Yep the costumes are getting smaller and cheaper looking every year and the prices keep going up. I think some folks are getting very greedy because some of the prices cannot be justify. I want a limo picking me up and dropping me off at home with some of those prices I'm seeing. I think its time for government to step in because the band leaders need to find sponsors so they keep the overhead cost down and reasonable to consumers. Some of those costumes are prices strategically for the clueless folks living in Germany interested in going to Trinidad for carnival for the first time.