Frequently Asked Questions
Have you got some unanswered questions regarding the hampers or buying from us? Here are some of our our most frequently asked questions. Of course, if you can’t find the answers you are looking for here please contact us and we will do our best to help you.
Shipping Prices & Options
Free Next day Delivery on all Hampers. (*excluding NI)
| Delivery Service | Mainland GB | Scottish Highlands | Off Shore & Northern Ireland |
| Tracked Courier Service (Tue-Sun) | FREE | FREE (1-2 Days)* | N/A |
| Saturday Delivery Service | FREE | FREE | N/A |
| Sunday Delivery Service | FREE | FREE | N/A |
*Delivery lead times are based on Tuesday to Sunday. Deliveries cannot be made on Mondays, or Tuesdays following a bank holiday.
*Please note all our Hampers are dispatched the day prior to the selected delivery date. This is in the expectation that the courier fulfils the delivery on the following day. Please be aware that although we make every effort to get your order delivered on the selected preferred date, delivery dates cannot be guaranteed. We would suggest setting your delivery date early to avoid any orders arriving late. We may also ship orders a day early during Peak periods to avoid courier delays due to increased volumes through the networks
Non Mainland GB Deliveries
Offshore deliveries will incur a delivery charge of £12.95 and are a 2-3 day service. Due to perishability on some products, not all hampers will be available to these areas. Please select a suitable date prior to the delivery date needed to ensure delivery is made on time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a Saturday or Sunday delivery to these areas due to this being a premium service.
*Please note, the following postcode(s) are two-day services:
DD8-9, AB10-16, AB21-25, AB30-39, AB42-45, AB53-56, IV21-28, IV40, IV52-54, PA34-40, PH30-41, PH49-50, KA27, KA28, KW1-14, PA80 (3 DAY)
How quickly will my order be dispatched?
All orders received before 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) will be dispatched the same day unless a nominated delivery date has been chosen. Any orders placed after 4pm on Friday, over the weekend or on a bank holiday will be dispatched on the next available working day.
Please note that all orders are packed and dispatched the day prior to the delivery date, This is on the expectation of next day delivery however, delivery dates cannot be guaranteed. If you are ordering this as a gift for a special occasion we would strongly advise that you set your delivery date a day ahead to ensure delivery on time.
It’s a gift, can I nominate a future delivery date?
Yes, at checkout we have the facility for you to select a preferred delivery date from a calendar. If a nominated delivery date is chosen we will not pick and pack your order until the dispatch date. This will guarantee your order arrives as fresh as it can be.
Can I send an order to multiple addresses?
Yes you can. Simply add all the hampers you would like to purchase to your basket as normal. At the checkout under the delivery address section simply click on the ‘Multi-Address’ option. This will then allow you to enter a separate delivery address and gift message for each hamper.
How will my order be sent?
All our orders are dispatched using a fully tracked 24hr (or 48hr service highlands & islands).
Although we cannot specify a time window (unless an upgraded service has been paid for) the courier will send an estimated window for your delivery once they are en route.
If you are unable for any reason to make your delivery time, you can arrange one of the following actions with the courier. Change delivery dates, deliver to a trusted neighbour, leave the parcel in a specified safe place (at your risk), change the delivery destination, or upgrade your delivery to a timed or weekend service.
How do I track my order?
Our hampers are dispatched via 24hr courier service via APC network. When your order is dispatched you should receive your tracking number. You can enter on the APC tracking website to check on the progress or delivery status of your order. To track an existing order, visit the APC tracking site.
Does someone need to be present to accept delivery?
As many of the items are perishable our default instruction to couriers is to leave the parcel in a safe place if no one is available. If you wish to specify any delivery instructions you can do so in the Courier/Delivery Notes box at checkout. Any instruction you add to this box will override our default instructions. Please note that if instructions are specified and these are adhered to by the courier, the parcel will be considered as delivered. In these cases, any responsibility for damage or loss as a result rests with the buyer.
Our carriers require accurate delivery information to be able to successfully deliver your items on time and in the best condition. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure the full and correct delivery address is entered at the point of order. Please check your order confirmation carefully and notify us immediately of any errors. The Cornish Hamper Store / Pasty Store or its carriers will not be held accountable for any delays in transit or non-delivery of orders with incorrect/incomplete addresses. In these circumstances we will endeavour to assist where possible but cannot guarantee a successful timely delivery or offer a replacement item(s).
What is the shelf life on hampers?
That depends on the hamper you are buying and the nature of the products inside. Many of our hampers have a long shelf life of 6 months+ however, hampers containing bakery and dairy products are highly perishable and need to be refrigerated as soon as received.
As a general guideline, most bakery items should be consumed within 7-10 days of the despatch date. Cream should be consumed within 7 days, and cheese within 7-10 days however best before dates will be provided on the products. If you are in any doubt, please contact us prior to ordering. Typically all highly perishable products will have a minimum of 7 days shelf life left on dispatch.
Please consider these shelf life times when choosing your delivery date. We cannot accept returns or offer refunds on any perishable products which were delivered but for use some time later.
Can I buy alcohol online?
Anybody under 18 is breaking the law if they buy or attempt to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence or shop. It is also illegal for anyone to buy alcohol for someone else who is under 18 except when they purchase wine, beer or cider for consumption with a meal. This law extends to people under 18 drinking wine, beer or cider in a public place.
We reserve the right to request suitable, nationally accepted identification on any alcohol sales at the point of purchase .
Our couriers are instructed to uphold the ‘Challenge 25’ policy on delivery and may request identification before completing the delivery where a recipient looks under 25.
By ticking the age restriction box during the purchase you are accepting that you have read and understood the alcohol terms and conditions outlined and that you are over 18 at the time and date of purchase. You must not proceed and accept these terms if you do not meet this requirement.
How will my hamper be packed?
Our standard carton packaging is a fully branded double walled box. These are printed on all sides with our logo presented on a full Cornish scenic background.
Our gift boxes are beautifully presented, premium quality rigid card boxes. These boast a magnetic closure and our logo emblazoned on the lid.
Our wicker hampers add a real touch of class and are of the finest quality with leather closure straps.
The contents of our hampers are carefully packed and where necessary, protectively wrapped to minimise the possibility of breakages during transit. These are placed on a cushion of attractive coloured straw for presentation. All wicker hampers and gift boxes are sent inside a thick protective double walled outer to ensure it arrives in pristine condition.
Can I add my own personalised gift message?
Of course you can. It’s the little things that matter and to add that finishing touch we can send every order out with its very own gift card. This will be printed with your personalised gift message and placed alongside the contents of your hamper. To do this, simply enter your personal message in the message text box and click ‘buy now’.
Are product illustrations representative of what is included?
Although we make every effort to make our images representative, images on the site are for illustration purposes only. Hampers do not include any of the cutlery, crockery or kitchen utensils shown in the lifestyle images. If in any doubt about the contents of a hamper, please refer to the hamper contents list provided.
Product substitutions
All products we offer are subject to availability and may change without prior notice. On the rare occasion where stock that forms part of the hamper is unavailable we reserve the right to supply an alternative product. we will offer a replacement which will be of equal or higher value than the item replaced.
Recycling & Sustainability
We send our frozen products in Polystyrene boxes which are 100% recyclable where facilities exist. The reason we use these boxes is because perishable items that are shipped in Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) have a longer shelf life, reducing food waste. It is also the safest method of transporting temperature-controlled goods. Polystyrene also has strong environmental credentials. It is extremely lightweight, insulates efficiently, and has a low carbon footprint given that 98% of it is air. Neither does it generate waste while being manufactured.
Repurposing polystyrene isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are a few ideas:
• Plants such as tomato plants can be potted and grown inside the larger boxes making them easier to move around rather than grow bags (also plastic)
• As a thermal cool box for frozen or chilled products – ideal for picnics
• As a drinks ‘ice bucket’ – perfect for the garden or BBQ’s
• To stuff toys, cushions, or bean bags (in the case of packing beads)
For further information regarding polystyrene, we suggest visiting https://www.fswaste.co.uk/2021/02/is-polystyrene-recyclable/
Our insulated thermal bags can also be repurposed. Here’s a great idea from one of our customers:
To use these as radiator backing insulation, simply cut along side seams carefully then place behind radiators in the rooms forcing heat to go back into the room and not out through the walls.
Pasties that pay for themselves!
What if I need to cancel or return my order?
See Our Returns Policy for more information.
Getting in contact with us
If you have any queries regarding your order, please feel free to contact us on 01209 701767 or email us on info@thecornishhamperstore.co.uk