Just as in the "real" world, there are many costume shops on the internet that all claim to be the best source for costumes and accessories. Obviously they can't all the be the best, but how can you tell which ones will be the best to deal with? After all, it's a little harder to judge them from a website than it is by walking into their store and actually looking around and speaking with someone.

When shopping for a costume online, you should follow the same principles you would when dealing with a traditional store.

Find out where they're located. Any decent web-based store will have a physical address and contact information listed on their website, in an easy-to-find spot. If they don't list this information, or it's buried somewhere hard to find, they may not be the best choice.

What are their return policies? Buying over the internet means you can't actually see and feel the costume before you get it home. If what you order turns out to not be what you expected, you should be able to return it with minimal hassle.

How do they ship your costume and how quickly will it arrive? If you're ordering a costume with lots of accessories and detail you want to be sure that it is well protected in shipping, to avoid damage along the way. And the shipping time is important, especially as it gets closer to Halloween.

Do they allow special orders? Most online costume shops carry a wide range of accessories, as well as complete costume kits. If you want to order a kit but substitute a couple of items, will they work with you?

Is there a telephone number that you can call to speak to a representative? Even if you can find all the information you need on the website, it isn't a bad idea to call them just to get a feel for how easy it is to deal with them in person. If you aren't happy with the quality of their service before you buy, it probably isn't going to be any better afterwards.

Shopping for a Halloween costume online can be a lot more convenient than visiting a bunch of stores in person. You'll probably find a lot bigger selection, for almost any age. By using these tips, you'll be a lot more likely to be happy with your costume, and more able to enjoy Halloween.