Postage Costs & Posting your orders to you
The bags we now use as of January 2021 and the costs:In a bid to be as environmentally green as we can, I am now sending out all postal orders in kraft paper postal bags.
They are a great alternative to polythene mailing bags and come with a self-adhesive strip so I don't have to use tape either. They are from a company called DSsmith e pack.
However, in a bid to be green it does mean putting up the postage costs as sadly, being green costs more - barmy isn't it. The postage bags are .51p each compared to .02p for the typical grey polythene mailing bag that I used to use. However, I'm sure you can accept an extra 50p knowing you are supporting green and reducing needless plastic waste.
These resilient, water-resistant postal bags are made from heavy-duty 70 gsm brown kraft paper that is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. The Kraft paper postal bags are designed to fit closely around products, securing them for safe transit without the need for bubble wrap or packing paper.
No more Tissue Paper wrappings:
I have decided that wrapping yarn or fabric up in tissue paper, to then put inside the postal bag is needless waste. Whilst it does look 'pretty' to have them wrapped with a nice Woolpatch sticker on it. In reality, it is taken off in seconds and thrown in the bin or maybe recycled (some tissue paper can not be recycled). I think it is important that we cut down on single use items and tissue paper is something I can do.
What service do we use?
I use our local Post Office and Royal Mail for all deliveries - Domestic and International. If we don't use it, we'll lose it, and whilst it may be more convenient for me and other business to use online 'click and drop' or use other couriers, it means less custom for the local Post Office and many in the village depend on it, so in order to keep it, we all have to use it. The lovely Priya who runs the Post Office sorts out all my labels and prices.
Domestic deliveries (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland):
Due to the nature of most our products, parcels will be sent out as 'small parcels up to 1kg'. Our website does not calculate the postage by weight. So if it's a very small product, then it will still cost the same as a small parcel. That said, if you order way more than 1kg and you buy lots of yarn or fabric, your order still goes at a small parcel 1kg weight!
When you're in the checkout you can choose the following 3 options:
1.'First Class' is Royal Mail First Class: 1-2 working days (Not trackable) £4.90 (£4.40 + .50p for paper postal bag) - usually next day, but not guaranteed. The Woolpatch keeps a proof of postage
2.'Two Day Shipping': is Royal Mail Second Class 2-3 working days (Not trackable) £3.80 (£3.30 + .50p for paper postal bag). The Woolpatch keeps a proof of postage
3. "Express": is Royal Mail Tracked and Signed. £7.50 and is guaranteed to arrive by 1pm the next day. (Tues to Friday only - do not choose this on a Saturday or Monday. The shop is closed Monday and orders are not processed until Tuesday am)
Remember if ordering on a Saturday the Post Office will close at Noon. First class may not arrive until Tuesday. Also, The shop is closed Sunday and Monday so any orders placed will not be processed and sent out until Tuesday.
International deliveries (The rest of the world)
If you are an international customer, when you're in the checkout you will get two choices regardless of where you are in the world. Most of the time, the international shipping bill is much more than you will pay but I value your custom and I am happy to pay the extra in your shipping if it means keeping the shipping prices down and keeping your future custom.
You can choose:
'International Economy' 5-7 working days (Not Trackable) £25
'International Express' 5-7 working days Tracked (Not Signed) £20
If you are outside the UK you can still purchase online from the following places only: USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan. Email me if you can't access shipping and I'll alter the access rights on the computer my end.
If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Stuart