- How do I use a coupon code?
- When you are on the checkout screen, enter your coupon code into the field Apply Coupon and then press the button Apply Coupon to enter the code. The order will recalculate based on your coupon. Note that you must create or log into an account to use coupons. They will not work with a Guest checkout.
- How do I search for a book?
- There are many ways to search on our site. We offer many curated lists and you can browse by category. Some categories have sub-categories. There are tens of thousands of titles in most of these categories, so keep scrolling. Of course, you can always use the search bar. It is at the top of every page.
- How do I know if a book is in stock at the store?
- Look on the detail page for the title. If it shows "Black Dot Books, On hand, as of ..." it means that we had it on our shelves when we last updated inventory. But, please call before coming in, to confirm that we have it. Software is not perfect and despite our best efforts, neither are we.
- If it's not in stock at the store, how do I know if it's available to ship?
- As long as the "Add to Cart" button is visible for a title it is available to ship to you.
- Why does a book say "Call or email for availability"?
- That title is currently backordered at the publisher but should be available again soon.
- What does “On Hand” mean when it is shown on a book detail screen?
- That means that as of the last time our inventory was updated we had that book on our shelves at the store. There are two things to keep in mind though: 1) while we update our inventory every two hours, it is possible that a book has sold since the online system was last updated, and 2) it is also possible that our inventory records are incorrect. Both of these are pretty rare situations, but if it happens we will reach out to you to come up with the best solution.
- I am preordering a book. When will I get it?
- If you request store pickup, your book should be available on the publication date, but please wait to hear from us before coming in. If we are shipping the book to you, we will do our best to get it to you on or near the publication date but we suggest selecting USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground as your shipping method if timeliness is important.
- Why isn't the book I want available for store pickup?
- At the moment, we allow store pickup only for titles that are already on our shelves and for preorders.
- I am ordering for store pickup. When can I stop by to get my order?
- We ask that you give us one business day, but we will strive to notify you via email that your order is ready for pickup the same day you order. Please do not call the store for updates or come into the store prior to receiving notice that the order is ready.
- How long will you hold a book for a store pickup order?
- If you select "pay at the store" we will hold books for 2 days. If you prepay for your order we will hold your book for 30 days and then return it to stock. But, please let us know if you need additional time.
- How soon will my order ship?
- We will generally try to get your order shipped within 1-2 business days. However, some orders will ship directly from our warehouse and while most will ship in this same timeframe, during busy seasons like the holidays, it’s very possible for there to be delays.
- How will my book ship?
- We offer several shipping methods for online orders. Please see the Shipping Policy page for more info.
- How do I get Free Shipping?
- We offer free USPS Media Mail shipping on book orders over $50. Please see the Free Shipping page for more info.
- What forms of payment can I use?
- We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. If you are picking up at the store and select "pay at store" you can also pay with cash.
- How do I use a Black Dot Digital Gift Card?
- Whether you email the card to yourself, or to someone as a gift, the user of the card will need to create an account on our site. Instructions for doing so will be included in the email with the gift card.
- When ordering online, please enter your gift card number in the Apply Gift Card field on the order screen. Then press the Apply Gift Card button. The system will verify your balance and let you know if you need to add an additional payment.
- Do I have to pay sales tax?
- We collect sales tax on all orders shipped to an address in Georgia, and on orders placed for store pickup.
- Do you ship overseas?
- Yes, we do. If you live someplace lovely, please let us know, and perhaps we will deliver.
- How do I check the status of my order?
- Go to My Account in the upper right corner. It’s the little icon that looks like a person. Then look under My Orders. You will see the status of all of your orders here.
- Do I need an account to place an order?
- No, accounts are not required. You can check out as a guest, but please remember that you will not have access to the My Orders page, wishlists, or any of the other advanced features of this site without an account. Once your account is set up, ordering is a breeze as all of your info is pre-filled for you.