Shipping policy
Valerie Hodgkinson runs this website and packages and delivers all the books with a small family team.
We operate Gem Testing Techniques on a part-time basis alongside our other commitments. A small number of books are released each month. We are not a 'fast turnaround' business. In most instances, we will ship your book within three weeks of payment clearance, however it may occasionally take longer than this. Delivery time beyond this will depend on your location address.
WE CANNOT SEND TO P.O. BOXES.
Our shipping costs cover the postal price (including fuel surcharges), packaging and time to send out the books.
International shipping prices are approximate and may vary slightly depending on exchange rates at the time of purchase.
When a package is delivered internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. The end customer/buyer is responsible for any fees incurred if/when transported across international borders. Customers are responsible for the payment of any customs or shipping fees or taxes within the country the book is being shipped to.
The books are tracked where possible and once shipped we will send the tracking information to you. It is important that you track your book with this information provided so you can see if delivery has been attempted and if you need to follow up in any way. We also use 'Signed For' postage where possible though not for all our destinations. Our books are sent through Parcelforce and/or The Royal Mail, once they leave the UK various partner services are used to fulfil the shipment.
We take every care in packaging every book we send out. They are wrapped in tissue and bubble wrap and sealed in a plastic bag before being put in a cardboard book wrap for posting.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we balance selling the book online with our other commitments.
Shipping costs are additional and added at the check out. The book weighs over 2kg making postage costs high.
UK – shipping: free (This price fluctuates dependant on fuel surcharges imposed by Parcelforce) As the platform we use doesn't have address look up for the UK, please make sure the postage address you give matches that on the UK Royal Mail database.
Regrettably we cannot sell to countries within the European Single Market or Northern Ireland at this time.
United States of America, Canada, UAE, South Africa, Australia, India, Thailand, Hong Kong & Malaysia – shipping: £25.
New Zealand – shipping: £30 (continuing surcharges have necessitated a higher shipping price)
Shipping costs may change over time depending on the charges we incur.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
When a package is delivered internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. The end customer/buyer is responsible for any fees incurred if/when transported across international borders.