Summer Shipping Policy

June 16th to September 1st 2008 (or when cooler weather returns).

Summer is here and that means it’s hot.  While we look forward to this time of year all winter, it causes our chocolate to melt. For this reason, we ship all our orders next day air with cold packs.  This increases substantially the cost of shipping and accounts for the high shipping rates for these months.   We have many locations that carry our chocolate for those of you who visit our great state or are fortunate enough to live here: so remember --

CHOCOLATES MADE ON AN ISLAND, ARE SHIPPED FROM AN ISLAND...
...and so they have had an adventure before they even get to your door.

Equal to making fabulous chocolates, our priority at Black Dinah Chocolatiers is ensuring that those chocolates arrive at their destination in the best possible condition. Considering where we live and work, this is sometimes a tall order. Bad weather, high seas or just the simple fact that our chocolates must travel from such a remote location can affect delivery schedules and costs. The table and information below reflect the best way to ship your chocolates so that they arrive in great shape.

*most shipments sent within Maine arrive next day.

Orders over $500.00 please call (207.335.5010).

IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION

• To limit time in transit to two days, we do not ship orders over the weekends.
• Orders received:
• Between 9pm Thursday and 9pm Sunday will go out on Monday.
• By 9pm on Monday, will go out on Tuesday.
• By 9PM on Tuesday will go out on Wednesday.
• By 9PM on Wednesday have the option of going out next day air on
  Thursday with a Friday arrival.
• We are unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii or outside the US at this time. But we're working on it.
• We are unable to ship to PO boxes, APO's, and FPO's.
• Shipping rates are charged per address.
• Because our shipments must first travel by boat, our schedule is subject to unpredictable changes due to notoriously feisty New England weather, particularly during the winter months. We will notify you if your shipment is delayed due to weather on the island.
• Shipments are also subject to the weather conditions at the destination location. If it is unseasonably warm at the recipient's address, we may contact you about changing your shipping to Overnight.
• We take great care in packaging our chocolates, but shipping in Maine can take a toll on boxes, particularly during the winter months. If for any reason your package arrives damaged, please call within 24 hours so we can address the problem.
• We will post our summer shipping schedule in the spring. g>
• For shipping to multiple locations, please give us a call (207-335-5010).

 SHIPPING TIPS

• Double check your recipient's address before submitting your order. BDC cannot be responsible for orders delayed or returned due to incorrect or undeliverable addresses provided by the customer.
• Make sure you have your order shipped to someplace where your chocolates won't sit outside in the heat. We recommend using a business address if nobody can be home to receive them.

CHOCOLATE TIPS

• Our chocolates are best enjoyed within 3 weeks of receipt. If you would like to store them longer by refrigeration, first wrap the box tightly in plastic or place in a zippered bag with an airtight seal. When you are ready to enjoy them, let the chocolates come to room temperature before you unwrap them.
• We use nuts, and lots of them, in our kitchen. If you are allergic to nuts of any kind, we advise you, regretfully, to avoid our chocolates.