SHIPPING COSTS: The UPS shipping charges displayed for US orders are AN ESTIMATE. Only the actual shipping charges will be applied to all orders. Costs are based on weight of the item, size and distance traveled. We never add handling charges.

PACKED ORDERS WEIGHING approx. 2 lbs. OR LESS -- AND ORDERS GOING TO CANADA, ALASKA, HAWAII and INTERNATIONAL ADDRESSES -- SHIP THROUGH THE POST OFFICE. We will post your final Post Office shipping total at the time of fulfillment. Most "lower 48" orders are sent through UPS, which means that each order is insured and tracked.

LOCAL PICK-UP IS AVAILABLE! If you'd like to pick up your order here in our Gig Harbor office, just let us know and we'll remove your shipping charge. (YOUR ORDER WILL STILL SHOW A SHIPPING CHARGE UNTIL WE DELETE IT DURING PROCESSING). This service is available here at our Gig Harbor internet shipping office. Please call ahead to schedule your pickup: 1-253-858-3286 or send us an e-mail.

Address: 3622 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. (webmaster@thewhitewhale.com)

All orders in stock will be shipped within a day or two. Items on backorder and items ordered during the holiday season can take longer.

BACKORDERS: If part of your order is on backorder, we will wait to ship complete in order to save you extra shipping charges. If you prefer a partial shipment, just drop us an e-mail (be sure to include your order number) or indicate your wishes in the special instructions box as you order. We will add the second shipping charge when we ship your backorder.

You have several options for faster delivery that will be offered you as you check out with our shopping cart.

Please contact the shipper with reports of damage.

TRACKING ORDERS: Please use your UPS tracking number to go to ups.com and check on your shipment, or use the link on your confirmation e-mail from The White Whale. WE SHIP LIGHT ORDERS INEXPENSIVELY THROUGH THE POST OFFICE. THIS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK, SINCE THEY DO NOT OFFER TRACKING.

RETURNS: We guarantee against manufacturers' defects for 30 days from the date of the delivery on all products except for items listed in our Exceptions Section. Products with Manufacturer Warranties which exceed 30 days, may be returned directly to the manufacturer according to their instructions. All returns/exchanges must be made within 30 days of receipt of the merchandise. Merchandise must be in original factory condition, and must include all original packaging materials, warranty cards, manuals and accessories. Exception Section - Items Not Covered Under this return policy: Foods and Teas that have been opened. Items may be returned only with prior authorization. All shipping fees are non-refundable unless The White Whale has made an error by shipping an incorrect item to the customer. In this case, the customer must contact The White Whale to obtain a return label or request a merchandise pick up. Once the item is returned back to the warehouse, a correct replacement unit will be shipped out or refund issued for the full amount of the order if the correct unit is unavailable. The White Whale must be informed of the receipt of incorrect merchandise within a week of the delivery. Unwanted Returns: Unwanted product returns will be subject to a 20% restocking fee and must have a Return Merchandise Authorization number. Merchandise must be in unused condition only. Refused Delivery: Returns falling under this category will be treated as “Unwanted Returns”, consequently they will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. The customer will also be responsible for the return shipping cost incurred by the action of refusing the delivery. Consequently, credit will be issued less 20% restocking fee of the value of the merchandise and less shipping and handling fees both ways. Defective Items: A customer must return merchandise at their expense within 30 days from the date of delivery with prior Return Merchandise Authorization number. If the return has been received at our warehouse after 30 days from the original day of the receipt of the merchandise, it will have been sent to the Member at their expense. All reimbursements are done in the form of a credit to the bank card. A 5% credit card processing fee will be deducted from the total amount of the refund unless the refund results from White Whale error. Refunds may take 3 to 5 business days to post back to the credit card.