Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for in the answers below, please get in contact with us directly!
Ordering
How long does it take to process my order?
We are quick as a flash! Order before 2pm and your items will be shipped the same day. Orders placed at weekends will be despatched on Monday.
Who do you use to make deliveries?
If you live in the UK, your order will be delivered via Royal Mail or DPD. If you live overseas, we use Standard Airmail, Registered Airmail and Spring Global Mail.
When will my order arrive?
Depending on the shipping method you select when checking out your order, you should allow the following time frames for your parcel to arrive:
- FREE standard delivery – allow up to 5 working days.
- Royal Mail 24 Tracked – next working day.
- Royal Mail 48 – 2-5 working days.
- Special Delivery 1pm – Guaranteed next day by 1pm when you order Mon-Thurs.
- DPD Local – next working day to UK mainland; 2 working days to Highlands & Islands.
- Standard Airmail – approximately 2 weeks on average, but allow up to 28 days.
- Registered Airmail – approximately 2 weeks on average, but allow up to 28 days.
- Spring Global Mail – approximately 2 weeks on average, but allow up to 28 days.
How much does UK delivery cost?
Prices to UK addresses start from just £3.29 and we offer FREE standard delivery on orders of £65 or more. Supplementary charges may be applied to larger parcels for Highlands & Islands addresses (including Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Scottish Highlands and Scottish Islands). This will be shown at the online checkout.
How much does International delivery cost?
Prices to overseas locations are based on the weight of your order. The online checkout will calculate your delivery price based on the weight of the items in your basket and the location of your delivery address. All prices are quoted and charged in GBP £ (British Pounds Sterling).
Why don’t you deliver to my country?
We probably do! We deliver to countries all over the world. If your country is not shown in the drop-down menu when adding a delivery address, you will need to use the Contact Us link at the top of our homepage to send us an International Shipping Quote request. Let us know your location and the list of items you require and we will produce a shipping quote for you.
How will my order be packaged?
As part of our commitment to recycling, we sometimes re-use cardboard cartons to pack your delivery. However to ensure that no surprises are spoiled, all parcels are plain packaging and there is no mention of ‘Sylvanian Families Shop’ or the name of any of our products anywhere on the outside of the delivery boxes.
What do I do if I haven’t received my order?
Check that you have allowed enough time from the date you received your confirmation of despatch email (see ‘When will my order arrive?’ above). Then get in touch with us either by email at Sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com or use the Contact Us tab at the top of our homepage to send us an email. We will check your order details and work to resolve the issue for you as quickly as possible.
Payments
What type of cards do you accept?
We accept all types of Visa card, plus MasterCard, American Express and UK Maestro.
Can I pay by PayPal?
Yes, the online checkout will give you the option to select payment via your PayPal account.
How do you keep my card details safe?
All online transactions are authorised in real time using secure payment services provided by Opayo. We will not store any of your payment card details in our site. All information requested is the minimum to ensure we provide a fast, efficient and secure service.
What is 3D Secure and why is it necessary?
3D Secure, or Authentication, is required by card issuers on most Visa and MasterCard credit and debit card transactions to provide additional security for cardholders. This ensures that the card being used for payment can only be used by the cardholder themselves. In addition to the card details, the Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode schemes will ask for further proof of identity, usually via one-time passcode sent to you via SMS/email by your card issuer.
I keep getting an error message every time I try to checkout my order. Is there something wrong with your site?
Probably not. All our online payments are processed via Opayo, including those paid with PayPal. Opayo uses the most up-to-date secure data encryption to process your payment safely. If you web browser has not been updated to its latest version to ensure the security settings are up to date, you may not be able to process your payment successfully. This applies to smartphones and tablets as well as desktop computers and laptops. If you are having difficulties, please update your Internet browser to the latest version, clear your internet history, and try to checkout again. If you are still unable to order, don't forget that you can always email us at Sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com
Can I pay in my own currency?
The online store accepts payments in GBP £ British Pounds Sterling only. Transactions are charged to your card in GBP. If your card is registered in another country the card issuer will automatically convert the total amount to your local currency.
Can I send a cheque?
We no longer accept payments via cheque or postal order.
Returns, Damages & Faulty Items
What do I do if an item I have received appears to be faulty?
We will resolve goods deemed faulty by manufacturer guidelines immediately with replacement parts/dolls (subject to availability). You must notify us immediately upon receiving the product. We will advise of how to deal with the return of the product on an individual basis. We will cover all re-delivery costs of faulty product replacements based on the policy above.
What do I do if an item on my order has been damaged in transit?
We can replace any items damaged in transit with an identical product (subject to availability), or we can offer a partial refund on any such items. You must notify us immediately upon receiving the product and provide photos of the damage. We will advise of how to deal with the return of the product on an individual basis. We will cover all re-delivery costs of damaged product replacements. A product will not be considered damaged if only the packaging has been affected - our replacement policy only applies where the damange is to product itself, not the packaging.
There is nothing wrong with my item, can I still return it?
We will accept returns for items up to 28 days after the date of despatch. Your returned product must be unopened, the packaging in mint condition, and proof of purchase supplied. We will then refund or exchange as required. All returns must be securely packaged to avoid any damage in return transit using cardboard boxes – no jiffy bags please. You will cover all return and re-delivery costs. Please contact us before sending any return either by using the Contact Us tab at the top of our homepage, or by emailing at Sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com.
Customer Services
How do I get in touch with you?
There are several options for getting in touch. You can email us on sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com or you can use the Contact Us tab at the top of our homepage to send us an enquiry, or you can use one of our social media platforms to reach us - you'll find us on Facebook and Instagram.
How long will it take to answer my email or online enquiry?
We will respond to you as quickly as possible, but please allow 1 working day. If your enquiry is urgent or time-sensitive, please email and we will get back to you shortly on Sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com, so we can help you immediately.
When are you open?
We are here and shipping orders five days a week. Email support is available Monday to Friday.
Can I visit your store?
Our physical shop in London is now closed, so sadly you can no longer visit us in person. After 32 wonderful years the owners have retired and our online store is now in the capable paws of the next generation.
General
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes, they are E-Gift cards! Search 'Gift Cards' to buy one ranging from £10- £250
Do you donate to charity?
As you can image we receive lots of requests to help good causes. Being a small independent business we are not in a position to help everyone despite how much we would like to. Therefore we focus all our charitable support on our local community schools and neighbourhood groups.
Do you sell wholesale?
No, unfortunately not. We only sell directly to the public and our products are not for resale.
Do you buy pre-owned Sylvanian Families collections?
No, unfortunately not. We do not have the space sadly to deal in second-hand or pre-owned toys.
Can I have a discount?
We are committed to providing excellent value for our collectors all year round and regularly run promotions and offers. For this reason we don’t offer discounts.
What is your pricing policy?
We aim to offer excellent value at all times and price our items at recommended retail price or under where possible. Being a small independent retailer we are not in a position to offer price matching.
Can you order an item in for me?
We stock the widest range of Sylvanian Families in the UK, currently over 400 different items. If there is a Sylvanian item you cannot see on our site, please send us a message via our Contact Us tab, and one of our experts will check to see if this item is available, or whether it is something we will be stocking in future. It may be possible that it is no longer shown because it is discontinued, but our team will be able to advise you of this.
Can’t find the answer to your question above?
No problem! Just email us at Sylvania@sylvanianstorekeepers.com or use the Contact Us tab at the top of this page to send us a message. We’re here to help!