Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Below is a list of frequently asked questions we receive from our customers. To read an answer, click the question or the plus sign to expand the box. If you have questions you don’t find on this page, feel free to contact us.
Q: SHIPPING COSTS--How do I know how much an item will cost to ship?
A: If an item is small enough for us to package ourselves, we determine what size box is needed to deliver it safely. Using its dimensions and weight with your item in it, we use your zip code to calculate the cost of shipping from our zip code to yours. We do not charge a handling fee, but we do include a nominal amount to help defray the cost of packaging materials. If the item is very delicate and/or too large for us to package for safe arrival, we use a packaging service.
Q: PACKAGING SERVICE--How does the packaging service work?
A: We contact the packaging service. Using the dimensions of the fixture, they determine what kind of packaging is necessary to insure safe arrival. They provide us with a quote, which we share with you. If you agree, we go to the next step in the purchasing process.
Q: INSURANCE--Is insurance required on anything you ship to us?
A: Yes. It’s an ounce of protection in case the package is damaged or lost in transit.
Q: PURCHASING PROCESS--How does the purchasing process work?
A: Once we have the S/H/I quote, we contact you with final purchase numbers. If you decide to go forward, we proceed to the billing step. Our first choice is PayPal, which allows you to use a credit card to complete your purchase without ever sharing your number with us. If you would prefer an alternative to PayPal, we have several choices.
Q: PAYMENT OPTIONS--What if I don’t use PayPal?
A: We have several options if you do not have a PayPal account. When we bill you, you will receive a PayPal invoice in your inbox. When you open it, you’ll see a box that says “Pay Invoice Now”. You may use your credit card to pay without having a PayPal account. If you’d rather not use a credit card to finalize your payment, you can send a personal check or money order to us through the mail. Your payment must clear our account before we ship.
Q: SHIPPING SCHEDULE--How quickly after you receive my payment can you ship?
A: If you use your credit card through PayPal, we can usually ship the next business day. Upon receipt, money orders also allow us to ship the next business day. If you mail a personal check, it takes several days to clear our account. Once it clears, we can ship (usually about five business days).
Q: EXPEDITED DELIVERY--If I need something delivered the next day, can you do it?
A: Usually. It depends on whether you complete the payment process early enough in the day to allow us time to package your item and get it to the shipping center in time to meet their deadline. An extra day is often needed/recommended (and always appreciated)!
Q: LOCATION--Where are you located?
A: We’re located in Avon, CT, about 15 miles west of Hartford.
Q: RESTORATION LEVEL--How do you determine what level of restoration is necessary to bring a lamp back into usable condition?
A: Our preference is to preserve as much of the original integrity of each piece as possible. If our customers have something else in mind, we’re always happy to discuss their preferences and see what we can do to accommodate them.
Q: ELECTRICAL SAFETY--If I plug in my grandmother’s hundred-year-old lamp and it goes on, is it safe?
A: Probably not. Wire doesn’t last forever. If it’s frayed, brittle or dry-rotted, it increases the possibility of an electrical short. Under those conditions, we recommend that our customers err on the side of caution and have the lamp rewired before using it.
Q: GROUND WIRES--Do you add ground wires when you rewire a lamp?
A: Yes, when required by the electric standards that govern the industry.
Q: LIGHTING ERAS--What eras of lighting do you have in your inventory?
A: The lion’s share of our lighting is from 1880s-1940 with an emphasis on 1920s and 30s. We also have a number of pieces that are older and newer.
Q: FIXTURE LENGTH--Can you change the length of a fixture upon request?
A: It would depend on the fixture. Please contact us to discuss.
Q: UNRESTORED LIGHTING--Why did you add the "unrestored" side to your site?
A: If we live to be 100 and do nothing else with our time but stay home and restore lighting, we’d never be able to restore it all. We have so much! So we decided to make it available to the growing market of do-it-yourselfers who would welcome the opportunity to bring a piece of old lighting back to life with their own hands.