Meeting Deadlines - Dedicated to Cosplayers & Lolitas
So you have this amazing event that you've been looking forward to go to in your dream outfit that you tend to buy from Taobao, and you'll be absolutely crushed if said outfit doesn't arrive in time. How do you make sure that it does arrive in time so that your event goes as planned?
This is more like a lengthy reminder than a guide and pretty much common-sense, but I find it necessary to include on my website, having witnessed the anxieties of cosplayers/lolitas and the frequent usage of the wonderfully efficient but extravagantly expensive DHL to get stuff shipped in time for events.
If the outfit is made to order (many cosplay costumes, props and lolita clothing are as such), make sure you contact me with your measurements and payment ready at least 2 months before your deadline.
How did I arrive at 2 months?
- 1 month for queuing of orders + production from time of payment.
While there are some cosplay shops that can send out costumes in 1 to 2 weeks, many of the popular ones need more time than that. Peak periods near events will also lead to longer queuing of orders. In addition, some shops do batch manufacturing and only submit orders to their factory on a certain day. If you miss that day, you wait for the next batch.
- 1 week for domestic shipping
- 1 to 2 weeks for Express courier shipping
- 1 week for adjusting of clothing / props if necessary in case it needs a better fit or props need touching up. No point getting them just in time if you can't wear or use them ^^;
The above is only for people who absolutely need their items before their event, and hence I've taken the longer estimate in the worst scenarios (better to over-estimate than under-estimate!). If being in time for the event is good to have but not a necessity, then you do not have to be so concerned about getting your order in 2 months in advance.
Of course it's not always possible to plan ahead, with new events, new dream dresses and new hit anime popping up suddenly. Please make sure you have back-up plans so you can still enjoy yourself at the event even if you have to make do without your new purchase.
In addition, familiarise yourself with the dates / approximate periods of the events that you tend to go to, so that you don't get caught off-guard and place orders too late.
This is more like a lengthy reminder than a guide and pretty much common-sense, but I find it necessary to include on my website, having witnessed the anxieties of cosplayers/lolitas and the frequent usage of the wonderfully efficient but extravagantly expensive DHL to get stuff shipped in time for events.
If the outfit is made to order (many cosplay costumes, props and lolita clothing are as such), make sure you contact me with your measurements and payment ready at least 2 months before your deadline.
How did I arrive at 2 months?
- 1 month for queuing of orders + production from time of payment.
While there are some cosplay shops that can send out costumes in 1 to 2 weeks, many of the popular ones need more time than that. Peak periods near events will also lead to longer queuing of orders. In addition, some shops do batch manufacturing and only submit orders to their factory on a certain day. If you miss that day, you wait for the next batch.
- 1 week for domestic shipping
- 1 to 2 weeks for Express courier shipping
- 1 week for adjusting of clothing / props if necessary in case it needs a better fit or props need touching up. No point getting them just in time if you can't wear or use them ^^;
The above is only for people who absolutely need their items before their event, and hence I've taken the longer estimate in the worst scenarios (better to over-estimate than under-estimate!). If being in time for the event is good to have but not a necessity, then you do not have to be so concerned about getting your order in 2 months in advance.
Of course it's not always possible to plan ahead, with new events, new dream dresses and new hit anime popping up suddenly. Please make sure you have back-up plans so you can still enjoy yourself at the event even if you have to make do without your new purchase.
In addition, familiarise yourself with the dates / approximate periods of the events that you tend to go to, so that you don't get caught off-guard and place orders too late.