Shipping policy

Shipping Policy

At First Street Books, we're committed to getting your books to you quickly and safely. This Shipping Policy outlines our shipping practices, delivery timeframes, and what you can expect when you order from us.

Shipping Costs

We offer FREE standard shipping on all orders!

That's right—no minimum purchase required. Whether you're ordering one book or twenty, shipping is always free. Shopping locally and sustainably has never been more affordable!

Delivery Timeframes

Standard Shipping (Free)

Estimated Delivery Time: 3 to 8 business days

  • Delivery timeframes begin once your order has shipped, not when it's placed
  • Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays
  • Most orders arrive within 5-7 business days
  • Delivery times are estimates and not guaranteed
  • Remote or rural locations may experience longer delivery times

Processing Time

Before your order ships, we need time to:

  • Verify payment
  • Pick and pack your books
  • Inspect used books for quality
  • Prepare your package for shipment

Standard Processing Time: 1-3 business days

Orders placed on weekends or holidays will be processed on the next business day.

Total Time to Delivery

Order to Delivery = Processing Time (1-3 days) + Shipping Time (3-8 days)

Example: An order placed on Monday may be processed by Wednesday and arrive between the following Monday and Wednesday.

Shipping Methods and Carriers

We use reliable shipping carriers to ensure your books arrive safely:

  • USPS (United States Postal Service)
  • UPS (United Parcel Service)
  • FedEx

The specific carrier is selected based on:

  • Your location
  • Package size and weight
  • Current carrier availability
  • Fastest delivery option

We reserve the right to choose the most appropriate carrier for your order.

Shipping Locations

Domestic Shipping (United States)

We ship to all 50 states, including:

  • All continental U.S. addresses
  • Alaska and Hawaii (may take longer)
  • U.S. territories and APO/FPO/DPO addresses

International Shipping

At this time, we primarily focus on domestic U.S. shipping. However, we may consider international orders on a case-by-case basis.

If you're located outside the United States:

  • Contact us at contact.firststreetbooks@gmail.com or +1 415-456-8770 before placing your order
  • International shipping fees and extended delivery times will apply
  • You are responsible for all customs duties, taxes, and fees
  • Customs clearance may cause additional delays

Order Tracking

Tracking Information

Once your order ships, you will receive:

  • A shipping confirmation email
  • A tracking number
  • A link to track your package

Where to Track:

  • Check your email for the tracking link
  • Log into your account at https://firststreetbooks.myshopify.com
  • Use the tracking number on the carrier's website

Tracking Updates

  • Tracking information may take 24-48 hours to appear in the carrier's system
  • Not all carriers provide real-time updates
  • If tracking hasn't updated in 3 business days after shipping, contact us

Shipping Address

Accuracy is Important

Please ensure your shipping address is complete and accurate:

Include:

  • Full name (first and last)
  • Street address (not a P.O. Box unless specified)
  • Apartment, suite, or unit number (if applicable)
  • City, state, and ZIP code
  • Phone number (for delivery notifications)

Address Changes

  • Address changes must be requested before your order ships
  • Contact us immediately at contact.firststreetbooks@gmail.com or +1 415-456-8770
  • Once shipped, we cannot modify the shipping address
  • If an address change is needed after shipping, contact the carrier directly with your tracking number

Undeliverable Addresses

If a package is returned due to an incorrect or incomplete address:

  • You provided an incorrect or incomplete address
  • You will be responsible for reshipping costs
  • We will contact you to arrange reshipment or a refund

Multiple Shipments

Some orders may arrive in multiple shipments if:

  • Items are located in different warehouse locations
  • Books become available at different times
  • Large orders require multiple packages

You will receive separate tracking information for each shipment at no additional cost.

P.O. Boxes

  • We can ship to P.O. Boxes for most orders
  • Large packages may not fit in P.O. Boxes
  • Some carriers do not deliver to P.O. Boxes
  • If your order cannot be delivered to a P.O. Box, we will contact you for an alternative address

Packaging

We take great care in packaging your books:

New Books:

  • Wrapped in protective materials
  • Shipped in sturdy boxes or padded envelopes
  • Protected from moisture and damage

Used Books:

  • Inspected before shipping
  • Securely packaged to prevent damage in transit
  • Protected with appropriate padding

Sustainability:

  • We use recycled and recyclable packaging materials whenever possible
  • Minimal excess packaging to reduce waste
  • Reused packing materials when appropriate

Delivery Issues

Delayed Packages

If your package hasn't arrived within the estimated timeframe:

  1. Check the tracking information for updates
  2. Wait 1-2 additional business days (delays can occur)
  3. Contact us if it's been more than 10 business days since shipping

We will work with the carrier to locate your package.

Lost Packages

If your package is confirmed lost:

  • Contact us within 30 days of the order date
  • We will file a claim with the carrier
  • We will send a replacement or issue a full refund
  • Lost package claims typically take 7-10 business days to resolve

Stolen Packages

Once a package is marked as delivered by the carrier:

  • First Street Books is not responsible for stolen packages
  • We recommend checking with neighbors or building management
  • File a report with local authorities if theft is suspected
  • Contact the carrier to report the theft
  • Consider using a secure delivery location for future orders

Prevention Tips:

  • Request signature confirmation for valuable orders
  • Use a secure delivery location
  • Track your package and arrange to be home for delivery
  • Consider delivery to your workplace if more secure

Damaged Packages

If your package arrives damaged:

  1. Inspect immediately upon delivery
  2. Take photos of the damaged packaging and contents
  3. Contact us within 48 hours at contact.firststreetbooks@gmail.com
  4. Keep all packaging for potential carrier inspection

We will:

  • Send a replacement immediately
  • Issue a full refund if preferred
  • Cover all return shipping costs
  • File a claim with the carrier if necessary

Holidays and Peak Seasons

Holiday Shipping

During major holidays and peak shopping seasons:

  • Processing times may be extended by 1-2 business days
  • Carrier delivery times may be longer than usual
  • We recommend ordering early for holiday gifts
  • Specific holiday cutoff dates will be posted on our website

Weather and Natural Disasters

Severe weather or natural disasters may cause shipping delays:

  • We cannot control weather-related delays
  • Carriers may suspend service to affected areas
  • We will notify you of any significant delays
  • Your order will ship as soon as service resumes

Order Verification

For your security and to prevent fraud, we may:

  • Verify large or unusual orders
  • Contact you to confirm shipping information
  • Request additional payment verification
  • Hold orders for 24-48 hours for verification

This may slightly delay processing but ensures your order's security.

Shipping Restrictions

We cannot ship to:

  • Incomplete or invalid addresses
  • Addresses flagged by carriers as undeliverable
  • Locations where we cannot verify delivery
  • Addresses associated with previous fraudulent activity

Contact Us About Shipping

If you have questions about your shipment or our shipping policy:

First Street Books
850 College Ave # 850
Kentfield, CA 94904
United States

Email: contact.firststreetbooks@gmail.com
Phone: +1 415-456-8770
Website: https://firststreetbooks.myshopify.com

Response Times:

  • Email: Within 24 hours (business days)
  • Phone: Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time

Additional Information

Signature Requirements

Standard shipments do not require a signature. If you prefer signature confirmation:

  • Contact us before placing your order
  • Additional fees may apply
  • Available for orders over a certain value

Insurance

  • All shipments include basic carrier insurance
  • High-value orders may include additional insurance
  • You may request additional insurance by contacting us

Tax and Duties

  • U.S. domestic orders: No additional taxes at checkout (sales tax included where applicable)
  • International orders: You are responsible for all customs duties, taxes, and brokerage fees

Questions? We're here to help! Contact us at contact.firststreetbooks@gmail.com or +1 415-456-8770.

Thank you for supporting First Street Books. Shopping locally and sustainably has never been more fun!

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