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Order Online or by Phone. Call 1-800-323-1229 to place
your order, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time, Monday-Friday.
Welcome
Ordering Information
Payment
Information
Shipping
Information
Other/General Questions
Other
Britannica Store Policies
Other Britannica Sites/Offices
Contact Us
WELCOME!
Welcome, and thank you for visiting the Britannica Store.
Our collection of learning & reference products continues to grow through
the expertise of our staff, advisers, and partners. In addition to our own Encyclopaedia
Britannica print and software products, we're pleased to offer you a wide assortment
of the best-selling books and CDs from our sister company, Merriam-Webster.
We also have a variety of outstanding science and nature products, chosen for
their educational and entertainment value. In our Store, as on the rest of our
site, we're proud to build upon Britannica's centuries-long commitment to the
thrill of discovery and a lifelong love of learning, and we hope you'll visit
often. We'll continue to add products and partners of the highest quality and,
as always, we welcome your suggestions. You may e-mail
your suggestions to us at any time.
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Ordering Information
Q. How do I place an order?
A. Browse through our list of product offerings and add items to your Shopping
Cart while shopping by clicking the "Add To Shopping Cart" button. (Please
note: To add items to your Shopping Cart, your browser must accept "cookies."
To learn more about cookies, please read our Privacy
Policy.) Upon adding a product to your Shopping Cart, you may check out
using our simple checkout process, or you may continue shopping to add other
items to your Shopping Cart. During the checkout process, you will need to enter
billing, shipping, and credit card information to complete your order. If you
prefer not to purchase online, you can always place your order directly with
Britannica Store Support at 1-800-323-1229. Assistance is available from 8:00
A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time, Monday-Friday.
Q. How do I use my Promotion Code?
A. Britannica or Britannica Store partners will occasionally provide "Promotion
Codes" for the Britannica Store that are subject to specific guidelines associated
with the special offer. If you have a Promotion Code for the Britannica Store
that you would like to use for your order, first add the desired products, then
go to your Shopping Cart and enter the code in the Promotion Code box located
directly below the products you selected. Promotion Codes for the Britannica
Store are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as provided in order to
function properly. After entering the Promotion Code, it is important to hit
the "Update Cart" button in the Shopping Cart so that the Promotion Code you
entered will be reflected in your order. You can then proceed with the checkout
process, by hitting the "Checkout" button.
Q. How do I check the status of
an order I placed with the Britannica Store?
A. Britannica Store customers can review the status of any order placed with
the Britannica Store. For orders that have yet to ship, you will be able to
review order total, shipping address, payment method, and item availability.
For orders that have already been shipped, you can also confirm the date and
method of shipment and a tracking number (if applicable). Customers should do
the following to review the status of an order:
· Go to the Britannica Store Order
Status Page. Enter your Order Confirmation Number and e-mail address (with
which the order was placed) to access your order status information. If your
order has shipped, you may use the tracking number to track the status of your
package.
-or -
· Send an order status request via e-mail. Please be
sure to include your Order Confirmation Number, and the customer name with which
the order was placed.
-or-
· Call our Britannica Store Support at 1-800-323-1229, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM
to 6:00 PM US Central Time for assistance.
Q. How do I cancel an order?
A. Items in your order may be canceled prior to shipment. To cancel items from
your order, go to the Britannica Order
Status Page. Enter your Order Confirmation Number and e-mail address (with
which the order was placed) to access your order status information. If your
order is still eligible for cancellation, a Cancel Order button will appear
to the right of the order status. Click this button once to cancel your order.
If items have already been processed for shipment and you still wish to cancel
the order, please submit a Cancellation Request to Britannica Store Support
via e-mail or via phone at 1-800-323-1229, Monday -
Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time. Please be sure to include your
Order Confirmation Number, the customer number under which the order was placed,
and the name of the item you wish to have canceled from your order when submitting
a Cancellation Request.
Q. What is the Britannica Store
Return Policy? How do I return a product to the Britannica Store?
A. Our return policy is simple. We guarantee your satisfaction on merchandise
purchased through the Britannica Store. Most items may be returned for any reason
within 120 days of the original purchase. Software products must be returned
within 30 days of original purchase. You can also request the cancellation of
unshipped items (to find out more about how to cancel, click
here). To return an item, you must first submit a Return Request Form. Click
here for complete instructions on returning Britannica products. You may
also contact Britannica Store Support for a return address and instructions
via phone at 1-800-323-1229, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM US Central
Time. Only items purchased through the Britannica Store are eligible for return.
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Payment Information
Q. What forms of payment do you
accept?
A. We accept the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American
Express, Diners Club, and Japanese Credit Bank.
Q. Where do you charge sales tax,
and why?
A. Sales tax is charged by the Britannica Store only
on orders shipped to Canada and the following U.S. states: California, Colorado,
Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas.
We are required to charge this sales tax because Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
has a physical presence (i.e., we have employees, inventory, or an office) in
these states. We charge sales tax on the full amount of the order, including
shipping, if your state requires taxation.
Q. How do I
update my account information on the Britannica Store?
A. The My
Account feature of the Britannica Store provides you with simplified ordering
and speedy checkout. As a Registered Member, you can review your order history,
cancel an order online, and retain shipping and billing information on file
so that you do not need to enter this information each time you make a purchase.
You will always have the opportunity to view and change your account information
online. Your username and password are required to log in. If you're not already
a Member, sign
up now!
Review
Your Order History
You can review the status of any order you have placed with the Britannica Store.
For orders that have yet to ship, you will be able to review order total, shipping
address, payment method, and item availability. For orders that have already
been shipped, you can also confirm the date and method of shipment and the tracking
number (if applicable).
Change
Your Contact Information
If your e-mail address has changed, if you know your password but would like
to change it, or if you need to update your postal address, it is easy to change
that information online through My Account.
Update
Your Billing Information
If your credit card has expired or if you would like to replace the one on file
with a new card, you can edit that information online through My Account.
Q. Why is my Britannica account
not recognized by the Britannica Store?
A. The Britannica Store uses different accounts and
log-in information for shopping than does Britannica Premium Service (our for-fee
subscription service at http://www.britannica.com).
If your account is not recognized by the Britannica Store, you can either register
at the Britannica Store (by selecting "Option A: New Customers"), or you can
select "Option C: Be Our Guest" to check out without having to sign up for a
member account with the Britannica Store.
Q. What if the item I recently
ordered is now on sale?
A. If a product is offered at a sale price on our Store within 14 days after
you have purchased that product from us, we will honor the sale price. Contact
Britannica Store Support within 7 days of the start of the sale, and your purchase
price will be adjusted to reflect the difference between the two prices (not
inclusive of taxes nor shipping). To receive a price adjustment, please call
Britannica Store Support at 1-800-323-1229, Monday through Friday, from 8:00
A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time.
Q. How do I update the billing
information for my Britannica Print Product Installment Plan?
A. If you have purchased Britannica Store print products on an installment
plan and would like to change your billing information, such as credit card
number or billing address, you can contact Britannica Store Support toll-free
at 1-800-323-1229, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central
Time.
Q. How do I resolve a collections
issue for a past Britannica purchase?
A. Encyclopaedia Britannica refers all delinquent
accounts to a collection agency, EMCC. If you need to resolve a collections
issue, you need to contact EMCC at 1-800-828-2081. After Encyclopaedia
Britannica has referred a delinquent account to the collection agency, Encyclopaedia
Britannica no longer has any control of the delinquent account. Therefore, the
collection agency (EMCC) must be contacted directly.
Q. Is it safe to use my credit
card online at the Britannica Store?
A. Yes, shopping at the Britannica Store is safe. Our Secure Shopping Guarantee
backs every credit card purchase you make at the Britannica Store. We guarantee
that every transaction you make at the Britannica Store will be 100% safe. This
means you pay nothing if unauthorized charges are made to your card as a result
of shopping at the Britannica Store.
Our Store uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology, which is the industry
standard and among the best software available today for secure commerce transactions.
It encrypts all of your personal information including credit card number, name,
and address, to prevent it from being read as it travels over the Internet.
When you place orders or access account information, we automatically send you
to our secure server, providing your browser accepts SSL encryption. The most
commonly used browsers (versions 3.x or greater) developed by Microsoft and
Netscape are able to process SSL encryption.
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your bank generally cannot hold you liable
for more than $50.00 of fraudulent charges. If your bank does hold you liable
for any of this $50.00, the Britannica Store will cover the entire liability
for you, up to the full $50.00. The Britannica Store will cover this liability
if the unauthorized use of your credit card resulted through no fault of your
own from purchases made at the Britannica Store while using the secure server.
In the event of unauthorized use of your credit card, you must notify your credit
card provider in accordance with its reporting rules and procedures. Learn more
about how Britannica protects your privacy.
Still don't want to use your credit card on the Internet? You can always place
your order directly with Britannica Store Support. Have your order and credit
card information handy and call 1-800-323-1229. Assistance is available from
8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time, Monday-Friday.
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Shipping Information
Q. How much do you charge for
shipping?
A. When you fill out our online order form, our system automatically calculates
and displays the shipping charges for your review. Our shipping rates for the
United States are listed below.
| |
Continental US |
Alaska and Hawaii |
| Ground |
|
|
| up to two pounds |
$5.95 |
$5.95 |
| extra per pound |
$.42 |
$1.25 |
| 2nd Day Air |
|
|
| up to two pounds |
$7.95 |
N/A |
| extra per pound |
$1.49 |
N/A |
| Next Day Air |
|
|
| up to two pounds |
$12.95 |
$32.95 |
| extra per pound |
$2.13 |
$2.20 |
Please note: Any shipments to APO/FPO addresses will be
mailed ground through the United States Postal Service. Ground shipments to
Alaska and Hawaii will be sent via United States Postal Service.
International Shipping Information
We ship to most countries around the world. Our policy below
contains a list of exceptions. Shipping rates for countries
outside the U.S. are determined by package weight and country location. You
can calculate shipping charges for your order by following these simple steps:
Select and add products to your cart. During the check out process...
1. Fill in your "Shipping Address" information
2. In the "Shipping Options" screen, locate the delivery charges in the "Shipping
Method" field.
International Customs, Duties, and Taxes
All customs duties and taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. VAT
will be assessed where applicable. All fees paid by the International Delivery
carrier are then passed along to the receiver, with an occasional delay. Any
customs or import duties are levied once the package reaches its destination
country. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they
may be.
We are able to ship to most countries around the world
with the exception of the following locations:
|
Antarctica
|
Georgia (Republic of)
|
Libya
|
Somalia
|
|
Bovet Island
|
Guinea Bissau
|
Mayotte
|
Sudan
|
|
Cuba
|
Heard & McDonald Islands
|
Midway Island
|
Tokelau
|
|
East Timor
|
Iran
|
Palau
|
Tunisia
|
|
Falkland Islands
|
Jan Mayen Island
|
Panama & Panama Canal Zone
|
Wake Island
|
|
French Southern Territories
|
Johnston Island
|
Pitcairn
|
Western Sahara
|
Q. How do I track my shipment?
A. Below you will find information regarding shipment carriers used by the Britannica
Store. Once you have followed the link to the appropriate shipper site, you
will be prompted for the shipment tracking number. You can find this number
by following the Order Status link provided in the confirmation e-mail message
sent to you at the time of shipment. Registered Members can also access this
information by reviewing your Order History.
Airborne Express is responsible for shipping most of the
orders placed at the Britannica Store. Shipments can be tracked online at http://www.airborne.com.
Britannica Store shipments can also be tracked by calling Airborne at 1-888-744-7229
for Ground Shipments, and 1-800-637-5502 for Second Day, Next Day, or International
Shipments.
Important Shipping Facts
Order processing generally takes 24-48 hours before the product will ship.
Once your order leaves our warehouse, a shipment via Ground Delivery will take
an average of five to six business days for destinations within the continental
United States. Items shipped to locations outside the United States may take
up to eight business days for delivery.
A Next Day Air Cautionary Note
Shipping Next Day Air does not mean you will get your order the next day.
Order processing generally takes 24-48 hours before the product will ship. Once
shipped, Next Day Air packages are guaranteed to arrive at the end of the next
business day. Please note, however, that selecting Next Day or 2nd Day Air does
not reduce the time necessary to assemble and ship your order -- it only reduces
the travel time after your order leaves our warehouse.
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Other/General Questions
Q. How do I get Technical Support
for Britannica products?
A. If you require assistance with a technical issue for any Britannica software
title, you can visit our Technical Support Web site, http://support.britannica.com.
Q. How do I check the status of
my rebate?
A. To check on the status of a rebate for a 2003 or 2004 Britannica CD or DVD, visit
our rebate provider, http://www.rebateshq.com.
Q. What is your Privacy Policy?
A. We are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information we collect
about you to process orders and to provide a better shopping experience. Please
read on for more details about our privacy policy:
What information do we collect? How do we use it?
-
When you order, we require your name, e-mail address, mailing address, phone
number, credit card number, and expiration date. This allows us to process and
fulfill your order and to notify you of your order status.
- When you enter a contest or other promotion, we may ask for your name, address,
and e-mail address so we can administer the contest and notify winners.
- We monitor customer traffic patterns and site usage to help make the design
and layout of the Store more efficient.
- We may also use the information we collect to occasionally notify you about
important functionality improvements and enhancements to the Britannica Store
(or other Britannica Web sites) in addition to special offers that we think
you'll find valuable. If you would rather not receive this information, we always
include an "opt-out" or "unsubscribe" feature in our communications
with you.
How does the Britannica Store protect customer information?
When you place orders or access your account information, we automatically
send you to a secure server, provided that your browser accepts SSL (Secure
Sockets Layer) encryption. The most commonly used browsers (versions 3.x or
greater) developed by Microsoft and Netscape are able to process SSL encryption.
The secure server software encrypts all information you input before it is sent
to us.
Will Britannica disclose the information it collects to outside parties?
The Britannica Store does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information
to others. We may provide aggregate statistics about our customers, sales, traffic
patterns, and related site information to reputable third-party vendors, but
these statistics will include no personally identifying information. The only
exceptions are in cases where we are using a partner to fulfill orders. In the
event that sharing personal information is necessary, we only disclose that
which is required to deliver your order. No credit card information is ever
disclosed. In addition, Britannica uses Personal Information to direct e-mail
to Britannica Users who provide their e-mail address in connection with specific
promotions (for example, receiving notice of winning a Britannica contest),
or to direct e-mail regarding Britannica updates and service enhancements to
Users who opt in either during the Britannica registration process or afterwards.
In Summary We are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information
we collect on the site to make shopping at the Britannica Store more convenient
and to enhance your overall shopping experience. Your Consent By using our Web
site, you consent to the collection and use of this information by the Britannica
Store as described above. If our privacy policy changes, we will post those
changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect
and how we use it.
Becoming a Member of the Britannica Store
The Membership feature on the Britannica Store provides you with simplified
ordering and speedy checkout. As a Registered Member, you can review your order
history, cancel an order online, and retain billing information on file so that
you do not need to enter it each time you make a purchase. As a Member, you
will always have the opportunity to view and change your personal account information
online. Please fill out our brief sign-up form to create a username and password,
so that your mailing and billing information will already be included in our
Order Checkout form the next time you shop with us. (Please note that Encyclopaedia
Britannica Premium Service subscribers are not automatically members of the
Britannica Store. These services each have unique usernames and passwords.)
Q. Why do I get
the message "There are no items matching your request" when I attempt to check
out?
A. If you are attempting to place an order online and you receive this message,
it is usually due to having cookies disabled in your browser.
Q. What are "cookies," and how does
the Britannica Store use them?
A. "Cookies" are small pieces of information that are stored by your Web browser
on your computer's hard drive. Our cookies do not contain any personally identifying
information, but they do enable us to provide the ability to store items in
your shopping cart while browsing and between visits. Most Web browsers automatically
accept cookies, but you can usually change your browser to prevent that. If
your browser is not set to allow cookies, you will not be able to place an order
online with the Britannica Store. You can enable cookies on your Web browser
by following the directions listed below.
If you use Netscape:
- Click on "Edit."
- Go to "Preferences."
- Click on the word "Advanced."
- In the Cookies area of the window, select either "Accept all Cookies"
or "Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server."
- Click "OK."
If you use Internet Explorer:
- Click on "Tools."
- Choose "Internet Options."
- Select "Security" tab.
- Click "Default Level" and then drag the slider to "Medium".
- Click "OK."
Q. Where can I purchase the Britannica
Book of the Year that matches my Encyclopędia Britannica set?
A. The Britannica Store sells the black, unpadded
binding style (called "Heirloom") of the most current Britannica Book of
the Year. This is the binding style that matches Encyclopędia Britannica
Print Sets from 1998 to the present. If you have an alternate binding style,
or have an Encyclopędia Britannica Print Set older than the 1998 version,
you can contact the Book of the Year office at 1-800-981-2818 for further information
on ordering a binding style to match your Encyclopędia Britannica set.
Q. Are there any restrictions when
purchasing a Britannica print product via the Installment Plan?
A. There are two restrictions to note when purchasing
a Britannica Print product via the Installment Plan: First, the method of payment
for Installment Plan purchases must be a credit card. Second, this offer is
only available to purchasers in the U.S. or Canada for shipment to addresses
within the U.S. or Canada.
Q. What is the Yearbook Privileges
Program?
A. Purchasers of the Encyclopędia Britannica
Print Set are automatically enrolled in Britannica's Yearbook Privileges Program.
Every year, members receive advance notification, via postal mail, of the publication
of Britannica's newest Britannica Book of the Year (providing comprehensive
coverage of the significant and memorable people, places, and events of the
previous year). A copy of the book is delivered to each member. When your personal
copy arrives, you will have 15 days to preview it. If you are not absolutely
delighted, simply return the book within 15 days (at our expense) and you will
owe nothing. Or, keep the book and pay the accompanying invoice. The choice
is always yours; there is never any obligation to buy. If you wish to withdraw
from the Yearbook Privileges Program, you may do so at any time by completing
the online
suspension form, or by contacting Britannica Store
Support.
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Other Britannica Store Policies
Pricing & Availability
The price for every item on the Britannica Store is listed on the item's detail
page. The Britannica Store cannot confirm the final price of an item until your
order has completed the fulfillment process. Please note, your credit card will
only be charged when items have been shipped. Despite our best efforts, items
on the Britannica Store may be incorrectly priced. We are not responsible for
typographical errors. However, as part of our shipping procedure, if we find
that an item's correct price is lower than our stated price, you will be charged
the lesser of the two prices. If we find an item's correct price is greater
than our stated price, we will, at our discretion, either contact you for instructions
before shipping, or cancel your order and notify you of the cancellation. Please
note that item availability is subject to change based on the inventory status
of an item in our distribution center or in the warehouses of the distributors
we use. All specials and promotions are limited to inventory on hand. We reserve
the right to limit quantities on promotional items. In the event any of the
items in your order are unavailable after the order is placed, we will notify
you via e-mail. We are not liable under any legal theory for consequential or
incidental damages arising from shipping delays, system downtime, loss of data,
or for any loss, damage, or expense arising from product malfunction or defect.
We expressly disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including any implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This disclaimer
in no way affects the terms of the manufacturer's warranty, if any. Other restrictions
may apply.
Order Acceptance Policy
Your receipt of an electronic or other form of order confirmation does not
signify our acceptance of your order, nor does it constitute confirmation of
our offer to sell. The Britannica Store reserves the right at any time after
receipt of your order to accept or decline your order for any reason. The Britannica
Store reserves the right at any time after receipt of your order, without prior
notice to you, to supply less than the quantity you ordered of any item. We
may require additional verifications or information before accepting any order.
The Britannica Store is a reseller to end-user customers and does not accept
orders from computer dealers, exporters, wholesalers, or other customers who
intend to resell the products offered by Britannica.
Errors
The Britannica Store has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of product
information and descriptions. In the event a product is listed at an incorrect
price due to typographical, photographic, or technical error, the Britannica
Store reserves the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed for products
listed at the incorrect price. The Britannica Store will have the right to refuse
or cancel any such orders whether or not the order has been confirmed and your
credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase
and your order is cancelled, the Britannica Store will promptly issue a credit
to your credit card account for the amount of the price originally charged.
Free Shipping Policy
Periodically, the Britannica Store will offer Free Shipping on selected sales.
When applicable, the Free Shipping offer requires a shipment purchase minimum
(excluding applicable taxes). Offer is only available for standard Ground Delivery
within the continental United States. Offer is not available on backordered
items. If a shipping charge applies to your order, it will appear in your order
calculation in the checkout process. Free Shipping can not be combined with
any other coupon or discount. The Britannica Store reserves the right to end
the Free Shipping offer at any time. If you have questions about this offer,
please contact Britannica Store Support.
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Other Britannica Sites/Offices
International Sales
Although products from the U.S. Britannica Store can be
shipped to most countries (see a list of locations not available),
you may find that placing an order from an office closer to you will better
suit your needs. For information on Britannica's offices around the world, click
here. For information on purchases from all other countries, including Latin
America and the Caribbean, please contact the U.S. office. Please Note: Products
available at the U.S. Britannica Store may not be available at all locations.
All customer service and technical support requests for products purchased at
the U.S. Britannica Store should be directed to the U.S. office. Purchaser is
responsible for any and all taxes (including Value Added Taxes), fees, customs
duties, tariffs, and other charges (including shipping charges) associated with
his or her order. Please consult your local customs office for additional information.
Educational Sales
If you are interested in placing an order for a School, Library, or other Educational
Institution, you can call our Educational Sales Department.
U.S. Institutions: Please call 1-800-621-3900.
Canadian Institutions: Please call 1-800-465-9439.
Information on site
license subscriptions to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online is also available.
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Contact Us
Have a question about the Britannica Store's policies or
procedures? We recommend reading the Help Topics on this
page first. If you still can't find the information you need, contact us
by e-mail or phone.
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E-mail
Britannica Store Support
In order to serve you better, please use the form below
to submit requests for Britannica Store Support. If you are in need of additional
assistance, please contact us at 1-800-323-1229, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M.
to 6:00 P.M. US Central Time.
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