Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ordering

1.) All of the proceeds from my purchase go to charity?!

Yes! Worldbuilders Market is run by a non-profit charity called Worldbuilders (you may have heard of us), so all proceeds from the store go to charity. We are the best place to shop and feel good about yourself at the same time!

That said, when you order from us you are receiving a product for your money, so your purchase is not tax deductible.

Visit the Worldbuilders website to learn about the cause and what we do.

2.) What types of payment do you accept?

We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal.

Please note that we do not process any payments ourselves. All payments to us are processed by PayPal, so if you have problems concerning your payment, please contact PayPal's customer service department at 1-888-221-1161 (or 1-402-935-2050 if you are calling from outside the United States).

3.) Why are there no shipping options for my US Military address?

Due to the way shipping services are categorized by the carriers, some orders may not populate shipping options for US Military addresses, but have no fear! Contact us if you experience any problems with this, and we'll be glad to manually create your order for you to bypass this issue.

4.) I am in Singapore. Why can I not order from you?

Due to Singapore regulation, payments originating in Singapore and processed by PayPal cannot be sent to a non-profit charity based outside of Singapore (which we are). PayPal processes all of our transactions for us, so any such order placed will automatically have the funds returned to the customer by PayPal, which cancels the order with us.

If you are in Singapore and would like to order from us, please contact us to determine an alternative method of payment. We are sorry for this inconvenience.

5.) What size are your shirts/rings?

Each of our apparel items has sizing charts listed in the product photos to help you determine what size will fit you best.

A conversion chart for ring sizes is available on our Sizing Charts page to help you figure out what size will be best for you. If you still have questions, just contact us and ask! We are always glad to help.

6.) Pre-Orders

I bought a pre-order product. What happens now? What do I do?

Sit back and relax! When the entire order is complete and ships from our warehouse, you will receive an email notification confirming the shipment of your pre-ordered item(s).

Please note that we do not split orders that contain a "preorder item" and ship in-stock items ahead of time. We hold all order that contain a "preorder item" until the entire order is in stock. If you have items that you want shipped right away, we suggest placing a separate order for them. Any items that are "preorder items" can then ship when they are ready.

If you need to update your shipping address between now and the estimated shipping date, contact us with your order number so we can get that squared away!

When will the pre-order product ship?

An estimated shipping date will be available on the product page. This date is subject to change and will be updated based on the production status of the product.

What if I order other things at the same time? When will they come?

Because of shipping costs, we are unable to split orders into multiple shipments. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Any regular products that you purchase in the same order will not ship until the pre-order product is ready to ship. If you need your other items sooner, we suggest you purchase them in an new order separate from the pre-order product.

Will you email updates about the status of the pre-ordered products before it ships?

We probably won't be able to update you every step of the way, but any updates we can share will be sent out via our newsletter, which you can sign up for here, or via direct email to the folks who have purchased the product. We tend to update everyone on the status of preorders there.

We recommend that you add our email address (orders @ worldbuildersmarket.com) to your contacts list, so that updates from us aren't lost to your spam filter.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. We are always glad to help!

Shipping

NOTE: WE ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AND ALL SHIPMENTS FROM WORLDBUILDERS MARKET ARE SHIPPED FROM THE U.S.

ANY ORDERS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS FEES, IMPORT TAXES, AND DUTIES LEVIED BY THE DESTINATION COUNTRY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE ENTRY #6 AND #7 BELOW.

1.) When will I receive my order? (Processing and Shipping Times)

Well, that depends on a few different things...

Processing Time:
We are a small operation, so it takes us 2-5 business days to process your order. The exception to this is if your purchase includes any pre-order items. For more details about pre-ordering, see Question #5 under "Ordering" (above).

Shipping Time:
When your order has been shipped, delivery times depend on which shipping service you selected during checkout. Please remember that the following transit times are estimates, not guarantees. There is no refund if your package takes longer than the estimated time to arrive.

Domestic shipping service (within the US) estimates:
    • USPS First Class Mail: 3-5 business days
    • USPS Priority Mail: 2-3 business days
    • USPS Priority Express Mail: 1-2 business days
    • UPS Ground: 3-5 business days
    • UPS Second Day Air: 2 business days
    • UPS Next Day Air: 1 business day
    International shipping service (outside the US) estimates:
      • USPS (all services): packages typically take 2-4 weeks to arrive, but can take up to 8 weeks for delivery, regardless of the shipping service selected, due to potential delays by Customs Services
      • UPS Mail Innovations: packages typically take 2-4 weeks to arrive, but can take up to 8 weeks for delivery. Please allow an additional 1-3 business days for processing as this is a bulk shipping service and is dependent on the total weight. (Please note that packages shipped using this service are delivered to the receiving country's local postal service by UPS, and then the local postal service is responsible for completion of delivery.)
    Again, all transit times listed here are estimates, not guarantees.

    2.) Do I get a tracking number when my order ships?

    Domestic shipments (within the US) will include a tracking number for your package. This tracking number will be in the shipping confirmation email automatically sent to you once your package is officially on its way. Please note that tracking information may take 2-3 days to appear.

    International shipments might receive a tracking number. However, updated tracking information is not guaranteed after the package leaves the United States. If you have not received your package within four (4) weeks of the shipping confirmation email, we recommend that you contact your country’s Customs Services and/or your local postal service and inquire after your package, using your tracking number as a reference. It is important to note that tracking information is not available for some countries. We apologize for this inconvenience.

    If your package has still not been located after contacting your Customs Services and local postal service, please contact us and we will see what we can do to help!

    3.) Do you ship to my country?

    We ship just about everywhere. If the United States Postal Service (USPS) or the United Parcel Service (UPS) will ship from the United States to your country, then so will we!

    4.) How much does shipping cost?

    Great question! Once you have chosen what you would like to purchase and added the items to your cart, click "Your Pack" and then "Checkout."

    Next, fill in your contact email and shipping address, then click "Continue to shipping method".

    Choose a shipping method from the available methods. Your total should update to reflect the cost of your purchase, plus shipping. To complete your purchase, click "Continue to payment method".

    You can cancel your order and return to Worldbuilders Market's homepage anytime by clicking The Worldbuilders Market logo at the top of the page.

    5.) Will I be charged any Import Taxes or Customs Fees if I live outside the U.S.?

    We are now requiring all customers who wish to place an order with us to pay taxes, customs fees, duties, VAT, excise duties, brokerage fees, and/or all other applicable fees right away during checkout. We've enlisted a "Cross-Border Ecommerce Shipping and Logistics" partner to handle the collection and remittance of all taxes and customs fees for us, which you will see during checkout now.

    When you place your order and pay your international shipping fees, you should also see the taxes and duties included in there as well, which are calculated by our shipping partners. We don't keep these fees - these are immediately collected and held for remittance to the agencies of everyone's home country's government.  

    The customer/recipient is the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the destination country, and may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are now levied digitally at the point of sale. These charges must be fulfilled and paid for and we have no control over these charges, nor can we predict how much they might be. The total amount is calculated via an internal plugin that our shipping partner developed.
    Customs policies vary widely, as every country has their own importing policy and laws; you should contact your local customs office for more information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond what our typical time in transit expectations are.
    Please contact us right away if you have any questions or concerns.
     

    6.) Do international shipping charges cover Import Duties or Customs Taxes?

    No, international shipping charges do not cover Import Duty Fees, Customs Taxes, or Brokerage Fees, as those are fees imposed by your local Customs office or postal service, in addition to your shipping charges.

    We do not issue refunds for such fees (since that money does not come to us) nor for the shipping or the cost of the order if you refuse to pay the Customs fees.

    If you would like more information on taxes and duties, please contact your local Customs office or postal service. In accordance with US law, all packages are marked as merchandise.

    7.) Why do the character scents have restricted shipping options?

    Domestic Customers: Because of shipping regulations regarding flammable liquids, the character scents are only allowed to ship via surface mail services. These include USPS Retail Ground and UPS Ground.

    We are unable to restrict available shipping options based on the products in your cart when you checkout, so if you choose a shipping service other than USPS Standard Post or UPS Ground when you purchase character scents, we will be required to change the shipping service for your entire order. This may result in longer shipping times than you anticipate.

    International Customers: Because of shipping regulations regarding flammable liquids, the body sprays are only allowed to ship via UPS Mail Innovations.

    We are unable to restrict available shipping options based on the products in your cart when you checkout, so if you choose a shipping service other than UPS Mail Innovations when you purchase character scents, we will be required to change the shipping service for your entire order. This may result in longer shipping times than you anticipate.

    8.) I'm shipping to a US Post Office Box. What shipping service should I choose?

    Please note that UPS cannot deliver to a US Post Office Box address. If you are shipping to a PO Box, please select a USPS shipping service.

    We are not responsible for packages lost or delayed in transit due to the selection of a UPS shipping service going to a PO Box address.

    9.) Ack! The shipping address for my order is wrong!

    If your order has not shipped yet, just let us know you need to change your address and we will be glad to assist you. Please make sure to include your order number and the correct shipping address in your message to us!

    If your order has already shipped to an incorrect address, our options are more limited. Please contact us and we will do what we can to help.

    Gift Options, Exchanges, and Returns

    1.) Can you gift wrap my order and/or leave the packing list out of the package?

    We are absolutely thrilled that you are buying a gift from us! Someone is really lucky to be getting such a cool gift.

    Sadly, we are not able to offer a gift wrapping service.

    As for the packing list, our fulfillment system requires that we include a packing list in every shipment we put together.

    If you are in the US, however, we are glad to omit the pricing. Just let us know in an email via the contact form that your order is a gift and you'd like us to use the Gift Packing List instead! (This option does not include any prices, and will even tell the recipient who the gift is from!)

    If you are outside of the US, we are required by law to include all prices on a commercial invoice and on the Customs Declaration form. Please keep in mind that the recipient of the package will also be responsible for any taxes and/or Customs fees owed. (see question 3 under "Shipping").

    2.) My order just arrived and something is wrong or missing. What do I do?

    Yikes! We are sorry to hear that! Send us a message through our Contact page and include your order number, and we will resolve the issue right away!

    3.) I need to return or exchange an item. How do I do that?

    Our Returns and Exchanges policy is available to get you started. You can find details there on how to proceed!

    Still have questions? Please feel free to contact us. We are glad to help!


    Signed Products

    1.) Can I get my merchandise signed?

    We offer a great many signed items in our store! Just look for the red "Signed" banner across the product's photo - if it has one, that item comes with the option of a signature (author, artist, etc.).

    All of Pat's books have the option to come with his signature scrawled on the title page, and some of his books come with the option to have a randomly selected quote from the book, as well!

    Any signing options available for a specific book will be listed as drop-down options on the product page, and you will have to select one before adding that book to your cart.

    Stay in Contact!

    1.) Why should I create an account? How do I create/edit my account?

    Creating an account is easy, and it makes the checkout process much quicker! You can create an account when you place an order (the checkout process will offer you the opportunity to create an account). If you miss your chance then, just get in touch with us after your order is placed and we will be glad to send you an account invite.

    Once your account is made, you can log back in at any time. Every page in our store has the "Account Login" link available in the top right corner. Simply click on it, and enter your login information. This will bring you to the Account Details and Order History page.

    From there you can check the status of your order, or update your shipping address for future purchases. To do so, click on the "View Addresses" link, and edit the shipping address(es) associated with your account. If you need to update the email address associated with your account, please contact us and we'll be glad to make that change for you.

    2.) You have an email newsletter? Where do I sign up?

    Yes, we have an email newsletter! That said, we do not send out very many of the them... At most you will hear from us once or twice a month.

    In our newsletter, we will aim to show off cool products that you probably did not know we have, and there will be information about new products, occasional coupon codes, etc.

    To sign up to receive the newsletter from us, simply check the box marked "I want to receive occasional emails about new products, promotions, and other news." You'll find this box on the checkout screen, under shipping methods and payment options.

    Or, you can just sign up right here!

    3.) A thing happened, and I simply must talk to you!

    We have a contact page right on our website where you can get in touch with us regarding your order/request/concern/question/feedback, and a kind-hearted individual will get back to you as soon as possible.

    If you're contacting us about a current order you have placed, we ask that you include your order number in your message.