1.   I ordered 2 Day Shipping and my order did not arrive in Two Days.   Why?  (This question can also be asked of Next Day Shipping as well)

---The Biggest Secret in the Corporate Shipping Industry is the American Public's Perception of their Speedy-On-Time-Never-Late-Delivery.   Unfortunately, Real Time Shipping does not work quite like we all have been led to believe.    Sometimes, The Shipping Carriers just do not live up to publicized or advertised expectations.   What they Advertise through Promotion is just that, 'Perception'.   In addition, the advertised 'perception' never considers the shipper's time frame, only the Carrier's.  Very few companies actually ship the same day a transaction takes place.  Many companies ship somewhere between 2 to 7 days when ground rate is involved.   2nd Day Shipping only means 2 Day Delivery after it leaves the shipping dock.

*Another mistaken perception is that Web-Stores ship all products from just one location.  Not so.   Today's business market sometime involves many people on a national scale, just to ship one order.   American Mystique® ships from from Fergus Falls, Mn, and many other places all over the United States.   The shipping you purchased in the shopping cart can only be initiated from the time that item leaves the Shipping Dock.  

Sorry, we are not able to  guarantee the advertised 'Perception' the Shipping Carriers want You to believe.  

2.   I ordered 2 day shipping and my order was not shipped until 2 days later, what gives?

Two things:  (1) Order Processing and Transmission, and (2) the speed of the Shipping Department.     

Your order will indeed ship 2 Day Delivery, but exactly 'when' Your Order leaves the Dock is up to the individual Shipping Department.    Plus, sometimes other Warehouses are using the same shipping process and dock area.    The warehouse employees are their own entity and are not guided or controlled by American Mystique.

3. "What happened to the price of leather this year?  Did Pricing go up?"

For 90% of the Leather Market, Prices did go up during this summer of 2007.  It has been over 7 Years since such a dramatic shift in pricing occurred.   We were informed during the early spring that this years prices were going to raise substantially, and would effect both the Premium Market and the Import Market.   Higher values begin at the farms and tanneries, and flowed upward to the manufacturers and retailers.   It is all from the higher price of a barrel of Oil.   It takes oil to tan the leather, and oil to produce the jackets and coats.

Update for 2008! Many Leather Jacket Prices will significantly rise in 2008 in the leather market, both for domestic pricing and for imports.  Best look for quality, as you are going to see some lame imported jackets at very high pricing.  Sticker shock does not mean you have to settle for poor quality.  Some prices will go up on March 15th, 2008, and other will see an increase sometime later.  The tanneries both in the U.S. and in other parts of the world are increasing their prices and the market is going to reflect those increases soon.

4.  "If I just don't like it, can I return it?"

U.S. Customers Only--YES, You can!  However, it is far better to know if you really like it BEFORE you purchase it!   

You have 10 Days from Receipt of Merchandize (Delivery) to decide if you want to keep or exchange a jacket for a more suitable size, plus You need a Return Authorization Number issued to you by American Mystique.   When you contact American Mystique, please send us Your Online Invoice Number or have it handy if you call.   Please Read Our Customer Service Section!

5.  Are Real Navy Pea Coats Black or Blue or Navy Blue?  What is the real color of these coats?

Actually, they are really Black.  Well, yes, and they are Navy-Blue.  Both Terms are correct to use.   Today, The Official DOD Issued, and Department of the Navy Officially Designated Color for Manufacture Contract for the Enlisted U.S. Navy Pea Coat is 'Black', not Blue-Black, not Navy-Blue, not Dark Blue, but old fashioned 'Black'.  In fact, it has been since the Vietnam War Era.  However, the Term, 'Navy-Blue' is still correct to use.  

Some Imported Pea Coat Styles make the big mistake in dyeing blue into the wool.  I guess you could say the imports take the Blue in Navy-Blue too seriously.   So much the general public 'thinks' navy-blue is the official color it is hard to convince them otherwise.  Still, the official color is traditional black.

The older and more often used term 'Navy-Blue' comes from the British Navy and was copied by American Naval Officers in 1775.   The practice most likely comes from the Navy's use of different 'terms' to describe something most of us already have a name for.  Like Bulkhead for Wall, Hatchway for Doorway, Gangway for Walk Way, Deck for Floor, Cover for Hat, Blouse for Shirt, Trousers for Pant, Port and Starboard for Left and Right, The Colors for The Flag, Blue-Black for Real Black etc, etc, etc.  

6.  "---I want to buy this for my Wife (Girlfriend) (Husband) (Boyfriend), and I need some help figuring out the size."

"---What is their chest (or Bust size)?" 

"---Ah, I don't know."

Please, Get that Measurement First and Foremost!  Without it, you cannot purchase the correct size.  

7.  I ordered a jacket from you some time ago and it has not arrived.  The Tracking Number says it should be here by now......

Once in a great while, a package can turn up missing or delivered to the wrong address.   It is a rare thing, but it can happen.  How Rare:  We have had 3 packages turn up missing in 5 years.  Not Bad.   All shipments are insured and tracked, but when one has not arrived you need to let us know.   We can track it from the other end.   If a package does come up missing the shipping companies are usually very good at redeeming claims and we will get you a replacement as soon as possible.

8.  Why doesn't the Product I Ordered look exactly like the Picture on the Web Site?

Lots of reasons.  Your Computer is a lot like your Television, with the light of the screen lighting up all those pixels.  In Person, No Movie Star or any Object looks exactly like they will on the Movie or Television Screen as opposed to real life.  Film, used for presentation on the Web, is still far behind the times.  Digital Pictures are certainly better, but many Apparel manufacturers and promotion companies still utilize 'Film'.  Sometimes, we have to lighten the photo to show the customer certain features, like pockets or seams.  It is a fact of that some color tones are going to differ from the picture you see on the screen, to face to face eye contact later.    Some customers view them with older standard screen technologies.   Compare the Hamburger  you just purchased to the 'Picture' in that same Burger Establishment.  Not the same, is it?  Read more about it in our Customer Service Section.

9.   I'm confused, why there is such a wide range of prices concerning Leather Jackets and Coats.  Especially between the U.S. Made and Imported Leather Jackets?

Everything is relative, concerning the type of leather, its quality, and the particular Style of Jackets or Coat.    There are several Catalog Retailers that sell Imported Leather Coats and Bomber Jackets for a much higher price  than our own U.S. Made Jackets and the products are far less in quality.   

***Any Quality U.S. Made Leather Bomber Jacket or Coat should retail for $250.00 or More, depending on style and Leather.   If its consistently lower you should seriously suspect its true origin.  Leather Prices have risen in the last year to new higher levels and U.S. Manufacturers and Factories are charging much higher for  Wholesale.   You should be aware that anything Leather 'claimed as U.S. Made' that is consistently far lower in price as apposed to their competitors, may have origins off shore and had a fake or fraudulent U.S. Label sewn on to fool the buyer.   The Buyer must Beware.   What seems low priced is not always what we think or hope it will be.  Just remember, with Leather, there is no gift horse to find.

***Imported Leather Jackets or Coats usually run from $100.00 range to the $299.00 range and are soon going to reach sticker shock levels.   In the past, the Chinese presented America  with a huge rebate program that kept Chinese leather at low price levels.  That program has now ended and the 2008 season will see a huge hike in imported leather prices.   There are some rare Imported leathers that can range higher in price.   U.S. Leather Jackets and Coats are usually much higher in their Quality and Durability.   U.S. Leather is thicker and better tanning process.    Many Imported Leather products, including Jackets and Coats are only made from pig-nappa and referred to as 'Fine Leather', 'Quality Leather, 'Luxurious Leather', or just plain 'Soft Leather, or 'Nappa Leather'.   These products are indeed purchased by the American Public and serve a need, but they are not as high in quality as U.S. Products.

10.  In the Shopping Cart, I chose UPS as my shipping option, and my Package came FedEx!  Why is that?

We do use UPS Rates in our Shopping Cart.  Most of our items are shipped UPS, but sometimes, other carriers are used.  The rates are comparable and sometimes we will choose expediency over rate if it is possible.  Some Manufactures do have Service Contracts with different Carriers and will utilize the Contracted Shipper.   However, using the UPS Rates in our Shopping Cart makes it less confusing for everyone involved.

11.  Someone else is offering this item for this price....will you match it?

Generally No.    Sometimes a pricing mistake can happen and we may adjust the error, but we do not 'barter' against other website pricing.   A little warning here:  That Low Price You are looking at "May Change" once you get into the process of buying through their Shopping Cart.  Then you should also ask yourself "why are they selling it at that low a price?"   Just remember there is no such thing as a free lunch in the leather business and there might be something you are not aware of here.   Don't get taken in.   Legitimate Leather Apparel Retailers know what general pricing for these kinds of jackets are.   An Article marked too low or surprisingly under-valued, should be a red flag for potential customers.   Under-valued might mean poor customer service.   You know, take the money and run.

12.  I saw this item up for auction on Ebay!  How come You Guys don't sell your stuff on Ebay?

We prefer to do business honestly and Ebay has some very alarming issues they need to clean up.   Besides, our Manufacturers and Suppliers would be awfully unhappy if we placed their brand new high quality products up for auction on Ebay.     Ebay Sellers are always "Hidden" away from the Customer's view, we are not.  

13.  Question: "We Purchased a Product from You and We did not get a Receipt or any Confirmation from You, yet, we were charged for the item?"

Answer:  "Something is wrong with the Email Address You provided during the Transaction, probably a misspelling or a Email-filtering-process."

  ---The Email Address You used on the Order form is Incorrect!   

  ---Your Spam Filter is throwing Our Email into Your Junk file, or it is being deleted by your Filter System.    You must set your filter to receive Our receipts and emails.   We do not have the time to fill out Email-Spam-Filter-Questionnaires.

14.  How are B3 Shearling Jackets different from other leather jackets you sell?  

Simply put, most Leather Jackets are made from Leather Hides separated from the hair, wool, and fat of the animal, then tanned and processed for garment production.  Real Shearling is not separated from the wool.  Shearling is inside out with the wool serving as the lining for the jacket or coat.   The Wool or Shearling is never separated from the skin or hide.

Real Shearling comes from sheep.  Takes a lot of sheep to make a Shearling Coat or Jacket, and requires intensive labor to produce a great product.  Real Shearling is expensive.  Referred to as 'Shearling or Sheepskin Shearling'.  

If you want to learn more, click to here and read up on Shearlings: 

http://www.americanmystique.com/about-leather-jackets.htm

15. USA MADE!  Does that mean 100% American Made, Including the leather?

Sometimes......and just in case You do not know,...Sometimes Not.   When any Product is Guaranteed 100% USA MADE, We post it as such.  But not all USA Product is 100% USA MADE, or Guaranteed as such.   Laws regarding such labeling are vague to say the least and some companies do take advantage of the USA Label.  Consumers can thank the U.S. Congress & NAFTA Legislation for this, along with several other passed guidelines.  

A Question for you to ponder:  

"How many Goats & Horses are raised in the USA just for the leather hide market?"  

16.  Only 10 days from Receipt to decide if I want to Return or Exchange an Item?  It used to be 30 Days!  Why such a shorter time frame?

10 Days is more than fair and more than sufficient.   Especially with this fine of leather.  

17.  You were selling this jacket last Year, (or last Month).  I was again looking for it and I can not find it on your site.  Why is that?

Styles change and come and leave.   Some Styles are Classic and do not change much.   Other fashion styles are only there for a very limited time.     

One other thing to note here:  Limited Edition, or Limited Quantity, is exactly what it means, once they're gone, they are gone.

18.  I hate Back-Orders!  Especially for Online Orders.  Can You Please Explain Why?

Glad too!  It is the Growing Pains of the Internet, my friend.  The Internet is growing and so is Online Business.  However, many Manufactures are still running far behind the times.   Back-Orders are a part of the Retail Life and they are not going to go away anytime soon.  Sometimes we just run out of stock, and we all will just have to deal with it. 

The Internet....has-changed-the-game.   Apparel Manufacturing is way behind that game and will be for many years to come.

19.  I'm the Customer---Right?  The Customer is always Right!

No.  We do not agree.  The Customer is not always right.    Most Customers are good people and we give the best service to them that we are able too.  However, not all Customers are proved or automatically  in the right.

20.  When the Delivery Carrier brought my package, someone else unknown to me and my family signed for it and we don't have it.   We have no idea who has it or where it is?   What can we do about this?

Yes, this is very bad and extremely unfortunate, however it has happened and lets hope it does not happen to you!    This is fast coming a favorite Christmas Signing Scam (or called the Trojan Horse Delivery Scam) used by Slick Crooks who have cased out a neighborhood real well and are very audacious.   Their timing is so good, they can appear coming right around the corner of your house or duplex and pretend they belong there.  Usually, this happens when the Delivery Person is in a great hurry (during December) and does not want to take the time to come back for a later delivery.  This is failure to ask for a show of Proper Identification from phony recipient.  

This is why American Mystique requires Signature at Delivery!  This protects both us and our Customers.

Some Bonus Questions!

21. Extra Bonus Question!

"I think I hit the Submit Button Twice in the Shopping Cart, it says I was charged twice for the item."

Do Not Click on the Submit Button Twice, as You Will Be Charged Twice!

If this should happen, don't panic, just contact us as soon as possible by Email or Phone and tell us all about it.  Our Records will also reflect the extra transaction and We Will Gladly Void that Extra Transaction For You and Send You that Voided Confirmation.  Once that mistaken transaction has been voided, no one can re-take those funds.

However, Your Financial Institution may hold on to those Funds from that mistaken 2nd Transaction from 3 to 6 days, depending on the Bank's Policies.   Each Bank is different.  From time to time We have been requested by Customers to call these Bank's to let them know there was No Transaction and that it had been voided.  We no longer perform this request, as the Banks always notify us that our phone call to them makes no difference in the world on their Policy Holding Limits for those Funds.   In short, the Funds are held by Your Bank, then re-instituted to You after a short time when no one comes to get them. 

22. Extra Bonus Question

"My Credit Card was charged before the item was shipped.  Why was this done?  Some stores do not charge you until the item is shipped." 

      All Shopping Cart Credit Card Transactions are initiated and fully submitted for funds capture at the Time of Purchase.   Businesses are only permitted to capture Card Funds within a set 30-day period.  After 30 days, no billing or funds Capture is allowed by the banking system.  Some Retail Stores, as a convenience for their Customers, allow their Shopping Cart, or their Employees to submit or capture Credit Card Funds at a later time or date, depending on merchandise shipments.  To do so, the Retailer must hold, delay, and store that individual Credit Card Data within their computer banks.  This simple convenience places that Customer’s Credit Card Information at high risk for Theft.

      As a matter of policy and for our Customer Security, American Mystique does not hold Customer Credit Card Numbers for delay capture.  For your security and for all of our customers, Credit Card Numbers are allowed a very short shelf life within our transaction system, and then they are wiped out for good.   In fact, they are not even downloaded onto our computer system or into our bookkeeping systems like they are with some business.   The normal Consumer would be appalled to know just how many retail stores maintain and retain complete customer’s transaction information, including Credit Card numbers and other sensitive ID Information within their bookkeeping systems.   And yes, any stored information is vunerable to theft.  

      That is why You were charged right away by our system.   Yes, charging the card later might seem a good idea to most, but then that Stored Information immediately becomes vunerable.   That means that you become vunerable.    Instead, We prefer to protect Your Transaction Information as much as we can.    By not holding onto those Card Numbers, We can better protect You. We can always REFUND the transaction when needed.

      When it comes to real security, we have learned that there are certain ways to keep security firm, or at least manageable.    The more convenience you desire, or perhaps allow, the more vunerable you allow yourself to become.   In short, we choose to make it as difficult as we can for would be lawbreakers who would try to steal our Customers Credit Card Numbers.   We do wish other businesses would do likewise as it would make shopping much more easier for everyone.   Businesses holding stored credit card numbers within their systems are not doing their customers any favors.

23.  Why does American Mystique refuse to Ship Overseas using Overnight or Next Day Shipping?

Security Reasons.   We have a Security Policy in place for our Customers.  We also follow a good Security Plan for ourselves to head off Credit Card Fraud Attempts, especially those that emanate from overseas.     Many of our Products are expensive and would be crooks are eager to claim their catch, and often ask for Next Day delivery.     We never ship Overseas 'Next Day'.     Plus, we also reserve the right to halt questionable or suspicious purchases that ship stateside.    Note: Every Purchase Order for Overnight Shipping is always checked and re-checked before processing.   Often, we call the Card Holder back and request 'certain' confirmation, or we flag the order and have the credit card company verify before we ship.    It protects us and it protects you.