Spirit Halloween
reviews and complaints

To Spirit Halloween,
Though this petition is only signed by a hundred or so concerned citizens, the petition only reached a small number of people - through my facebook and that of my friends, and one activism account on Instagram. I believe that for such a large proportion of those exposed to this petition to take the time to go online and sign it is quite significant.
We recognize that your primary goal is (understandably) to generate profit and we respect this. We simply hope that with this small gesture, as a reminder that communities of all ethnicities and backgrounds do not stand behind (at least some) of your Native American - themed costumes, namely your headdresses - that you would consider pulling a few items off the shelves (to be named later).

A few thanks and congratulations:
Originally this petition centered on the "Reservation Royalty" costume which has now thankfully been re-named - one of the reasons I have shifted the focus to only headdresses.
I've also been taking a look at other minority costumes, which are less, to use internet slang, ‘problematic'. Kimonos, for example, are simply a traditional Japanese clothing, so as long as one wears one respectfully, the general Japanese population would not be bothered. And speaking of going about it respectfully, I'm impressed that I didn't see any fetishised Asian costumes on your website, which is great considering how often other companies or sectors of society do so.

We understand that creative re-imaginings of cultural outfits isn't a black-and-white, right-or-wrong issue. And the difference between everyday ‘sexy' outfits and fetishization of cultures is really hard to distinguish. For this reason we only are requesting that these three items be pulled from stock:

Western Native American Headdress
Toddler Little Chief Native American Costume

Here is the attached petition: https://www.change.org/p/spirit-halloween-oppressed-cultures-aren-t-costumes?recruiter=813234916&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page.share_redirect-control&utm_term=share_for_starters_page&utm_content=ex14%3Av4
Or,
tinyurl.com/culturesarentcostumes

We thank you for the time taken to read this letter and for listening to customer input.
Have a great day and Halloween season,
Victoria Kondo and friends - residents of Coquitlam BC, Canada

I ordered my son a costume didn't like it too much so I returned it in store and was told I'd get my refund in 3-5 business days two weeks later no refund...so then I order an entirely different costume for him wait an entire week and get a completely different costume an adult costume at that on Halloween day. For the first costume I call everyday I get transferred to the finance department but no one answers or I get no call back to get my refund. This is the worst company I've ever dealt with.

I was at the Eastside Spirit Store in El Paso, TX. this morning making last minute purchases. I had different coupons and I asked the young lady at the counter if I would be able to do separate transactions, she told me I would as long as it was not the same coupon. While she was scanning my items the Manager came up to her and started questioning what she was doing. She tried to explain to him that I had different coupons and he then interrupted her and started yelling at her saying why is she doing that when she was told not to and continued to go off on her. Mind you this is in front of not only myself but other customers who were there. I was in total disbelief that this Manager was so rude and belittled her in public. I can see it in her face how embarrassed she was to be humiliated like that. She acted more professional by staying quiet the whole time while he ranted on and on.

Ordered a Batman costume for my 20-month old grandson and a Batman treat bucket on October 19th. The treat bucket arrives, but the FedEx shipping info for the costume kept changing. On the 30th of October the shipping status was that the costume would be delivered by the end of the day. By that evening, delivery status was undetermined. Never again

I will never go back to Spirit Halloween store here in Fairbanks Alaska. worst customer service ever! I spent around $130 for my daughter's costume. I purchased her costume on October 21st, I went today October 29 to return the leggings ($12.99) because they fit weird. The manager said they don't do returns after the 19th. But I purchased the items on the 21st! She said I can exchange for equal or lesser value item. Really! no kidding! no hun I want my money back! so rude and so unprofessional. Last time I shop at Spirit Halloween.

I went to spirit halloween on Friday October 26th 2018 to try on a few halloween costumes, the complaint I have is that when I went back to the dressing room the attendant saw me waiting at the door expecting some type of direction or even to check what I was taking back to the dressing rooms, but instead she completely ignored me. I said excuse me and she still blantly ignored me so I went back to the dressing room after being ignored for maybe 5 minutes straight once I got back there and started changing another customer came back and opened my curtain. She shut it immediately and apologized and explained the attendant told her to go in the room I was in, then the attendant came back started scolding me because she made the mistake of ignoring me and not watching me or the other maybe 5 to 6 people just walking in and out of the dressing rooms and yelled that everyone needs to be checked in and out. Basically the rudeness and the lack of attention the attendants had was disgusting I was embarrassed and mortified because of the horrible, and down right offensively bad customer service. If these women continue to have their jobs I will make sure to go to party city next time I need a costume.

I asked nicely about return on a mask and was told in a meanful way no exchange after i just bought it an hour ago. I was fine with an even exchange and the staff was being very rude while checking me out with just an even exchange shes talking to another worker about another costumer cursing in front of me. Which I did not appericate. I was trying to get my even exchange done but she was talking with another staff with foul language in front of my child. Uncalled for.

So I was upset about doing my even exchange. Cause she said I was still short. And said " Are you serious! This is a joke! " so she told me to go back in line and wait for another staff to check me out and i refused so I walked out VERY UPSET!

She needs to be talked to seriously! Her name is that I caught was LAUEAN

(RECIEPT INFORMATION)
Store Citadel Xng #60522
Citadel Crossing
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

DATE 10/27/18. 2:42PM. STORE: 60522
REGISTER: 6. TRANS: 0367
CASHIER: 3246741
TRANS TYPE: SALE

If you would like a copy of my receipt. I would be happy to scan it for you.

My name is Dawn W.
Email: [protected]@hotmail.com
Phone # [protected]

Good evening,
I had my spookiest costumer experience tonight 10/26/2018 at your Canton, MA location.

I went for a costume exchange and I wanted to buy two items, so I asked if I could get the 20% discount in both. The employee told me I could only use it for one.
I went to my car to get two coupons and he said, I could not get the discount in two items, even with two coupons and he read the rules to me but it did not say anywhere that I could not make two separate purchases with a coupon each.

His attitude all along was terrible and I was very unhappy.

I asked him if he rather sold one item if he would accept only one coupon, or sell two if accepting both coupons and he said he did not care if he could sell two or only one.

Then when he started giving me the refund for the costumer that I paid $31.99 for, he only gave me $13.94 and then I said I was only buying one item and he was already processing the item I was not buying any longer and had to cancel that transaction and refunded me another $14.81

I said I had paid more than that and he took his calculator out and realized he was short in the refund, so he proceeded to give me the difference.

At this point I paid for the one item only because my son was with me and it was for him, but I told him I needed to talk to the manager and he replied "I am the manager, believe it or not" I said I wished I were recording that interaction because it was totally unacceptable and he said it is unlawful to record someone.

Then I asked him for his name and he refused to give it to me. I asked him if I should take his picture then and he told me that I had 30 seconds to leave the store or he would call the police. I was so shocked that I just stayed there waiting for the police to arrive but told him he should be ashamed to be wasting the police officer's time.

The police arrived and I explained to him the situation, that he gave me my money in small parts, that he was extremely rude and that he refused to give me his name to report him to his boss, and the police officer asked me if the employee had given me all my money back and when I said yes, he asked him if he still was not going to give me his name and he said no, and the police officer advised me to bring my business somewhere else.

This was very frustrating and people like this should not be working with people, never mind as managers.

I left really disappointed with the disrespectful treatment and everything.

The store policy can be certain way, but there are ways to talk to the costumers and this guy just does not care.

I would appreciate your reply to this matter.

The dispaly they had up was done horrible I have pics too.. He went to walk around the corner to see what the girl on the swing did an the corner of the cardboard display caught his foot an the rentire thing fell on him.. He now has bruises an a jammed thumb.. He didnt wanna make a big deal over it.. But I aslo do not wanna let this go. I wanna know before I contact an attorney what u plan to do? The employees acted like it was our fault no it wasnt.. Was the poor display an how it was put up. All threy said hope your ok no report nadda.. But I know its on your camera.. Thurdays last week take a look. Like I said I have photos also.

I placed a $300 order back in September. After almost a month, I got everything except my costume, some spray body glitter, and red lipstick, which I had kept in touch with the representatives weekly who assured me everything was fine. Well, when I contacted them to inquire where the red riding hood costume was, they first told me I CANCELLED it. I explained I had called several times, but not once did I request to cancel anything. Then after 20 minutes the lady stated it was in fact cancelled by the company because that costume got OVERSOLD... Why would it still be available for purchase if it was sold out? It was actually still available to purchase the same day she informed me it was sold out. So I asked for a credit instead of waiting on a refund so I could hurry and get replacement. I was told no, that it was already in progress...which I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED. So I hurry as best as I can to find a replacement out of my next paycheck. The only thing I found that I liked was, yet again, on your website. At first I was hesitant with the delay it had already caused, but I figured I would give another chance...even though I never recieved my refund. Well now it appears the same thing has happened to me again...1 week away from halloween! I purchased the new costume last week. Never heard anything, in fact still haven't! I have, however recieved the bow i purchased to go with my costume...which never arrived. Looking at my past orders, it shows my order to still be in progress but picture of costume is not available. Same thing that happened a month ago! So when was I going to be informed I, yet again, don't have a costume that was available for purchase when I purchased it? Also how am I supposed to come up with a costume this close to halloween? Last, but not least, why have I STILL not recieved a refund for my first costume and will I be getting one for this costume when someone gets around to contacting me to tell me...oops sorry we made a mistake and oversold...AGAIN! I WAS confident I would have a costume by my halloween party, which is this week, so that will not happen. I'm doubtful I will even find one to go out on halloween with my family. I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of service or even caring on you're companies part. If you look at my payment history, you will see I have a large family that I have to purchase for. I thought I finally found a solution to find something to nake everyone happy. Doubtful I will be putting my trust in this company again to be able to follow through with an agreement of sale of goods. I guess I will be needing to find a solution for next year.

Tiffanie

Oct. 19, 2017. Spirit Halloween. Morgantown WV. Extremely disturbing behavior by assistant manager, a female, early 30's. It was directed at a new female employee, Kaelin. Employee requested info regarding fitting room procedures. She had not been trained. There were several customers wanting to try on costumes. Assistant manager screamed at, and verbally berated employee, poking her fingers at her face. Employee was respectful but assis. Manager told her to speak to manager about resigning. Approx. 5 customers got involved telling assis. Manager she was wrong and inappropriate. Employee was reduced to tears and totally humiliated. Several customers spoke to the male manager. Unsure of outcome. This woman should have basic manager skills class and be terminated. Please investigate.

Upon my first visit to Spirit Halloween I had purchased a costume for my son, totalling approximately $124. I had a coupin for 20% off to put towards my purchase. However I couldnt get my email to open inside the store, and told the cashier I would step outside to get it to pull up. She then told me the coupon was for online purchases only. Not being sure, I believed her and cashed out without using my coupon.
The next day I noticed the coupin as I was reading through my emails and realized she was incorrect. There was a code for both, online and in-store use. I returned to the store with my reciept and coupon in view via email. I spoke with a very young girl who said she was the manager. She seemed very inexperienced, and told me there was nothing she could do about it.
I find this hard to believe. Any other store would/ could simply reverse the transaction and then apply the discount. She suggested I go home, get all the items and return them, and then purchase them again. Wow!
Let me mention that I live out of town and due to the cashier's inexperienced and misimformation, I have already spent my discount in gas and time. Very discouraged.

There were 3 young ladies huddle by the register. A customer just left and I stepped closer, but not to the register, politely waiting until acknowledged.
They remained huddled, using profanity, discussing how they don't need this job, they're only working there for extra income.
One of them turns, goes to the register, and with out speaking or even looking at me, waves her hand at me and points at the counter in the most disrespectful, lackadaisical manner I've ever witnessed. It was like the stereotypical, mad at the world cashiers you see in movies.
She starts to ring my items, and I let her know I have a coupon. I show her, and she says they dont take it. Still has she yet to look at me.
I inquire why, considering the coupon clearly states, it's an in store coupon and to present it at any Spirit Halloween store. She shrugs and repeats they don't take it. I ask again, why. She said its a third party coupon. Still confused, seeing as though, yes, its from retail me not, but it states to present it in the store, she could not provide a response. Her co worker, in an attempt to appease me, reiterated in a kinder tone. I could have easily asked to speak to a manager but I was pressed for time, and it wasnt a a huge deal.
What was frustrating, wasnt the fact they didn't accept the coupon. It was her dismissive rudeness the entire transaction.
It's a Halloween store. I just don't understand why management wouldn't want their employees to display a fun, easy going work ethic, while remaining polite and professional. Kudos to her coworker for stepping in.
Having to walk up to a cashier and feeling like YOU'RE bothering or intruding on a personal conversation, is never the impression that should be given.
Date: 10/16/18 2:52 PM
Register :2
Store #61021
Trans:3240
Cashier:3245317

Hi I just want to let you know your customer service is horrible. I placed an order yesterday and called today to cancel it. The girl I talked to said she would cancel it. I receive an email 1 hr later stating it was shipped out. I called the customer service number and they told me my order couldn't be canceled. I asked to speak to a manager and was left on hold for more than 20 minutes. I called again and the guy who answered stated the same thing and the only thing I could do is return or refuse the order but my shipping cost will not be returned. So that was my whole intention to cancel before it was shipped so I could get all my money back. If the girl I tal kbh ed to first would have cancelled the order this would have not happened. If she wasn't able to why didn't she say anything.

On October 12 my gifriend visited the store in Attleboro ma on 287 washington st. She was with a group of friends when she was separated to go look for decorations. This is when an employee who worked at around 3 o clock approached her and started harassing her. He kept talking about the store and costumes and when she didn't seem interested and just wanted to look around he didn't leave her alone still. After a while of this she decided to just go back to her friend group when this employee stood in her way blocking her. I don't know their name but they were tall, chubby, and had shaggy hair. This freaked her out and caused her to leave the store early. This is absolutely absurd and shouldn't even be tolerated by a store which is only open seasonally. I expect an answer ASAP as to why this happened and who's gonna fix it so it doesn't happen to another woman minding their own business.

On October 9, 2018 around 1:30 PM my son and I visited you store in Reno, NV on Kietzke Lane. My son went in first because we had his dog with us. He cam out and told me what he wanted me to look at. When I attempted to enter a person whom I assume was the manager met me at the door and informed me that I was not allowed to enter the store. He stated that my son opened packages and left a mess. At first I thought he was joking. By the way my son is 34 years old. I asked the man if he had proof of this happening and he told me yes. I asked to see that proof and he refused. I was furious. Every year we set up a display at our home for children and every year spend about $500 at your store. I will never enter one of these places again. I was humiliated, angered, and suffered great distress. Never in my life have I been made to feel this way in public. I went out and discussed this with my son. I went back in to get a phone number or contact for someone I could file a complaint with and he refused to give me anything. He threatened to call security and the police. I waited to send this so I would calm down but right now I am shaking just writing it out. I don't know that there is anything you can do about this but I am hopeful that the person who made my son and I feel this way doesn't have the opportunity to do it to anyone else.

Today at one of your store in san Diego
8745 Broadway, La Mesa, CA 91941, I had a very bad customer service experience with a women named Elizabeth which she claims she's district manager . her way of customer service is not a way I would like to be welcomed into a store, it very unprofessional, Also I did hear her being rude to one of the employees & I manage to see her on the floor with her phone out not being attentive to customers, while the rest of employees where . I suggest as a customer service representative that the quality of training for store manager be redirected and reapplied to the person in charge .
thank you for taking the time to read about my experience .
May you all have a lovely day and a soon to be happy Halloween.

I purchased an item that was clearly marked $4.99. I paid for the item and as I walked out of the store I noticed I was charged $5.99. I walked back to the cashier and told her I was charged incorrectly. She said it was ringing up in their system at $5.99. I told her that the price was clearly marked $4.99. For 20 minutes she tried to adjust the price and finally handed my receipt back to me and basically said 'sorry, I cannot adjust the price. There's nothing she can do!'
I was under the impression that it is illegal to have an item marked one price and ring up at a higher price!

My daughters were trying on costumes and a worker came back scolding me that I didn't ring the bell. I apologized because I didn't see it. and she went on and on like I was 5 years old. I brought both costumes out so she could go through them the whole while she continued to scold me. I ended up getting my kids dressed and leaving because it was ridiculous. I have worked in customer service and never treated a customer like that. I will never shop at your store again. Never have I been treated so rudely. It truly was the worst encounter I've ever had. I understand the reason for the policy but when I apologized and brought out the costumes she should have let it go and not gone on like she did. It was completely uncalled for.

Ok so every day I get a notice to order her and she is not available. I have the other 2 in the set she is the only one I need. You say get then at the store. But all 3 stores here in Raleigh NC has not gotten her in. Now it say hey ord er r the set of 3 to get her. Why would i order the 3 set when i only need the one. So is she going to be able to order or am I out of luck . It's very frustrating when I get noticed every day to order her and I cant. What can be done to fix this.

Thank You
Very Unhappy
In Raleigh NC
James Gould
[protected]@gmail.com