Dressing up Auckland
since 1928

196 Station Road
Penrose, Auckland 1061
(09) 525 6546

FAQs

Q: What is the process for hiring a costume from Desiree?
At Desiree Costume Hire we are proud to provide a personalised costume selection experience for all our customers. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will bring out a range of options and help you find the costume that is the best fit and style for you. If you have a particular look in mind then please feel free to show us some reference images and we'll do our best to bring your vision to life using our extensive range of costume pieces.

Please note, a form of photo ID is required and payment must be made in full before costumes leave the store.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a costume?
The hire cost depends on the exact items you take. The average hire cost for most costumes is around $65 however our more elaborate costumes can start from about $75. All of our hire costs include GST.

Q: Do you require a bond?
Yes. There is a bond of $50 to $150 per costume. We refund the bond to you when the costume is returned on time and in good order.
Please note, if you pay your bond with a credit or EFTPOS card, we will require the same card used in the transaction to process your bond refund. Uncollected bonds will be held for one calendar month from the date of return. If the bond is not collected by that time, it will be forfeit.

Q: How long is the hire for?
Our standard hire period is for up to four nights.

Q: What if I want to hire the costume for longer?
You can extend your hire period for an extra $10 per night, per costume, if you require the costume for longer than our standard hire period.

Q: Can I book a costume?
Yes. To avoid disappointment you can secure your costume by booking in advance. A $25 deposit is required which is deducted from your total hire cost. This is non-refundable in the event of a cancelled or uncollected order.

Q: Can I hire a costume from you if I can’t come into the store?
Yes! We are happy to find costumes for you from our collection. This includes measuring options depending on the sizes required and sending you photos for your approval. Please note there is a minimum service fee of $30/hour to arrange bookings of three or more costumes remotely. The service fee goes towards your total hire cost but is non-refundable if you do not go ahead with the order. This is in addition to the booking deposit.

Q: Can you courier the costume to me?
In some cases we may be able to courier a costume to you if we have enough time to do so. Please note, the courier cost plus an extra time charge will apply in addition to the hire cost and bond.

Q: Can I return a costume via courier?
Yes but this must be with a tracked courier and you have to let us know the tracking details once this has been organised.

Q: Do you have plus size costumes?
Yes we do. We have a great range of plus size costumes across various categories.

Q: Can I come and try costumes on?
Absolutely. We encourage people to visit us at our store to try the costumes on. Our team is always on hand to provide assistance with sizes and styling. No appointments necessary.

Q: Are shoes and wigs included with the costumes?
No but these can be hired separately.

Q: I can’t find the costume I’m looking for on your website. Do you have others?
Yes. We have an impressive wardrobe of thousands of costumes. Please contact us or visit our store to discuss your requirements with our team.

Q: Do I have to hire a full costume or can I just take the parts I need?
You don't have to take anything you don’t need. Pricing will depend on what you end up with. Please note, should you wish to hire just accessories, a bond will still apply.

Q: Do I have to wash the costume?
No. We wash all costumes and accessories when they are returned as many of them are delicate and need special treatment.

Q: What happens if I am late returning the costume?
If you do not return by the due date without prior arrangement, a late fee of $15 per night, per costume, will be charged.

Q: Can I get someone else to return my costume for me?
Yes you can but please keep in mind that if you paid by EFTPOS or credit card, we require the same card used in the original transaction in order to refund your bond.

Q: Can I return the costume out of hours?
No. For security reasons we do not have a drop-off facility.

Q: I have lost or damaged all or part of the costume. What happens next?
Depending on the extent of the damage, the cost of repair or extra cleaning may be deducted from your bond. If the bond you paid is insufficient to meet this cost, you will need to pay extra. If any part of the costume is missing you will need to pay the replacement cost.

Q: Can I buy the costumes?
Our current costumes are not for sale however keep an eye out on our social media pages for garage sale announcements.