Thank you for choosing The Baking Sweetness for your artisan cookie and cake needs. This shipping policy outlines our delivery procedures, pickup options, and important terms regarding the shipment of your orders. By placing an order with us, you acknowledge and agree to all terms outlined in this policy.

1.- WHEN WE SHIP

We bake fresh products to order and coordinate shipping schedules during the order confirmation process between our team and customers. All items are prepared fresh and shipped according to the agreed timeline established at the time of purchase. Our standard production time allows us to ensure maximum freshness and quality for every order.

2.- SHIPPING CARRIERS

For delivery throughout the United States, we partner with reliable shipping carriers to ensure your orders reach you safely. UPS handles all shipments within the continental United States, while USPS manages deliveries to Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Once your order is complete and ready for shipment, we transfer it to the designated carrier and provide tracking information to the contact details you provided during checkout, including email and phone number. Please ensure your contact information is accurate to receive timely updates.

3.- LOCAL PICKUP IN WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA

Customers in the Winter Garden and surrounding Central Florida area may choose local pickup as a convenient alternative to shipping. Local pickup is available daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM by appointment. To schedule a pickup, please contact us through our website contact form or call our office directly at (305) 525-3197. After your payment is processed, we will provide the exact pickup address and coordinate a convenient pickup time with you.

If you are unable to collect your order at the scheduled time, please contact us as soon as possible to arrange an alternative pickup appointment. We understand that schedules can change and will work with you to find a suitable alternative time. However, please note that orders not collected within two weeks of completion will be disposed of without notice or refund. We encourage all customers to communicate with us regarding any pickup challenges to avoid forfeiture of orders.

4.- SHIPPING DESTINATIONS AND TIMEFRAMES

We provide nationwide shipping services to all fifty states, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, ensuring that our artisan cookies and cakes can be enjoyed across the country. Standard shipping timeframes are as follows: Florida deliveries typically arrive within one business day, other continental United States locations receive shipments within two to three business days, and shipments to Puerto Rico and Hawaii may require additional transit time due to geographic distance and carrier routing. Please note that we do not ship to post office boxes or APO/FPO addresses. All shipments require a physical street address for successful delivery. Signature confirmation is not required for standard deliveries, though customers may request this service for an additional fee.

5.- SHIPPING RATES AND RESTRICTIONS

While we offer flat-rate shipping for most destinations within our standard delivery zones, certain remote areas, specific regions in U.S. territories, and addresses requiring special handling may incur additional shipping charges beyond our standard rates. If your delivery address falls into one of these categories, we will contact you before processing your order to discuss options. In such cases, we will provide two alternatives: you may choose to pay the additional shipping difference through a secure payment link we provide, or you may cancel your order and receive a full refund. We will never process additional charges or modify your order without first obtaining your explicit approval.

6.- CARRIER RESPONSIBILITY AND DELIVERY DELAYS

Once your package is transferred to UPS, USPS, or other designated shipping carriers, responsibility for timely delivery transfers to the carrier. While we carefully package all items to ensure safe transport, various factors beyond our control may affect delivery timing, including weather conditions, carrier route changes, seasonal shipping volumes, and unforeseen logistical challenges. We do not provide refunds, replacements, or store credit for delays in carrier delivery that are beyond our control. If your order is marked as lost by the carrier, we will assist you in filing a claim with the appropriate shipping company, though we cannot guarantee the outcome of such claims. Our packaging standards ensure that approximately 95% of orders arrive in perfect condition. While the remaining 5% may experience minor cosmetic damage during transit, the quality and taste of our products remain uncompromised. We package all orders with care using appropriate protective materials and food-safe packaging designed for shipping. If your package tracking shows "Delivered" but you have not received it, this typically indicates a carrier delivery error or package theft, situations for which we cannot provide refunds or replacements. For customers in areas with higher risk of package theft, we recommend selecting a UPS Access Point for pickup or providing an alternative secure delivery address such as a workplace. Occasionally, carriers may deliver packages to incorrect addresses due to human error or GPS inaccuracies. While we will provide guidance and assist with filing carrier claims in such situations, we cannot accept responsibility for carrier delivery errors once packages leave our facility.

7.- ADDRESS ACCURACY

Shipping labels are generated automatically based on the exact address information you provide during checkout. We do not modify or correct address information after order processing begins. If your package is lost, returned, or delayed due to incomplete or incorrect address information, including typographical errors or missing apartment numbers, we cannot provide refunds or replacements. If you wish to have a returned package reshipped due to address errors, new shipping charges will apply. To avoid such issues, please carefully review all shipping information before completing your purchase and ensure that all details are accurate and complete.

8.- PRODUCT FRESHNESS AND STORAGE

All cookies and baked goods are individually sealed using heat-sealing technology to maintain freshness throughout shipping and storage. When stored at room temperature in a cool, dry location, our products maintain optimal quality for up to two weeks from the ship date. For extended storage, products may be frozen and will maintain quality for two to three months when properly stored in freezer-safe containers. For optimal enjoyment, room temperature storage is recommended for immediate consumption. Frozen products may be thawed at room temperature or warmed briefly in a microwave for ten to fifteen seconds to restore optimal texture and temperature. Detailed storage and serving suggestions are provided with every order to ensure the best possible experience with our products.

9.- HOLIDAY AND SEASONAL SHIPPING

During peak holiday seasons and special occasions, shipping volumes increase significantly across all carriers, potentially affecting standard delivery timeframes. While we maintain our commitment to quality and timely processing, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates once packages are in carrier possession during these high-volume periods. To ensure timely delivery for holiday gifts and special occasions, we strongly recommend placing orders well in advance of needed delivery dates. During peak seasons such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and other major holidays, earlier ordering helps avoid disappointment and ensures availability of your preferred items.

10.- INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Currently, we do not offer international shipping outside of the United States and its territories. This policy ensures we can maintain our quality standards and comply with various food safety regulations while providing the best possible service to our domestic customers.

11.- DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS

In the rare event that your order arrives damaged due to inadequate packaging on our part or with quality issues unrelated to shipping, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the affected items. We will work with you to resolve the issue promptly, which may include replacement items or appropriate refunds depending on the specific circumstances. Claims for shipping-related damage must be supported by photographic evidence and reported within the specified timeframe to ensure prompt resolution. We reserve the right to request return of damaged items for quality control evaluation when deemed necessary.

12.- POLICY MODIFICATIONS

We reserve the right to modify this shipping policy at any time to reflect changes in our operations, carrier partnerships, or regulatory requirements. Updated policies will be posted on our website with the effective date clearly indicated. Continued use of our services following policy updates constitutes acceptance of any modifications.

13.- CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions regarding shipping, delivery status, or to report delivery issues, please contact us at (305) 525-3197 or [email protected]. Our customer service team is available to assist you with any shipping-related concerns and will work to resolve issues promptly and professionally.

By placing an order with The Baking Sweetness, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this shipping policy.

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