Frequently Asked Questions

 

Ordering

How can I place an order?

All of orders are processed through our website.  Please add the item to your cart and proceed thru the checkout process.  We are unable to process phone orders.  If you have a question about your order, please email emily@stonecreektrading.com.

Is this item in stock?

If a product is available for purchase on our website, we have it in stock at our facility and ready to ship.  If a product is out of stock, it will say so on the website and not be available for purchase.  Typically we try to add a note to out of stock products letting our customers know when we expect to have more.  Because all of our products are imported directly from Poland, it can take a few months to get more of an item.  You can fill out the form on the out of stock product page to be notified when it will be available again.

Do you charge sales tax or any other additional fees besides shipping?

Illinois State law requires us to charge sales tax only on orders shipped to Illinois addresses.  All orders outside of Illinois are not charged sales tax.  We do not charge any additional fees besides sales tax and shipping.

 

I'm purchasing this as a gift, can you include a note to the recipient with the order?

We would be happy to add a gift note to your order.  If your purchase is a gift that will be shipped directly to the recipient, you can add a note to the order under the "Note to Stone Creek Trading" section on bottom of the "Your Shopping Cart" page.  If you forget to include the note when you place the order, you can always email emily@stonecreektrading.com to request that a gift note be added. 

 

How do I cancel my order?

If you would like to cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing emily@stonecreektrading.com or replying to your order confirmation email.  Orders that are canceled before they ship will be issued a full refund.  If the order has already shipped, we can refund you for the cost of the item, but the shipping fee is non-refundable.  If the order has already shipped when it is canceled, your refund will not be issued until the item is back in our possession, which can take up to 2 weeks. 

 

I just received my order and there is a problem, what do I do now?

Please see our Returns page for more information about our return policy.

 

Shipping

How is shipping calculated?

Shipping is calculated based on the weight of the items you are purchasing and distance from our location in Frankfort, IL.  For orders weighing less than 1 lbs, shipping will be via USPS First Class Parcel or Priority Mail.  For orders over 1 lbs, shipping will be through UPS Ground or FedEx Home Delivery.  We also offer expedited shipping through UPS Second Day Air (10 lbs max). 

To calculate the cost of shipping, please add the items to your cart and proceed to checkout.  At the bottom of the checkout page, you can enter your state and zip code in order to receive a shipping estimate.

 

When should I expect to receive my order?

Items are typically shipped within 1-2 business days of receiving your order.  However, additional processing time may be required during peak seasons or for large orders.  All items are shipped from our location in the suburbs of Chicago.  We will email you tracking information once your order has shipped.  Please note that it takes UPS approximately 12-24 hours to update their system, and therefore you may be unable to track the order immediately.  Your order will typically arrive 2-6 days after it has shipped depending on your location.

 

Can you ship my order to two different addresses?

Our shipping charges are calculated based on the entire order shipping to the address listed as the shipping address.  Shipping charges are reduced for multiple packages going to the same address.  Therefore, we cannot accommodate requests to split up items in one order and ship to different addresses.  If you would like to ship items to different addresses, please place a separate order for each shipping address.

 

Do you ship to Canada/Internationally?

At this time we only ship within the United States. 

Canada -  www.wisecrock.com This new company is the exclusive supplier of our products in Canada.  They don't carry all of our products, but do have our most popular items.

International Orders - Customers located in areas where we do not ship typically use a "reshipping service" which provides a US address to ship to and will reroute your order to an international location for a fee. We also have a few of our most popular products available on Ebay for shipping internationally with the Global Shipping Program.

 

Do you have a storefront/can I see the products in person?

At this time we are an exclusively online store. 

Products

Do your fermenting crocks include the weights?

Yes, most of the fermenting crocks that we sell come with the weight included. 

We also sell weights separately on our site for those people who like to use an additional weight for fermenting or for those who may have purchased a crock elsewhere that did not include the weight.  You do not need to buy a weight in addition to the crock unless you have a need for an extra set of weights.

Please note - our brining and rumtopf crocks do not include weights.

 

Are your stoneware crocks & bakeware food safe?

Yes, our stoneware is food safe.  We source our stoneware from the Boleslawiec Pottery Works in Poland, a cooperative with many artists that work under it, either in factories or smaller studios. All of our stoneware, including the fermenting crocks, are lead-free, and have been since the late 19th century, when Johann Gottlieb Altman, a master potter from Boleslawiec, began to use lead-free feldspar glaze instead of then common lead glazes. In addition, all of our crocks meet the ASTM and European Union safety standards for contact with food.

 

What is FSC certified?

FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, an international not for profit organization headquartered in Germany.  This organization reviews forest management practices for compliance with sustainable standards.  When the forestry practices are found to meet the highest environmental & social standards, the wood from these forests receive FSC certification.

 

What does unfinished wood mean?  Do I need to finish it?

The majority of our wood products are unfinished.  Unfinished means that they do not have a varnish or paint coating on top of the natural wood.  However, they are sanded smooth and ready for use.  We recommend treating the wood with a food safe oil to prolong the life of the products.  Some products are finished with a natural mineral oil.  In all cases, the natural beauty of the wood is visible.

 

Are there any special care instructions for the wood products?

Our wood products do not require any special care.  The oil from your hands, as well as the food you are cooking will naturally darken the wood with use.  This is normal, and not a concern.  For washing, we suggest hand washing with soap and hot water to extend the life of your products.  While you may clean wood items in the dishwasher, this can lead to premature cracking of the wood.  It is also not advised to soak wood items in water. 

 

Why small factories in Europe?

In the global economy of today, we find it increasingly difficult to trace the origin of the products we use in our everyday lives.  From reports on deplorable working conditions in factories to lead and other unsafe materials being found in products, it is hard to trust the safety and ethical production of the goods we purchase.  In order to make the process clearer and more reliable, we purchase our products directly from the factory.  We choose to work with small factories in order to have a personal connection with the people who make these products.  When it comes to our products, you can be sure that they are manufactured under safe, ethical conditions and made to the highest quality.

 

Contact

I have a question, what is the best way to contact you?

Our primary means of contact is through email - emily@stonecreektrading.com.  The contact us form on our webpage will also send an email to this address.  If you have an urgent need, an email often will receive a quicker response than a phone call.  Our goal is to answer all emails within 24 hours, however most emails are responded to much sooner.  If you do need to call us, our phone number is 331-205-9541.  Please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as we can.