Don't get tricked this Halloween with costumes

With this year's frenzy around characters such as Iron Man 2, Lady Gaga and even the soccer season's Paul the Octopus, you may feel your big decision in the coming weeks is whom to dress your child (or yourself) as for Halloween. But, given the cost of such a costume, an equally key consideration is where you'll buy it and how you'll get your money back if it turns out to be a dud.

Poor quality, late arrival and difficulty getting refunds are all complaints the Metro New York Better Business Bureau has come to expect in the weeks before and after Halloween, frequently from consumers who shopped for bargains at seasonal costume stores or fly-by-night online merchants. So, to help you "take advantage of treats and not feel tricked," Claire Rosenzweig, that group's president and chief executive, suggests the following.

Research seller:With seasonal holiday stores "popping in and out of existence," she says, get the name and contact information for the underlying company and a sense of who'll be standing by the merchandise if problems arise. That means names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. You can also run the entity by friends on social media sites, and check the reviews at newyork .bbb.org.

Refund policy: Some merchants don't accept returns after the holiday, so find out your window of time. Also, how do you get satisfaction? A credit, refund, merchandise exchange?

Basics: People may get a little carried away with the frivolity of the holiday and drop their guards, so Rosenzweig reminds consumers to keep documentation, such as receipts and order confirmation. If you've ordered online, check the costume right away for fit and quality.