# Get a costume return decision before the next performance

Example: A theater lent costumes to a touring group. Its next performance must have the same costumes, but the group's return message gives no date.

By Righthand Team · 2026-10-16

Source: https://www.righthand.ai/blog/get-a-costume-return-decision-before-the-next-performance

An assistant is an alternative when a partial return must have another conversation.

A return label and reminder are sufficient when the return date has approval for all items.

This article is from Righthand. The customer story and result are illustrative.

## The work that the customer wants

A theater lent costumes to a touring group. Its next performance must have the same costumes, but the group's return message gives no date.

The manager supplies the costume list and the permitted return address. The next fitting is Thursday morning.

The Righthand has its own email address and phone number. You can give instructions by email, text, phone, or Slack. [Righthand introduction](https://docs.righthand.ai/introduction).

For this example, the Righthand uses its own email address. It identifies itself as the team's assistant. Company account access is a different setup choice. [Account connections](https://docs.righthand.ai/guides/adding-your-first-connection).

## The request to the Righthand

> Contact the touring group at the supplied email address.
>
> Get the return date for the listed costumes.
>
> Tell the group that the next fitting is Thursday morning.
>
> Get approval before you agree to an alternative return method.
>
> Send the production manager the result in this conversation.
>
> Use Pacific time for the deadline.

## What the Righthand does

The Righthand sends these questions by email. It sends the reply to the production manager.

The assistant must not give approval for replacement purchases or accept damaged costumes as complete returns.

## An illustrative result

> The group can return four costumes Wednesday. Two remain at another theater. The manager must give a decision about how to supply those two roles.

The manager selects replacements for the two roles and gives the assistant a separate collection instruction.

## Access and permission

If you want direct account access, connect the account independently. Make sure that the Righthand has the necessary operation and access. A catalog entry does not establish each available action. [Connection Permissions](https://docs.righthand.ai/guides/add-a-connection).

With **Ask**, an outward instruction must identify the recipient and task. New approval can be necessary for a changed commitment. Connection tool permissions are another required control. [Communications Policy](https://docs.righthand.ai/security/external-communications).

## Try the procedure with one task

1. Give the Righthand one task with a teammate as the contact.
2. Make sure that the teammate receives the permitted email.
3. Tell the teammate to reply with a different request.
4. Compare the returned decision with that reply.
5. Examine the email records in [Activity](https://docs.righthand.ai/guides/working-with-your-righthand).

[Compare plans](https://www.righthand.ai/pricing). [Get a Righthand](https://teams.righthand.ai).