Ordering and Shipping Information About buying from The Writing Desk Our philosophy is to provide the best possible service in all aspects whatever your order - large or small. We have many satisfied customers and you can read some of their testimonials on our guestbook. You can learn more about us here. On this page you can read about: How to order Payment methods Shipping Returns Policy Our Privacy Policy   Ordering You can order via our website and pay online with your credit or debit card via our secure server (see details below) or by phone, fax or letter (our contact details appear on our Contact page).   New Pens If you wish to place an order for a new pen simply click on the check box to select the pen, choose your preferred nib width and colour and click on the "Continue" button at the end of the page. You will then be redirected to another page giving the details of your selection so you can check it prior to adding to your "Shopping Basket". All fountain pens are tested (usually with Waterman Florida Blue) and cleaned prior to dispatch but please excercise caution if filling with a very light coloured ink for the first time. Vintage Pens If you wish to purchase a vintage pen click on the check box against the pen that you are interested in and click on the "Continue" button at the end of the page. You will then be redirected to another page giving the details of your selection so you can check it prior to adding to your "Shopping Basket". Once an order is placed the pen will be held for 10 days awaiting payment. All vintage fountain pens have been fully restored and are in good working order. Ink and Accessories If you are ordering ink and/or accessories please select the number of items of each product you require and click on the "Continue" button at the end of the page. You will then be redirected to another page giving the details of your selection so you can check it prior to adding to your "Shopping Basket". Shopping Basket Once an item is in your shopping basket it is remembered until you either complete the order or close your browser. This means that you can add more items to a single order. You can view the current contents of your shopping basket at any time by clicking the "View Basket" link at the top right-hand side of most pages. Completing your Order When you have finished shopping please proceed to the checkout by choosing your preferred payment method. You then fill in your contact details and send your order by clicking on the "Send Order" button at the end of the page. If you are not paying online this marks the end of the process, otherwise you will be asked to proceed to our secure server to enter your card details. The system then automatically sends all the details to us and you also receive a confirmation e-mail. Please ensure that you enter your e-mail address correctly. Although we run an automated shopping basket system on our website we always deal with each order personally. Our philosophy is to provide the best possible service in all aspects whatever your order - large or small. Additional Information and Comments Space is provided on each page for your comments/special requests. All orders are dealt with personally so if you have special requirements, for example a particular nib size, gift wrapping etc please indicate these requirements here. We will aim to get back to you to confirm your order or answer any queries within 24 hours. Alternatively if you can e-mail us at orders@thewritingdesk.co.uk.   Payment UK Customers Payments may be made: online with a Credit or Debit card via secure online server with 128-bit SSL by phoning or faxing your Debit / Credit Card details by Cheque (in Pounds Sterling) BACS transfer (see below) if you are in the UK Payments can also be made by direct transfer (BACS) into our bank account. If you have internet banking this is very quick and easy and completely free for transfer between UK banks and building societies. Please note that overseas banks may charge for a bank transfer. If you are an existing customer and paying by cheque we will dispatch your goods as soon as possible without waiting for your cheque to clear. Overseas Customers Overseas customers can pay: via Credit Card (by phone or fax only as we have to calculate shipping costs first) by Sterling cheque by International Money order in Pounds Sterling Online payments via Secure Server We use a deferred payment method which means that no money is taken from your account until your goods are ready for dispatch (unlike systems such as Paypal which take your money straight away even if the item has to be ordered specially). Our secure server, provided by Protx, communicates directly with our bank for maximum security.   I am sorry but we can no longer accept payments by bank transfer from foreign banks due to high bank charges.   All prices include VAT at the standard rate of 17.5%. Our VAT Registration Number is GB 855 6813 91.   Shipping Our prices for postage are as follows: Our standard charge for postage and packing to UK addresses is £1.90. All orders of £150 or more will be sent post free. Bottled ink: the standard charge applies plus £0.30 for each additional bottle. Pens: all writing instruments remain post free. The standard charge will apply when purchased with bottled ink. Paper and notebooks: most stationery is sent post free. For items where postage is included, standard charge will apply when purchased with bottled ink. Otherwise, postage is at the same rate as for bottled ink. Accessories, cartridges and refills: our standard charge applies although if ordered together with writing instruments or stationery they will be sent post free. For overseas shipping rates we will happily provide a quote. Dispatch We aim to dispatch all items that are in stock within 2 working-days of receipt of payment. Sometimes we have to extend this period, for example when we are on holiday. If this is the case there will be a clear notice on the home page and in your shopping basket. If any items are out of stock we will inform you as soon as possible at which time you can cancel or amend your order. For items on special order we will inform you within 24-hours with an expected dispatch date. Most items are sent by Royal Mail First Class post (apart from items such as higher value pens that are sent by Special Delivery). However, packages over 1.5kg will usually be sent via Royal Mail Standard Parcel (3 to 5 working days) so please let us know if faster delivery is required and we will quote accordingly.   Returns Policy Faulty Goods We will either refund in full (including postage costs in the UK), or replace the faulty item free of charge. However, please contact us first before returning an item as often faults can be resolved by e-mail or telephone call or arranged to be sent directly to the manufacturer. If you experience skipping or flow problems with your new pen, please first try it with one of the brands of ink that we stock. There are some brands of ink that are known to cause flow problems in many pens. Return of Unwanted Goods Unwanted goods may be returned within 14 days of purchase, in their unbroken original packaging complete with all labels and instructions and in the case of fountain pens in original unfilled condition (unless otherwise agreed) at the customer's expense. We are sorry but we cannot refund postage as this is a direct cost. Refunds will be made as soon as we have received the returned item(s) or else a credit can made towards another purchase. We recommend that you send the item(s) by Special Delivery (or Recorded Delivery for lower value purchases) as we cannot be held responsible for goods that don't arrive. Please note that we cannot accept returns of bottled fountain pen ink or ink cartridges once opened. This does not affect your statutory rights. Vintage Pens We offer an unconditional returns policy because we want you to be happy with your purchase. If you are unhappy with the pen for any reason please return it to us within 10-days and in the same condition in which you received it, for a full refund or apply it to another purchase. We are sorry but we cannot refund postage as this is a direct cost.   Privacy Policy    The Writing Desk is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our customers while providing the highest possible quality of service. We only use the information we collect about you lawfully and we are registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. Our Data Protection Registration Number is Z9439077. All of the information that you supply when placing an order or when you e-mail us is stored only for the normal handling and despatch of ordered goods and to provide a more personalised shopping experience. The type of information we collect from you includes: Your Name Address Telephone number E-mail address Credit/debit card details (Your debit/credit card details are not kept on computer) The information that we hold will be accurate and up to date. You may check the information that we hold about you by e-mailing us. If there are any inaccuracy we will correct it or delete it promptly. Our site requires the use of "cookies" as part of the ordering process. Cookies are small files held on your computer which only our website can read and these files are deleted the moment you submit an order or close your browser (if you are using a browser that allows choice over cookies select "Allow for session" or similar). No personal information is ever held in a cookie. We may occasionally use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, services or any new or special offers we think you would find valuable. You can e-mail us to stop receiving any information from us by replying to any e-mail with the word "remove" as the subject line. We will not pass on any of the information we have collected about you to any third parties. If you have any query about our Privacy Policy please e-mail us.