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FAQ Page! 

Containing probably way Too Much Information, but . . .

PLEASE, Check this out BEFORE writing.

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ROBE FAQs: the short answers:

Isn't it cheaper to just make the robe myself? (Or get a friend to do it?)

Maybe.  

If you have experience at drafting patterns, sewing, and have the time and equipment to figure out the design.  

If you have time to drive all over town or surf the Net to find the RIGHT kind of fabric and hope the seller sends the right fabric and doesn't pad the shipping price.

If you have the time to sit down and sew the dang thing! 

If you get it done right the FIRST TIME.

If it doesn't turn out right, then you get to start all over again.

 

We've talked to sew-it-yourselfers who have remade their robes several times over.  The final result cost much more than if they'd shopped here first.

Mystik Merchant's already done the hard part.  We've worked out the bugs, have the good fabrics that stores don't seem to carry, and can have it finished, delivered, and in your hands FAST.

*With* a guarantee.  You're happy or your money back.

We do all that and offer free shipping within the US.

Cool.

Our Jedi and Sith robes are COSTUMES, not Real World survival gear. 

If you want a winter coat (for temps lower than 60 degrees),
hiking gear or a tent, this is NOT the place to buy. 

The Star War novels may mention a robe being used as a tent, but their writers don't sew.
We do.  While it is not wholly impossible for a robe to be turned into a tent
it is not something we recommend you try with our products. 

Our Mad Seamstress would like to have a few words with those writers.

Out back behind the speeder shed. 

It could get ugly; don't look if you're squeamish.

How to order:

AFTER YOU'VE MADE AN ORDER:

TROUBLE-SHOOTING: 

WHY DIDN'T MYSTIK MERCHANT REPLY TO MY E-MAIL????

(Does Paypal have your shiny new address?)

We ALWAYS respond within 24 hours of getting mail from you!

IF YOU DID NOT GET A REPLY IT MEANS YOUR SERVER BOUNCED or BLOCKED IT
OR SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG.

Check to see if your box is full, then contact us again.  We don't mind.

 

THE FIT: 

	DO NOT ORDER A ROBE IF YOU ARE STILL GROWING!
	Yes, from 5' to  6'8" and up, whatever your weight, whatever your size, WE CAN FIT YOU!
	We custom make each robe one at a time to fit each client.
	For all that we are also one of the FASTEST robe makers you'll find on the Net, mailing out within in 3-5 days of getting your measurements.

 

DELIVERY TIME:

	USA--You get your order in about 7 business days from the time we get your correct measurements using 2-3 day delivery Priority Mail.
	Western states please add an extra day.
	Overseas shipping--ALLOW 2-3 WEEKS.  Not our idea.  Talk to customs inspectors.
	We can send the robe to any address you like.
	Many people take delivery at work.
	We can time the delivery to come during a business day.

 

HOW MUCH? HOW TO ORDER?

	Click on the ROBES & CLOAKS  link at the top of this page.
	Our robes range from 120.00-160.00 depending on the style.  Higher overseas (postage).
	Payment is through safe, secure PAYPAL.  NO checks, no M.O. no exceptions.
	Yes, you may make a purchase through a friend if necessary--TELL US if you do!

 

THE COLORS:

	We CANNOT make an exact color match to the robes you see in the films.
	This includes "Anakin" and "Obi Wan" browns.
	If the costume under the robe is a good copy for either character people will know who you're impersonating.

 

DARTH MAUL:

	What a popular guy and what a difficult costume!
	If you're looking for an EXACT replication go to our links page for help finding another costuming site.  We do not make this one.
	We DO make black robes in the Jedi pattern.
	Maul fans have used this for their costumes because it costs less!
	To judge by the feedback it works!

 

WE DO NOT:

	Make children's size robes   (Cloaks, yes, but not robes)
	Make robes from velvet/satin/silk.
	Line robes or cloaks
	Gift wrap
	Make anything from buyer-supplied fabrics, NO exceptions!
	Sell the pattern for you to make your own, NO exceptions!
	NO exceptions to the no exceptions.

 

General FAQs:

My robe is too long!  Should I mail it back to you for hemming???
What's the difference between a ROBE and a CLOAK?
Can you deliver before Halloween????
When can I expect delivery?
Can I waterproof the robe/cloak?
What if I don't like my robe?
Just HOW accurate are your robes?
The Great Shoulder Seam Kerfuffle!!
What measurements do you need?
I can't buy my robe until next week, can you hold one for me?
The robe / cloak is too SHORT!!
You sent the wrong color!!
Why don't you still make the Darth Vader cloaks?
I need a special kind of cloak-can you make it for me?

I want a looooooong train on MY robe!  Can you do that?

 

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The robe/cloak is too long! Should I mail it back to you for hemming???

THIS IS AN EASY FIX.  

If you don't sew yourself, talk a sewing friend into it.

Take item to a dry cleaner that does alterations.  They can hem it in a few minutes.

It will cost less than shipping it back to us, then back to you again.

 

What's the difference between a cloak & a robe?

Many clients will call it a "Jedi cloak" they're usually referring to a robe.

 

  Robe: Has sleeves. In our case really BIG sleeves like Medieval monks, whose robes were the inspirational source for the film robes.

  

Cloak (or cape): Think Zorro or Dracula wear.  NO sleeves.

 

 

Can you deliver before Halloween???? (Christmas, a birthday,  etc.)

IF you  ORDER EARLY!!!!!!  DON'T WAIT.  

If you wait we may not have the fabrics in stock or the time to construct your robe.

Always order early. Your robe won't go out of style!

 

When can I expect delivery?

USA--depending how busy we are--about 7 business days.  This is FAST compared to others who may take weeks longer.  

If you need your order for a special event, TELL US, and we may be able to put a rush on it for you.  

OVERSEAS & CANADA—allow THREE WEEKS. We need time to make the item, then a minimum of 14 days for delivery.  Once it is in the post it is out of our control.

Oh yeah--many times you will have to pay a customs charge.  Not our idea--take it up with your government! <G>

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Can I waterproof the robe/cloak?

You can spray it with Scotchgard to help waterproof it.  Follow directions and test small area first.

 

What if I don't like my purchase?

We are one of the few (if only!) sellers of custom
costume items who offer a no-questions, no-fuss refund.   

No sale is final until you are happy!

The Mystik Merchant Guarantee

 

Just HOW accurate are your robes?

Check the pictures!

Check our feedback page.  Our clients will give you the straight skinny about their purchases!  Some have graciously given permission to let you have their address so they can tell you all about their experience.

We've done our absolute best to clone the design so you look awesome.

Our Mad Seamstress is a driven, nit-picky, uber-perfectionist about duplicating the robes seen in the films.  She was not satisfied with any commercial pattern and drafted her own with startlingly accurate results.  She is also very picky about her workmanship, having dealt with numbers of "costume cops" over the years.  Nothing comes out of her studio unless she's willing to wear it herself to show off her skills before a critical crowd!

 

The great shoulder seam kerfuffle!

For the nit-pickers worse than the Mad Seamstress: 

The shoulders on our robes have a top seam.  Most people truly do not notice; this detail matters to a few, though, so we're letting you know it is there. 

We have it in the design so as not to waste fabric.  When we use less fabric--and this heavy cotton stuff is NOT cheap!--we don't have to charge as much.  Other robe makers going for seamless shoulders use 8 or more yards of fabric, where we only need about 5 and a half.

The other plus for us is when we need to fit a very large client.  The seamless look would not be possible as the fabric would not be wide enough.

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What measurements do you need?

Please go to the measurements page and follow the directions there.

 

I can't buy my robe until next week, can you hold one for me?

We make each robe one at at time for each client, so just order when you are able to do so.  We don't start until you're ready!

If the item you want is on our ready-made/On Sale! page, it is first come, first sold.  

 

The robe/cloak is too SHORT!

Oops.  

Let us know immediately.  We will refund enough postage for you to mail it back.

We'll make sure the next one out is the correct length.

There's always a chance we did not get the right numbers in the first place.  

PLEASE take your time over your measurements to make them accurate BEFORE you send them to us!

 

You sent the wrong color!!!

Oops!  We can goof up. 

Send it back and we will replace it with the correct color.

 

Why don't you make the Darth Vader cloak anymore?

Because they just took too much time to make.  In the time it took to sew either of them we could make 4-5 Jedi robes, so they just were not cost-effective for us to continue.

Also, they were rather too hard on our Mad Seamstress.  Her hands and arms are subject to carpel tunnel from all the hand-sewing and the extra amount of work needed tended to make things worse

 

I need a special kind of cloak -- can you make it for me?

    

This exceptional merchant is a WONDERFUL cloak maker who uses our own special cloak pattern!  (It's ok--we gave it to her!) 

She is VERY good with special orders like weddings & Ren fair events--and has been known to do linings!  Check out her site!

And one more time: if you need it for Halloween or any other special event - ALWAYS ORDER EARLY!!

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About trains on the robes:

We've dealt with this issue since the first movie came out in '77.  

Short answer: trains are B-A-D.  We don't do 'em for safety reasons.

If you want to look imperial, try our Big Sleeve robe!

1) Danger factor: Unless you are a professional bride and only posing for a studio picture, having a train is a bad idea.  It takes practice to walk in them.  Try pinning bath towels one after another to the hem of your bathrobe and walk around the house for a few hours.  Count how many times you get twisted up in your train, the train twists itself inside out, furniture is knocked over, total up complaints from house mates, pet fur, dust bunnies, how dirty it gets, etc.  That's a sample of what you'll deal with if you have a train.

 2) The Wearage factor:  Okay, he's the Emperor.  He's got more money than Bill Gates, so he can get a new robe twice a day.  He doesn't have to worry that his robe will be ruined after the first wearing due to dirt, friction damage, getting chewing gum, mud, road tar, and dog poop all over it.  (We've seen ALL of those happen.)

 3) The Klutz Factor: You've seen them at every con and many a shopping mall--the klutz who doesn't look where he or she is going.  This person WILL step on your train, getting big fat dirty shoeprints all over your expensive robe.  They don't care that you're the Emperor, they're busy with their stuff and you should watch out for them, right?  When they step on your robe chances are you will be walking and get hauled up short, which is most uncool for any galactic despot.

 

 4) The Brat Factor:  Kids and young teens--these are bratty mini-jerks who will think your train is a special ride just for them or lift it up and play "ghost" with it or that you're a fair target since you can't chase after them when they jump on it on purpose or spill their drinks on it when the parents aren't looking. 

 5)  Pissing Off Your Friends Factor: This happens when your good friends, playing emperor's minions and picking the train up and guarding it from harm, finally get exasperated with the job.  Especially female friends.  Women learned a long time back the only time to have a train is at a wedding and just for the one walk up the aisle and a few pics.  After that she's got it looped over one arm.  Her friends laugh at the inconvenience.  She can't wait to get the &*%$ thing off and into its box.  (Been there, done that.)  Keep your friends, don't put them through the torture.

 

Expect any one or all of the above to happen if you wear a costume with a train.

 

As Emperor you want to sweep effortlessly through the crowds, not be looking after your costume like a self-conscious bride trying to spare her wedding dress from harm.  The art of making a costume seem like normal clothing is to forget that you're wearing it.  Can't happen with a 14-foot train dragging behind you.

 

The actor on the screen could stop every time there was a break in the shot and people rushed forward to adjust his costume, dust it off, and clean the floor under it.  It's Hollywood Magic.  You won't have that at a convention or a film theater.  Just try sitting in even a wide theater seat with 14 feet of fabric bunched up in your lap.  Not fun.  And forget about trying to use the washroom with any kind of dignity.  Ain't gonna happen.

 

Just look cool and badass.  With the right attitude you don't need to spoil the effect with a distracting and unintentionally humorous train.

 Okay--we've now probably screwed ourselves out of a sale, but YOUR safety and comfort are more important.

 Data dump over now.

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The following are no longer allowed to do business with us:

Ebay auction #: 180011459668

Black

138.10

Paid 8/2/06  Del.  8/8/06

thickgrooves@yahoo.com  Kipp Cousino 3341 S. Irving St. Englewood, CO 80110 Tracking #:  0103 8555 7497 6562 3435

	This client filed a chargeback with Paypal, claiming robe was never delivered.
	We checked and found he did this with other eBay merchants.
	USPS tracking number confirmed the robe was indeed delivered to the address provided.
	"Mr. Cousino" did not respond to our emails to explain his side.
	He is now on permanent blacklist.
	We have warned other costumers about him.
	It's a small world, we gossip.
	Paypal judged this dispute in favor of Mystik Merchant and the chargeback was dismissed.

We will ALWAYS have delivery confirmation on your purchase.

© Copyright 2008 Mystik Merchant mystikmerchant@sbcglobal.net Jedi, Sith, robe, cloak, Obi, Wan, Anakin, Mace, Windu, Emperor, Darth, Maul, Sideous, meditation, robes, cape