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How to Contact Paperweights Plus
Most of our business is done by e-mail. Our e-mail addess is paperweightsplus@gmail.com. We aim to answer all e-mails within 1 working day, but in practice it's normally very much quicker. Do please remember the time difference though if you're outside the UK!
We're available Monday to Saturday between 9am & 9pm UK time. UK time is usually 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time, 8 hours ahead of US Pacific time.
Alternatively you can telephone Peggy or Steve at the office on 01227-830015 or on Peggy's mobile/cellphone on 07715-594613. The latter is a new number so please delete the old one in your records.
For international callers the country code for the UK is 44 and so our international number is +44 (0)1227-830015. You'd normally not dial the first 0 of the area code on international calls. For instance from the US you'd dial 011-44-1227-830015 for the office or 011-44-7715-594613 for Peggy's mobile/cellphone.
You can also write to us at Paperweights Plus, 5 The Paddocks, Aerodrome Road, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, CT4 5EX, United Kingdom.
If you need our VAT number it's GB 885 6127 87.
How To Order
Simply use the contact details above to check availability and reserve an item by telling us the title & colour of the weight, the country you'd like it sent to and any special requirements. We'll then reply giving you all you need to know, including postage/shipping costs.To be fair to everyone, items will be reserved for 7 days only, thereafter the first to pay gets the item!
All invoices are in UK currency, and so for non-UK customers the amount in your local currency will depend on exchange rates on the day you pay.
We accept the forms of payment below. If you wish to pay by another method please contact us and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Postage / Shipping / Free Insurance
We charge postage at what it costs us. Additionally we make no charge for either handling or packaging. We have a reputation for excellent packing as can be seen from our e-Bay feedback!
We also give free insurance to all our retail customers. You're covered up to the full value of your purchase wherever in the world you are.
However if using a signed-for service please sign "unchecked" on delivery so that we can claim on our insurance in the very unlikely event of damage. If this does occur please keep all the packaging until we advise you that the claim has been settled.
You can choose any Royal Mail or Parcelforce service you wish. However parcels with a value of over £100 (approx US$140 tax free or €125) must go via a signed-for service. Unless otherwise requested parcels within the UK under this value will be sent by 1st Class Post with Proof of Posting, or if over this value by First Class Recorded Delivery. Overseas orders under this value will be sent by Airmail Post with Proof of Posting, or if over by Air Mail International Signed For.
The table below gives a very rough indication of postage costs for single weights and will be updated regularly (last update of charges April 2010, exchange rates August 2010). However we’d stress these are guide prices only as each individual weight, even if seemingly identical, weighs a different amount.
The table assumes that small and medium weights go unsigned for, but large and extra large weights require a signature, although this depends on the value rather than the weight.
Small (250 grams packed weight) e.g. McDougall G1. Value £100 or less
UK incl. VAT £2.02
EU incl. VAT £2.78 (approx €3.47)
Europe non-EU £2.37
US & Rest of World £3.96 (approx US$6.51)
Medium (500 grams packed weight) e.g. Deacons Strathearn. Value £100 or less
UK incl. VAT £2.63
EU incl. VAT £4.52 (approx €5.65)
Europe non-EU £3.85
US & Rest of World £6.87 (approx US$11.30)
Large (750 grams packed weight) e.g. McDougall Magnum Complex. Value over £100
UK incl. VAT £4.10
EU incl. VAT £11.20 (approx €14.00)
Europe non-EU £9.53
US & Rest of World £13.98 (approx US$22.99)
Extra Large (1000 grams packed weight) e.g. Deacons Double Overlay. Value over £100
UK incl. VAT £4.81
EU incl. VAT £12.75 (approx €15.94)
Europe non-EU £10.85
US & Rest of World £16.62 (approx US$27.34)
More than 1 weight
It almost always saves on total postage to combine purchases and send more than one weight in a parcel. The exception is when the parcel weighs over 2kgs. (approx 4lbs 6ozs). In this case we'll automatically take the trouble to split your order into separate parcels to save you money.
We aim to post all our orders within 1 business day (Monday to Friday as our village post office isn't always open on a Saturday). However, please remember the time difference if you're outside the UK. We may also have different public holidays to you.
Royal Mail's target time for delivery with Airmail & Airmail International Signed For is not more than three working days to Western Europe, four working days to Eastern Europe and five working days to the US & the rest of the world. Please note though these are target times rather than guarantees and it may take longer, especially in the run up to Christmas. Additionally, you may be very unlucky and have your parcel delayed in customs. Obviously we have no control over this.
Taxes & Duty etc
Orders to the USA and other non-EU countries will be free of VAT (sales tax).
VAT is included in the price shown in GB Pounds or Euros. This is at the prevailing rate (currently 17 1/2%) on the total order (including postage) to the UK. The same applies to orders to other EU countries unless you're a business and can provide us with a VAT number or its equivalent, plus any documentation that our VAT office requires such as proof that the goods have left the UK.
If you're outside the European Union please be aware that import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
However the value of your parcel may be below your government's duty-free allowance in which case there should be no charge. The rules vary from country to country. For instance the US customs website states that the duty-free limit is $200 per day. Above $200 we understand the rate of duty on glass paperweights is 7.2%, plus the US postal service charges a fee of $5.35 to collect this.
In practice, we understand many parcels with a value of less than $2000 escape charges altogether. We can’t guarantee any of the above information though, and we'd always recommend that you check this and other rules with your country's customs offices to determine the level of any additional costs prior to purchase. If imposed, these charges are normally collected by your own Post Office or other delivery service, and are separate to our shipping charge.
Please also note that we don't mark items below their true value or as gifts - this is a criminal offence.
Money Back Guarantee / Returns / Complaints
We may be old-fashioned but we believe in the old adage that the customer is always right. As collectors ourselves we want you to be 100% happy with your purchase. If for any reason you're not, even if you've just changed your mind, just tell us within 30 days of purchase or by the end of the following January for all items posted in December and we'll give you a full refund.This even includes the cost of postage both ways - wherever in the world you are!
The only exception is if the weight incorporates such personalisation as initials that would make the weight difficult to sell to anyone else. In these cases we reserve the right to ask for a non-refundable deposit.
All items must of course be returned in perfect condition, or in the case of pre-owned items in the condition we sent them. We suggest you re-use our packaging plus new tape to secure each paperweight and the box.
If you do return a weight from outside the UK please include our invoice and mark the parcel "returned item" and also "country of origin UK". This is because otherwise we get stung for import duty and tax.
Yes, this guarantee does cost us money - sometimes more than the cost of the weight!
However this is just one of the things we do to ensure you never have cause for complaint. But if for any reason you do please contact the owner, Peggy Burke, who will take action immediately. The only exception is regarding marketing, which is taken care of by Peggy's husband Steve.You can find contact details here.
Privacy Policy
Other than as needed to process/despatch your orders please be assured that we'll never give your e-mail address, nor indeed any other contact information, to any third party whatsoever. The only exception is of course if we're required to do so by a law enforcement agency.
Sizes of Weights
There's no standard size for paperweights, with each artist having different ideas. Additionally, Scottish weights tend to be slightly smaller than US ones.
However we think that some form of standardisation would be helpful to our customers when comparing weights, and we generally work to the following scale for Scottish weights. This is loosely based on the diameter of Perthshire weights as shown on page 75 of the excellent book "The Complete Guide to Perthshire Paperweights", but updated to millimetres and also giving an upper and lower limit.
Magnum: 80mm+
Large: 70-80mm
Medium: 60-70mm
Small: 50-60mm
Miniature: 25-50mm
Doll's House: less than 25mm
In inches this works out roughly as follows (1inch=25.4mm):
Magnum: bigger than just over 3 1/8ins
Large: a tiny bit over 2 3/4ins to just under 3 1/4ins
Medium: a tiny bit under 2 3/8ins to a tiny bit over 2 3/4ins
Small: a tiny bit under 2ins to a tiny bit under 2 3/8ins
Miniature: approx 1in to a tiny bit under 2ins
Doll's House: under approx 1in
Terms and Conditions
We've made our terms and conditions as simple as possible, and don't hide behind complicated "get-out" clauses. Because all our weights are individually-made, sizes and colours may vary. This variation is your guarantee that each weight is indeed hand-made. All goods remain the property of Paperweights Plus until cleared funds are received. All damages or missing items must be notified within 7 working days of receipt. Errors and omissions excepted. We regret that we can not be held responsible for any damage caused by our products. All transactions are subject to English law and any dispute or claim shall be determined under English law in an English court.Currency Converter
All our prices are given in UK currency, i.e. GB pounds. However, to help overseas customers plan purchases click here to link to a currency conversion page. Please note that these are mid-market prices and so don't take into account the cost of conversion. This varies depending on which bank or credit card company you use. Customers tell us that PayPal is very competitive, charging only around 2 1/2% from this mid-market price.
To help our many US and EU customers we also give a guide price for each item in US dollars and Euros. These are updated only when there's a major change in exchange rates (it's a big job!) and so is indeed just a guide. Mind you, with the way exchange rates are fluctuating these days we're likely to have to do updates a lot more often! We therefore err on the side of caution, and more often than not you'll pay a little less than that shown, even after the cost of conversion.
This is because the cost in your local currency is always based on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
Links
We welcome reciprocal links as this helps both parties get a better rating on search engines such as Google.You may find the following of interest:
World Art Glass A guide to art glass and crystal around the World. It includes extensive links lists for galleries, studios, museums, sources of information, events, organizations, publications etc.
Click here.
Duncan Smith Glass Craft After 23 years as Head Lampworker at Perthshire Paperweights in Crieff, Dunc opened his own glass workshop in Perth in March 2002.
He makes a stunning range of glass collectables featuring birds and animals, and also used to collaborate with John Deacons making lampwork for his paperweights, a few of which we still have in stock.
To visit Dunc's website click here.
Silver Pendants Sterling silver and gem stone pendants. Click here.
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Click here to return to the Main Index
NEW DESIGN John Deacons Large 13 Spoke
For more details of this weight click here
LATEST NEWS
29th August 2010
Peggy has a new mobile/cellphone which now allows her full internet and e-mail access. Her new number is 07715-594613.
28th August 2010
John Deacons
We've just received some super new mini closepack concentric weights and we feel sure these are going to be very popular. They all have a selection of complex canes with a special central cane - Clichy style rose, heart, silhouette, pansy or shamrock. Click here to see the weights currently in stock.
We've also received a new large 13 Spoke weight from John that is great value at just £35+VAT (approx €48\US$58).
This is pictured above
15th August 2010
Willie Manson
We've just added this to our list of Manson weights. For more details click here.
7th August 2010
New Paperweight Stand
We've been on the look out for a new style of stand and we think this VariStand will prove popular. It allows weights to be displayed at a variety of angles thanks to the support being able to be adjusted backwards and forwards.
It's also very reasonably priced at just £1.00 or €1.25 including VAT (US$1.40 tax free) and, as with all our other stands, when buying 10 you get 2 free!
For more details of this and our other stands click here. Please note that in some browsers you may have to scroll down the page.
6th August 2010
Due to family illness we've had little time to add much to the web site recently, but that'll be changing shortly as we've a lot of new paperweights arriving soon, possibly including at least one new artist!
We do wish exchange rates would settle down as we've got to change all the US dollar prices again! These are only a guide, and you can get a more up to date price by clicking here to go to the currency converter and then adding approx 2 1/2% for conversion charges. As always the exact price you're charged will depend on exchange rates when you pay. Please bear with us as this is a big job and may take much of the day.
7th July 2010
The Euro has fallen in value due to the problems in Greece and so our Euro guide prices are now out of line. We're therefore updating them today.
21st June 2010
Allan Scott
Allan only makes weights on a part-time basis and we're always very pleased to receive a parcel from him. We've just received 4 new weights, 2 made with Shona Spittal and 2 made with John Deacons To see these weights click here..
Peter McDougall
We've also just received a stunning weight from Peter featuring fruit with the lampwork by Karen Maxwell.
Peter has also sent us a faceted version of the very popular Double Pansies and Buds which was part of his 2010 Limited Editions. These sold very quickly and we doubt this one will be around very long either.
For more details of both these weights clicking here
1st June2010
John Deacons - Butterfly Bonanza
We've just received a super selection of weights from John. These include lampwork, millefiori and also his new butterfly canes.
The millefiori weights contains John's new buttefly cane and are all either large or magnum weights. Click here to see the weights currently in stock.
The lampwork weights feature lampwork by Willie Manson. John has just a very small amount of Willie's lampwork left in stock after their collaboration and once it's gone there will be no more. We have just 2 weights available, click here to see them.
13th May 2010
Alan Scott
As many of you know Allan makes only a small number of weights just a couple of times or so a year when he can hire a studio. For that reason his weights are eagerly snapped up.
We’ve just received 4, one of which includes his hidden nymph – you’ll have to be especially quick to get this one. All the weights are marked 1 of 1.
Mike Hunter
Mike’s work just gets better and better as you can see from his latest creations. Click here to see them. The butterfly silhouettes are outstanding, and all Mike’s weights are extremely closepacked. One of the weights contains no less than 97 butterfly silhouettes!
Again Mike makes just a limited number of weights, and then only when the furnace isn’t in use for his exhibition-quality art glass. Each weight is unique and marked 1 of 1.
John Deacons
We’ve just received from John what may be the world’s first quintuple overlay! If so, it’s a real bit of paperweight history, and shows John’s exceptional technical ability. The five overlays are duck egg blue, midnight blue, red, white and ruby. To see this super weight Click here..
John has also made a butterfly cane and we received the first weight containing this recently.
It sold immediately but we've just received more in a variety of designs and these will be appearing on the website in the next few days.
28th April 2010
We've just put up a few new weights from both John Deacons and Peter McDougall. We've delayed putting up new stock because of the flight delays due to the volcanic ash. However planes are now flying normally and we're expecting a lot of new weights next week so do check back regularly to be sure not to miss these.
5th April 2010
Royal Mail have put their postage charges up from tomorrow and so we've amended the relevant section - click here. At the same time we've brought the exchange rates on postage up to date following the further fall in the UK pound. This means that non-UK customers are paying less in postage than they were a few months ago despite the Royal Mail's price rise!
We still haven't been able to reduce the guide prices in Euros as Steve is having trouble sitting at the computer following a slipped disc. We hope to update these very shortly. In the meantime European customers will automatically benefit from the fall in the pound, because as always the cost to you depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
1st April 2010
Peter McDougall
We've just received 7 new dishes from Peter including 2 from his 2010 Limited Edition Collection. These are only made when there is a tiny flaw in a paperweight and as usual we've been hard pressed to spot it! To see all the dishes click here.
24th March 2010
John Deacons
We've just received some stunning new lampwork weights from John, the majority of which are magnums! To see them click here.
Mike Hunter - Twists Glass
Not surprisingly the latest offerings from Mike sold very quickly and we now have only one of his Swan silhouette weights left.
We're expecting some more exciting work with at least one new silhouette from him in late April so be sure to keep an eye out for these.
16th March 2010
As we mentioned a few weeks ago the UK pound has continued to fall and we've at last had time to start adjusting our guide prices in US dollars and Euros downwards. We'll finish these changes off over the next few days.
As we always point out, you automatically benefit from the fall in the pound anyway. This is because the price we charge you is based on the exchange rate on the day you pay, not on the guide price.
8th March 2010
Good news! We've got our Broadband reconnected at last and we'll now be able to update the website. We'll be doing this over the next day or so and will also be adding some new weights from John Deacons and Peter McDougall shortly.
We're also expecting a few more weights from Mike Hunter so look out for these. However if you see one you like be quick - the last batch sold within 2 days of arrival!
Admin
For more details of this weight click here
LATEST NEWS
29th August 2010
Peggy has a new mobile/cellphone which now allows her full internet and e-mail access. Her new number is 07715-594613.
28th August 2010
John Deacons
We've just received some super new mini closepack concentric weights and we feel sure these are going to be very popular. They all have a selection of complex canes with a special central cane - Clichy style rose, heart, silhouette, pansy or shamrock. Click here to see the weights currently in stock.
We've also received a new large 13 Spoke weight from John that is great value at just £35+VAT (approx €48\US$58).
This is pictured above
15th August 2010
Willie Manson
We've just added this to our list of Manson weights. For more details click here.
7th August 2010
New Paperweight Stand
We've been on the look out for a new style of stand and we think this VariStand will prove popular. It allows weights to be displayed at a variety of angles thanks to the support being able to be adjusted backwards and forwards.
It's also very reasonably priced at just £1.00 or €1.25 including VAT (US$1.40 tax free) and, as with all our other stands, when buying 10 you get 2 free!
For more details of this and our other stands click here. Please note that in some browsers you may have to scroll down the page.
6th August 2010
Due to family illness we've had little time to add much to the web site recently, but that'll be changing shortly as we've a lot of new paperweights arriving soon, possibly including at least one new artist!
We do wish exchange rates would settle down as we've got to change all the US dollar prices again! These are only a guide, and you can get a more up to date price by clicking here to go to the currency converter and then adding approx 2 1/2% for conversion charges. As always the exact price you're charged will depend on exchange rates when you pay. Please bear with us as this is a big job and may take much of the day.
7th July 2010
The Euro has fallen in value due to the problems in Greece and so our Euro guide prices are now out of line. We're therefore updating them today.
21st June 2010
Allan Scott
Allan only makes weights on a part-time basis and we're always very pleased to receive a parcel from him. We've just received 4 new weights, 2 made with Shona Spittal and 2 made with John Deacons To see these weights click here..
Peter McDougall
We've also just received a stunning weight from Peter featuring fruit with the lampwork by Karen Maxwell.
Peter has also sent us a faceted version of the very popular Double Pansies and Buds which was part of his 2010 Limited Editions. These sold very quickly and we doubt this one will be around very long either.
For more details of both these weights clicking here
1st June2010
John Deacons - Butterfly Bonanza
We've just received a super selection of weights from John. These include lampwork, millefiori and also his new butterfly canes.
The millefiori weights contains John's new buttefly cane and are all either large or magnum weights. Click here to see the weights currently in stock.
The lampwork weights feature lampwork by Willie Manson. John has just a very small amount of Willie's lampwork left in stock after their collaboration and once it's gone there will be no more. We have just 2 weights available, click here to see them.
13th May 2010
Alan Scott
As many of you know Allan makes only a small number of weights just a couple of times or so a year when he can hire a studio. For that reason his weights are eagerly snapped up.
We’ve just received 4, one of which includes his hidden nymph – you’ll have to be especially quick to get this one. All the weights are marked 1 of 1.
Mike Hunter
Mike’s work just gets better and better as you can see from his latest creations. Click here to see them. The butterfly silhouettes are outstanding, and all Mike’s weights are extremely closepacked. One of the weights contains no less than 97 butterfly silhouettes!
Again Mike makes just a limited number of weights, and then only when the furnace isn’t in use for his exhibition-quality art glass. Each weight is unique and marked 1 of 1.
John Deacons
We’ve just received from John what may be the world’s first quintuple overlay! If so, it’s a real bit of paperweight history, and shows John’s exceptional technical ability. The five overlays are duck egg blue, midnight blue, red, white and ruby. To see this super weight Click here..
John has also made a butterfly cane and we received the first weight containing this recently.
It sold immediately but we've just received more in a variety of designs and these will be appearing on the website in the next few days.
28th April 2010
We've just put up a few new weights from both John Deacons and Peter McDougall. We've delayed putting up new stock because of the flight delays due to the volcanic ash. However planes are now flying normally and we're expecting a lot of new weights next week so do check back regularly to be sure not to miss these.
5th April 2010
Royal Mail have put their postage charges up from tomorrow and so we've amended the relevant section - click here. At the same time we've brought the exchange rates on postage up to date following the further fall in the UK pound. This means that non-UK customers are paying less in postage than they were a few months ago despite the Royal Mail's price rise!
We still haven't been able to reduce the guide prices in Euros as Steve is having trouble sitting at the computer following a slipped disc. We hope to update these very shortly. In the meantime European customers will automatically benefit from the fall in the pound, because as always the cost to you depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
1st April 2010
Peter McDougall
We've just received 7 new dishes from Peter including 2 from his 2010 Limited Edition Collection. These are only made when there is a tiny flaw in a paperweight and as usual we've been hard pressed to spot it! To see all the dishes click here.
24th March 2010
John Deacons
We've just received some stunning new lampwork weights from John, the majority of which are magnums! To see them click here.
Mike Hunter - Twists Glass
Not surprisingly the latest offerings from Mike sold very quickly and we now have only one of his Swan silhouette weights left.
We're expecting some more exciting work with at least one new silhouette from him in late April so be sure to keep an eye out for these.
16th March 2010
As we mentioned a few weeks ago the UK pound has continued to fall and we've at last had time to start adjusting our guide prices in US dollars and Euros downwards. We'll finish these changes off over the next few days.
As we always point out, you automatically benefit from the fall in the pound anyway. This is because the price we charge you is based on the exchange rate on the day you pay, not on the guide price.
8th March 2010
Good news! We've got our Broadband reconnected at last and we'll now be able to update the website. We'll be doing this over the next day or so and will also be adding some new weights from John Deacons and Peter McDougall shortly.
We're also expecting a few more weights from Mike Hunter so look out for these. However if you see one you like be quick - the last batch sold within 2 days of arrival!
Admin
