Shopping 101: Ordering and Shipping the Chocolate Alchemy way

There is no simple, one rule formula or way to ship wholesale quantities of cocoa bean in most cases. But we have attempted to lay it out as simply as possible.

The Minimum wholesale order is 25 lb.

Conversely, on selected cocoa beans, we can supply you with multiple 65 kg bags a month (roasted or raw) if that is your need.

We are here to assist you with your growing or established business. If there is a service or product you don’t find what you need here, please ask, we may be able to help.

Cocoa beans are a seasonal product, and as such, come and go. Not all of the cocoa beans we offer retail are available in wholesale quantities.

In regards to the 25 lb minimum. You will see 10 lb increments of beans offered. It is up to you to add at least 3 to reach the minimum. If you do not, there will not be a valid shipping option and you can not check out. You are welcome to mix and match multiple bean types to reach the minimum.

If you need lesser amounts, please visit our Retail storefront.

 

Shipping Options

For bags of cocoa beans over 65 kg, they will be shipped via a freight service, and come directly from different warehouses through out the USA. You have the option (via checkout) of either having us put the shipping together or accepting FOB.

For bags of beans under 65 kg, they can go either Freight or UPS.  You may see options for USPS but although a price is shown, the warehouses cannot ship this way.  Please don't choose any USPS option if buying full bags where the warehouse is not Oregon (OR).

Freight Shipping

Bulk bags of cocoa will be palletized and shrink wrapped. We generally use FedEx freight but are constantly checking for other shipping services to give you the best service at a reasonable price. After your order is placed, you WILL be contacted personally so that we can arrange shipping to best suit your situation and needs.

Since freight charges can change radically, don’t panic when you see approximately $1-2/lb added as shipping. You will NOT be charged this amount. We have simply set it at this level to simplify credit card authorizations. Shipping charges will be based on current quotes and you again will be contacted before shipping to approve the charges. Often it may be as low as $0.50/lb.

FOB (Freight on Board)

This option is available only for full bags of cocoa. Please do not mix larger and smaller quantities and choose this option. Only full bags of cocoa please.

If you have an established relationship with a freight company, want to pick the beans up yourself or simply wish to handle the shipping, simply choose this option at checkout. You will be charged no shipping. We will set up a DO (Delivery order) with the warehouse and issue that to you. It will then be your responsibility to contact the warehouse to arrange shipping.

All our shipping is done as quickly as possible but dealing with warehouses is not always quick. Try and plan in 7-10 days before shipping, and another 5-7 days transit time. If you need something sooner, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Shipping Methods

For any location other than Oregon (OR) you must choose UPS if you are buying full bags of beans.  Remote warehouses like New Jersey (NJ) and California (CA) cannot ship by USPS.

UPS: Within the continental United States we prefer to ship by UPS (United Parcel Service). It is the most economical and traceable method. It is also because the Alchemist is approaching 100 (very slowly, I don’t keep track of such trivial details as how old I am, ask my partner!) and prefers to be as curmudgeonly as possible and does not like to change anything. Also, it is automatically insured for the value of the order. With all UPS orders you will receive a UPS tracking number when the order ships.

USPS: If you ship to a PO Box, there is a live person here and your order will go by USPS Priority. . All non-USA orders ship by USPS (Canada can also ship UPS).

USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail: These are a great deal  We can fit the following into Flat Rate boxes and envelopes:

2 Large Boxes: 25 lb of whole cocoa beans or butter.

USPS Priority Mail 2,3 or 4 Day - Please try and not be fooled by the Postal Service.  These "2-Day" listings are NOT guarantees.  The are estimates only, and a nice bit of marketing misdirection. by the Postal Services.  The delivery time is EXACTLY the same as the Flat rate options above.  Unfortunately we are not able to change the text the Postal Service feeds the live rates. 

USPS Parcel Select Ground - This is the cheapest and slowest method of delivery.  It also does NOT come with insurance.  If your package is damaged you are sadly out of luck.  That is the consequence of the lower shipping rate.  Choose wisely my friend.

International Orders

We ship worldwide.  For orders 25-75 lb (or so) we ship USPS or UPS.  75-150 lbs UPS is usually the preferred method.  Over 150 lb will require either a customer quote (which we are happy to do and that option is there in checkout) or you can handle the shipping yourself.


Payment

We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover [not American Express]) both directly via Authorize.net and via Paypal. If you choose this option, you will be routed to Paypal and back. Will not actually charge your credit card until we complete and ship your order. We will of course take checks and money orders, but will not ship until they clear. Those and other correspondence can go to:

Chocolate Alchemy

3796 Stewart Road

Eugene OR 97402

If you choose to pay by check or money order, you will receive an email after your order is complete. Just print it out and send it in with the amount indicated.

Notifications, Deliveries, Damage and Claims

We send out tracking numbers with all UPS and USPS shipments, both local and international.  Please allow 2-3 days for the tracking to update.

It is your responsibility to keep track of a shipment and notify Chocolate Alchemy if your shipment does not arrive.  We do not track packages and are not notified of delivery issues.  If a package does not arrive, you must contact us within 30 days.  After that we may be unable to trace the package or file a claim.

Should your package arrive damaged, please contact us within 7 days and keep all packaging.  Photos and packaging may be needed to file a claim.  We will attempt to assist if you don't let us know in that 7 day window but in many cases these rules are set by the carrier.

 

Other stuff
If there is anything that we have missed that you would have found helpful, please let us know. We are here to serve you and can only make changes once we know there is a problem. Any comments no matter how bitter or sweet can go to Orders@ChocolateAlchemy.com