Privacy, Shipping and Sales Policies

Our Merchant Processor (the company that processes our credit card transactions) requires us to describe our policies for you.  And we want you to know them anyway:)

Paperwork:

When you become our client, we have forms that we mutually sign, reflecting the following:

Privacy:

We do not sell or share your your contact information with anyone. We don’t even have a newsletter or an email list! We want you to contact us because it’s your idea. We require your written consent to discuss your project or your transaction with anyone else besides you. You will also need to give us your written consent if someone else (besides you) is coming to see or pick up your custom order.

Non-Disclosure Agreements:

We will gladly sign your NDA (non-disclosure agreement). We contract with many high-profile clients for their projects that need to be kept off of social media and out of the press until the owner decides it’s ok. When we sign your NDA, it means we are giving our legal oath to keep our mouths shut about your project or product development. Everyone in our shop, from managers to staff, has to abide by this.

Shipping:

In many cases, we will ship a custom costume to you only if we have already seen you in person for measurements and fittings. Too many things can go wrong when tailoring for a body we’ve never seen or have done fittings on in person. It’s our decision to make.

We make exceptions for remote producers whom we know really well and with whom we have good relationships. It means we trust them when they send us a completed measurement form for a new costume build. When we’re shipping a costume anywhere, we must fully understand how the costume should fit, who is taking the measurements, and who there may do any needed alterations if it needs fine-tuning.

You Need to Visit Us in Person:

If you’re a civilian and not a producer or client we’ve worked with in the past, you need to come to us for fittings. Your custom costume, gown or other item will generally require one to three fittings. We can make exceptions for stretchy dancewear, unitards and leotards, plus big capes, cloaks, tunics, etc.

Custom Services Agreement:

Your agreement to commission McGrews for our custom design services is not a retail transaction. Payment schedules and terms are clearly stated in our forms. By signing them, you are agreeing to pay in full for our custom services, even if your event gets cancelled or your grandmother doesn’t approve of your taste.  We will only contract with adults over 18 years of age, or their parents, if the costume or prop is for a minor child.

We take great pride in our work and our reputation is famous, as is our client list. We make quality items with great attention to function, fit and details, as you have already seen in our portfolio.

We will agree to undertake your project because it interests us. We want you to show off our best work and we want you to own a magical, one-of-a-kind item.

Deposits:

Deposits are required at the beginning of any contract. This is generally 50% of your total balance and is required for the shop to start working on your project. Your deposit says you’re serious about seeing the project through to its completion. Deposits are not refundable nor are final balances refundable. Frequently we can split up your total amount into several installments.

Final Payments:

Final payments are due on the agreed date in our contract with you. Payment of your remaining balance can also be paid in advance. Items never leave the shop without being fully paid for. We submit any outstanding balances to our collections agency and you pay our legal fees if we have to sue you for payment.

Cancelled Event:

If your film, event, photoshoot or wedding gets cancelled or postponed, or if you can’t or won’t attend it for some reason, you are still legally responsible for the balance of your custom order.  All custom work must be paid for in full and picked up by the agreed date. Any custom item not picked up by the agreed date becomes the property of McGrews and we get to decide what to do with it.

Release of Liability and Hold Harmless:

You agree to hold McGrews harmless and release all liability for any accident or injury that you or your actor might experience while wearing or using your new custom costume item or prop. You also agree to hold McGrews harmless and release all liability for any property damage that you might cause while wearing or using this costume or item. You agree to hold McGrews harmless and release all liability for any legal or punitive actions taken against you for your behavior while you are wearing or using your costume or prop item. If we are renting an item to you or making something custom for your film, sometimes we will stipulate that one or more of our technicians must accompany it during your shoot. Their day rates apply and aren’t included in the costs to build the thing.

Alterations and Repairs:

When you pick up your item it will be beautifully finished and made to last. You will be given instructions for its general care and cleaning, and you bear the responsibility of following these instructions. With regular wear and use, your item may need future repairs or alterations. These are additional charges and are not included in your originating contract.

Fittings:

Your custom costume or clothing item will typically require one to several fittings, as detailed in your payments and fitting schedule form. Three fittings (if needed) are included in the total cost of your custom order. If further fittings are required, these occur at a rate of $40 each.

Underwear is required for all clients for all fittings. We reserve the right to refuse a fitting if a client isn’t showered and/or wearing underwear. Notes about fittings (items remaining to be finished or changed) will be in writing and you will sign off on the action items listed.

Changes:

Any changes in either a sketch or your costume mock-up must be made before your second fitting. Changes may increase your total cost. Any additional changes we agree to are in writing and must be included in your final payment. Any agreement for changes between the customer and the designer must be in writing and signed for.

Sketches:

If we are replicating or duplicating a known, iconic costume or clothing item that can be found in a film, comic book, video game, magazine, etc, we usually do not provide a sketch. We ask that you provide these visual references for us. We typically do not make multiples of anything, especially items that are copyright protected and belong to someone else such as DC, Marvel, etc. If your costume is historically based, we will usually create a thumbnail sketch which is included in the price of your overall contract. Any additional sketches that may be needed are provided at $65 per sketch. Once your design is finalized, you are required to sign-off on your approved sketch.

Use of Photographs:

We reserve the right to photograph your project and fittings for our own reference, internal training, marketing and promotional materials, without any compensation to you. However, if we have signed your NDA (nondisclosure agreement), we will never publicly post photos or display them without your permission. Naturally, McGrews wants to have professional photographs of all our clients in their new costumes and with their new props! We offer professional photography services in-studio for our clients and visitors alike.

Actual Costs:

In some cases, we’ll cut you a break. Even though we may not charge our actual rates, we want you to understand and honor the value of skilled design and labor. In some cases, when your custom labor is completed, you will be asked to acknowledge in writing that the project you are signing for and taking home with you is valued at far more than what we may have charged you. Our interest is in cultivating a long-term relationship with you as a client and promoting the value of artisanship.

All Custom Work Commissions, Deposits and Balances are Final. No Returns, Refunds or Exchanges.