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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 at the usual 50% off buy-it-now price, with the option to make a special offer.
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, 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. However, we have accepted offers for as low as 75% below the ticketed price, which is as low as we can go for NEW items in perfect condition at this time. But there is more flexibility with items that are described as USED or DEFECTIVE in the listing.
Payment & Shipping:
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.
We ship only to USA addresses, which have been CONFIRMED by PayPal. Most of our listings were created with a template specifying UPS as default shipper, but after that time we discovered that USPS may be a better choice. So even if your item does not list USPS as a shipping option, we can create a special invoice for you presenting that option if you hold off making payment and let us know you want USPS shipping instead.
Before we ship an item, we check it out 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 refund your money and not ship the item.
We recommend buyers purchase shipping insurance. Please understand that it is the buyer's responsibility to request this, paying the extra fees for shipping insurance. 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!
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 your choice not to. We do not give refunds for mistakes that we did not make! However, if we made some kind of a mistake (such as listing the wrong measurements for your gown), then we will accept it back. However, no returns will be accepted without a return authorization number written on the outside of the box, so be sure to contact us for one before shipping anything back.
Please understand that shipping prices quoted in the listings pertain to the time the item was listed. But store listings sometimes continue on for years before an item sells, and since we have over 550 store items, time does not permit going in and manually editing all the shipping prices every time a shipper raises rates.
Since shipping charges may have gone up since the time of the listing, the actual shipping cost may need to be updated prior to invoicing. If you have made immediate payment before we had time to personally invoice you, you may be invoiced for an additional amount to make up for the shipper's subsequent increment. But we will first try to find an alternate way to ship your item, such as by switching carriers or changing to a different class shipping, in order to avoid the need for you to make a subsequent payment to cover the shipper's increment.
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.
Wherever the box is delivered, we must pay extra to cover the shipper's fees involved for obtaining your signature. We also need to pay the man who picks up the boxes and drops them off to UPS or USPS, as well as the assistant who inspects the condition of items as they are packed. Also, many of our gowns are quite heavy because of beading and therefore cost more to ship than non-beaded clothing. Since many cost several hundred dollars, these also cost more to insure. Since these additional charges are not itemized seperately, we use a template that is a close approximation to our real cost.
We are happy to add 1 or 2 additional items to the same box, so you can save on shipping costs. 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 for reduced shipping does not apply if you do not wait for a combo invoice before making any payment.
Since beaded gowns usually weigh between 3 and 9 pounds, our listings quote the corresponding UPS rate at the time of the listing. Although beaded gowns are heavy, it may be possible to fit a sheath style gown into a $9.30 flat rate USPS Priority Mail box. If we can do this, shipping will cost $9.30 + $1.75 to collect your signature, plus any additional insurance fees which apply.
However, If your gown will not fit in a flat rate box, the shipping amount can be quoted only after the box is measured and weighed and run through the shipper's website with your address information and the amount of insurance coverage required. This cannot be done when the item is listed since rates depend on the location of the buyer.
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 even if you were expecting to pay only $2.50 extra to ship an additional item.
We have always loved the convenience and speed of PayPal. We used to think that once a dollar-sign icon showed up instead of an hour-glass, that this meant PayPal was indicating that it was safe to ship the item. However, we found out the "hard way" that PayPal's "instant payments" can be reversed!
In June 2006 we shipped out 2 large boxes (containing a total retail value of $2055 in merchandise), to a customer who later told PayPal that she did not authorize payment. So PayPal informed us they had reversed payment and debited our account. Discussions with PayPal customer service indicated that this could happen again. To be "safe", they advised we wait 7-10 days after an "instant payment" is received before shipping.
So if you have a specific wear date and need to receive your package in a hurry, please send an e-mail notifying us of the wear date, whether you need expedited shipping (which costs more), and that you are willing to send us a Money Order by FedEx next day delivery.
Although we don't issue refunds on special offer items unless we made some kind of a mistake, there have been cases where we accepted an item back in exchange for something else, after a customer politely asked if that might be possible.
In the case of gowns, there have been attempts (by some of our regular store customers) to use Charisma as a free pageant gown rental service. To prevent a similar attempt via mail order, gowns will not be accepted back unless shipped on the morning after the date of delivery. But first a return authorization number (obtained from Charisma) must be written on the outside of the box.
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 by e-mail 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 e-mail. Since we opened this eBay store, many contestants have provided a photo and corresponded privately with Aalia.
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