Hawaiian Music Ordering and Customer Service Information

MELE.COM SITE GUIDE, POLICIES & ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

WEBSITE POLICY

All orders ship from Kaua`i next business day (Monday through Friday, except holidays)
All orders shipping to USA addresses are sent via US Priority Mail -- or Express Mail, if requested
FREE US Priority Mail shipping on purchases of 6 or more items (to USA addresses only)
All orders shipping to FPO/APO addresses are sent via US Priority Mail (US Postal Service does not allow Express Mail)
All orders shipping to non-USA addresses are sent via US First Class Air Mail
Orders shipped to Hawai`i addresses, will be charged GET
Speed of delivery is the responsibility of the postal services involved -- not MELE.COM
NOTE: If the emailed confirmation of your order is returned as "undeliverable", your order will be cancelled

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER (Back to Index)

TO FIND A SONG, SPECIFIC ARTIST, OR ALBUM: Insert the name/title in the "SEARCH MELE.COM" box on the upper right corner of the site's front page (DO NOT USE DIACRITICAL MARKS). Click "Go". Select "Artist Name", or "Album Name", or "Song Title". Click "Go", and the list(s) will be displayed. If you're looking at a musician's CD and wondering what other items include that artist, just click on the artist's name to get the full list.
With each selection that you make, you will be automatically taken to your Shopping Cart page. On that page will be displayed your purchase(s), with purchase total. At any time you can click "Shipping", then shipping destination, to see the shipping fee. MELE.COM only charges the postage fees as applied by the US Postal Service (no added "handling fee").
TO SHOP FOR A CD: Click "Music" at the top of the MELE.COM front page -- and the drop-down menu will let you search by genre (Hawaiian, reggae, etc.), or search "All Listings" to see the alphabetical list by artists' last names.
TO SHOP FOR A DVD OR VIDEO: Click "Video" at the top of the MELE.COM front page -- and the drop-down menu will let you search by category (hula, music, etc.), or search "All Listings" for all videos and DVDs.

PAYMENT METHODS (Back to Index)
Using a secure encrypted method of transmission, orders must be paid by credit card at time of purchase:

PayPal
MasterCard
VISA
Diners Club
Discover
JCB

SITE SECURITY (Back to Index)

All pages on MELE.COM which require your personal information, are protected through an encrypted Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). You will see a key or closed-padlock icon at the bottom or top of your browser to signify this, or "https" in the Web address.

"Why doesn't MELE.COM accept telephone, fax or mailed orders?"
To ensure the highest level of credit card security for our customers, no credit card numbers are on our computers, or our server or (worse yet!) on a loose piece of paper on a desk here.

"Why doesn't MELE.COM accept checks or money orders as payment?"
If you send a check or money order for payment, what you want might not be in stock when your check or money order has cleared the bank. And this problem is now compounded by the fact that many CD and DVD titles are going "out of print" with no advance notice to retailers.

"I'm not sure about putting my credit card online"
How often do you hand your credit card to a waiter or waitress you don't know, who then takes it away and does who-knows-what with it? At least here, you know your card information is being transmitted by the highest level of encryption possible, and no one here at MELE.COM has your card number.

2008 SHIPPING HOLIDAYS (Back to Index)
MELE.COM sends all orders Monday through Friday, via US Mail. The US Postal Service offices will be closed on the following 2007 holidays -- orders will be mailed on the next business day:

Tuesday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Monday, January 21 - Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
Monday, February 18 - Presidents' Day
Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day
Friday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, September 1 - Labor Day
Monday, October 13 - Discovery Day
Tuesay, November 12 - Veterans' Day (observed)
Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Thursday, January 1, 2008 - New Year's Day

2008 CHRISTMAS MAIL DEADLINES (Back to Index)
To improve the odds that your order reaches its destination before December 24, 2006, you will need to place your order not later than as noted below:

to APO/FPO Priority -- December 7
to International -- December 7
to Guam, Saipan, American Samoa -- December 13
to USA Mainland Priority -- December 17
to Hawai`i Priority -- December 20
to USA Mainland Express -- December 21

USA Express Mail (not available for APO/FPO) is guaranteed by the US Postal Service to be delivered not later than 3pm, two days after mailing. Speed of delivery for all other forms of mailing, are dependent upon the various postal services involved.

SHIPPING INFORMATION (Back to Index)

Shipments to USA and APO/FPO addresses:

FREE US Priority Mail shipping on purchases of 6 or more items (to USA addresses only)
All orders ship from Kaua`i, next business day (Monday through Friday)
Delivery speed is the responsibility of the postal services involved -- not MELE.COM
All orders to APO/FPO addresses are sent via US Priority Mail (no Express Mail allowed)
All orders to USA addresses are sent via US Priority Mail (or US Express Mail if requested)
Only US Postal rates are applied -- weight of parcel determines postage fee
EXPRESS MAIL delivery is guaranteed by the US Postal Service to be delivered within 48 hours from time of mailing, including Sundays and all holidays; 2 days to mainland addresses
EXPRESS MAIL shipments require signature upon delivery
All orders with product total of $100 or more, will only be shipped to card billing address
All orders with product total of $100 or more, will be shipped insured -- signature will be required upon delivery.
Orders shipped to Hawai`i addresses, will be charged GET

Shipments outside USA:

Orders placed from outside USA (except APO/FPO) will only be shipped to billing address
All orders ship from Kaua`i, next business day (Monday through Friday)
All orders to non-USA addresses are sent via US First Class Air Mail
Only US Postal rates are applied -- weight of parcel determines postage fee
Postage fees are displayed at time of purchase
Payment of all import/duty/customs fees are the responsibility of the recipient
Without exception, full and proper U.S. Customs documentation will be affixed to each foreign-bound package, noting the contents as "merchandise", with true quantity and retail price(s)
Customers wishing to receive smaller packages, should place orders individually; each individual order will be shipped separately
NOTICE: MELE.COM does not ship to addresses in Mexico, South America, or Central America

RETURNS / REFUNDS (Back to Index)

Return Authorization from MELE.COM is required before returning any item. Please click "Got A Question?" button (bottom of this page) to request RMA number and procedures for sending return.
MELE.COM is not responsible for damage in transit by mail carrier
Only unopened items -- still in original shrinkwrap -- will be accepted for refund by MELE.COM
All returns -- for whatever reason -- must be received by MELE.COM within 30 days of order date
Items mis-shipped by MELE.COM, will be replaced at no additional charge -- once mis-shipped item is received by MELE.COM
For all other returns, credit will be issued back to credit card (or PayPal account) used for original purchase -- less postage paid; no exchanges or replacements
Orders returned to MELE.COM by postal service marked "UNDELIVERABLE" because the shipping address you input was incorrect, will be cancelled. Credit will be issued back to card used for purchase -- less 20% restock fee and any postage fees paid. If you were not charged postage because you ordered 6 or more item, postage paid by MELE.COM will be deducted from your refund.
Claims for orders placed but not received, must be made within 30 days of order date
Orders will not be considered "lost " by MELE.COM until 30 days after shipping (to USA addresses); 60 days for APO/FPO addresses; 90 days for all other addresses

GIFT ORDERS / SHIPPING TO DIFFERENT ADDRESS (Back to Index)

US Priority Mail orders (less than $100 value) may be shipped to any address/person of your choice
US Express Mail, orders from non-USA addresses, and orders in excess of $100 may only be shipped to the BILL TO address
To send an order as a gift to another person, insert their name and address in the SHIP TO section of the order form
Select type of gift card to be enclosed (applicable ONLY if being mailed to someone other than yourself)
Each different SHIP TO address requires a separate order.
Packing slip will only be mailed to BILL TO address

NEW RELEASE NEWSLETTER (Back to Index)

The MELE.COM newsletter email list is computer-generated, taken from orders placed within the prior 12 months
If you have a new email address, be sure to use it with your next order

QUESTIONS AFTER YOU'VE ORDERED (Back to Index)

When will my order be mailed out?
All orders are mailed next business day (Monday through Friday, except holidays) -- unless you've placed an advance order for a new release
How soon will my order be delivered?
Delivery speed is the responsibility of the postal services involved -- not MELE.COM.
If you requested Express Mail, the US Postal Service guarantees delivery "not later than 3PM SECOND DAY after mailing"
US Priority Mail parcels take 2-5 calendar days to be delivered (slightly longer for APO/FPO addresses)
Parcels to non-USA addresses usually take 3-10 calendar days to be delivered
Claims for orders placed but not received, must be made within 30 days of order date
Orders will not be considered "lost" by MELE.COM until 30 days after shipping (USA addresses); 60 days for APO/FPO addresses; 90 days for foreign addresses (US Postal Service guidelines used)
If lost, credit will be issued back to credit card used for original purchase (postage is non-refundable); no exchanges or replacements
Orders returned and marked "UNDELIVERABLE" or "UNCLAIMED" or "REFUSED" will be cancelled; credit will be issued back to card used for purchase, less 15% restock fee and postage fee paid
Question about your submitted order? Click GOT A QUESTION? (below) -- and include FULL BILLING NAME and Order Confirmation Number

HINTS & TIPS (Back to Index)

LOOKING FOR AN ITEM THAT IS NOW OUT OF PRINT? A good online source for out of print items (and vinyl albums) is GEMM.COM. On O`ahu, Jelly's Music (`Aiea) -- with vinyl prices running $5 to $10. In your own area, check with retailers who specialize in used books, used CDs, etc.
TO CUSTOMIZE THE CONCERT CALENDAR: Want to find concerts in just your area? Just click "Location" on the MELE.COM Calendar, and it will sort alphabetically by state name. What to find when a specific musician is touring? Use your browser's "find" option on the calendar page, and insert the name of musician or group.
TO SHOP FOR A CD: Click "Music" at the top of the MELE.COM front page -- and the drop-down menu will let you search by genre (Hawaiian, reggae, etc.), or search "All Listings" to see the alphabetical list by artists' last names.
TO SHOP FOR A DVD OR VIDEO: Click "Video" at the top of the MELE.COM front page -- and the drop-down menu will let you search by category (hula, music, etc.), or search "All Listings" for all videos and DVDs.
TO FIND A SONG, OR SPECIFIC ARTIST, OR ALBUM: Insert the name/title in the "Search MELE.COM" box on the upper right corner of the site's front page. Then follow the instructions, to get the full list. Or if you're looking at a musician's CD and wondering what other items include that artist, just click on the artist's name to get the full list.
Wondering about the past winners of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards? Click the "Na Hoku Hanohano Awards" button on the MELE.COM front page. You can then create a list of your choice -- by genre, or by year -- from the drop-down menus.

Hopefully, you will find the answer to your question(s) here, but if not -- please email questions, anytime.