When You Order from Essential-Vitamins.com™

Despite our best efforts, some misunderstandings about expectations are bound to occur from time to time.  The information presented here is offered in an attempt to clarify our policies and practices, to avoid these problems, as much as possible.  It's a dual safeguard:

• It lets you know just what to expect with your orders from Essential-Vitamins.com™, and provides you with a fixed standard to hold us to, and
• It makes clear the limits of our service to you, so you don't make requests that we can't fulfill.

A note about our Better Business Bureau Online status

Essential-Vitamins.com™ was a member of the Better Business Bureau Online from February 2002 through August 2007.  It served as your guarantee that this business is run according to the highest standards of ethics and business practices.

As a member of the BBB Online, I agreed to participate in an arbitration process for any complaints that couldn't be resolved between me and a customer.  While this situation never arose, I was glad to offer you another safeguard.

But, for the year 2007, the BBB Online significantly raised its membership fees, and I could no longer justify the expense.  However, you can be assured that I will continue to conduct business with the same regard to ethics and high business standards that I always have.

Product Pricing

All of the prices listed on this website are retail.  As with any business, I order the products at wholesale, give them a mark-up and sell them to you.  But I give you this guarantee: All products on this website are competitively priced.  In fact, for example, all Garden of Life products on this site are just a few percentage points above wholesale prices.  In every way, I strive to make the best products available to you at the best prices possible.

Sales Tax

Many people feel that, since they are ordering product over the internet, there should be no sales tax on their purchases.  Personally, that is how I feel.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way.  When I'm charged taxes on the inventory I purchase, I have no choice but to pass that expense along to you.  I hope that you will be understanding about this.

Shipping Policy

When you place an order with Essential-Vitamins.com™, I'll do everything I can to get that order processed and on its way to you that day.  However, since this is a home-based business,

1. I keep only a limited amount of stock on hand.  I try to keep the most-ordered products in stock, but for several items, I rely on drop-shipping from the manufacturer.  Generally, the service I receive from these companies is very good.  Energique normally ships the same day.  Atrium has generally been very good, as well.  However, from time-to-time, products that cannot be drop-shipped might not be in stock when your order is placed.  Should that occur, I'll do everything I can to get the product in and on its way to you as quickly as possible.  So far, the delay has never been very significant.
2. Processing orders is done entirely by me.  How quickly I can get the order out the door depends on the time of day the order is received and my physical capacity for the day.  Occasionally, I'm just not feeling well enough to get orders to the Post Office and/or could not arrange for someone to take care of them for me.  Other times, depending on how many orders have come in, it just doesn't make sense to run one box to the Post Office.  In these cases, shipment might be delayed by a day.

However, it is my policy to have all orders processed and on their way to you within 72 hours.  It's also my policy to send an e-mail when your order is processed, giving you some idea when to expect it at your door.

Shippers:

For orders shipped from here, I use the United States Postal Service (USPS). 

• For Standard Shipping on smaller packages, I send orders via First Class Mail.  First Class bumps up to Priority Mail at 13 oz. 
• For 2nd Day Shipping, I ship via Priority Mail, but make a special effort to get the order to the Post Office right away.  I realize this isn't actually 2nd Day shipping, but it is the best I can do from here.

For drop-shipped orders, the shipper is determined by the company.  From Energique, shipping is generally done via Priority Mail.  From Atrium, shipping is generally through UPS.

Shipping Rates

Since a significant percentage of the orders placed on this website are drop-shipped from the manufacturers, all shipping charges are determined, to some extent, by them.  I am appauled at the cost of shipping, but it is an expense that I have no control over.

It should also be noted that shipping charges cover more than just the cost of postage.  Since I have done my best to keep the price of the products offered here as low as possible, I have no wiggle room when it comes to shipping.  However, I do offer free shipping for any order of $475.00 or more.  That is a high threshold, but it also reflects my concern to keep my prices down, as much as possible.

International Shipping (Ordering from outside the United States or Canada):

Shipping orders outside the United States often involves higher shipping rates.  Most orders with a total weight under 13 oz will ship easily at reasonable rate.  I request that you select the 2nd Day Shipping option during checkout.  For small packages, this has always worked well for shipping anywhere in the world.  However, if your order is larger, and would package up at more than 1.5 lbs, I request that you select the International Shipping option during checkout.

If actual shipping costs are less than what you've paid, I will promptly refund the difference.  However, if you choose Standard or 2nd Day Shipping for an international order, and actual costs come to more than this, I have no alternative but to refund your charges and cancel the order.  I reserve the right to retain a portion of this amount to cover my credit card processing charges.

Return/Canceled Order Policy

If you are dissatisfied with any product ordered at Essential-Vitamins.com™, you may return it within 30 days for a full refund (minus shipping charges).  Simply contact me and we will work out the details.

If, after ordering, but before product is shipped, you decide to cancel your order, I reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee to cover my credit card processing expenses.  Ordering is free, to you the customer; however, I am charged a fee by my credit card processor, both when you order and when I refund your order.

Ordering Security

When transacting business on-line, security is always an issue.  Every precaution has been taken by Essential-Vitamins.com™ to safeguard your personal information.

• This website is hosted on a secure server.  My host, ICServ, uses best practices in all elements of internet security.  All transactions are encrypted using SSL, and are as safe as placing orders with a card swipe in a brick-and-mortor store or over a chorded phone line (cordless and cell phones present a different picture).  No system is absolutely safe, but you can be assured that every effort has been taken to guarantee a secure transaction.
• All credit card transactions are processed by Authorize.Net, using best practices, offering you the added assurance of security in your on-line shopping.  You have the option of paying through PayPal, as well, to take advantage of the security offered there.
• The information gathered during the ordering process is kept secure.  Most of it is stored at ICServ, encrypted and off-server, with access by password only.  The information that I have is protected by a firewall and port cloaking, and all printed documents are accessible only by me.  Also, while you must provide your credit card information during checkout, I never see it.  This is just another way your personal information is protected.  (You can trust me; but it closes down other security breaches.)