Here you will find information regarding our shipping policies, and other information you may need to know regarding shipping! Click on a topic below, and it will take you to that specific topic.
FREE Standard Shipping Guidelines
We offer FREE standard shipping on all of our items. Free standard shipping is only valid for USA customers ONLY. Standard shipping rates apply for International customers. During checkout, USA customers will be able to choose the type of shipping method that works best for them. As a general rule, USPS First Class, and USPS Parcel Post are the standard shipping methods that are considered 'FREE'. PottersGifts.com reserves the right to modify the shipping method for any product purchased under the 'FREE Shipping' guidelines.
Standard Shipping Guidelines
All of our in stock orders are shipped same business day if ordered by 12pm EST, and shipped next business day if ordered after 12pm EST. We ship 6 days a week, Monday - Saturday. Business days are considered Monday - Saturday. National Holidays, and other postal holidays are not considered business days. We may ship items via multiple methods. We may ship via USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, or DHL.
International Shipping Guidelines
Most of our products are able to be shipped internationally. During checkout, you can choose the method of shipping that best meets your needs. International customers are responsible for their countries customs, brokerage, and duty fees. We do not mark our items as 'gifts' on the customs forms. If an item you purchased is not able to be internationally shipped, you will be notified via email, and the purchase amount will be refunded
When choosing the method of shipping during checkout, we strongly recommend choosing a method other than First Class Mail International. We offer this method, as it is a very cheap method of shipping - compared to other methods. However, if you choose this method, you understand the following:
1. It has no tracking numbers. This means there is no way to track the item during transit, or find out where it is at.
2. Since there are no tracking numbers, it can't be insured. This means if it is lost or stolen during transit, it can't be replaced.
3. Delivery times are extremely erratic. We've seen some be delivered as quick as 1-2 weeks, whereas others we have seen take as long as 6-8 weeks.
USPS Delivery Confirmation Numbers
"As Seen on TV" and "For Animal Lovers" products are normally shipped via USPS. Unfortunately, the USPS only offers a "Delivery Confirmation" number, which is unlike a normal UPS or FedEx tracking number. The only times USPS updates their website with information is as follows:
The item has actually been delivered to an address
The item has been forwarded to a different address
3) There is some sort of problem with the shipment.
What the Delivery Confirmation # will NOT do is give you information regarding where it actually is at, or the date / time It was originally received by the Post Office.
It is NORMAL for the USPS to state one of the following messages:
"The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on DATE to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later. " "The tracking information for this item was received by the US Postal Service at TIME on DATE, but the item has not yet been scanned in the mailstream. Please check back later. "
Most of the time, the first time the delivery confirmation number is scanned is when it is delivered to your house.
If you wish to receive the delivery confirmation number for your shipment, please contact us via our contact form, which can be found here. Please ensure you include your order number when you contact us.
Should you not receive your package 2 1/2 weeks (3 1/2 weeks for international orders) after the shipping date, contact us, and we will escalate a claim to the USPS claims department to trace the package. We can NOT submit a claim before this date.
UPS / FedEx / DHL Tracking Numbers
If we have an available tracking number from these shipping services, we will email it to you as soon as possible.
Shipping Insurance
We offer shipping insurance on all of our orders. In order for us to keep costs as low as possible, we do NOT include shipping insurance with the price of the product, or with the normal shipping price when items are shipped via USPS.
Shipping Insurance is important because if your item is damaged, lost, or stolen during the shipment, we will ship you a second item, with no additional cost to you.
If you do NOT choose the shipping insurance at the time of purchase, you will not be covered if the shipment is lost, stolen or damaged during shipment. You will be responsible for all charges for replacement of the product. In these cases, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Packages not delivered, picked up
If your order is shipped back to us by the shipping carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc) for any reason, you will be responsible for paying the charges to reship the product back to you. The main reasons items are not delivered to your house, and are sent back to us are:
1) Shipping Carrier wouldn't leave it at your dwelling because package is too large. In this case, it will be held at the local Post Office for you to pick it up. If it is not picked up, it will be sent back to us. We recommend contacting your local Post Office FIRST.
2) Shipping Carrier had an incorrect address. We send the item to the address you supply us. If the address is incorrect, etc, the item will be returned to us.
We do NOT have the ability to reship the item to you unless we have physically received the product back in our hands.
In a case where we do receive a package back due non delivery or non pickup, we will refund the item per our return/exchange policy. You will receive the purchase price of the product back (minus shipping & handling). In cases where you received free shipping, you will receive the full refund minus actual shipping costs plus $3.50 for restocking. If the shipping carrier charges us due to the item not being able to be delivered, any charges incurred will be deducted from your refund.
How long should it take to receive my order?
Shipping times are not guaranteed, as they are determined by the carrier you choose. The following chart will help you determine the BEST shipping method for your situation:
Shipping Method |
Average Shipping Time |
Normal Maximum Shipping Time |
USPS First Class Mail |
3 business days |
9 business days |
USPS Parcel Post |
5-7 business days |
23 business days |
USPS Priority Mail |
2-3 business days |
6 business days |
USPS Express Mail |
1 business day |
1 business day |
|
|
|
USPS First Class International |
2 weeks* |
6 weeks* |
USPS Priority International |
10 business days |
14 business days |
USPS Express International |
6-7 business days |
10 business days |
|
|
|
FedEx Ground |
4 business days |
8 business days |
The times above were taken from ACTUAL Potter’s Gifts shipments from the time period of 6/23/08 to 9/21/08. Business days for USPS are considered every day except Sunday, and national holidays. Business days for FedEx are considered Monday-Friday.
*Time frames for First Class International are estimates, as sample size was too small.
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