Contact Information
Toll Free Phone Number: 888-201-4393 or 949-713-3380 or 949-713-3381
Fax: 949-709-9450
Email: customerservice@thepartystartshere.com

Top 5 Things you need to know before you place an order.

1.   Our processing time is 5 business days. This allows us to receive stock from our vendors if we do not have enough in our warehouse.  If we do have the stock in our warehouse we will process your order as quickly as possible and the processing time will be less.  This applies to printed or BLANK invitations.

2.   Processing time is the time between your order date and the date we actually ship your order.

3.   Upgrading your shipping to 3^rd Day, 2^nd Day or Next Day Air does not change the 5 day processing time.  It changes the time UPS takes to get it to you AFTER we have shipped it. We are in Southern California.

4.   If your order is printed, we will send you a proof within 2 business days that you MUST approve before we will ship your order.  After receiving your first proof, you can make any changes and choose to print with or without another proof.  WE NEVER CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL PROOFS. We want it to be perfect for you!

5.   The most important thing to know is you are very important to us and we will do everything we can to make the start of your party a huge success.  If you have any questions or to check availability on an item, please call 888-201-4393. (If you are on a time crunch, please check availability before placing an order, cancellation charges will be incurred after placing an order.) Continue on to read the complete list of policies.

 Additional Charges -At times, customers neglect to select an option by putting a check in the appropritate circle.  The most common we see is not checking "Yes I would like you to print my inivtatons", or not checking"Yes, print my envelopes", and then filling in text that they want printed in the text box.  When this oversight on the customer's part occurs, they are not charged the appropriate amount at the time the order is placed.  When processing your order we will charge the appropriate printing fee that was missed to your credit card.  We will send a copy of your revised invoice via email.  When placing your order you are agreeing that ThePartyStartsHere.com has your permission to charge any applicable fees that were not charged at the time the order was placed because of an ommission on the customer's part.  We will never charge our customers for any fees that do not apply to their order.

 Blank Stock
Many designs can be purchased as blank stock that you may print yourself using your own home computer and printer. Our blank stock is compatible with most laser and ink jet printers. Because each printer is different, we cannot promise that our products will be compatible.  We recommend that you read your printer’s manual to determine whether or not our blank stock will work for you.  Before deciding to purchase an item blank, please consider whether you have the computer knowledge and time to print yourself. Some designs need to go through your printer sideways or upside down therefore, you may need special computer programs that can flip the direction of your text to accommodate this.   We do not provide printing instructions with blank invitations. All blank stock sales are final and mistakes can be costly.

Cancellation Policy
As soon as your order is placed, we reserve the stock just for you. Your credit card is charged at the time you place your order.  If an order is cancelled before a proof has been created, a 20% restocking fee will be incurred.  Our staff of professional typesetters then takes the time to make sure each invitation looks great.  Computer programs are not used, people are!  Because of the time and care they put into creating this proof, a $25.00 cancellation fee plus the 20% restocking fee will be charged to your credit card if your order is cancelled after a proof is created.

Once your proof is approved, an order goes directly to our printing department and is too late to cancel, even with cancellation charges.

If you have any questions about our process, please call our customer service number at 888-201-4393 before you place your order and incur charges.

Disclaimers
Please read all terms and conditions carefully. You acknowledge by using this site that you accept all the terms and conditions. Also, by placing an order, you indicate that you accept these terms and conditions. ThePartyStartsHere.com reserves the right to make changes to this site and to these terms and conditions at any time without notice.

All wording submitted to ThePartyStartsHere.com becomes property of ThePartyStartsHere.com and can be used as a sample on our website.  Names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will be changed for your privacy.

Delays may occur due to weather conditions, product availability, or other conditions out of our control. We will try to inform you if there are any delays to your order. In some rare case, inventory is backordered or out of stock.  We will inform you if this occurs as soon as possible.

Some designs may include the name of the artist in the image.

Hours of Operation
ThePartyStartsHere.com operates
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm P.S.T.
We are not open on weekends or national holidays.
Orders received after 3:00pm P.S.T will be processed the following day.  Orders received on Saturday or Sunday will be processed on the following Monday.

Ordering Information/Website Security
All orders are placed through our website.  This allows us to keep track of our inventory and avoid mistakes over the phone.  If for any reason you are having trouble ordering, please call our customer service number for assistance.  An order can be faxed only if the internet is not an option.  Please click on the link to open the Fax Order Form.  Please fill in all of the information and fax it to 949-709-9450.  If you feel more comfortable, your credit card information can be called in to our customer service number at 888-201-4393.

At ThePartyStartsHere.com you can feel safe knowing that your credit card and personal information are protected at all times. We use the latest in SSL encryption and we go one step further.  Our website is scanned daily by a private company to make sure no outside party is trying to tamper with our website.  Look for the HackerSafe Logo on our front page for extra piece of mind.  Once your order is placed, you will receive an email order confirmation.  If you have not received an order confirmation, there may have been a problem with the process.  Please call us immediately to confirm your order before you try again.

Ordering Process

We tried to give a step by step detailed guide to help you when our Customer Service Department is closed.  Please call us at 888-201-4393 with any questions. (Your credit card is charged at the time you place your order)

1. Select your item
   
   You can search our site in a number of ways.  Use our search box at the top of the screen to enter any keywords that pertain to the invitation (ex. Train, wine, western, boy’s birthday, etc.), shop by category or by brand.
   
   After choosing the invitation you want, click on the invitation.  A detailed description and order page will pop up. 

   If you would like to print your invitations yourself, simply click on “Click Here to Buy Invitation Blank” and the item will go directly to the shopping cart.

   If you would like us to print the invitation for you:

   Step One:  Choose your font from the dropdown list.  To view all the available fonts, click on “Click Here to View All Fonts” in blue. If the font shown in the example is available, it will be listed in pink.

   Step Two:  Enter your text line by line.  You can leave a line blank to indicate a space.      If you have more lines than available, use the last text box and separate the rest of the lines with a /.   Example:  RSVP by/December 1^st/949-713-3380.  

   All wording shown on the website are just suggestions.  These words will not appear on your invitation unless you type them in the text box.  Of course you are welcome to use our wording or use anything you have come up with. 

   Step Three:  Enter any special instructions for the typesetter.  Here is where you would indicate if you would like a line in bold, a different font, a different size, etc.

   Example:  Line 3 – Make Bold,   Line 6:  Use Twinkle font, Line 10: Make Larger

   Return Address Option

   Because of program restrictions, we had to separate the Return Address Option in two parts.

   If you would like return addresses printed on your envelopes, first enter the address in the boxes.    Next, in Step Five: Choose Yes, in the dropdown.  Sorry if this is a little confusing. We didn’t have a choice on this.

   Step Four:  Choose either black or colored ink.  If you are choosing a color, we will match that color to coordinate with something on the card, or make sure that the shade is complimentary to the design.

   Step Five:  Choose: Yes, if you would like return addresses on your envelopes and enter the address in the boxes above.

   The next option is for our “No Stress Party Plan”.  We will address, stuff, and mail your invitations to your guests.  Choose: Yes, if you would like this option.

   Enter the quantity in the box.  Everything is sold in sets of 10.  Enter 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc.  All invitations include envelopes.

   Now click the pink “Add To Cart” Button.

   The Next Page is Your Shopping Cart

   On this page you will see your items, quantity and personalization.  If you need to make any changes to your text, hit the back arrow.  Change the text and click the Add to Shopping Cart button AGAIN.  This will put the item in your cart again.  REMOVE THE INCORRECT ITEM by clicking on the RED X. 

   If you want to change the quantity, enter the number of sets in the box and click on the BLUE X. to update the quantity.

    Address Page:  THIS IS A SECURE PAGE

   (You know a page is secure when a closed lock is displayed either on the bottom right of the page or the top right next to the address bar. Also, the page address will change from http:  to https:)

   http://www.thepartystartshere.com/

   https://www.thepartystartshere.com/index.asp?PageAction=CARTCHECKOUT&Ent=1

   If you are a new Customer Click on the first time customer and enter your information.  YOU MUST create an account to continue.  Returning Customers simply click on Return Customers.

    Order Options Page:  THIS IS A SECURE PAGE

   1. Choose your Shipping Method

   2. Enter any special instructions to us

   3. Enter any Discount Codes

   4. Read the Checkout Questions –  YOU MUST CLICK YES TO CHECKOUT

   5. Tell us how you found out about us.

   Click the pink “NEXT” Button

    Review and Payment Page - THIS IS A SECURE PAGE

   Enter your credit card information.

   Click the pink “Place Your Order”  Button – ONLY ONCE

    Confirmation Page:  THIS IS A SECURE PAGE

   This page will show you your order number and all information pertaining to this order.  Click  on the pink “Print This Page” Button to print a copy of your invoice.

    You will immediately receive an email confirmation of your order.  If you have not received this confirmation please call our Customer Service Number at 888- 201-4393  so we can check if your was processed correctly.

    

   1.       Review and Approve Proof
   
   Within 3 business days (please see our business schedule), a proof will be sent to the email address you provided at the time the order was placed.  Carefully review your proof for any errors or omissions.  Make sure you have included all the important party information like the date, time, address, RSVP information and any special instructions for the guests (attire, where to park, etc.)  When reviewing your proof, you can make any corrections or changes before you make the final approval and it goes to printing.  If you make a change, you will get a free 2nd proof for your approval.  There is no charge for a 2nd proof, however it is only provided if you are making changes to your original proof.  This 2nd proof is provided to avoid misinterpretations in your changes.  A 2nd proof in not provided just to see another version of the invitation so you have a choice between the two.  For instance, if you would like to change the ink color or font style, that is fine.  However the invitation will be printed with your new choice.  You do not have the option of going back to the first font style as we replace the templates and it is no longer saved.  Your order will not go to printing until you make the final approval.  

   Because of Spam Blockers - you may want to add us to your address book.  We do our best but it is up to you to check for our email including checking your spam folder.

   2.      Your order goes to printing.
   
   Once your proof is approved it goes directly to our printing department and it is printed exactly as you have approved.  (After your proof is approved, it is too late to make any changes, so please take your time and review it carefully.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

   3.      We ship your order
   
   We ship your order to your home, office or directly to your guests.  When your order is ready to go, we will ship your order to the provided address by the method of shipping you have selected or we will mail them directly to your guest if you have selected the No Stress Party Plan. 

    

   Preorders
   A preorder is a process used to reserve the stock you like before you know all of the important information for your event.  It is most commonly used when ordering birth announcements before the baby is born or before all the party details are available.  To place a pre-order simply choose the stock you like and start the order process.  In the text box, type “this is a preorder”.  At this time, your credit card will be charged and the stock will be pulled and held for you.  When you know all of the information for the birth announcement or party, simply email the information to: preorders@thepartystartshere.com.  Please include your order number, name and phone number. 

Problems with your order
At ThePartStartsHere.com we do everything to ensure your satisfaction.  Please open and check your entire order upon receipt, especially if you have ordered your invitations well in advance.  If there are any problems with your order, you must contact our Customer Service Department within 5 business days of receiving your order. We have the right to correct the order.  If there is an error on your order that was the fault of ThePartStartsHere.com we will reprint your order at no charge.  These circumstances would include any missing information, or changes that were not made on the approved proof or any problems with the physical quality of the invitations. Some adjustments may need to be made by ThePartyStartshere.com to make text fit on the actual invitation.  Spacing adjustments or grammar corrections are not considered a mistake and will not be corrected.  Orders that need to be reprinted will be given first priority. We reserve the right to have products with errors shipped back to us before reprinting.  If the order has been printed and the mistake is a customer error (date change, wrong phone number, misspelled name etc), please call our customer service number for assistance.

Proofs
A proof is a copy, sent via e-mail, of the invitation you chose, personalized with your wording.  (The purpose of a proof is to make sure your information is correct - not to "test drive" an invitation. Your credit card is charged at the time you place your order - cancellation charges will incur if you cancel your order.) This is exactly the way the wording will appear on your invitation.  Once you see your proof, you can make any corrections or changes before it is printed.  If you make a change, you hve the option of printing without another proof or getting a 2nd proof.  Your order will not go to printing until you make the final approval.  There is no additional charge for the 1st or 2nd proof.

Some companies choose to use this feature as an “option” and charge an additional fee.  At ThePartyStartsHere.com, we do not want to risk your happiness to chance or misinterpretations.   You will receive a proof on all of our invitations.  (There is no proof on return address envelopes)  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO APPROVE YOUR PROOF BEFORE WE WILL PRINT AND SHIP YOUR ORDER to guarantee a perfect end result. (After your proof is approved, it is too late to make any changes, so please take your time and review it carefully.)

TIP: It's a good idea to let another person look at the invitation.  They may notice something that you haven't! 

Our staff of trained typesetters proofread all orders for spelling, grammar, wording and etiquette however, we cannot verify some customer errors, especially the spelling of proper names, unusual event location, town or street names, the date of your event or anything else out of the norm so please review your wording carefully. Most fonts do not translate well in All CAPS so please do not type your text in All CAPS.  Because these are professionally done printed invitations, it is not necessary to includes words like Date, Time, Place as these are only common on fill in handwritten invitations.  It is best to keep your wording brief for the overall appearance of the invitation.  For overall appearance - your text will be typeset to avoid areas of the design of the card so please be sure to look at the size of the card and to complexity of the design when decided how much text will appear on the card.  We have provided text on the samples shown on our website to give you an idea of how much text a card can accommodate. As you can see on our samples we do have a certain typesetting style. 

For example:

Saturday, June 16, 2007 (Dates will appear as shown here - if the year is left off then it would be Saturday, June 16th)
For Times it would be - 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (a.m. and p.m. will appear lowercase with periods)
Zip Codes: it is not customary to include your zip code on an invitation.  Most websites that give directions do not require a zip code and that information is usually included on your envelope.

Sometimes it will be necessary for us to edit your text and combine lines in order to fit into the constraints of the design.  You of course have the opportunity to view our edits when viewing your proof.

Return Policy

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer returns or exchanges. Whether personalized or blank, all of our invitations are of a “fragile nature”.  Paper can become bent, torn or dirty from handling ( by you or a package carrier even if box is not opened).  We would not want to pass on any returned items that were not in perfect condition to you or any other customer.

Shipping
ThePartyStartsHere.com uses UPS as its primary shipper.  We ship from Southern California. UPS cannot ship to a P.O. Box, please make sure that a valid street address is provided for shipping.  The prices quoted on our website are for Weekday delivery only (Monday-Friday).  Saturday Delivery is an additional charge and needs to be requested before an item is shipped by calling our customer service number.  (By requesting this service you are giving ThePartyStartsHere.com permission to charge this additional charge to your original credit card provided to us at the time you placed your order.)

Hawaii & Alaska Shipping Charges
Hawaii & Alaska orders must choose 2- Day Air or Next Day Air. If the proper shipping method is not selected, orders shipping to Hawaii and Alaska will be automatically charged for 2-day Air upon receiving the order from ThePartyStartsHere.Com

*The day your order ships, does not count as a shipping day. For instance if your order ships on Tuesday and you ordered overnight shipping, you will receive it on Wednesday. 2 day air shipping, Thursday. 3 Day Air, Friday.

Once ThePartyStartsHere.com has shipped your order, your order status will be updated to complete with your tracking number. You can track your order on UPS.com. 

We have partnered with Bongo International to service our customers Worldwide!

Bongo International provides our customers with their very own US address. Once you have a US address, you will be able to make purchases with us as well as other US based online retailers. Bongo receives your purchases and logs them into their online system which you can use to view your items and consolidate them with multiple orders.

International customers can save up to 82% off typical international shipping rates by following these four easy steps:

	Register with Bongo and receive a U.S. shipping address.
	Enter the Bongo address as both your billing and shipping address.
	Use the credit card that you have on file with Bongo as the payment method.
	Once the order arrives at Bongo, log into your account to forward to your country.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bongo through live chat or by e-mail. They will be glad to assist you.

Your Privacy
We realize that your invitations contain private information. We only use the information you provide us for the purpose of filling your order. We do reserve the right to use your wording on our website as an example, however, all personal information including, names, addresses, telephone numbers and email address will be changed. All credit card information you have provided us is sent through our secure server with the added protection of encryption (SSL - Secure Socket Layer). During the checkout process, we ask you for your email address and a password. We use your email address for a few things. We will send an order confirmation when your order is placed.  We will send your typeset proof to this email address.  Your email address will also be used as your user name when logging into your account online. As we are an internet based company, this email will be our primary source of communication. You also have the opportunity to receive special offers and information on new products from ThePartyStartsHere.com website. All newsletters and special offer emails have an "opt-out" feature.
When you order products, we will also need your billing and shipping information. This information is only used to process your order and ship your product.

To save information for the ordering process, cookies are used on the site to help customers access and track items in their shopping cart. A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site.  Information regarding cookies can be found at www.webomedia.com.

ThePartyStartsHere.com will never sell or give out any of your personal information.