Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering

How can I place an order?

All of orders are processed through our website.  Please add the item to your cart and proceed thru the checkout process.  We are unable to process phone orders.  If you have a question about your order, please email emily@stonecreektrading.com.

Is this item in stock?

If a product is available for purchase on our website, we have it in stock at our facility and ready to ship.  If a product is out of stock, it will say so on the website and not be available for purchase.  Typically we try to add a note to out of stock products letting our customers know when we expect to have more.  Because all of our products are imported directly from Poland, it can take a few months to get more of an item.  You can fill out the form on the out of stock product page to be notified when it will be available again.

Do you charge sales tax or any other additional fees besides shipping?

Illinois State law requires us to charge sales tax only on orders shipped to Illinois addresses.  All orders outside of Illinois are not charged sales tax.  We do not charge any additional fees besides sales tax and shipping.

I'm purchasing this as a gift, can you include a note to the recipient with the order?

We would be happy to add a gift note to your order.  If your purchase is a gift that will be shipped directly to the recipient, you can add a note to the order under the "Note to Stone Creek Trading" section on bottom of the "Your Shopping Cart" page.  If you forget to include the note when you place the order, you can always email emily@stonecreektrading.com to request that a gift note be added. 

How do I cancel my order?

If you would like to cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing emily@stonecreektrading.com or replying to your order confirmation email.  Orders that are canceled before they ship will be issued a full refund.  If the order has already shipped, we can refund you for the cost of the item, but the shipping fee is non-refundable.  If the order has already shipped when it is canceled, your refund will not be issued until the item is back in our possession, which can take up to 2 weeks. 

I just received my order and there is a problem, what do I do now?

Please see our Returns page for more information about our return policy.

Shipping

For questions about shipping please see our Shipping Page!

Do you have a storefront/can I see the products in person?

At this time we are an exclusively online store. 

Products

Do your fermenting crocks include the weights?

Yes, most of the fermenting crocks that we sell come with the weight included. 

We also sell weights separately on our site for those people who like to use an additional weight for fermenting or for those who may have purchased a crock elsewhere that did not include the weight.  You do not need to buy a weight in addition to the crock unless you have a need for an extra set of weights.

Please note - our dry storage and rumtopf crocks do not include weights.

Are your stoneware crocks & bakeware food safe?

Yes, our stoneware is food safe.  We source our bakeware from the Boleslawiec Pottery Works in Poland, a cooperative with many artists that work under it, either in factories or smaller studios. All of our stoneware, including the fermenting crocks, are lead-free, and have been since the late 19th century, when Johann Gottlieb Altman, a master potter from Boleslawiec, began to use lead-free feldspar glaze instead of then common lead glazes. In addition, all of our crocks meet the ASTM and European Union safety standards for contact with food. 

What does unfinished wood mean?  Do I need to finish it?

The majority of our wood products are unfinished.  Unfinished means that they do not have a varnish or paint coating on top of the natural wood.  However, they are sanded smooth and ready for use.  We recommend treating the wood with a food safe oil to prolong the life of the products.  Some products are finished with a natural mineral oil.  In all cases, the natural beauty of the wood is visible.

Are there any special care instructions for the wood products?

Our wood products do not require any special care.  The oil from your hands, as well as the food you are cooking will naturally darken the wood with use.  This is normal, and not a concern.  For washing, we suggest hand washing with soap and hot water to extend the life of your products.  While you may clean wood items in the dishwasher, this can lead to premature cracking of the wood.  It is also not advised to soak wood items in water. 

Why small factories in Europe?

In the global economy of today, we find it increasingly difficult to trace the origin of the products we use in our everyday lives.  From reports on deplorable working conditions in factories to lead and other unsafe materials being found in products, it is hard to trust the safety and ethical production of the goods we purchase.  In order to make the process clearer and more reliable, we purchase our products directly from the factory.  We choose to work with small factories in order to have a personal connection with the people who make these products.  When it comes to our products, you can be sure that they are manufactured under safe, ethical conditions and made to the highest quality.

Contact

I have a question, what is the best way to contact you?

Our primary means of contact is through email - emily@stonecreektrading.com.  The contact us form on our webpage will also send an email to this address.  If you have an urgent need, an email often will receive a quicker response than a phone call.  If you do need to call us, our phone number is 331-205-9541.  Please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as we can.