Making a purchase could not be easier. Just browse through the House of Buddha PRODUCT areas and select items that you wish to `hold` or purchase by clicking on the orange box marked ADD TO CART. The item automatically goes into the shopping cart leaving you free to continue shopping. You can now add more items to the shopping cart, you can review your cart at any time, you can remove an item(s) from your cart, or you can proceed to checkout. If you choose to proceed to CHECKOUT and you are a returning customer, you simply add to the required box your email address and your password. If you are a new customer, you will be asked to create an account. (By creating an account at House of Buddha you will be able to shop faster, be up to date on an orders status, send comments to us about deliveries, and keep track of the orders you have previously made.)

Once you have created an account by supplying the relevant information, you can choose to have your order delivered to the billing address, or you can choose an alternative delivery address. We do not share this information with anyone.

Next, you will be given the opportunity to redeem your House of Buddha Gift Voucher* or Special Offer Coupon* (if applicable).

*Please enter the code for the House of Buddha Gift Voucher or Special Offer Coupon (if applicable), in the relevant box and click "continue". If you have not been given a code because you do not have a coupon or voucher to redeem, or you put in some random text to see what might happen, you can click "back" to continue.

At this stage, you will be asked to choose which credit card you would like to use and you will now find yourself on a secure server operated by WorldPay.

WorldPay supports a wide range of payment types, including Visa, MasterCard, Switch, American Express, JCB, Lastschriften (ELV) and 120 different currencies. WorldPay offers a secure transaction environment using the most advanced software available so that all transactions are encrypted. Your credit card details will only be retained by WorldPay and the acquiring bank. House of Buddha do not have any access to this information and we do not hold such information on our computers.

SHIPPING & HANDLING COSTS

The post and packing or shipping costs will be added to the purchase price of each item during the purchasing procedure. Where the item is exceedingly large or fragile, and it requires specialised packing or transport, separate arrangements will be made and they will be charged for accordingly.

Because of their weight, Stone Buddhas and Stone Garden items will be sent either by an arrangement we have with an associate delivery lorry, or if that is not available or the location is in the North of England or Scotland or Wales, it will be sent by a National carrier. The advantage of the delivery lorry is that items will be placed in the garden or location of choice by the driver. National carriers tend to deliver the items to the 'front door'. Delivery times for stone Buddhas and other garden ornaments can vary between a week and three weeks if the associate lorry is used - otherwise delivery time will be around a week. But if you are concerned about the timing, please send an email.

We generally use Royal Mail or Parcel Force for smaller items and specialised carriers for the more complicated orders. Goods will be dispatched as soon as possible after the order has been confirmed. This would normally be within two days. However under exceptional circumstances, delivery could take up to 21 days.

RETURNS

There is a 'cooling off' period of 7 days from the time the goods are received by the customer. If a customer wishes to change his or her mind about purchasing the goods for any reason, or is not satisfied with the goods, or the goods are damaged in some way, then notification must be made to House of Buddha within seven days of receipt of goods. Goods must be returned within 14 days.

Returned items must include all original packaging to ensure safe transportation, and must be in their original condition. Returned goods should be sent by recorded delivery or via a traceable carrier such as UPS or ParceLine. House of Buddha is not responsible for packages not received if sent via a non-traceable carrier.

Customer is responsible for postal and/or delivery charges of all returns.

Returns made after 14 days and/or not in the original condition will not be eligible for a refund.

On receipt of the returned goods, House of Buddha will give you a refund of the amount paid for the goods (excluding the postage) or an exchange credit if applicable. You must, however, return the goods to House of Buddha on cancellation in order to receive a refund or exchange. When returning goods on which you have received a discount or offer, that discount or offer will no longer apply if you fall below the discount or offer threshold, and the refund will be adjusted accordingly.

You will receive notification that a refund has been made to your original credit card generally within 1 week after the goods have been returned to us. Please note that refunds bought as presents can only be given to the original payer, and if you decide to exchange an item, we can't stop the payer knowing.

AVAILABILITY

Some of the items sold through the HOUSE OF BUDDHA site are unique and possibly hand-made. The available quantity is indicated but the process is not automatic. if you purchase a unique item and immediately check the site, you will see it still displayed. However, if a prior order has been placed for that item, you will receive an e-mail explaining that the item is already sold and is therefore not available.

HOUSE OF BUDDHA GIFT VOUCHER or SPECIAL OFFER COUPON

From time to time, House of Buddha will be offering House of Buddha Gift Vouchers and Special Offer Coupons. We will be advertising these as and when the occasions arise.

if you have any suggestions or comments, or you wish to discuss transport or shipping costs, please e-mail us at: info@houseofbuddha.com