Shipping & Returns
Our basic shipping rates include shipping to US addresses via the most economical, reliable means possible. In most cases, we ship orders with the US Postal Service (Media Mail for books, otherwise we use First Class or Priority Mail). Media Mail takes a week or so, in our experience. Priority Mail generally takes 2-3 days within the continental United States. First Class Mail has a day or two longer delivery time than Priority.
If you choose shipment by any other means than U.S. Mail/Book Rate in the US, including to locations outside the US, our system will estimate the shipping costs based on live connections with USPS and UPS.
In most all instances, you will receive an email with a tracking number when your package ships.
Minimum shipping & handling charges: There is no minimum order, but there is a minimum shipping and handling charge of $4. Subscriptions do not have a shipping and handling charge, as that is built into the price.
Rush orders: If you absolutely, positively must have something arrive by a certain date, please call us between business hours (9 am to 4 PM, Monday to Friday, Eastern Standard Time) and we can look at the options and costs: 802-223-4955. You can include a note in the NOTES portion of your online order, requesting any special delivery considerations, and we will reply via email, but this is not a guarantee of the swiftest possible shipping, as online orders are normally only shipped out Monday, Wednesday or Friday (see below).
Returns: All product orders are subject to our 30-day money-back guarantee. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with any book you buy through RIS, simply return it to us in resaleable condition and we will either issue you a credit on account or a refund check (or charge), your choice. Please not that, in the event of a refund or exahcnage, shipping charges and return postage are non-refundable and non-creditale. All subscriptions include a money-back guarantee for a full refund on all unmailed issues.
Order Processing: We process orders daily, but ship only twice a week, generally on Tuesdays and Fridays (excepting holidays and staff breaks). We are happy to accommodate rush orders, but please call (see above) to make these happen.
| Orders placed onlinebefore... | ...will ship on |
|
9 am Tuesday, Eastern Time |
Tuesday |
|
9 am Friday, Eastern Time |
Friday |
Time in Transit. The chart below is an approximation of delivery time to you. Begin with the ship date from the table above, and add the number of Business Days from the table below.
| Ships via | Business Days in Transit |
| Media Mail | 5-10 |
| Priority Mail | 2-3 |
| First Class Mail | 4-7 |
| UPS Ground | (see map below) |
| UPS Overnight | 1 |
| UPS 2-day | 2 |
| UPS 3-day | 3 |
This map shows the estimated time in transit for shipments via UPS Ground, from the date of shipment from Vermont. These are only approximate, and things such as weather and residential versus business address can impact actual delivery times. If your order is shipping via UPS, we will usually email a tracking code, and can always provide one upon request.
