Halloween Forum - Merchant Reviews http://www.halloweenforum.com/ Post your experiences with online and offline Halloween Merchants here. Only post bad reviews if you have documented proof. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:43:37 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.halloweenforum.com/fusion/misc/rss.jpg Halloween Forum - Merchant Reviews http://www.halloweenforum.com/ Spirit Halloween http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86812-spirit-halloween.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:33:12 GMT This is the second year that I have placed an order with them and they do not ship. A few HOURS after they started the 50% off sale on the 30th I ordered two props. My order is still processing and obviously now they are sold out. They did this to me before.. They just dont care. This is the second year that I have placed an order with them and they do not ship. A few HOURS after they started the 50% off sale on the 30th I ordered two props. My order is still processing and obviously now they are sold out. They did this to me before.. They just dont care. ]]> Merchant Reviews kenswift http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86812-spirit-halloween.html Tekky Toys customer service http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86802-tekky-toys-customer-service.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:53:53 GMT I borrowed a prop from my mom made by Tekky Toys. It worked so well scaring kids on Halloween that I had to run out and get one the next day. I found one at halloween usa and bought it. Today I was testing the couple of new things I bought before storing them until next year and the Tekky Toys item didn't work. It had no power to it at all with two different brand new battery sets. I called them and to my surprise they were extremely helpful. So although the prop didn't work straight out of the box Tekky Toys customer service was excellent :D. ]]> Merchant Reviews upNsmoke http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86802-tekky-toys-customer-service.html Horror dome http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86379-horror-dome.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:56:32 GMT I have copied the entire string of emails to and from HOROR DOME.
Here are the pictues that I sent him as well (him being the owner of the company, Jerry Parrino)

I made several calls to Jerry as well. all went about the same as these emails.

attached at the bottom are the picture I sent .

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From: "Kevin Tague"
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:19:36 -0400
To:

Subject: SWAMP DWELLER COSTUME Info needed

I would like more size information on this costume.
I am 5’9 and 260 lb with a 40’ waist.
SWAMP DWELLER COSTUME
How will this costume fit?

Kevin Tague

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[MERCHANT REQUESTED THAT THEIR PRIVATE EMAILS TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW]
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From: Kevin Tague []
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 8:49 PM
To:

Subject: RE: SWAMP DWELLER COSTUME Info needed

Dear sir

It was a pleaser speaking with you this evening
As you can clearly see below, I over spoke my size to make sure the costume would fit.
These pictures clearly show that the arms are nowhere near the same size.
The left hand measured 5.5 across when flat while the right hand measured 6.5. that is a 15% difference.
I did manage to force my left hand into the glove, to the point my thumb bottomed out into that opening. Yet the palm of my hand only made it as far as the wrist.(see picture attached)
There is enough room on the right hand glove for me to move my finger from one finger hole to the next in total comfort.
Do not get me wrong, I love the look of this costume. I just need it to fit. At $347.17 plus I ordered a larger rain coat by your companies suggestion . i am now into this for $400.00 plus dollars for a one night party. I could have rented one hell of a costume for that kind of money. Our party is on the 24th of October and now have no time to fix this issue.
If I cut or alter this costume . I know that your company will never honor a return if your suggested fixes don’t work.
Why should I be asked to pay for return shipping, when there is obviously a defect in the manufacturing of this item?
I will be more than happy to send additional pictures if needed.
By the way , the rain suit that you said would not fit...fits just fine.


Please let me know how your company plans to remedy this issue.

Kevin Tague.

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[MERCHANT REQUESTED THAT THEIR PRIVATE EMAILS TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW]
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From: Kevin Tague [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:04 PM
To: 'TheHorrorDome.com'

Subject: RE: SWAMP DWELLER COSTUME Info needed


I guess it is time for me to go to the Halloween forums and trash your company for the way you do business.
I asked for a tracking #from your company and you would not do it, but you want me to do that for you, be real.
When one hand fits and the other doesn’t THAT IS A DEFECT!
I was not looking for a custom fit... just one that does fit. The feet fit , the head fits the rain suit fits, the right hand fits....just the left hand does not....that is a DEEFECT!
I agreed to have it sent to me after being assured by your company that the hands would fit. THEY DO NOT FIT!
Restocking fees are for returns. This is a defective costume. Not an issue of the whole outfit not being what I wanted.
There is a problem with the manufacturing of the hand.

I am an engineer in the machine trades industry with over 25 years of mold making experience. I KNOW HOW PARTS ARE MADE when made correctly
Obviously there is an issue with your companies quality control or in its standard of production.
I’ll be damned if I will spend another $50.00 to send back this crap so that you can charge some other unsuspecting victim for this useless piece of work.

I know what sites NOT to purchase through in the future. I will mark this up to experience.
Thank you for your professionalism in handling this matter and doing the right thing.

Kevin


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[MERCHANT REQUESTED THAT THEIR PRIVATE EMAILS TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW]
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]]> Merchant Reviews TagTeam http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86379-horror-dome.html Spirit / Problems http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86350-spirit-problems.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:20:28 GMT Hey,

I was going to see if anyone had any similar poor experiences with the Spirit store yesterday. I woke up early yesterday and was first in line outside of our local spirit store...a good 30 minutes prior to opening. Sign says everything in store is 50% off, no asterisks, no disclaimers.Did I mention it was raining and cold?

Anyways, I wait my time, I'm first in, plenty of people behind me. I dash in and grab the one item I really wanted which was a big fog machine. You might have seen my post asking about it before. I grab the fog machine, I'm happy I got what I came for and start glancing around for any other good deals (Strobes, lights, etc.). I take my time and just as I'm about to go I'm confronted and told that I won't be allowed to buy the fog machine. I get some long, bs answer about corporate calling and saying they can't sell them (Corporate calls 30 mins after they open?). So the fog machine is taken from me, the entire reason I came to the store, and put in the back. Needless to say, I was angry and debating on whether to buy anything from them when I saw a guy come out from the back carrying a group of fog machines that he gave to other employees for them to buy. Apparently customers couldn't buy them but employees were given them/sold them.

I have to say I'm extremely annoyed by this. I wait 30 minutes in the rain to get one item and I have it taken away from me while others are handed out like candy. Did anyone have any similar experiences because this has extremely distressed me and I can say I won't be stepping foot in that store again. Attending spirit's opening made me miss any chance at picking up a fog machine anywhere else, essentially ruining my chances of a decent prized fog machine. ]]> Merchant Reviews Krossinc http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86350-spirit-problems.html American Sale - Switching Prices http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86343-american-sale-switching-prices.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:12:14 GMT Before Halloween, I really think the eyeball lights weren't $13.99, and the LED purple lights weren't the same price, but now that's what they are saying that it is the original price. Thus, it's 50% off of a price they raised. So, get this. A 35 light set of LEDs is $6.99 sale price (That's 50% of which is a joke!!) At Walgreens, orange LEDs are $6 non-sale price (They were).

This is unless they were saying the eyeball lights at $10 was there price, and now they are taking 50% off of the compare to garbage they make up price of $13.99.

I would have never thought of buying eyeball lights for $14 is really my point.

This place and FIM have always done the sneak attack prices thing. For Halloween and Christmas, I think the only reason they are business is because they have unique stuff you can't find at Target, Kmart, or Spirit.

That's why American Sale has so much stuff left on their website. ]]> Merchant Reviews Halloweenfan http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86343-american-sale-switching-prices.html Buyer Beware: Costume Kingdom http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86005-buyer-beware-costume-kingdom.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:09:30 GMT I have lurked these forums for about a year now learning how to build props and getting ideas. I had to come on here to warn people about my experience with this place.

I place an order 2 weeks ago for two costomes (male and female). The website claims that all orders shipped within 1 to 2 business days. Fine, right?
As of Friday of that week, we had not received a order shipped email. My wife called and sat on hold for 10-15 mins. They said that the order had already shipped. We then get an email within 10 mins of the call stating that the order shipped. Weird. So.. wednesday of this week we found a package on the door step. Opened the box and it was the costumes. Well, it was two men's costumes. Upset and worried I called Costume Kingdom. I actually timed this call and I sat on hold almost 30 mins. The lady said her name was Shawnda and the she checked and made sure my wife's costume was in stock. They are going to Next day the costume and a return package for the other costume. They would be here friday. I am working outside on the yard when UPS drives by the house. WOW! No package for me. I immediately went inside and called Costume Kingdom. I sat on hold for 15 mins this time. The lady (patty) said that she was sorry and she was just relaying the message from shipping that they did not have the womans costume in stock and just shipped the return package regular ground shipping. I was furious. I asked for the supervisor. She then puts me on hold. 5 minutes later patty comes on and says that she is sorry, the supervisor is out. I asked her how they could run a business without anyone there to make decisions. She says she doesn't understand the question. LOL

I told patty that I would post this horrible customer service experience on the halloween forums. She told me to go ahead.

There you have it folks. Please avoid this place. My wife is running around looking for a costume right now. Our party is in 4 hours! ]]> Merchant Reviews scruffy57 http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/86005-buyer-beware-costume-kingdom.html EFX TEK,They R The Best! http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/85194-efx-tek-they-r-best.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:39:12 GMT I gotta tell ya, these guys ARE the best! I was part a group buy for Prop 1's months ago (when I had a job) and being a home haunter, just got around to putting it in use. Long story short, I fried it! And after speaking to Jon Williams(tech support) he determined it was indeed MY fault ! He suggested I speak to John Barrowman(sales), which I did, and these guys send me A NEW prop 1! Not only that there also was a bag of microwave popcorn in the box with it!(hope I don't scorch that as well!) It don't get any better then that! I have never dealt with a company that had better customer service! I highly recommend them! Thanks to Jon and John, you saved my Halloween and gave me a warm fuzzy feelin' ]]> Merchant Reviews frugal ghoul http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/85194-efx-tek-they-r-best.html Minions web-a big kudos goes out to them http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/84988-minions-web-big-kudos-goes-out-them.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:23:47 GMT I just wanted to say thank you to Corey Minion of Minions Web. I got some info on LED lighting and was directed to them ( a big thanks goes out to rupertoooo as well ). I called on October 19th, and knowing how busy he was going to be. He still was able to process and ship my order today. I will have it by Thursday and will take some photos of my new lighting in place and put them in my album. I would highly recommend Minion to anyone if they ask. I just wanted to say thank you to Corey Minion of Minions Web. I got some info on LED lighting and was directed to them ( a big thanks goes out to rupertoooo as well ). I called on October 19th, and knowing how busy he was going to be. He still was able to process and ship my order today. I will have it by Thursday and will take some photos of my new lighting in place and put them in my album. I would highly recommend Minion to anyone if they ask. ]]> Merchant Reviews w666will http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/84988-minions-web-big-kudos-goes-out-them.html Halloween U.S.A. http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/84187-halloween-u-s.html Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:29:14 GMT Went to the new Halloween U.S.A. store in Miami on Kendall Drive. It might not be new to the rest of you guys, but it's the first time I've seen one here. One of the employees (who were actually really cool; they loved their jobs!) told me they were owned by Party City. The prices were decent and they were running a "buy one, get one free" on their tombstones. Got the zombie baby with the spinning head for $39.99; they only had 3 left. Overall, not a bad store. Spirit Halloween was there last year, but they moved to Sunset Place (I guess to take advantage of all the teenagers that hang out there during the weekend). ]]> Merchant Reviews Shadow Mistress http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/84187-halloween-u-s.html ordering from ltd, oriental trading http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83944-ordering-ltd-oriental-trading.html Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:47:40 GMT Has anyone have experience ordering from LTD or Oriental Trading Company.My wife says they take forever to send things to you. She also says that they really hit you hard on shipping charges. she says that when you order several things, they wont send them at the same time, so you might have several shipping charges. It kinda makes sence, because i started to order some stuff and it never said what shipping was going to cost. So i canceled the order. Has anyone have experience ordering from LTD or Oriental Trading Company.My wife says they take forever to send things to you. She also says that they really hit you hard on shipping charges. she says that when you order several things, they wont send them at the same time, so you might have several shipping charges. It kinda makes sence, because i started to order some stuff and it never said what shipping was going to cost. So i canceled the order. ]]> Merchant Reviews charliedoger http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83944-ordering-ltd-oriental-trading.html <![CDATA[Has anyone purchased from "The Pyramid Collection"?]]> http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83795-has-anyone-purchased-pyramid-collection.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:35:51 GMT Just wondering if anyone has ever bought anything from the Pyramid Collection and what your experience was? I got a catalog a couple weeks ago. I dont recall requesting it but I sure am glad I got it! Im going to be a witch this year and I didnt want the typical wal mart type costume. I wanted something "real", something quality, and I think I found it! I ordered this...

https://www.pyramidcollection.com/it...PageNo=1&pos=2

Isnt it BEE-YOO-TI-FUL!!!!!! Im so excited-cant wait to get it! I think I needed a large but its on back-order. I called, they said it wouldnt be in before halloween so I got the the X-Large. I can take it in a little if I need to. ]]> Merchant Reviews evilpotpourri http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83795-has-anyone-purchased-pyramid-collection.html Spirit Halloween - Arlington, TX http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83700-spirit-halloween-arlington-tx.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:24:46 GMT Just wanted to pass on that Spirit is opening a store in Arlington - SE corner of Cooper and 20 Just wanted to pass on that Spirit is opening a store in Arlington - SE corner of Cooper and 20 ]]> Merchant Reviews stars8462 http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83700-spirit-halloween-arlington-tx.html <![CDATA[Graveyard Skulls-I can't get my shipment from them!]]> http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83630-graveyard-skulls-i-cant-get-my-shipment-them.html Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:06:08 GMT RESOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I received my shipment. Please read the last post for the solution.

August 21, placed an order for a single un-assembled Lindsey skull from the Graveyard Skulls website. (original design, not the new style)

Order was paid with PayPal on that date.

The website did say that it would take 2-3 weeks to ship the order and that was reasonable.

On the September 16, I sent an email as I had not received the skull or even a tracking number and received an almost immediate response from Joel via email that 'your order was shipped, let me find the tracking number'.

Everything was fine up until this point. I understand we all get busy this time of year and that late August may have been a little late in the season to order, but this was for an UN-Assembled kit, just in the box.

Unfortunately, the emails from GYS continued to promise that it had been shipped and 'I will get you a shipping number in a couple of hours'.

on Septemrber 30 the email thread was below...

"Trent,
You should have it by Wednesday the latest. I will pull the receipt and get the tracking number pulled that way. Because of the time; I went ahead and assembled it for you and did the alignment. After Halloween, I will mail you out another unassembled so you can assemble that one – no charge.

Joel Briggs

From: Trent
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 6:28 AM
To: Support Graveyardskulls
Subject: RE: Email From Graveyard Skulls Email Form

Joel,

Do you have a tracking number, or an approximate date I can expect to receive it?

Trent


From: Support Graveyardskulls [mailto:support@graveyardskulls.com]
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 9:23 AM
To: Trent
Subject: RE: Email From Graveyard Skulls Email Form

I shipped it out Saturday. Sorry for not responding back.

Joel Briggs" ]]> Merchant Reviews trent1k1 http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83630-graveyard-skulls-i-cant-get-my-shipment-them.html Vision Direct http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83526-vision-direct.html Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:16:11 GMT Just to let everyone know that I ordered contacts for my vampire costume from Vision Direct last week and they already got to the house. Great selection and excellent prices (as long as you don't go for the sclera contacts which aren't good for your eyes, anyway). My husband's family are optometrists and my husband is in charge of ordering the contacts, among other things. I showed him the selection and the prices and he didn't hesitate in telling me to order from them; said he has dealt with them in the past and they are very reliable. So....a thumbs up for Vision Direct! :) ]]> Merchant Reviews Shadow Mistress http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83526-vision-direct.html Giant Party Store http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83272-giant-party-store.html Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:17:05 GMT They say on their website that if you enter promo code 390143, you get free shipping on any order (with ground shipping), and than when you enter it, you get nothing. So, you think later on, you will get free shipping, but nope it adds on the amount at the end of the bill.

Party Supplies | Theme Party Supplies | Birthday Party Supplies | Party Decorations - GiantPartyStore.com: Enhancing School Events, Celebrating Achievements & Inspiring Fun! Best in Party Stores ]]> Merchant Reviews Halloweenfan http://www.halloweenforum.com/merchant-reviews/83272-giant-party-store.html