Pirates and Sponge Bobs and superheroes, oh my! What will people see when they open the door this Halloween?

Are party invites haunting the mailbox but no costume yet? No need to scream—here is the inside scoop for finding cheap prize-winning costumes! While Goodwill frequently gets the high school dollar, Bartz’s offers great organization and variety.

From fairy wings to mullet wigs, “everything we’ve had has sold,” commented Goodwill costume advisor Nick. This secondhand store’s “Costume Central” stocks Halloween attire for all members of the family. In the shadows of Johnny Depp’s stunning performance in “Pirates of the Caribbean”, many wish to lead their own quest for the mystifying Black Pearl.

According to Nick, the essentials of a pirate’s costume include the traditional hat or bandana, striped shirt, knickers, and an eye patch. “Be creative and unique,” said Nick. “It’s more fun to make your own costume than to buy a pre-packaged one.”

Arrowhead’s investigation revealed the spooky truth behind the cost of a vintage Goodwill pirate costume. At $10.96, an Arrowhead student transforms into a ruthless pirate, fully equipped with a shirt, pants, jewelry, and beard.

“Be cool!” said a teenage Bartz shopper as he pointed to his oversized foam cowboy hat, “You gotta have the feather!” This Oconomowoc high school student encouraged trick-or-treaters to dress how they please and disregard budget restrictions. It will be worth it, he said.

Budgets should not interfere with perfect costumes as store clerk Dominique noted if competitor prices are lower, Bartz’s match the lowest price. Moreover, if stores offer equal prices for a particular item, Bartz’s give costumers a five percent discount.

Yet, Bartz’s prices remained much higher than Goodwill. A whole pre-packaged pirate costume consisting of a dress, eye patch, and hat cost $26.99, a 146% increase in Goodwill’s four-piece outfit. If paying this amount, beware of missing pieces, sold out replacements, and size issues.

Dominique said she had not tried on the one-piece “pirate wench” dress and was unable to tell reporters about its “one-size fits all” claim.

Hurry to the stores today before dazzling outfits leave the shelves. Remember, even if budgets are tight, do not take a fright; use these tips for a great costume tonight!