FAQ's
Do you negotiate prices or offer discounts? NO and YES.
NO- We typically do not negotiate prices, we adjust them based on custom requirements- so, if we quote a mask price with an added feature you do not need- it may be less without that feature, but if we charge for a feature it is because that feature costs us money and time to add, and so we have to bill accordingly.
We do offer a few type of discounts-
Bulk discounts- If you order 4 or more items all at once- Usually about 10%.
Wholesale Discounts- if you have a business tax ID for your area, and make an initial order of $5,000 or more, and a minimum of TWO of any item that you order, we start at 35% off, and CAN go as high as 50% off depending on quantities and so on.
Do you do custom orders?
YES- MOST of our sales are "Custom" or "On Demand" vs "Off the shelf."
Off the shelf items are usually found in our Etsy shop. If it is there it is already finished as pictured and ready to go in a box. ALL items in our Etsy shop are available "Custom" or "On Demand" as well if you miss out on something you wanted.
On Demand means, we make it when you order it- It's still done AS IF it is custom, but based on the example on our site, and we still issue a contract and an expected ship date when the order is placed and payment has been sent.
Custom means just that- Custom. It could be a custom paint job for an on demand mask, special finishing, or a 100% original mask, costume, prop, set or effect made JUST for you. This will always be your MOST costly option but what you end up with will be uniquely yours. Which brings us to.....
I can make it myself cheaper, why should I pay you?
Well, by all means- go ahead, and YES you MAY be able to make it yourself cheaper in theory since your time- and therefore labor is free. We figure $20 an hour for labor, plus material cost with keystone basis for most of our prices.
You won't have to pay yourself- and if you have the skills and know-how you MAY in fact be able to make it yourself. BUT, for instance, even if you only need a quart of a given material- you may have to buy a gallon.
If it takes me 24 hours of time to make an item, it may take you longer if you never have before- and you may only be able to work on it on that one weekend. In the end you may or may not end up with something of the quality you were hoping for with the satisfaction that YOU made it. And by all means if that is your desire- I support you 100% and hope you'll share your pictures and success stories with us.
But please- don't use the concept that you can do it yourself cheaper as a point to try to negotiate (Or worse as has happened- Bully us to give a discount. We have to pay overhead, employees, ourselves, electric, gas, supplies and all those years of learning and continued learning. That's why e don't try to be Rolls Royce- but we have no desire to be the cheapest either. If you like our Facebook, Instagram or support our Patreon pages- we do offer sales, specials, discounts and give always from time to time for our fans and followers.
I'm allergic to natural latex rubber- does that matter?
Well, if you are buying a mask it sure does and it also matters HOW allergic we are talking about? We make things with Latex, Urethane, Epoxy, Fiberglass, Silicone, Acrylic and more. We do it all in one shop space. So, Anything MIGHT come in contact with latex along the way. So... even a 100% silicone mask MIGHT have come in contact with latex before it got packed and shipped so. IF you have a life threatening latex allergy, even for only trace amounts- play it safe and buy from somewhere that ONLY works with silicones.
If you or one of your performers has a "SLIGHT" latex sensitivity, please be safe and avoid any latex products. You shouldn't have to worry about trace cross contamination in that case HOWEVER using a latex mask would be ill advised since latex allergies are cumulative and will become worse to repeat exposure over time.
Alternatives to consider: Urethane, acrylic, platinum silicone, gelatin appliances, Prosaide Transfers (Proside is ACRYLIC latex- not natural latex rubber), masks and pieces made from EVA or L200 foams, hard masks made from epoxy, plastics, paper mache or the like.
Why don't you offer more???
Patience my friend. I am starting slow so I don't get in over my head and end up disappointing people or hurting myself.
My general goal is: 2019 web site up, plans for upcoming articles, 4- 8 products by summer, Patreon up and running with 3 months of content waiting in the wings, purchase one or two pieces of equipment, 1 or two live local shows to vend at and try to do $5K in sales for the year.
2020 4 - 8 more products added, At least 1 haunted attraction that we supply most of their masks, one new article a month, Patreon building to at least 200 supporters at the basic level, keep a good reputation and fair prices, and hire someone who can either help with production or promotion. Double sales from prior year.
2021 4-8 more new products for a goal of 25 solid items in our catalog. More art pieces. Work with 2 pro haunts to supply their masks and makeup items. Begin more foam latex and pros aide appliances, REALLY start working on high end haunt puppets and add vacuforming facilities to what we do. 2 employees by years end, at least one who can help with production and art side of things. Double sales from previous year.
2022 Finally make profit! Decide on main focus based on learning from previous years, Start looking for a large standing warehouse OR big place in country with small house and big barn/workshop
So- if you like what we do, help support it buy buying, telling others, or just generally being encouraging!
We will keep doing what we can and hopefully never disappoint you in the process! |