Click for details about Today's Sale

BLM & COVID-19: Where We Stand

Black Lives MatterBlack Lives Matter

We stand with the Black community and with everyone fighting against racism, bigotry, and inequality. Black Lives Matter. So simple, so clearly right, so important to everyone, everywhere.
 

COVID-19

Stand Together. Stay Apart. Slow the Spread. Be Strong.We pledge to do all we can to ensure the health and safety of our customers, employees, vendors, and suppliers. We have proven that we can do this while maintaining a high level of quality and customer service. 

 

Our Customers

In light of the exceptionally long delivery times elsewhere, customers have been asking us what is in stock and how soon can we ship. So, please know:

  • Almost everything we carry is in-stock.
  • Almost everything ships the same day that the order is received.
  • If an item is that Out-of-Stock, it is clearly marked as such on the "Add to Cart" page and the Checkout pages along with an ETA. So, if it is NOT marked Out-of-Stock, then we generally have it ready to go.
  • Here is what to look for on the "Add to Cart" page:
                    Example of what Out-of-Stock items look like
  • We do not expect this to change significantly because our warehouses typically carry large inventories so we can continue to fill orders during times of crisis like this.
  • Warehouse staffing levels, however, are at a minimum for the safety of all. 
  • This means some orders, particularly those submitted after the noon ET cutoff time, may not be shipped until the next business day.
     

Our Employees

Our employees are office-based and do not have direct physical contact with our customers or products. They are working from home and following all local stay-at-home orders strictly. They are required to take time off from work and seek medical treatment immediately if they are not well and to report any illness to us. 
 

Our Suppliers

All our suppliers and vendors have implemented social distancing, stay-at-home, telecommuting, and/or rotating shifts as appropriate to minimize the distribution of the virus.   At this point, we do not expect that these changes will result in major delays in order processing and shipments. And because our warehouses generally stock about a 1-year supply of products, we do not anticipate running out of stock on most of our items.

Our Vendors

All of our orders are shipped via UPS or USPS. Here is a snapshot of how these companies have been responding:

UPS

  1. UPS is maintaining delivery services except where limited by government restrictions. They are working with governments around the world to obtain exceptions that allow shipments to continue in restricted areas.
  2. UPS has contingency plans in place to address potential sources of disruption in its air and ground networks, should it occur.
  3. Many of UPS’s office-based employees are able to telecommute and are doing so already. 
  4. If a UPS employee experiences symptoms such as fever or respiratory infection, they are required to seek medical treatment immediately.
  5. According to UPS, the WHO and U.S. CDC have stated that the likelihood of the COVID-19 virus contaminating cardboard or other shipping containers is low. If there is a concern, disinfecting the shipment or using protective apparel when unwrapping the container will reduce the risk of exposure.

USPS

  1. The US Postal Service is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and is following strategies and measures recommended by the CDC and public health departments.
  2. According to USPS, the CDC has information available on its website at www.coronavirus.gov that provides the latest information about the virus.
  3. They continue to have a temporary suspension of the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined for China and Hong Kong, which has been effective since Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, due to widespread airline cancellations and restrictions into this area.  In addition, customers may see delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China. The Postal Service is undertaking all reasonable measures to minimize the impact to our customers.
  4. According to USPS, the CDC states there is likely very low risk that COVID-19 can be spread from products or packaging shipped from China, because of poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces.  Also, according to the CDC, there currently is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods; and there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

 

Reliable Sources of Information

 

WHO & CDC

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best ways to prevent the spread of infection are:

  • Clean your hands often. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid close contact with people.
  • Stay home if you are sick, unless you seek medical care.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

For more information, we encourage you to visit