Q: How much does shipping cost?

A: Shipping charges vary depending upon your location in the United States and the shipping service that you select. The shipping charge approximately doubles for every upgrade that you perform.... the "2 Business Days" delivery method will cost about twice as much as the "3 to 4 Business Days" method.

Q: Why is shipping so expensive?

A: We agree, shipping sure can be expensive, especially to the eastern half of the continent. We are located in the Los Angeles area of California.

Unfortunately, shipping costs are determined by weight and bulk candy has a high shipping-to-product-cost ratio. Here is an example – you purchase a diamond for $1,000 and the shipping cost will be say, $20 (2% of the price of the diamond); on the other hand, when you purchase $1,000 worth of candy, your shipping cost will more likely be $200 (20% of the price of the candy). Products such as jewelry, CDs, electronics, clothing, and flowers are light; therefore, their shipping costs will not represent a large percentage of their total order cost. Sweets, for better or for worse, outweigh the competition!

In addition, UPS and FedEx have have added a Fuel Surcharge of 25% to reflect the OUTRAGEOUS cost of oil (diesel gas and jet fuel).

Q: How does CandyWarehouse.com ensure the integrity of packages?

A: The candy elves in our warehouse seal every box with our logoed packing tape to ensure that you can detect if the package has been tampered with during transit. If you notice that any seals on the box have been cut or broken open during transit, simply refuse the package so that we can do a damage claim with UPS or FedEx.

Q: What is the "Freight Collect" shipping option?

A: Freight Collect means that you, the customer, have your own shipping account with UPS or another freight company. When using this option, you must type your UPS or FedEx account number in the "Freight Collect Account Number" field of our shipping order form. Also in this form, type the service level that you would like to use, such as Ground, 2-Day or Next Day delivery. We charge a $2.00 materials and handling fee per 50-pound box for these orders.

Q: Just how much is 10 pounds of candy?

A: Candy piece size varies greatly, but generally speaking, 10 pounds of unwrapped candy is about the size of shoe box. We recommend that you share your shoe box of candy with others. Don't hoard the candy all to yourself.... that would be very naughty.

Q: Is the CandyWarehouse.com store secure?

A: Yes, the CandyWarehouse.com store is hosted by Yahoo! Inc. and all information is stored remotely on their secure servers. The site utilizes security monitoring and 128-bit encryption of all critical data. All credit card information is deleted from Yahoo! computers after a period of 30 days from the day that you place your order.

Q: Why do you want my telephone number?

A: So we can bother you in the middle of the night with prank phone calls! Just kidding. We promise not to use your number unless we need to contact you regarding your order (i.e. If we're out of stock, or would like to suggest a cheaper replacement item, etc.)

Q: Why do you want my email address?

A: Likewise, we've found that the best way to keep our customers is not to annoy them! We won't clog your inbox with SPAM. We certainly wouldn't ever sell your information to other companies to solicit you. We only ask for your email address in case we need to get in touch with you- that's it! We do NOT spam our customers.

Q: Does CandyWarehouse.com respect my privacy and promise to keep ALL the information that I provide private and secure?

A: Yep. All information is stored securely on Yahoo! computers, not CandyWarehouse.com computers. Credit card information is deleted from Yahoo! Store computers after one month's time. We do not give or sell any customer-specific information to any third party.

Q: Do you guarantee that I will be satisfied with my order?

A: Satisfaction is guaranteed on all non-chocolate orders. If you receive candy that is broken, damaged, or not the item you ordered, please call or email us within 3-5 business days of receipt of the order, as determined by UPS tracking. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee chocolates or any meltable items.

Q: How do I know chocolates won't melt during the summer months?

A: We do everything possible to safeguard against melting. CandyWarehouse.com provides free thermal wrapping and gel ice packs, which turn your box into a little ice cooler! Unfortunately, these materials won't protect against the heat for longer than two or three days, so you will need to select shipping that takes three days or less ("3 to 4 Business Days" or "2 Business Days"). Also, we will only ship out meltable orders on Monday through Wednesday (otherwise, your candy will just sit in a hot UPS or FEDEX hub over the weekend, thus defeating the purpose of you paying extra for shipping).

Q: I ordered chocolates during the summer and paid to have them shipped "3-4 Business Days Delivery". It's been three days, and they aren't here! Do I get my money back?

A: Sadly, no. Since there are only three business days (Monday through Wednesday) out of the week that we can ship chocolates during the summer due to high temperatures, we are unable to guarantee that your order will be shipped right away. We do our absolute best to pack orders as soon as we get them, and ship within a 2 day period.

Q: I just placed my order. When should I expect my candy?

A: Short answer: two weeks is the general rule of thumb for ground shipments. Long (but more accurate) answer: CandyWarehouse.com reserves at least 2 business days to get your order together. After that, UPS and FEDEX won't guarantee any set amount of time for ground shipment. Usually, though, they get anywhere in the US in 5-8 business days. SO, you should plan for your candy to come in 7-10 business days, or about two weeks.

Q: I've absolutely got to have my candy next week. What do I do?

A: When you upgrade your shipping, your order takes priority. Orders sent "2 to 3 Business Days", "3 to 4 Business Days", and USPS Priority Mail will ship in 2 business days or less. So, when placing your order, add a couple of days, then pick your shipping accordingly.

Q: I've absolutely got to have my candy tomorrow. What do I do?

A: Give us a call, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.

Q: I received the wrong candy. What now?

A: First, we respectfully ask that you double check to make sure that you didn't get what you ordered. Look over your order confirmation- it was emailed to you on the day you placed your order. Also, large orders that are shipped in several different boxes may arrive on different days. If you're certain we sent the wrong item, simply print out the return label on the "Returns" page of our website, tape it to the return box, and send the box back to us. Please give us a call or email to let us know that we should be expecting a return. Don't forget to include your order number! We ask that you send all returns back to our Irwindale address. Upon receipt, we will reimburse you for the shipping expenses, and then send out the right item.

Q: I'd like exchange my candy. What now?

A: Sorry, we accept returns for completely unopened candy packages only. Just write us a note explaining what went wrong and whether you would like a replacement or credit to your charge card and include it with the box. Then print out the return label on the "Returns" section of our website, tape it to the return box, and send the box back to us. Sorry, but we can't cover your shipping cost for exchanges!

Q: The website says you sell jelly beans in a fifty-pound case, but I only want eleven pounds. Will you send me a smaller quantity?

A: Sorry, but we aren't licensed by the health department to open cases. All candy is shipped just the way we receive it from the manufacturer- we can't break open cases.

Q: Will you send me a sample before I buy?

A: Again, we can't open cases, so we don't send samples.

Q: Where do I include delivery instructions for FedEx or UPS?

A: We often get requests to deliver before a certain time, leave the package in the garage, leave the package with a neighbor, etc. Right now, we aren't able to pass on your instructions to UPS or FedEx. You can give delivery instructions that will stay in UPS's files- just call 1-800-PICK-UPS. Otherwise, we'd suggest leaving a note on the door.

Q: Who works at CandyWarehouse.com?

A: CandyWarehouse.com is populated entirely by happy little elves that ran away from Santa Claus's workshop, or as we like to call it, Mr. EvilBeard's Horrorshop. We like it here because the uniform doesn't require those uncomfortable pointy shoes. Plus, the weather here in sunny California is much nicer than in the North Pole.

Q: Who may order from CandyWarehouse.com? Do you sell to businesses only?

A: We at CandyWarehouse.com celebrate the private citizen's right to enjoy an entire case of candy, whether or not he or she SHOULD eat all 10 pounds of those Champagne Bubbles (goodness knows we've had experience!) We proudly welcome all our customers, people as well as businesses.

Q: I noticed that you have a "coupon code" area on your order form. How do I get a coupon?

A: Sign-up for the CandyWarehouse.com Newsletter or ask one of our customer care elves about bulk discount details! Coupons and special deals will be available exclusively to CandyWarehouse.com Newsletter subscribers.

Q: Do you people just eat candy all the time?

A: All day long, it's all we do. Wouldn't you do the same? That's why we're all so sweet at CandyWarehouse! (-:

Q: Can I pick up my candy order myself at your warehouse?

A: Absolutely! If you'd like to save on shipping costs, we'd love to have you visit us and pick-up an order. All that we ask is that you place your order first, and then give us a call to schedule a pick-up time.

Q: Do you have a store location where I can browse and shop?

A: Currently, we don't have a showroom. So, while we don't like to say that we're not open to the public (after all, we love getting visited), we currently don't have a place for you to come and browse around. Also, you could possibly be crushed by a forklift in our warehouse! (-: