Q. What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is much more than a fair price! Fair Trade principles include:
Fair price: Artisan and farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price.
Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of assoiation, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Democratic and transparent organization: Fair Trade workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
Community development: Fair Trade workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
Q. Do fair trade goods cost more than comparable non-fair trade goods?
Generally, fairly traded items don't cost more than other goods, because fair trade businesses work directly with producers - cutting out anywhere from 3 - 10 middlemen who raise the price along the way in conventional trading. The cost to consumers typically remains the same while a higher percentage of the price is returned to the artisans and farmers who made the product.
Q. How much money (percent of sale price) do the artisans make?
Although the percentage varies depending on the product and vendors involved, 30% or more of the retail price goes to the producer. The rest of the retail price covers the basic expenses of the importer and/or the retailer, such as rent, wages, and other costs of doing business.
Q. How does one know that a particular item or business is fair trade?
Members of the Fair Trade Federation undergo a rigorous screening process to determine if their businesses meet fair trade standards. Member businesses will usually display the FTF logo and be listed on the FTF website. Check the CIAP website for their certification
Q. How long will it take to receive my order?
We try to keep a minimum inventory to respond to your orders but in some cases, we have to request the products with the artisans as soon as we get your order. If your order is in-stock, you should receive it in a week; but if you have products in backorder, it can take 6 weeks for the artisans to craft them and ship them from their communities.
Q. I am interested in wholesale. What is the minimum order?
We are pretty flexible with our customers and it all depends on the items you are interested in carrying. We can start selling wholesale with a minimum order of 2 items per product, except the finger puppets which we requiere a minimum order of 5 per character. Contact us to receive our pricelist and place an order.
Q. I want to buy a particular product in a different size. Is that possible?
YES! Fill out a contact information form with the product details and measurements (sizes vary in different countries) you want and we will contac the artisans to make sure it is possible. After that, we can either send you an invoice or you can place the order directly on the website specifying the size you want.
Q. I want to develop a new product with your artisans. Is that possible?
YES! We are glad to have new challenges and our artisans are skilled and willing to create products that are right for you. Send us your idea and we can discuss it.
Q. Do you ship internationally?
YES! However, our shopping cart is not configured yet to take international orders. There are two ways how to do it: You can just fill out the checkout form like if you were living in the US and then include your shipping address in the "Special Instructions" box or you can fill out our "Contact Information Form" with the products you would like. In both options, we will contact you by phone or email to either confirm the shipping charges or to send you an invoice which with you can pay online on a secure server using your credit card or paypal balance, After the payment has been made, we will place the order and contact you confirming an approximate delivery date.
