Thread: Has anyone else purchased a costume here on Bhuz/Ebay that was way off posted measurements?

It seems I have had bad luck lately buying costumes (Not all but some). I specifically have posted my measurements and find that the last couple of costumes I have purchased from Bhuz/Ebay are way off by at least two sizes from which were posted and about 3 inches in length. Are some people just trying to get a quick sale? I have two costumes now getting altered and I am spending extra big bucks because the measurements were way off. I know that most costumes have to be altered but these alterations are pretty severe. ,f:: I guess I just want to vent. : (

wow, that is a big difference. As a seller I post accurate measurements. I've even posted pics of me measuring the inside of the cups because I have purchased costumes in the past when the seller said it was a D cup and it was more of a B or a C. As a buyer I try to ask as many questions as possible about the measurements, especially if there are measurements missing or they seem strange in some way. Length can be measured by the item laying down or hanging which can change that measurement. I'm sorry you seem to be having run of bad luck with purchasing. Sending you good luck wishes for future purchases.

Something like this did happen to me once; a gross overestimation of how big a booty a costume would go around. I re-sold the costume to someone it did fit and just made a mental note not to buy anything from that person again. A mistake I made in that transaction, I think, was in revealing my actual measurements to the seller, in response to which she replied it would "easily go 2 or 3 inches bigger" (Yay!). Then when it came, I literally could not get it on. I think sometimes when people are feeling desperate to sell, there's a temptation to stretch the truth (like, stretch the truth more than the costume, ha ha). If you ask sellers for measurements but refrain from leading questions like like "Do you think this will go around my XX" booty and fit my XX cup size?", you're more likely to get accurate information.

I am not saying, BTW, that you shouldn't ask to return to items that were not accurately described. It's perfectly reasonable to ask for this. I bought a "half circle" veil on e-bay once that turned out to be a 45 x 108 rectangle with the corners trimmed down (for a true 3 yard half circle, you have to use 54" wide fabric). I pointed out that it was not in fact a half circle and asked to return it. I noticed the seller auctioned it again after taking it back, but the next time she described it more accurately.
Rosette

It seems that everybody's bra size is different. I went to VS last month and they measured me twice as a 36D. Then my seamstress measured me at a 36C but Eman's fit me best when they are B/C bra sizes and Hannan C cup sizes. Raqia B/C cups. Pharonics bra 4 I think. SO WEIRD! The bra could be fixed for my last costume with lots of cutting at the halter/bra length but the skirt has to have elastic all the way around. I am picking up this afternoon. I hope it fits right.

Tight-fitting stretchy skirts are very hard to gauge in terms of length, because they can be one length on the hanger, and then when you put them on, they can hang 3-4 inches shorter. Or not. Depends on how stretchy the fabric is, how tightly knitted the fabric is, how tight it is on the wearer's body, etc.

I'm not saying this is the case; it is just something to keep in mind.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Tight-fitting stretchy skirts are very hard to gauge in terms of length, because they can be one length on the hanger, and then when you put them on, they can hang 3-4 inches shorter. Or not. Depends on how stretchy the fabric is, how tightly knitted the fabric is, how tight it is on the wearer's body, etc.

I'm not saying this is the case; it is just something to keep in mind.

My hips are actually pretty small 37/38 max and top hip 34/35 which I had told the seller. The skirt sent to me was made for a juicy, curvy plus size. Probably a size 16/18 when I am a 6/8.

I am very tiny, but one of the first few costumes I bought on bhuz were definitely more a C cup than an A cup. The sellers did stretch the truth as I didn't know better to ask for cup measurements, just asked if it will fit A cup (oh yes with lots of padding which I was not told). Regarding the belt, the sellers then always tell me that I can move the hooks, but neglected to tell me that this will cause asymmetry in the belt's pattern.
My seamstress will only help shorten skirts. I'm not even good at padding bras unless I'm desperate and need the costume for dancing.

Fortunately, I have been able to resell the 2 costumes at a huge discount from what I bought them for. One costume for half price I paid and the second for $50 less than I paid. I'm still holding on to the first purple Turkish I bought on bhuz that is too big for me and I paid a whopping C$135 used. It is very beginners looking and there are no accessories...didn't know better. I don't see that seller on bhuz anymore.

I try to be very honest in measurements, but I'm not a seamstress so I may make mistakes.

I thank all bhuzzers who are honest with me and I am so excited when I receive a costume with minor alterations needed.

Reinaa: Hope your altered costume will fit you now! Rosette, I agree with you, but sometimes some sellers here on bhuz is just 1 cup size bigger than me and I have had very good luck with telling them my bra size.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Tight-fitting stretchy skirts are very hard to gauge in terms of length, because they can be one length on the hanger, and then when you put them on, they can hang 3-4 inches shorter. Or not. Depends on how stretchy the fabric is, how tightly knitted the fabric is, how tight it is on the wearer's body, etc.

I'm not saying this is the case; it is just something to keep in mind.

Butt and hips make a difference with length too. I've got a big butt and wide hips, so skirts don't hang as long on me as the length of the measurement.

I also had a seller do that to me... tell me that something could "easily" stretch more in the waist and hips. I got the costume and it turned out to be FIVE whole inches too small!!! It wasn't stretchy at all either. That wasn't a bhuz purchase though. I've had good luck with those so far!

Originally Posted by Reinaa

My hips are actually pretty small 37/38 max and top hip 34/35 which I had told the seller. The skirt sent to me was made for a juicy, curvy plus size. Probably a size 16/18 when I am a 6/8.

hmmm I'm a 6/8 too, but my butt and hips are much bigger then yours. I'm pretty juicy and curvy. I think if a mistake is made to give the seller the chance to take it back.

Its hard to give accurate measurements on stretchy costumes. I always try to show some pictures of how/where I'm measuring for reference as well as details about my size to help buyers gauge the size & fit of a costume. I also think that savvy buyers know the fit & sizing of name brand designers like pharonics, sim, eman, et cetera.
Ultimately, buying off-the-rack, new or used, the buyer assumes some risk in regards to fit. If you're concerned about measurements, as a buyer I think its fair to ask sellers to show where & how they're measuring something so you can judge the fit/size more accurately. But I also feel as a seller that a buyer needs to be willing to assume some risk buying costumes on the swap meet. Just because I do my best to measure something, doesn't mean it will fit you or look good. If you're concerned about these risks, buy custom made costumes or only buy from sellers whose size and stature you know matches your own.
I've bought plenty of items on the swap meet that are...unique...in terms of fit and size. IMO that's an inherent risk in the world of swap meets.