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Ordering Information
How to Place Your Order
Billing
Shipping
Delivery
Express Delivery
Shipping Addresses
Taxes
International Sales, Product Availablity, and Shipping
Smithsonian Members
Return Policy
Warranty
Customer Copy of Order
Security and Privacy of Your Order
Order Acknowledgement
Additional Information
Mail-in/Fax Order Form: SAAM Books, Postcard Books, and Calendars
Mail-in/Fax Order Form: Posters
Mail-in/Fax Order Form: Notecards
How to Place Your Order
Identify the item you desire to purchase, select the quantity and click the "add to cart" button. Continue shopping until you have selected all your items. Select "check out" to view the items you have selected at any time. From the check out page, select "Recalculate" if you make changes or if you receive a member discount. Otherwise select "Place Order." Shipping costs will then be calculated. Upon entering your credit card information, select "purchase."
An email acknowledgment of you order will be sent immediately.
We will begin filling your order promptly.
NOTE: All order and customer information is encrypted and processed on a secure server. Because we take security seriously, your order is encrypted twice; once using Netscape's Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and then again using PGP. No unencrypted data is stored in any disk file on the server and the server does not contain the "private key" necessary to decrypt the file.
Billing
To ensure the security of your credit card information, please use a browser that supports Secure Socket Layer Protocol (SSL), such as Netscape v. 3.0 or later and Microsoft's Internet Explorer v. 4.0.
Shipping
The Smithsonian Institution is a large organization with multiple business entities (departments) offering a broad variety of products and services for sale. Depending on the items selected, you may receive multiple shipments.
We calculate shipping costs twice to ensure you receive the "best available" shipping rate. First we calculate the per item shipping cost for your entire order. Second, we calculate the cost of all items ordered and calculate a shipping rate based on a standard shipping table. Your "actual" shipping costs will be the lesser of these two amounts.
Shipping charges for the entire order are billed once the first item ships by the participating department(s).
Delivery
We will ship your order promptly and will notify you in the unlikely event of any delay in fulfilling your order. Various items may not be shipped at the same time or included in the same package; however, items will be charged to your credit card only as they are shipped. As indicated above, shipping charges for the entire order are billed once the first item ships by the participating department(s).
Express Delivery
Our express service area includes all 50 states to street addresses. Deliveries are not make to rural routes, postal boxes, or general delivery addresses. To avoid delay, please provide the recipient's phone number when requesting express service.
Any in-stock order received Monday through Friday before 2:00 p.m. (EST) will be delivered within two business days from the order date for an additional $ 6.96 per delivery address.
Shipping Addresses
We will gladly ship ordered items to the address specified. Shipping and handling costs will be calculated on a per address basis.
Taxes
You are responsible for paying any sales or use tax imposed at any time whatsoever on this purchase.
International Sales, Product Availability, and Shipping
Products and or services offered are not available for, and are not offered for sale in, any jurisdiction where such sales are prohibited or restricted.
Due to complex Customs and Postal Regulations, we cannot accurately calculate shipping costs until receipt of your order. For advance information concerning international shipping and handling costs, please contact us. You may do so by completing your order and forwarding it to us via email or by facsimile to the number indicated on your order. Please include your email address.
International shipping and handling costs for orders received which include credit card billing information will be recalculated and processed as appropriate. Actual shipping and handling costs will be disclosed on your sales receipt.
Smithsonian Members
If you are a Smithsonian Member please be sure to check the Smithsonian Member box. Your order savings will be disclosed at the bottom of your order. If you are not already a Smithsonian Member, a "Join Online Now" button is provided and upon selection we will enroll you as a member, recalculate your order and pass on the your Smithsonian Member savings.
Return Policy
Should anything you order from the Smithsonian Institution not meet your expectations, it can be returned if accompanied by a sales receipt for replacement or refund. Audio and video products may only be returned if found defective or unopened.
Warranty
To the extent permitted by law, the Smithsonian Institution makes no product warranty as to merchantability or fitness for a particular use other than those which are implied by and incapable of exclusion, restriction or modification.
Customer Copy of Order
We encourage all customers to print or save a copy of your order. While we do not anticipate any problem fulfilling your order, if a question or problem arises you will have the information necessary to contact us.
Security and Privacy of Your Order
Security
To ensure the security of your credit card order and other information provided by you, please use a browser that supports Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol, such as Netscape or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The Smithsonian Institution has also made arrangements with Totally Secure Transactions, an independent, private corporation for the use of its encryption process for maintaining security for purchases on Smithsonian's On-line Catalogue. In either event, we believe that the risk of credit card fraud is minimal. However, if you become aware that an unauthorized use of your credit card has occurred, or may occur, as a result of your Smithsonian purchase, be sure to report it immediately to your credit card provider in writing. If you are unsatisfied with the disposition of your complaint with your credit card provider, please write us.
Customer Privacy
We occasionally make our customer list of names and addresses available to other carefully screened organizations and mail order companies whose offerings may be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive these mailings, please write us at Smithsonian Catalogue, 7955 Angus Court, Springfield, VA 22153-2855 or email us at SICUSTSVC@aol.com.
Order Acknowledgment
Thank You
The Smithsonian Institution is a large organization with multiple divisions offering a broad variety of products and services for sale. Depending on the items selected, you may receive multiple shipments. Shipping charges for your entire order are billed once the first items is shipped by the offering division. The offering division is identified for each item ordered.
Proceeds from the sale of Smithsonian products allow the Institution to undertake new ventures and enrich existing programs in a way that would otherwise not be possible. These funds provide the critical margin of excellence for innovative research, building and strengthening the collections, constructing and presenting effective and up-to-date exhibitions, and reaching out to new and under-represented audiences. In recent years, the Smithsonian has also begun to rely on the funds for a portion of the funding of new construction. We thank you for your support.
Additional Information
Changing Terms
Smithsonian shall have the right at anytime to impose, change or modify it prices, billing methods or other terms and conditions applicable to the purchase.
External Links
The Smithsonian site contains links to other Web sites, resources, and promotional materials. Smithsonian is not responsible for these external sites and does not endorse nor is it responsible for any of the advertising, products, or other materials on any external sites.
Governing Law
This agreement will be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, excluding that body of law known as conflicts of law and the United Nations Contracts for the Sale of Goods.
Writing Address
You may contact us in writing at Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560.
Miscellaneous
This agreement, the offer of sale, and order constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the purchase.
Standard data gathered
Name, address, evening phone number, email address (required for all Internet orders), credit card information (type, card number, expiration date), shipping address (default to customer address unless specified otherwise), and additional shipping information for express delivery.