your credit card to a High Street shop or restaurant. Please remember that you give your payment card details direct to a bank and we never see your credit card details.
Finally, we are an accredited ISIS (Internet Shopping Is Safe) merchant. Backed by the Government and supported by major retail websites such as Tesco, Royal Mail, B&Q, The AA, Argos and Boots, ISIS is a keystone in the bridge of trust between online retail shops and shoppers. We need to abide by many ethical as well as legal oblications to continue to display the ISIS logo with pride. Please click on the following seal to verify our accreditation.
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What's the best way to find what I want?
We have written a specific document titled "What's the best way to find what I want?". Take a couple of minutes to read and not only will it save you time, but you'll probably find what you want!
How can I tell if an item is in stock?
We pride ourselves on maintaining high stock levels within our warehouse and any item that you order should be in stock at time of order placement. Indeed, this web site has a real time stock control database and if the item is out of stock in our warehouse, you should not be able to order it at all. Nonetheless, shortages do sometimes occur and we ask you to read our Customer Services section on how we manage this.
A product is showing out of stock, when is it you are likely to recieve the next shipment?
Jokers' Masquerade hold a live stock system over the website. Which will give a true indication of what is available. We will do our utmost to provide a reliable delivery date if an item is not ready for purchase. If an item is 'awaiting a delivery date confirmation', this indicates the item is currently out of stock with the manufacturer and we would recommend you choose an alternative costume.
I do not know what size to order, what do you recommend?
Costumes, unlike every day and 'fashion' clothing, are designed and constructed to accommodate a wide variety of sizes. Many have elastic waistbands and utilise stretch fabrics for a comfortable fitting. Some costumes like robes or gowns will have a waist tie or rope for figure definition while some lady's lines include waist ties or corset design for an hour glass figure.
As we have many product suppliers, we take extra care to ensure that we size per individual costume as like the High Street fashion stores, lines from different manufactures can differ.
In summary, if you or your child are in an in-between size or if you are unsure about size, we recommend that you buy one size larger. You can always easily adjust to be smaller rather than struggle to make larger.
How long will my order take to arrive?
We endeavour to ship all orders on the day of receipt (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays) if placed before 4.00pm. Therefore and depending on your chosen delivery option, you should typically expect receipt within one to five days.
In times of peak business thoughout the year and especially Halloween and Christmas, shipment may take an additional day or two. We therefore ask that if your order is urgent and if you have chosen either Royal Mail Special Delivery or our priority delivery options, that you telephone us on local rate 0845 1300 818 with your order number so we may escalate though the system for you. Please read our Customer Services section for full details.
Why does my costume differ from the image on the website?
Images are for illustration purposes only. Colours may vary at the discretion of Jokers' Masquerade or suppliers without notice.
Do you offer exchanges?
No, we are unable to offer an exchange as such but will happily refund the unwanted costume or accessory and place a new order for the required items.
What is the cost of postage and shipping?
This is dependent on where you are located within both the UK and what delivery option you select. Prices for shipping are highlighted within our delivery options and pricing page.
Do you ship to BFPO addresses?
Yes. When you checkout, please select "British Forces Overseas (BFPO)" as your destination country address.
We post via ParcelForce BFPO service. We ask you to please read our sections on BFPO delivery options and VAT obligations within our Customer Services section.
What payment methods do you accept?
We presently have a relationship with The HSBC Bank to securely accept debit and credit card transactions online including Switch, Solo, Delta, Electron, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB and Diners. We happily accept payments via PayPal or via post for postal orders and company cheques. We will happily take credit and debit card payments over the telephone should you require.
Do you accept the Euro or other International currencies?
No.
The price of a product I have just bought is now lower. Can I have a refund?
All prices are correct at time of publication. Jokers' Masquerade reserve the right to change, alter or amend any price at any time without notice. Should a product price decrease since an original purchase, contractually we are not obligated to refund the difference.
Since I last looked, the price has gone up. Can I buy at the old lower price?
Prices do vary for many reasons and should an increase occur prior to purchase, we are not obligated to sell at the previous lower price.
Can I order two or more costumes to try on and return unwanted ones?
In honesty, altough we appreciate reasons for this requirement, not only does this process cost us in administration time, but additional banking charges to accept the order and then process a refund. As such we do not proactively invite this style of shopping. As a preference, we ask if you would telephone us and we will be happy to measure any costume for you to provide accurate measurements and talk with you about the style and fit. If you would still prefer to order two or more costumes, we may ask for an additional small fee to cover banking costs. Also, this approach will also save you time and effort of returning the goods to us, plus any postage fees you too will incur.
Can I cancel an order if it is no longer required?
Yes. If the product has not been shipped, simply telephone us in the first instance and then send a confirmation email. We will cancel the order (or part thereof) with no charge to you with all moneys being refunded in full. If however the goods have left the warehouse, then you may still cancel the order up to 7 calendar days from receipt of goods. So long as they are returned (at your own cost) and we are informed within 7 days, we will happily refund the cost of the goods, excluding shipping. Please see our Returns Policy within our Customer Services section for more information.
What happens if the product I buy does not fit?
We make best practice to give correct sizing information by individual product at time of purchase to negate the requirement for return. Indeed, the majority of costumes are manufactured with elasticated waistbands by example, so that they fit a broad as possible population. Nonetheless, sometimes you may not feel comfortable in a size ordered and in such, we are more than happy for you to return the product for a refund.
What are the washing instructions and what care should I take?
Common sense should prevail. Our product portfolio contains many qualities of costume material such as velvet, leather, plush fur and vinyl. Many more are trimmed with lace, fur, brocade and metal studs, some with printed emblems and indicia. Although washing instructions may include a machine wash, it is our recommendation that all garments are dry cleaned only. Unfortunately we will not be able to remedy any product fault that results from any machine wash cycle no matter what the manufacturer instructions within the garment or packaging.
What if the product is faulty?
Should a product be faulty, you should let us know immediately as we will happily refund or replace the item. Please read sections 17, 18 & 20 of our Terms and Conditions for more information in addition to our Returns Policy within the Customer Services section.
What are the rules and how do you manage on VAT?
All the prices in the store are shown inclusive and exclusive of VAT where applicable at the prevailing rates. Please see our Customer Services section for more information.
How come I can buy the same item cheaper from the USA?
This is a good question, although to give a better answer, perhaps we can change it to "What differences are there in buying a costume from the USA compared from Jokers' Masquerade in the UK?". In answer, there are four elements:
[1] Halloween is a big seasonal tradition in the USA, with many costume companies based there. Some costumes and accessories will be manufactured in the USA and some manufacured in Asia, the Far East, Mexico and imported into the USA. Depending on where the garment or item is manufactured, a UK import duty is applied, varying in percentage rate based on the 'country of origin'. If you buy direct to from the USA, you will be charged this import duty upon your parcel entry to the UK. Any import duties are already calculated into our selling price.
[2] In addition to the price of the goods and aforementioned UK import duties, you will need to pay transport costs. It is obvious and although we will charge you postage and shipping, costs of transport from the USA are going to be higher. We too have to pay transport costs, which are included within our sale price.
[3] With the exception of many child costumes, VAT is included within our sale price. All prices shown on any USA website will be in US Dollars and exclusive of VAT. When you buy and thus import goods from any country and including the USA, you will need to add VAT. It is important to note that VAT is added to the price of the costume, the import duty and the transport cost.
In summary and based on a 1.65 conversation rate, a $20.00 item on a USA website could cost you anyhere between £25.00 to £35.00 depending on which State the item will be shipped from and the delivery method chosen.
[4] This final and important point is based on UK Consumer Protection Laws. When you buy from Jokers' Masquerade, we contract under UK sales laws. If the item we sell you is faulty or you simply do not like it, we can accept it back for exchange or refund. Most USA based online retailers state their sales as "final". This means that once you complete the sales transaction, the item belongs to you. Indeed and when delivered, if you do not like it for any reason, they'll argue "But sorry, it's yours". In addition, any remedy for faulty goods would be costly and liable to be fraught with argument.
In conclusion, it may seem cheaper on the face of it, but buying from a non-UK website has both hidden costs and Consumer Protection issues. Nonetheless, the choice is yours. For more information, please read the HMCE Document about Internet Sales for more information on Import Duties and VAT.