Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the history of The Antique Menagerie?
2. What is Google Checkout?
3. Is a PayPal account required to make purchases via Paypal?
4. How secure is Google Checkout or PayPal?
5. International shipping?
6. What is the shipping cost? Where is it shown?
7. Domestic shipping details?
8. After payment, what happens?
9. I have a question about a purchase that isn't answered here.
10. Do you accept returns?
11. The shipment arrived damaged. What now?

What is the history of The Antique Menagerie?

We've been selling antiques and collectibles since a Georgian was in the White House! Yep, for a while now. Our web site has been around since 2001 and we've been on eBay since 1999, where we've completed more than 6500 individual, successful transactions. Please click this link to our eBay Store The Antique Menagerie where you can read what our customers say about our products and service. Also, there's a bit of info in our About Us page that may be of interest.

What is Google Checkout?

Google Checkout is a payment service by the well-known Google Inc. whereby your sensitive personal info is kept in one central and safe location. Using this service allows you to restrict who has access to your data and helps streamline the amount of personal info that a transaction may require. One place to store your info - thousands of sites to buy from - Google only sends basic shipping details to the seller! Click HERE to read the Google Checkout info page.

Is a PayPal account required to make purchases via Paypal?

No, you do not need a PayPal account to use the Paypal service. Using your credit card, PayPal will act as the merchant gateway to simply charge the purchase to your credit card account. After clicking on the Submit button on the Cart Checkout page, the Paypal secure page will open. Where that page shows, "Don't have a PayPal account?", simply click on the Continue button. Optionally, you may sign up for a Paypal account, if you wish, but there is no obligation to do so.

How secure is Google Checkout or PayPal?

Both services handle the entire transaction via a secure, electronic transfer in a separate browser window on their site. Their security measures are state-of-the-art, utilizing industry-leading data encryption technology (SSL3) and proprietary procedures to protect the security of any transmitted data. No human eyes - including ours - ever see your account number. Only your purchase info, name and shipping address are passed to us.

International shipping?

Items on this web site are only available for shipping to the United States. Currently, International shipping is simply too expensive for (un)reliable service, which can disappoint our customers. Sorry!

What is the shipping cost? Where is it shown?

The shipping cost is calculated using the total weight and your Zip Code, along with the order's total value. We believe this to be a more fair system to the buyer, than a flat rate approach. After entering your shipping address info, a real-time calculation is done with the US Postal Service website and the amount is shown in the cart.

Domestic shipping details?

All goods are shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail, with full-value Insurance and Delivery Confirmation included. A few light-weight items qualify for First Class Mail and that second shipping option is also offered on those items. The Shipping and Handling cost shown in the cart pays for all expenses in transporting your items. High-value shipments will require a signature upon delivery.

After payment, what happens?

You will receive a payment confirmation email from Google or Paypal, with detailed order info. Your order will be processed and shipped within 48 hours, with a confirmation email sent to you, at that time. Please note that we do not ship on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays. Any orders placed on Saturday or Sunday will be processed the next business day.

I have a question about a purchase that isn't answered here.

Please do not hesitate to use the Contact Us form to send your question. A fast and friendly reply is guaranteed. Any question that qualifies to be included here in the FAQ section, not only receives our eternal gratitude, but also something of true value.

Do you accept returns?

Yes, we do. To see the details about returns, please click this link to our Terms and Conditions page.

We do mark our items with an invisible, security mark, so please DO NOT wash anything that you may want to return. No returns can be accepted without an intact security mark.

The shipment arrived damaged. What now?

If any of your items arrive damaged, please keep everything - box, packing material and items - and Contact us ASAP. We will initiate the insurance procedure with the proper forms and stay in contact with you until the refund is made. The local (delivering) Post Office will require an inspection of the box and packing material to make a determination, and the damaged item must be surrendered to them prior to payment of the insured amount. We have found the easiest way to avoid this hassle is to use an abundance of packing material, inside a more-than-adequately-sized box!