Index of Ordering Information:

• How to order
• Security & Privacy
• Sizing boots
• Sizing Vanson Classic jackets
• Sizing Vanson Sports Rider jackets
• How to pay
• Shipping prices and information
• How long will it take
• What if the boots or jackets don't fit
  
  
• Go to our secure credit card payment form

How to Order:

We use secure, encrypted order forms. Each boot or product information page has its own order form linked from several different places in the information page. Just fill out the form for the item you want then hit "Send" --- it's as easy as that.

But please review the additional information on the order form. Each order form is tailored to a specific type of boot or jacket and has additional advice on sizing and options for that specific boot or jacket.

The information page for each type of boot has a link to the order form for that style of boot. The order forms also have a link back to the main page for that type of boot so you can go back and forth.

We also have very detailed information pages on sizing boots and sizing leather jackets.

After reviewing the order form you can fill it out and send it to us by hitting the Send button. And, obviously, you can visit that form without placing an order.

Security and Privacy:

Our web site's order forms are secured using a Thawte Digital Certificate. This ensures that all information you send us via the Internet is protected using highly secure SSL 128-bit encryption. You can always check to see if your browser is taking advantage of this secure capability by checking the lock symbol in the status bar or checking the page's properties.

The information you provide in the order form is handled confidentially by BIG BLACK BOOTS. We do not make that information available to anyone not directly involved in building your boots and shipping your order. In particular, your personal information will NOT be sold or given to junk mailers or anyone else.

See the note in our Frequently Asked Questions page for information about web page security in general.

How to Pay:

We accept Visa, MasterCard, EuroCard, Carte Bleue, PayPal, US $ checks and Purchase Orders.
Credit cards are charged in US $. Payments made using PayPal can be handled in multiple currencies.

If you prefer to use American Express or Discover cards, you can do so by specifying the PayPal payment option. More information is below.

Our order forms are secured using a Thawte Digital Certificate. This ensures that all information you send us via the World Wide Web will be protected using highly secure SSL 128-bit encryption. All the information you enter is encrypted on your computer before being sent to us over the internet.

Credit Card

We directly accept Visa and MasterCard as well as their equivalents such as EuroCard and Carte Bleue. We do not run the charge for your purchase until we have reviewed and confirmed your order and the boots are scheduled to be shipped or the bootmaker starts to build them. Charges are in US $ Our secure order forms allow you to include your credit card information. If you need to update or correct your credit card information, please don't email that information. Instead please click here to use our secure, encrypted credit card form. If you prefer to use American Express or Discover cards for payment, you may do so by selecting PayPal as the payment method.

PayPal

Click above to learn more about PayPal

When you select payment using PayPal, we include a link to our PayPal invoice in your order confirmation email. When you're ready to pay, click on that link. We then send you to the PayPal website... once you've signed in, we fill out the order details for you so you don't have to type that in.

You handle your PayPal payment according to the preferences you set up with PayPal. You can use direct bank account debit or most credit cards.

If you're not a member of PayPal yet, click here to sign up now.

Multiple Currencies Accepted Using PayPal

BIG BLACK BOOTS is a Verified PayPal Global merchant.

We accept payment in these currencies from our customers who use PayPal for payments:

• Australian Dollar
• Canadian Dollar
• Czech Koruna
• Danish Krone
• Euros
• Hong Kong Dollar
• Hungarian Forint
• New Zealand Dollar
• Norwegian Krone
• Polish Zloty
• Pounds Sterling
• Singapore Dollar
• Swedish Krona
• Swiss Franc
• U.S. Dollar
• Yen

When you choose a currency other than U.S. dollars, we compute the currency conversion for your invoice using the current published wholesale bank exchange rate then add 2.5% to cover the conversion fee PayPal charges us. Sometimes it might be cheaper to make your PayPal payment in US dollars. This depends on the PayPal fee schedule for your country. Check to see what fees PayPal charges in your country.

It may be more economical to pay using your credit card if that card's total exchange fees are lower than 2.5% Most major credit card companies charge a 1% fee above the wholesale bank exchange rate, however the bank which issued your credit card may be unethical and charge a fee as well, even though there is no cost to them. You will have to ask your credit card issuer for an honest explanation of their fees... good luck. U.S. banks have recently started robbing their customers by adding fees up to 2.5% on top of the 1% charged by Visa / MasterCard and others. Some banks in Europe have been doing this for years.

Click here for the PayPal help page on multiple currency support.

U.S. $ Check

Mailing address:    BIG BLACK BOOTS    7122 Cather Court    San Diego, CA 92122    USA

We will process your order once your check clears our bank. So this is the slowest way to do business with us.

Purchase Order

We collect California sales tax at 7.75% on all orders shipped to California. There are no taxes charged on orders shipped to other states or countries.

Orders shipped outside of the United States may be subject to custom duties or local VAT / taxes upon arrival in the destination country.

NAFTA update --- we used to have problems with customers being charged custom duties on US goods shipped to NAFTA countries such as Canada and Mexico. Custom officers now seem to have this figured out. The Wesco boots, Dehner boots and Vanson leathers we sell have been manufactured in the USA. No Customs should be charged on any of our shipments of these products to NAFTA countries.

Shipping Information:

We ship throughout the United States, to APO/FPO addresses and to most countries in the world. Click here to visit the U.S. Postal Service web site to see the list of countries and areas served.

USA:

For standard shipments within the Continental United States, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and FPO/APO addresses, we charge a flat rate for shipping. This makes it easy to compute the cost of the boots and shipping. The table below shows shipping prices.

We do most USA shipping via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground but use Priority Mail for some shipments such as APO/FPO addresses or when UPS or FedEx cannot deliver to an address.

Canada:

Shipments to Canada are normally done using International Express Mail. This takes 3 to 5 days and usually passes through Customs more quickly and with much less cost and bureaucracy than UPS or FedEx. The Dehner, Wesco and Vanson products we sell are all made in the United States. You should not be charged Customs duties on these items.

Other Countries:

We normally use International Express Mail for shipments outside North America. This service usually provides fast delivery times, insurance and package tracking at an economical rate. Since the price varies depending on the destination country, we charge for the actual cost of shipping.

We pay for delivery to the shipping address you provide. If there are any Customs fees or local taxes due, they will be your responsibility when your package arrives.

We can also ship via FedEx International. We have negotiated excellent international rates for our customers. The cost is higher than Express Mail (even with our discounted rates) but FedEx is usually faster than International Express Mail, and FedEx never adds additional fees for delivery or Customs processing.

For several years the US Postal Service contracted with exceptionally incompetent, slow and expensive private delivery firms for deliveries to most EU countries. These companies such as ParcelForce, GLS and Extand charged exorbitant fees in addition to custom duties and VAT/TVA taxes and were often very slow in handling packages.

It appears that the US Postal Service finally listened to the many justified complaints about these companies and has returned to using the national postal system in most EU countries.

Outside of Europe, delivery is typically handled efficiently and quickly by real Post Offices. For example we still have fast, professional delivery service in Asia, Australasia and the Middle-East where delivery is handled by Post Offices instead of privatized delivery services.

UK

In the UK, where Express Mail International packages are "delivered" by ParcelForce (ParcelFarce?) they have extorted "fees" up to £20 from our customers to deliver packages. Those "fees" are in addition to any Customs or VAT due. Since we have already paid for delivery in the UK this appears to be illegal. We believe these extra fees are against International Postal Union regulations.

Service is exceptionally bad in London E & SE areas "serviced" (bend over) by ParcelFarce's infamous Canary Wharf Depot. In other parts of the UK service is less awful. Our customers are often not advised when a package has arrived. So we send the tracking number and a link to the US Post Office and the ParcelForce tracking web sites so you can keep track of your package.

We recommend using FedEx in the UK, particularly in London. We'd be happy to quote our discounted FedEx prices for you. Unlike postal packages, cost varies not only with weight but parcel dimensions... so taller boots cost more than shorter boots of the same weight.

Fixed Rates for Shipping

International Express Mail service is advertised to take 3 to 5 days to reach you.

The cost to ship a package of boots weighing 9 pounds (4.1 kg) to many European destinations via insured International Express Mail is approximately US $63. Rates for a 9 pounds (4.1 kg) package to other parts of the world vary from $39 to $72. You are responsible for any Customs duties and taxes charged by your country.

You can calculate the price for shipping to your country by visiting the U.S. Postal Service web page which calculates rates for International Express Mail Service.

How We Ship

This section describes our standard shipping practices and indicates how some items are packed and approximately how much some items weigh when packed for shipping. Please let us know if you have special requirements for shipping. We usually pick the method of shipping which is most appropriate, economical and convenient for both you and us. If you have special requirements, please let us know and we'll discuss shipping alternatives with you.

Where Shipments Originate:

Wesco boots are shipped from the factory in Oregon via UPS Ground or International Express Mail. Stock Wesco boots from BIG BLACK BOOTS are shipped from San Diego via FedEx Ground, Priority Mail or International Express Mail.

Dehner boots are shipped from the factory in Nebraska via UPS Ground or International Express Mail or from BIG BLACK BOOTS in San Diego via FedEx Ground or International Express Mail.

Vanson Jackets are shipped from BIG BLACK BOOTS in San Diego via FedEx Ground or International Express Mail.

Package Size and Weight Information:

A pair of size 10 D 16" Boss Engineer Boots (with no leather lining), packed for shipment, weighs about 9.2 pounds / 4.2 kg. The Boss Engineer boot boxes are usually 24" x 15" x 7" ( 61 x 38 x 18 cm ). The shorter Wesco boots are usually packed in boxes which are 14.5" x 14.5" x 6" ( 37 x 37 x 15 cm )

A Vanson leather jacket, packed for shipment, weighs about 8 pounds / 3.6 kg.

A pair of Dehner motor patrol boots, packed for shipment, weighs about 8 pounds / 3.6 kg and is normally shipped in a box which measures 25" x 13.5" x 5" ( 63.5 x 34.3 x 12.7 cm )

How Long Will it Take?

There are several factors which influence how long after ordering it will take
before you receive your boots and jackets.

Shipping Time

UPS Standard shipments within the USA take 1 to 6 working days, depending on the distance from the shipping point to destination. You can visit the UPS U.S. Ground Service Time-in-transit page for more specific information.

Wesco boots are shipped from Zip code 97056 or 92122
Dehner boots are shipped from Zip code 68105 or 92122
Vanson jackets are shipped from Zip code 92122
Cosmas boots are shipped from Zip code 92122
Grinders boots are shipped from Zip code 92122

Priority Mail shipments usually take 2 to 4 days within the continental US and may take a bit longer to other areas.

International Express Mail shipments outside of the United States takes approximately 3 to 5 days.

Manufacturing Time

Wesco and Dehner boots and Vanson jackets which are in stock are normally shipped within 1 or 2 days of your order. Occasionally we ship the same day.

Which boots / jackets are kept in stock?

• Dehner "Ready to Wear" Motor Patrol Boots
• Wesco Highliner Lineman's boots in many sizes & heights
• Wesco Jobmaster Logger boots in many sizes & heights
• Wesco Boss engineer boots in some sizes in 11" & 16" heights
• Most sizes of Vanson leather jackets and vests
• Grinders 14 hole Ranger Boots

Anything else is made to order with your particular options and possibly to your custom measurements.

Wesco custom boots usually take 8 weeks or more to manufacture, however the production time is often longer in the Summer and Fall because of orders for the fire boots used by forest fire fighters and lineman boots used by utility repair crews.

Current estimates of production time for each type of Wesco boot are shown on the main page and order page for each type of boot.

'"Ready to wear" or off-the-shelf Dehner boots which are not in stock can take up to 8 weeks before they are ready to ship. But they're usually available much sooner since they are constantly in production and always coming off the production line.

Dehner boots which are custom made to measure must be built from scratch and typically take 8 to 12 weeks.

Some factors may cause additional delay. Both Wesco and Dehner close for two weeks in midsummer and Wesco closes for 2 weeks at Christmas.

In the springtime and early summer, Dehner will usually experience shortages in Motor Patrol boots since motor patrol units which are getting back on the road after winter are ordering boots for the new season.

What if the Boots or Jackets Don't Fit?

Our boots and jackets fit the first time! This is because we provide our customers detailed and exhaustive information on both the way each item fits and how to measure to make sure you know your size.

(See our page on sizing boots and our page on sizing jackets)

This is one of the advantages of dealing with an experienced business. We provide you with all of the information needed to make sure you're measured correctly.

If you follow our measuring instructions and don't have any special fitting problems such as abnormally high arches or orthotic inserts, the boots will fit. We've proven this time and again with many satisfied customers all over the world.

If you do have special fitting problems, please let us know so we can discuss your special requirements.

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