Payment of orders
Orders will only be sent after payment has been made. Orders that are unpaid and have had no contact after 1 month will be cancelled and returned to stock. Payment can be made with Paypal or Bank Deposit (requires 3 business days clearance before order will be sent). Cattle, shells etc. and other barter methods not accepted unless prior arrangements have been made ;) (ohh you are actually reading this!)
Postage
I try to keep postage & packing costs to a minimum, while also being mindful of keeping your goods protected and keeping packaging as environmentally friendly as possible.
Invoices and instructions - To reduce the environmental impact of printing off invoices and instructions for people who don't want them, I've decided not to provide these for pad orders (but may include them for hairfalls and Lunchwraps). You will receive a small note with my business details, thanking you for your order (printed on unbleached 100% post consumer recycled paper). My website has care instructions that you can use if needed. There is also an account section where you can find details of previous orders (paypal will also keep records if you paid via paypal). A receipt or printed instructions can be included with your order if you require.
Postage Rates - Pads and things that are thin and light, which I can post as a "letter" are set to a $2 postage & handling rate. Goddess pads and everything else is set at a little higher, "parcel" postage rate. International mail, Express post or insured post will have extra charges. Registered post/insurance is an extra charge and is added at checkout with a checkbox. Please note that combined orders or custom orders may be charged the "parcel" rate when the total order will exceed that amount to post as the $2 rate.
Combined Orders - I will combine (post together) orders placed on my online stores. Please e-mail me when you place your order so that I am aware that you have 2 orders. If paying via bank deposit - please use the "Request totals" and I will give you an order total for both orders and postage. If paying with paypal, please make payment for the orders separately, and I will issue a paypal refund for any excess shipping charges. Please note that you will only receive a refund or postage discount when the combined orders can be posted together for the same postage charge. (eg if you have placed 2 orders which have a $2 shipping charge each, and the combined order is then large enough to require being posted for a $5 postage charge, you will not receive a postage refund on the combined orders, as you are already receiving a discounted postage rate)
Overcharging Postage? - If you think the shopping cart had calculated the postage too high (which will happen occasionally, for example when you purchase items that are set for $2 postage and items set to $5 postage - the cart will add the postage amounts together instead of picking the higher amount)... and would like me to send you an order total including the right postage amount before you pay, simply select the "Request Totals" payment option in the checkout, which will allow you to checkout without making payment, and I can e-mail you to give you your order total. Or, if paying via paypal, make the payment and I will issue a paypal refund for the excess postage charge.
Wrappings - Your order will be wrapped in tissue paper, and then placed in a plastic ziplock bag to protect it from moisture/damage. Then put into a paper mailing envelope or occasionally a prepaid satchel. I have decided this is the best form of packaging to ensure you receive your items in the condition they were sent in, and won't be affected by rain or if part of the package rips open. I decided to package in ziplock bags in a paper outer - rather than loose in a plastic envelope/satchel as I felt that people were more likely to reuse a ziplock bag than a plastic "jiffy" bag or prepaid satchel bag. I often include a piece of dried lavender in the parcel, and may occasionally include items such as chocolate or tea, so if this is not appropriate for you (due to allergies or whatever), please let me know.
Postage Frequency - I normally post orders twice a week, Early in the week (Mon or Tues) and late in the week (Thurs or Fri). If I am going out at other times and happen to post orders, then I will do so. If you need something in a hurry, please let me know so I can get it out faster. Postage times will vary depending on where you live. Victoria Metro areas should be the day after I post your order. NSW/SA is generally about 2-3 days, TAS, WA and QLD about 4 days. Internationally is usually about 10-14 days. These are estimates only and are out of my control as I am not a postal worker :)
Notification - Generally I try to e-mail you to let you know when your order has been posted.... but occasionally I might forget, so if you haven't heard from me, please feel free to e-mail me. Please let me know when you receive your order so I know it got there safe and sound. If you have any problems with your order, please let me know so we can work it out.
Shipping Address - Please note that I will post to the address listed in your CongoCart account (the address that appears on my order screen when you place an order). I do not look at the shipping info in paypal.... so if your address has changed, please make sure CongoCart has the current correct one. Obsidian Star is not responsible for mail that goes missing as a result of the incorrect mailing address being used, nor the cost of reposting it to the correct address if it has been sent to an old address and been returned to sender.
Disclaimer - Obsidian Star accepts no responsibility for items lost or damaged in transit. Once a parcel leaves my hands I have no control over whether postal workers stomp on it or decide they want it more than you do.....Refunds or replacements for such items will only be made if they were sent Registered Post/with insurance. If you wish to have your items sent registered post/with insurance, please select this option at checkout (an extra charge) or inform me when placing your order (if not completing the checkout)
International Mail
My return shipping address simply states "Obsidian Star" and the address.... I do not have "menstrual pads" or anything that may let someone know you are buying menstrual pads or Pagan items, however I am required by law to fill out the customs declaration form accurately, so orders will be marked with the correct order amount and will not be marked as gifts. Being mindful of privacy of the recipient, I normally declare cloth pads as "cloth napkins" - and do not mention "menstrual", so that the contents cannot be immediately recognised as being menstrual pads, but is still a truthful declaration of the contents.
Please use the Postage Extras section to add on the extra postage amount required. Please note that Soapnuts cannot be sent Internationally. Or select the "Request Totals" payment method at checkout, which will allow you to go through checkout without making payment and I will contact you with a revised order total.
Please note that I will not be able to ship items that are against your countries import regulations, such as cloth items to Nigeria. Please make sure you are aware of these restrictions that may be in place in your country.
