Shipping FAQs
Does your shipping quote seem high for the large, but seemingly light, multiple items in your cart?
ANSWER: USPS, UPS and FEDEX have all recently transitioned to a DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT calculation method system as the primary way of calculating shipping charges.
- Example: Lets take a 15" round balloon (which weighs next to nothing), but dimensionally, it takes up 15" x 15" x 15" of space in the delivery truck. So for this example, the calculated shipping charges for the 15" balloon may weigh the same as a 6" x 6" x 6" 12lb. box of nuts and bolts.
Now let us take this example and go one step further ... If you have multiple larger items in your cart, like three balloons, the dimensional weight calculation increases exponentially in a stacked dimensional calculation, because every item's dimensions is added in a stacked / accumulative dimensional weight total.
- Example: Lets take a shopping cart order with 5 bird houses as an example ... Each birdhouse may be 6" x 6" x 12" and weigh about 1.5lbs. When shipping one birdhouse, the dimensionally weight charge will be close to the actual weight shipping charge, say $7.95. However, put 5 birdhouses in one order, in one huge box together and the shipping charges will be calculated on dimensional weight, and instead of 7.5lbs, now that 30"(five time 6") x 12" x 6" box will probably cost $75 to ship.
- Helpful Tip: So we recommend in circumstances like these to do a little testing, and try to save some money, as it may be more economical for you to break your large multi-item purchase into multiple single or two item orders.
- If you do decide to make multiple orders, please leave a note in the comments/message box in your order that "This is NOT a duplicate order!" or some other message of your intensions, to avoid any confusion.
**OVERSIZE DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT & SHIPPING QUOTE ERRORS/EXCEPTIONS
USPS, UPS and FEDEX have all recently transitioned to a DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT calculation method system as the primary way of calculating shipping charges.
Due to these recent changes (dimensional shipping charges overriding and exceeding regular weight charges), plus increases in our carriers' shipping rates, carrier holiday and fuel surcharges, Oakridge reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to NOT honor orders that may have incorrectly quoted shipping fees through the website's API integration with the USPS, UPS or FEDEX rate calculating servers, for which the actual shipping costs, when your order is processed at our facilities, far exceeds the Shipping Quote on your order, and is found to be made up of one or more large dimensional item(s) or heavy item(s), or a combination of both, which in turn caused your order's shipping conditions to be rendered overweight / oversized and/or not economically feasible for us to ship at the Shipper's API originally quoted price. When such rare cases arise, you will be contacted via email with shipping options and/or an Oakridge team member will try to reach out to you via your telephone contact information, to inform you and offer some shipping options and estimates.
SHIPPING OF RADIO CONTROL ITEMS:
For everyone's protection, RC trucks, cars, helis, drones, planes and RC parts will be shipped to the "Billing Address" on the credit card Only. Sorry, No Exceptions.
FREE SHIPPING OPTION: (during active promotional special offers only)
When we are offering a Free Shipping Special Offer promotion, our FREE SHIPPING is available on orders of a stated threshhold amount or more (example: Free Shipping $100 or more), to delivery locations within the Continental United States (lower 48). (Some exclusions may apply)
• From time to time we will run "FREE SHIPPING Special Offers" for orders ($50, $75, $99+, $100 or more), to delivery locations within the Continental United States (lower 48). A Coupon Code may apply or it may be a site wide Limited-Time promotion with banner advertising.
• The shipping method FREE SHIPPING is shipped using carriers and methods at our discretion and is usually shipped the most economical method - "Economy Ground".
During an online Special Offer Promotion only, or unless otherwise stated, a "Free Shipping" offer promotion is valid only on orders with a subtotal over the threshhold offer value (for example: Free Shipping on $100 or more) and (before shipping, before shipping surcharges and before state and local taxes), and only during a promotion (Banner Offer, Pop-up ad, Special Offer Pop-Up, shopping cart offer, or Free Shipping voucher). Orders not meeting or exceeding the coupon or promotion's designated minimum purchase requirement (before shipping, before shipping surcharges and before state and local taxes), will not qualify for the promotion's offer. Oakridge reserves the right to either cancel the order or process the order under normal online order terms, which would include shipping charges. Most items will arrive in just 3 or 5 business days, but allow up to 10 business days as all "Free Shipping" shipments will be shipped ground.
Free Shipping orders are shipped via UPS or U.S. Mail Ground in-full or as complete as possible, at our discretion. Out of Stock and/or Backordered items, under a Free Shipping promotion will also be shipped as available, at no extra charge.
On Returns, the order's shipping charges will be deducted from returned items which would make the remaining subtotal amount of the order fall below promotion threshhold (for example: Free Shipping on $100+). Full shipping charges will be back-charged on order cancellations, order delivery refusals or on orders with cancelled backordered items which make the subtotal amount of the order fall below the threshhold value. Any and all Returns are returned at the customer's expense as we do not reimburse or pay for shipping. We also will not pay for any postage due on any Returns. (See our Return Policy above, for more details.)
Offer does not apply to built-up dollhouses, or the additional surcharges on items marked "oversized" or "add additional shipping". However, a discounted shipping charge will be applied. In many cases on surcharged items, or on items marked “oversized” or “add additional shipping”, only the surcharge will be charged. Offer limited to shipments to the Lower 48 states. Continental U.S..Only. (Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico are not consider the Continental U.S.) Oakridge reserves the right to end or change any Free Shipping offer at any time. Offers are available for a limited time only.
Free Shipping Offer or Coupon Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon, discount, voucher, or online shipping promotion, free shipping promotion or other money saving offer.
** ALL Returns MUST have a Return Authorization Number. **
Without a Return Authorization, your return will not be accepted, authorized or recognized, regardless of any proof of mailing. All authorized returns are subject to a 15% Restocking Fee, (plus the cost of "Free Shipping" promotion shipping costs, if applicable). Shipping Fees are not refundable.
**FREE SHIPPING OFFER - RESTRICTIONS / EXCEPTIONS
Due to the recent increases in our carriers' shipping rates, dimensional shipping charges, carrier holiday and fuel surcharges, Oakridge reserves the right, at our discretion, to NOT honor orders that had qualified for Free Shipping through the website's algorithm calculations, exceeding the Free Shipping Order Total, when your order is processed at our facilities, and is found to be made up of one or more large dimensional item(s) or heavy item(s), or a combination of both, in which in turn caused your order's shipping conditions to be rendered overweight / oversized and/or not economically feasible for us to ship for Free. When such rare cases arise, you will be contacted via email with shipping options and/or an Oakridge team member will try to reach out to you via your telephone contact information, to inform you and offer some shipping options and estimates.
NOTE: This FAQ section does not imply that a Free Shipping Offer is currently running. It is informational only.
FLAT RATE SHIPPING OPTION:
Our FLAT RATE SHIPPING OPTION of orders over 2lbs, by zone, from Chicago, range from $9.95 (IL, MI, IN) to $11.95 (NY, CO, LA), to $13.95 (NM, FL, UT), to $14.95 (ID, CA, NV), to $17.95 (AK, HI), is available on all orders, to delivery locations within the Continental United States (lower 48). Your state, if not specifically mentioned, will fall in between those sample rates mentioned, for the states listed. Your rate will show, for your state, when entering your Zipcode and State in the cart, or during checkout. (Some exclusions may apply)
• FLAT RATE SHIPPING OPTION is a great way for you to save on shipping charges, when your orders don't meet our Free Shipping threshold, to delivery locations within the Continental United States (lower 48).
• FLAT RATE SHIPPING OPTION is a great way for you to save on shipping charges, when the USPS and UPS calculated shipping methods are high to your location.
• The shipping method FLAT RATE SHIPPING OPTION is shipped using carriers and methods at our discretion and is usually shipped the most economical method - "Economy Ground".
USPS & UPS GROUND SHIPPING OPTIONS:
Our UPS and USPS GROUND SHIPPING OPTIONS are calculated via our website's direct connection (via API), with the United States Postal Service system's servers and UPS's servers to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date shipping charges for your order. The API considers the destination shipping address and destination restrictions, rural routes, residential and commercial addresses, dimentional weight, physical weight and seasonality.
• All USPS shipments are shipped Priority Ground or Parcel Post. Estimated delivery transit times are estimated only, and are subject to change due to seasonality or weather. Estimated transit times do not include order processing, packaging and shipping to hub.
• All UPS shipments are shipped Ground. Estimated delivery transit times are estimated only, and are subject to change due to seasonality or weather. Estimated transit times do not include order processing, packaging and shipping to hub.
(SEE MAP BELOW FOR ESTIMATED SHIPPING TIMES)
USPS & UPS GROUND SHIPPING UPGRADE OPTIONS:
Our shipping method choices do not include upgraded shipping methods (Next Day Air, Overnight, 2-Day, 3-Day, Saturday) because of past experiences with our customers being disappointed in not getting their package as indicated/implied in the shipping method. However, based on the time of day, day of the week, and availability of the product, our Customer Service Department will be happy to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability, to upgrade the shipping method for your order, upon special request. Contact our Customer Service Department for details and best options for your order fulfillment and delivery. We suggest to our customers to place their order online first, and then follow up with a call to upgrade shipping. Please have your credit card ready for the additional charges.
(Please keep in mind that during the week just prior to Holidays, we cannot guarantee that you will get your package as implied in the shipper's upgraded status, due to the extremely heavy volume of shipping, combined with shortage of delivering staff and weather delays.)
FREE SHIPPING - FLAT RATE SHIPPING EXCLUSIONS
Any item designated as an OVERSIZED - OVERWEIGHT item as designated in the item's product page under the "Additional Information" section as *** Heavy Oversize/Overweight/Dimensional Shipping Upcharge May Apply *** will not qualify for the FREE SHIPPING or FLAT RATE SHIPPING rate options.
• FREE SHIPPING or FLAT RATE SHIPPING does not apply to delivery locations outside the Continental United States (lower 48).
UPS "GROUND" SHIPPING - AVERAGE TRANSIT TIMES IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. from OAKRIDGE
** ALL Returns MUST have a Return Authorization Number. **
Without a Return Authorization, your return will not be accepted, authorized or recognized, regardless of any proof of mailing. All authorized returns are subject to a 15% Restocking Fee, (plus the cost of "Free Shipping" promotion shipping costs, if applicable). Shipping Fees are not refundable.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS SHIPPING DISCOUNT SPECIAL OFFER:
Our INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SPECIAL OFFER DISCOUNT of $10 OFF is available on orders of $100 or more, to delivery locations outside the Continental United States (lower 48). We ship all over the world. Besides Alaska and Hawaii, many of our regular customers are from Canada, Europe and Australia. We know that shipping is very expensive everywhere, so we try to give all of our customers a shipping cost break.
• Our UPS and USPS GROUND SHIPPING OPTIONS are calculated via our website's direct connection (via API), with the United States Postal Service system's servers and UPS's servers to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date shipping charges for your order. The API considers the destination shipping address and destination restrictions, rural routes, residential and commercial addresses, dimentional weight, physical weight, size limitations and seasonality.
• All USPS shipments are usually shipped Priority International. Estimated delivery transit times are estimated only, and are subject to change due to seasonality or weather. Estimated transit times do not include order processing, packaging and shipping to hub.
• All UPS shipments are shipped International Air. Estimated delivery transit times are estimated only, and are subject to change due to seasonality or weather. Estimated transit times do not include order processing, packaging and shipping to hub.
SHIPPING REFUNDS
• Shipping charges are not refundable on any returns. (See our RETURNS POLICY page)
• Shipping charges are refundable on damaged shipments upon carrier's approval.
** ALL Returns MUST have a Return Authorization Number. **
Without a Return Authorization, your return will not be accepted, authorized or recognized, regardless of any proof of mailing. All authorized returns are subject to a 15% Restocking Fee, (plus the cost of "Free Shipping" promotion shipping costs, if applicable). Shipping Fees are not refundable.
NOTE: ALL ROCKET ENGINES, ROCKET KITS with Rocket Engines, HAZMAT and FLAMMABLES are shipped U.S.P.O. MAIL Ground, to the continental U.S. only.