Question 1

Quality control

Accepted Answer

Alder products are made using ethically sourced cowhide.     To ensure a superb look, hand feel and softness, no alteration to the surface of the hide is made.  There is no grain surface treatment.  The skin has a natural full grain drum dyed aniline finish, where the grain has little protection. While great care is taken to use only the best cuts of leather for our products, each skin is unique and there may be variation of effect within the side. Minor imperfections may, at times, be visible on the skin, but all add to the beauty and uniqueness of the product.   All items are stringently quality checked before leaving the workshop and are thoroughly checked again before leaving Alder.

Question 2

Shipping

Accepted Answer

UK   FREE POSTAGE Parcels will be sent within 1-2 business days of the order. Parcels are sent via Royal Mail, Special Delivery.  These are tracked, signed for and guaranteed by 1pm the following day.   Card wallets are sent by Royal Mail, 1st Class.   INTERNATIONAL Parcels will be sent within 1-2 business days of the order. Parcels are sent via Royal Mail Parcel Force International.  Tracked and Signed service.   Cost of postage Shopper bag £3 Card Wallet £3 Laptop Sleeve £8 Laptop Bag £15   Free postage on orders over £340   If your order is urgent, please let me know and I will get it to you by the fastest route possible (but please be aware that this may cost more depending on the courier used)

Question 3

Returns policy

Accepted Answer

Christmas   If you are buying any Alder product as a gift for someone for Christmas, please rest assured that I will accept returns before 20th January 2022 but I ask that you cover the cost of the return (Royal Mail special delivery). Returned items should be in their original packing, in their unused, original condition.    In any of the following scenarios, please email me first so that I can help you in the best way that I can (sarah.mcgill@alderstyle.com).   Exchange    If you receive your Alder product and you really would like exhange it for another colour or style I will accept the return.  I would always prefer, however, that you didn't do this as I like the products to receive the minimum of handling before they find their forever home.   When I receive the returned product I will send the alternative out to you but will ask that you cover the cost of postage for the return (we can then arrange a refund or extra charge depending upon a price difference betwen the exhanged and the alternative product). Returned items should be in their original packing, in their unused, original condition and sent back within 14 days of receipt*   Ordering more than one product to choose a colour   Unlike large corporations, I dont hold a lot of stock and my products are very precious to me.  I would always prefer that you didn't order more than item with the intention of sending one back as I like the products to receive the minimum of handling before they find their forever home.   If, however, you really cant decide, I will accept the return of one of the products but I will ask that you pay the return postage. Returned items should be in their original packing, in their unused, original condition and sent back within 14 days of receipt*   Changed your mind   Great care is taken to ensure that the products are accurately described and professionally photographed in the hope that this doesnt happen.   I will, however, accept the return but will ask that you cover the cost of posting it back to me. Returned items should be in their original packing, in their unused, original condition and sent back within 14 days of receipt*   Damaged items   If you receive your order and the product is damaged in any way please let me know and I will arrange the return of the product and give you a full refund. Returned items should be in their original packing, in their unused, original condition and sent back within 14 days of receipt*   *I would always recommend using recorded delivery service as proof of delivery. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery and all goods remain the responsibility of the customer until they are returned and received. Also I would recommend that the postage service that you are using insures the full cost of the product.

Question 4

Product care

Accepted Answer

The shell of Alder products is cowhide.  To ensure a superb look, hand feel and softness, no alteration to the surface of the hide is made.  There is no grain surface treatment.  The skin has a natural full grain drum dyed aniline finish, where the grain has little protection.   We would only recommend using a specialist dry cleaner to clean the leather.   When the product is not in use, we recommend storing it in it's dust bag inside the storage box that it arrives in.   The lining of the Alder laptop bags and sleeves is 100% polyester.  The lining can be wiped with a damp cloth or sent to a specialist dry cleaners.

Question 5

Privacy Policy

Accepted Answer

I am completely committed to protecting the privacy of vistors to my site and of my customers.     I respect the privacy rights of my online visitors and recognise the importance of protecting your personal information.   For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) (“GDPR”) and all successor legislation to the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR I will never share your personal data with anyone. I respect your privacy. Your personal information will only be used for the purpose of completing your order and for me to follow up and make sure that you are happy with your order. If you have signed up, we will send you the occasional email to tell you about new products or services.  You can opt out of receiving these emails at any time by sending me an email.

Question 6

Social responsibility

Accepted Answer

Alder products are made using ethically sourced leather.  The skins are the by-product of the meat industry.   Leather wastage is kept to an absolute minimum by using the off cuts to make the smaller Alder offerings like the keyrings and beautiful card wallets.   All hardware is made in the UK and fabrics and linings sourced from the UK.

Question 7

Lifetime Guarantee

Accepted Answer

I am committed to supplying the very highest quality products, hand cut in the UK by skilled craftspeople from the finest skins.   If there is ever a manufacturing problem that stops you using your Alder product I will repair it for you free of charge.  There is no deadline to this guarantee.   Whether a new product or an old one, I will always stand by my products 100% and will always endeavour to help you.   However, what I cannot give is an unlimited lifetime guarantee on the wear & tear of the leather, I just ask you to be fair about this, please. Sadly the expectation on leather can be quite arbitrary and is very reflective of the treatment any product receives.  For example, a bag that is used daily and robustly, (which, by the way, IS NOT wrong, I'm sure that you'll want to use your Alder bag as much as possible) will age & distress much more quickly than a bag that is hardly used.  Regular day to day use will, over time, start to show on the leather.   I use very beautiful, soft and natural skins, this means they are quite “naked” and don’t have a great deal of heavy spray or “plastic” top coatings on them, that is why Alder bags are so lightweight tactile and ooze the quality you love. However, that also means these less coated natural skins are potentially more vulnerable to signs of ageing. Many people think this is distressing or “breaking in” is beautiful, reflecting the quality of the skin and a small price to pay for a stunning piece of leather.   All we ask is that you are fair and realistic about your expectations. I will always try to help an Alder customer, especially with manufacturing and hardware issues, but with the skin, please remember, we all get older and a little more worn & tired around the edges!   If the product cannot be repaired satisfactorily, then I will offer you a replacement, free of charge.  Please note that, in these rare cases, I cannot always guarantee that I will have the exact same colours or style in stock and will have to offer you an alternative.

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Frequently asked questions

If none of these answers your question, please don't hesitate to email me at

sarah.mcgill@alderstyle.com

ALDER COPYRIGHT 2019