Thread: Canadian Halloween Goodie Hunting

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Ok, so on Sunday, my wife and i make the rounds to Four (4) Halloween stores in the G.T.A. (Creepers, Spirit, Monster Halloween and Aamazing Costume). I really have to say that i am completely disappointed. It's clear that Halloween has become BIG BUSINESS which has encouraged HUGE mark-up in the industry. For example, the want anywhere from $75-$100 for a cheap plastic Skeleton, i mean, $50 more and i could buy a 4th grade Bucky! I paid $12 each for three L.E.D. spots! If i had the time i could have ordered them from EbaY for about $1.50 ea. I know, EbaY is the repository for all things cheaper but consider this......some clown was selling the Spirit jumping spider for $200 on EbaY......AND PEOPLE WERE PAYING IT!!!!!. By the way, i checked with Spirit and the owner told me...."the jumping spider is totally and completely SOLD OUT everywhere, even on-line and they don't expect to have any more until AFTER Halloween. WOW!

I can't recall one year when we went out Halloween shopping this early where the stores were so full (every one of them was packed) and there was actually some pushing and rudeness occurring (children and parents). Heck, remember, this was a Sunday afternoon! It almost seemed to be a parent-kids event.

We panned so many items just because of the restrictive costs, items clearly made in China, cheap and flimsy that you know are going to break half-way through your evening, but they are selling for hundreds of dollars. It's funny but, when you are actually there, right up in front of these items and you see how really cheesy and flimsy they are, it makes you glad that you can make your own props.....props that will endure. Almost everything we say, my wife and myself were almost continually saying "we could make that...and that....and that.

I'm not saying that there is no need for these types of stores at all, i am glad they are out there.....what i am saying is that they all seem to be capitalizing on the Holiday (much like Christmas etc.) and flooding the stores with cheap, plastic items that are nowhere near the money you pay. Of course, there are also a ton of items that you can't make and also items that are well made and engineered but, being out there showed me that commercialism speaks loudly. Costumes seemed to take up a HUGE percentage of floor space but i also noticed that that each and every store i visited, dedicated more floor space than the last to props and decor. I also noticed that one store was using the same prop distributor/manufacturer that Spirit Halloween was using, there was no doubt......the props were exactly the same.....even the packaging.

The whole moral to my rant is this.....i am so glad that i have the ability to create my own props AND i am forever thankful for this forum where there are others like me who won't settle for second best and idea sharing is the order of the day.......thanks.......'Scruff

I have the same to be true, Scruff. Homemade props are usually superior to any store bought ones. We haunters are a creative and resourceful lot. I remember when I first displayed my FCG, everyone loved it. They kept asking, "Where did you buy that?" Their mouths dropped when I told them that I built it myself. And they couldn't believe that I had about $20 total in it. People just don't realize that some of the coolest props are bought, but MADE.

Hey Scruff,

Until yesterday the Spirit in Ottawa had the spider and so did a Monster. To my knowledge both sold. If the spider makes a return do you want me to try and have it set aside for you? If so send me a PM with some contact details and I will ask a favour of some contacts.