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Although upscale items cost more to begin with, all gowns are reduced by at least 50% when listed on eBay for clearance. On top of that, WE ALSO ACCEPT BEST OFFERS! So if you see something you can't quite afford, don't be afraid to make an offer for a lesser amount.
We also include size indicators like XS, S, M, L, or XL, at the end of each title line. So if you want to see everything in a given size, just do a keyword search on one of those indicators. (You may wish to add additional search parameters, such as color.)
Or simply click on one of the store categories appearing on the left side of this page, and enjoy browsing!
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!
POLICY NOTICES:
Auctions:
Since Charisma policies may be different from those of other eBay sellers, please be aware that we do NOT renew auction listings. This notice is given because some customers expect items to be renewed for auction, but at a lower price "next time".
Since auction prices are significantly less, it is wise to bid before an auction listing expires. That's because we place an item on auction just one time. If it does not sell, then it is added to our store inventory with a buy-it-now price which is AT LEAST 50% below ticketed retail. As time goes on, the asking price can be reduced below that, even to 75% below retail. And even then, there is often the option to make an offer for a lesser price!
Special Offers:
Most store listings include the option to make a special offer, even though the buy-it-now price already represents at least 50% off the ticketed retail price. However, please understand that if you purchase an item by making a lower offer, it is with the understanding that it is a FINAL SALE. Although we allow returns on items purchased at the buy-it-now price when the item was originally listed, this does not apply to cases where additional price reductions have been made.
Please be aware that if your first offer is declined, eBay's system will block you from making a subsequent offer for the same item. For that reason you should understand that an offer is more likely to be accepted if it is close to the asking price.
Payment:
WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS!!! We accept only money orders and PayPal. If payment is not received within 7 days, we will report this to eBay and relist the item.
Packing, Shipping & Insurance:
We are set up to ship only to USA addresses, which have been CONFIRMED by PayPal. Some listings contain an offer for a flat $3.00 shipping fee, which is much lower than our own cost to ship. In all cases, this offer only applies to shipping to USA addresses.
Packing, Shipping & Insurance:
Before we pack an item, we throughly check it to be sure it is in good condition (or in the condition described in the listing if it is described as a used or defective item). If we discover a problem, we will notify you and ask whether you still want it. If not, we will cancel the order and issue a complete refund instead of shipping the item.
We pack items very well, as you can verify by the feedback we have received on our packing. But we cannot be responsible for anything that occurs once an item leaves our store!
$3.00 Flat Fee Domestic Shipping:
This is another way to save, and in the case of pricey hand-beaded silk gowns, the savings are considerable. Here's why:
Beaded gowns weigh 3 lbs. and up, so the shipping weight is far above that of non-beaded dresses. This means that the base shipping rate is more. In addition, they must be insured for a much higher price (often hundreds of dollars). There is also the cost to collect signature upon delivery.
Yet in the past, some customers have compared the actual shipping that we charged them against what it costs to ship a regular dress stuffed into a box (or even a light-weight plastic bag), reporting that our shipping costs were too high!!! So now we pay the actual cost of shipping ourselves (out of the purchase price collected for the item), charging only a flat fee of $3 for the box, packing materials, and trip to the post office.
However, if you return an item, then we will deduct as a restocking fee the amount that we actually paid for shipping, before issuing a store credit toward another item in exchange.
International Shipping:
All our listings state that we ship only to USA addresses. Furthermore, our offer to pay actual shipping costs applies only to USA shipping. Yet we have received repeated requests from buyers to ship internationally.
As a result, we sometimes make special arrangements to do that. This is troublesome on this end, since seller doesn't get out due to MS, and the man who picks up the packages refuses to stand in line at the post office (as necessary to post an international package.) For that reason, NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED once an item has been shipped outside the USA.
Insurance and Delivery:
We highly recommend that buyers purchase shipping insurance. Please understand that it is the buyer's responsibility to request this by contacting the seller, first paying the extra fees for shipping insurance.
Once an item is shipped, we notify you of the tracking number so that you can assume full responsibility in regards to the whereabouts of your item. If you do not receive the item in a timely manner, it is your responsibility to track it down on shipper's website.
If your item arrives damaged, it is your responsibility to file an insurance claim. If you did not insure it, then it is for you to bear the consequences of the mistake you made in choosing not to. We do not give refunds for mistakes that we did not make!
Because PayPal requires signature of the recipient as part of it's process to protect the seller, we require buyers to sign upon receipt if the item costs $10 or more. If you are not at home during the day, please let us know that you need it shipped to your place of employment instead. If you neglect to do this, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to pick up your package at shipping facility (UPS, Post Office, etc.)
Combined Shipping:
We are happy to add 1 or 2 additional items to the same box so customers can benefit by combining shipping. For this, we charge $2.50 per additional item. If you wish to combine shipping, please wait till you receive a replacement (combo) invoice which reflects the reduced shipping, before making ANY payment!
This is the only way PayPal will allow multiple items to appear on the same shipping label. Since seperate shipping labels means seperate boxes, each requiring the full shipping amount, the offer to combine shipping does not apply if you do not wait for a combo invoice before making any payment.
Please keep in mind that USPS won't insure more than $500 per shipment. So if your purchases total more than that, they will need to be shipped seperately in order to be protected by insurance. In that case our combined shipping offer no longer applies.
Returns:
Only items with a valid Return Authorization Number will be accepted back. Buyers can get one by phoning Aalia on 603-848-8191. This is the quickest way, important to understand since formalwear items must be postmarked the day after delivery. Buyers can also contact us through eBay's message system to follow up on their phone message.
All items must be returned packed in their original box, packed in the same way they were shipped out. They must be received in the same condition as when they were shipped out.
Some unfortunate situations in the past have made it necessary for us to add restrictions on certain types of garments:
- Velvet garments have in the past been returned wrinkled, in spite of the care we took to be sure customer received it in perfect condition. For this reason, we no longer allow returns if the fabric is velvet.
In the case of formalwear, customers have previously used Charisma as a free gown rental service. After claiming it didn't fit right, they would get a complete refund. Later we discovered spilled drinks in between the beading, as well as other signs of wear. But even if they return it in good condition, wearing a gown just one time in a pageant does not make it right!!! Since we are tired of being taken unfair advantage of, formalwear of any kind will not be accepted back unless postmarked and shipped the day after it was delivered.
In all cases, customers must contact Aalia at (603) 848-8191 explaining why they wish to return it. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly and repeat your phone number twice if you get a voice-mail message.
If this is a legitimate return, you will receive a Return Authorization (RA) number to write on the outside of the box. Since boxes not bearing a legitimate RA number are not accepted, this is important!
The only exception is if the post office had automatically returned an item back to us as undeliverable or unclaimed. In that case, we will automatically issue a refund for purchase price minus our restocking fee of shipping costs.
Because of health regulations, certain items can never be accepted back once they have been opened. This includes supplements, jars of creme, cosmetics, etc. That's why it is buyer's responsibility to check the ingredients of all such items, to be sure they will not have an allergic reaction, etc.
Exchanges:
You will be notified when an authorized return was received, along with the amount of the store credit you have received. This will be equal to the final purchase price of the item, minus the $3 flat shipping fee you paid, minus the actual shipping fee that we paid. You will have an entire year from the date your returned item was received back at the store to apply your store credit towards the item(s) you wish to receive in exchange.
But please keep in mind that we do not allow returns of exchanged items. So be VERY careful to check all measurements against your own, keeping in mind that in order for a garment to look good on you, it's measurements should be larger.
Questions:
We are happy to provide all possible assistance in helping you look your best for that special occasion! Please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay's message system with any questions you may have. Regarding any specific item, please remember that it's important to ask BEFORE you bid or make an offer.
Also, Charisma's manager used to coach pageant contestants. There is no charge for time involved in providing personal guidance by eBay's message system. Since we opened this eBay store, many contestants have provided a photo and corresponded privately with Aalia.
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