Ordering Help (FAQ)

1. Can I safely give you my credit card info on the Internet?
2. I can't seem to add things to my shopping cart -- they disappear.
3. How can I be sure you got my order?
4. How soon will I get my order?
5. I get intimidating security warnings when I access your shopping cart.
6. Why do you need my phone number?
7. How do I order electronic downloads?
8. What is a PDF file?
9. What is "PDF Files Only" shipping?

Can I safely give you my credit card info on the internet?

This is probably the first concern of everyone using the Internet.  While we cannot say that there is no possibility of your card number being copied on the Internet, we do feel that your card number is probably safer now than at any time in the last 25 years.  We use a third party provider that specializes in handling secure shopping cart programs, and the actual billing of your credit card is handled the old-fashioned way: through the telephone, which is very secure.

I can't seem to add things to my shopping cart -- they disappear.

Our shopping cart system relies on "cookies" (small files stored on your computer) to identify who you are when you access the shopping cart.  You must have these enabled to be able to order on our site.  If you are using Internet Explorer, cookie restrictions are managed under "Internet Options", "Privacy".  

How can I be sure you got my order?

After having filled out one or more order forms for products and adding them to your order, you then "check out" by filling out a series of screens regarding billing and shipping.  The last of these screens is a complete summary of your order with a button labeled "submit,"  This button sends the completed order to us.  If we received the order, you will get  two things:  First, an acknowledgement screen will be displayed with the headline "Thank you for your order." Second, you will immediately be sent an email with complete details of your order.  If you do not see either of these, we have not received your order, so you may have to try again.  If you do not receive both of these, email us to confirm that we received the order.  This does not happen very often, but it will keep your order from being delayed.

How soon will I get my order?

Most orders are processed and mailed within 24 hours of our receiving them.  If you paid for URGENT processing, then your order will be mailed the same day if we receive it before 11am Pacific Time (Monday through Friday).  When your order is mailed, we send you an email with a link allowing you to track delivery.

Please note that media mail (standard shipping for orders heavier than 14 oz) can be quite slow (over 2 weeks).  So if you need your order quickly, consider Priority Mail.

I get intimidating security warnings when I access your shopping cart.

Security certificates are intended to assure you that the secure server you are connected to is, in some sense, "reputable."  Our shopping cart has the necessary security certificates, but sometimes you can get warnings anyway. There are two common reasons:  1) You are using an old browser (very old) and 2) the date on your computer has been set to the wrong year.

Why do you need my phone number?

We use your phone number to correct problems with your order as fast as possible.  These are normally related to problems with your charge card, or errors or ambiguities in birth data.  We never reveal your number to any other organization and never use it for sales calls.

How do I order electronic downloads?

Some products are available as an immediate electronic download instead of being printed on paper.  These are added to your shopping cart in the same way as all other products.  Then, following checkout, your confirmation page will show a download button for each downloadable product.  Use the button to initiate the download and save the file on your computer.

Your confirmation email will also have links allowing you to download these products. The links will operate for just 24 hours, so be sure to download your file as soon as you can.  You will be given several opportunities if the download should fail for any reason.

To view or play a downloaded file, you will need specific software such as Acrobat Reader or a music player. These programs are automatically available on most computers, but to test whether you have them, click on the following links.  The PDF file link should automatically display a short PDF file, and the MP3 link should launch an audio player which will play an excerpt of Jim Lewis on Astro*Carto*Graphy.

Sample PDF file

Sample MP3 (audio) file

What is a PDF file?

PDF files are a computer data format that allows accurate representation of printed pages including both graphic images and text.  They are displayed on a computer using Adobe's Acrobat Reader software, which is free and is installed on virtually all modern computers. PDF files have a number of advantages over printed reports:  They don't use up paper and toner, they can be delivered via email or as a download from a website, the pages can be greatly enlarged to make reading easier on a computer, and they can also be printed at home with almost the same quality as the printed reports we make in our office.

Some of our personalized reports can be produced as a PDF file instead of a report and sent to you via email.  PDF files will generally cost less than the printed version of the report.

What is "PDF Files Only" shipping?

Among the shipping options presented during checkout is "PDF Files Only".  This provides a shipping method even if you have no items in your order that require physical shipping.  Please note that this option does not convert bound, printed reports into PDF files.  To receive PDF files via email you must select the PDF files as products  while adding them to your order.  Many of our reports are not available as PDF files.