Shipping Infomation

2. Determine how long it will take to arrive by GROUND shipping:

1. Check the map below to see the ground shipping time to your area
2. Begin counting the shipping time on the day AFTER the package leaves our facility.
3. Count only business days.
4. Here is an example: Let's say that you live in Alaska and you place an order for a cap & gown set on Friday. You can determine from the chart above that it will leave our facility on the next business day, which is Monday. The map below tells us that the ground shipping time is 5 days. Since the package is shipped Monday, we don't count Monday as a shipping day -- Tuesday is day "1" and we find that it will arrive on the following Monday (Saturday and Sunday do not count for shipping purposes.)

3. Determine your best shipping method:

1. Check the shipping options and prices offered in the shopping cart and consider your need-by date.
2. If you have ordered in plenty of time, you can save money by shipping lighter packages Priority Mail through the Postal Service, but please read the section below before selecting Priority Mail.
3. We suggest that you plan to receive your order at least two days before it is needed.
4. If the ground method is not going to get it there on time, we offer FedEx express shipping.
5. Note that "Overnight" service delivers the next BUSINESS day after it is shipped. This means that if you order on Thursday and request overnight shipping, it will leave our facility on Friday and arrive on Monday.

DID YOU WAIT TOO LONG TO ORDER??

• We offer a RUSH option on the production time for some items. Speeding up the production by a day is always less expensive than overnight shipping.
• Be sure to fill out the section of the checkout area that asks for your "need-by date." We try to make sure it will be there on time and we'll email you if there is need to adjust the shipping method.
• We don't make any adjustments in the shipping method without your direct approval, so....
• Give us a REAL email address and then check your email -- especially your SPAM or JUNK folders -- to see if we have contacted you about your order.
• Don't give us a phone number where you cannot be reached during business hours.
• Finally, BE SMART about express shipping: If the map shows that you live in a one-day shipping range for GROUND service, you probably don't need overnight express shipping!

4. Should you choose FedEx or Priority Mail?

The shipping costs are calculated by the weight of your shipment and the zip code you give us. If your package is under eight pounds, you'll be offered the option of Priority Mail for your shipment. Priority Mail offers a real cost savings when shipping to a residence.
However --

• Priority Mail is not a "date-definite" service. It is usually very quick (about 3 days) but can be unpredictable.
• You must give us an address where there is a mail receptacle if choosing priority mail. If you have a Post Office box and don't get mail at your physical address, you must give us the PO Box as the shipping address.
• Priority Mail does not offer package "tracking." We use a delivery confirmation number so that once the package is delivered, the time and date of the delivery is known, but while it is in transit, there is no ability to "track" and see when it will be delivered.
• If your Priority Mail package does not arrive when you expected it, we ask you to allow 2 weeks from the time we shipped it before requesting that a replacement be sent out.

Problems with Priority Mail are rare, and if you have ordered in plenty of time, it offers a savings --BUT-- if you must have your items by a date is less than 3 weeks away, we recommend that you choose one of the date-definite services offered by Fed ex. (Ground and express shipping methods are all date-definite and traceable.)