SHIPPING & F.A.Q
FREE Standard shipping within Canada!
SHIPPING:
HOW DO YOU SHIP?
My standard shipping is done through Canada Post oversized lettermail (USA is Air Packet, Tracked) Tracked options for Canada are available at a discounted rate at check out. If you would like a quote for an alternate shipping service please send me a message. Please note Canada post still does not guarantee any service speeds at this time so please contact me if you are requiring your order by a certain date to ensure you select the correct shipping option for your needs.
Local delivery areas may be possible upon request: Airdrie, Cochrane, Canmore/Banff.
Feb 2024: Canada Post is forever unpredictable and deliveries are normal in some areas, but slow in others. Usually its 4-14 business days within Canada for regular lettermail but can be a bit longer with their various staffing or weather issues. If you need your order ASAP please note I have 2 tracked shipping options at checkout that are offered to you at a discounted rate, they are both faster (speeds will depend on your location) and those options come with a tracking number as well.
USA/INTL Shipping: All USA/INTL Orders are tracked packages. USA is 2-3 Weeks (but can be shorter or longer sometimes!) INTL will vary depending on your location.
Please remember I have zero control over Canada posts shipping speeds and you do have options for tracked/faster shipping at checkout :)
Most orders will be shipped out within 3-5 business days depending on how busy I am, most of my designs are made to order to avoid waste/taking up space and orders are filled as they are received. Some will ship sooner if it's items i already have on hand.
If you need your order by a certain date please contact me or leave a note in your order :)
The Free Shipping option is sent via Canada Post Oversized Lettermail and usually takes approx 4-14 Business days to arrive to most places within Canada. Faster, tracked shipping options are also available at a discounted rate at checkout.
Free shipping is oversized lettermail which does NOT have any tracking, the shipping upgrades available do have tracking #s provided. All USA/INTL is tracked shipping.
IS YOUR PACKAGING GREEN?
Most of my packing supplies are repurposed from electronics shipments, the bubble mailer envelopes, boxes & most packing supplies I use are items that would normally be sent to be recycled. Re-purposing is even better than recycling as it saves those extra steps. My glass straws typically come wrapped in tissue paper (unless cases have been ordered or are included) to protect from scratches/damages during shipping, sometimes repurposed bubble wrap may be used if shipping a long distance or if extra padding is needed.
If you would like your order gift wrapped please leave a comment on your order along with any gift note you would like to add :) there is no additional fee for gift wrap.
F.A.Q:
Whats the best way to clean my straw?
Under a tap with a cleaning brush or even better: the Dishwasher! Did you know that running a tap for 2 minutes is about the same water use as a full cycle on a dishwasher? the newer ones use even less water! They actually get pretty clean in the utentils holder (try to keep away from the metals so they dont bang against them) My Borosilicate straws are even strong enough for industrial dishwashers and can handle the high temps.
Do you sell Metal / Steel or Bamboo Drinking Straws?
No, In my own opinion Metal Straws are an awful alternative and they are actually one of the reasons I started making Glass Straws, it is also one of the top things i hear at markets: "I have a metal straw but I hate it" Not only are Metal Straws unpleasant feeling/tasting to drink from they can easily cause lacerations to the mouth as they are thin walled and the edges can be VERY sharp. (Example: Starbucks recalled ALL metal straws back in 2016 due to these very issues and haven't sold them since, a lady in the UK even lost her life being impaled by one)
As for Bamboo, while it sounds like a great option - it is a porous material that needs to be cleaned properly to avoid hygienic issues but that's kind of hard when you cannot see through them to make sure they are cleaned well, and only reusable for about a month or two. Also, Why continue to import mass produced straws when you can find locally made ones instead?
Do you have a retail store?
To shop in person you can find Bow Valley Straws at these Local Canadian Retailers and Markets: