Shipping
Our shipping is charged according to a sliding scale, irrespective of destination. By paying us in sterling £ (GBP) you can take advantage of lower postage costs, irrespective of the destination. These fixed prices cover the cost postage and packing of all the items included in any one order. This is automatically added to the amount of your order.
We keep our prices low by adding a postage and packing charge to your order - not a 'hidden' charge with each item. We aim to ship every item ordered within two working days, but there are occasions when this time frame is not achievable: for example, when we are on holiday. There may be problems with availablity with your order, so you are advised to monitor your registered PayPal mail box in case we have encountered any problems.
Please note that for mutual reassurance all goods are shipped with Royal Mail insurance cover corresponding to the value of your order in 'Sealed Air', 'Mail Lite' (or similar) protective postal bags.
The sliding scale is defined below:
| Order Total £ | Shipping Cost £ | Order Total € | Shipping Cost € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £0.01 to £31.99 | £1.99 | £0.01 to £9.99 | £2.59 | |
| £32 to £49.99 | £5.99 | £10 to £24.49 | £3.99 | |
| £50 to £99.99 | £7.49 | £25 to £49.99 | £6.99 | |
| £100 to £199.99 | £8.99 | £50 to £99.99 | £8.99 | |
| £200 to £300 |
£9.99 | £100 to £199.99 |
£12.99 | |
| £300 and up | £20 | £200 to £299.99 |
£14.99 | |
| - | - | £300 to £399.99 |
£20 | |
| - | - | £400 and up |
£30 |
Thus, the greater the total value of your order, the more cost-effective the postage and packing charges become.
United Kingdom
Goods shipped to addresses in the United Kingdom will be posted by either Special Delivery or by First Class Recorded Delivery, depending on the value of the contents of the package. Because our shipping rates are 'fixed', and there is a threshold at about £30 which triggers an additional charge, there is a jump in the cost of shipping. This is obviously unfair to UK customers, so we will try to make amends by adding additional stockings, free of charge, with your order. On the date of posting, or soon after, we will provide you with 'Track and Trace' information relating to your package. Inland (mainland Great Britain) orders should be delivered the next working day after posting
Other Destinations
Goods shipped to most other countries will be shipped by Airmail International 'Signed For' Delivery. As for UK customers, where it is apparent that the cost is 'unfair' we will try to make amends by including extra stockings. Obviously, thirty pairs at a purchase price of £3.49 will cost more to post than, say, four pairs at £13.99!!
The Royal Mail has recently changed the scope of their services to some countries which means that we are unable to ship 'Signed For' to some countries, in which case we will use the tracking facility provided by the Royal Mail's Airsure service. 'Signed For' is available to the United States and all EU countries. On the date of posting, or soon after, we will provide you with 'Track and Trace' information relating to your package.
For parcels within Europe the Royal Mail has a target of delivery within 3 working days from date of posting, whilst for goods outside Europe, the Royal Mail sets a target delivery of 5 working days after posting, but in some circumstances the postal service may take longer.
Goods shipped outside the EU may be subject to Import duties or taxes, and this process may slightly delay the progress of you parcel. If customs duties or import taxes are levied on your parcel at the point of entry into your country, your postal service will not pass the package to you without payment of the duty. Obviously, we have no control over whether or not duty is charged, but if you are considering placing a valuable order (say, over £15) for receipt in a non-EU country, please contact us as we may be able to suggest some strategies to minimise any import duties or taxes.
