FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the delivery options?

Mainland UK Deliveries

Depending on the delivery option you have selected -  

Platinum Service - Next available delivery date as shown in checkout, Courier service, includes email of tracking information sent on dispatch, our courier service has an excellent system whereby you can log into their website on the morning of your delivery and they will be able to give you a timed 1 hour delivery slot - you don't have to stay home all morning!  Deliveries made between 10am and 12 noon

Gold Service - Next available delivery date as shown in checkout, Courier service, includes email of tracking information sent on dispatch, our courier service has an excellent system whereby you can log into their website on the morning of your delivery and they will be able to give you a timed 1 hour delivery slot - you don't have to stay home all day!  Deliveries made between 8am and 6pm

Silver Service - Delivery date as shown in checkout, Courier service, dispatch email sent advising delivery day. Deliveries made between 8am and 6pm

Bronze Service - Delivery date  as shown in checkout, Royal Mail Recorded Delivery, dispatch email sent advising tracking information.  Delivery times dependent on your local sorting office.

All our delivery services give you a date you can expect your delivery by - during busy periods deliveries may be made upto 6pm on that date, so be careful when choosing your option.

If you are unsure what the best option is for you then please call us on 01277 224622 and we'll be happy to advise. 

You can login to your account with us using your email address and password, you can view your order and track its progress through processing, sent to warehouse for picking, dispatched on its way etc. 

Overseas Deliveries

Overseas, UK islands and highlands, shipping rates are calculated based upon the volumetric size of your parcel.  Once in checkout the website will give you an estimated shipping charge, if the cost is less or more than you have paid we will email you accordingly.  Please call customer services on 01277 224622 for delivery schedules - we recommend to always leave at least 2 weeks for delivery.

Why are the delivery dates sometimes seem longer than other websites?

Delivery dates are dependent on stock availability, your location, and the volume of orders going through our warehouse.  We also operate many of our team on term time only contracts to help with childcare etc and you may find during school holidays our delivery times may seem longer than usual.  We show an honest delivery time so you can choose a delivery option to suit your party.  Many companies will only give an estimation of delivery.  We don't.

How Is My Parcel Shipped?

We use Royal Mail, or Couriers to send our party parcels, the method of dispatch depends on the size and weight of your party parcel and the most efficient dispatch method to use.  All of our parcels will require a signature upon receipt, there is an option in checkout to change the delivery address if you are not at  your billing address during the day. 

Most deliveries are made between 9am and 6pm.  Special instructions asking for the parcel to be left where a signature cannot be obtained such as - leave on step, by bins or in playhouse cannot be passed onto our delivery partners, but you can change the shipping address to maybe work or a friend or relative who will be available to sign. Our couriers do offer a pre-12 delivery - please call us for costings.

What happens If I'm Not Home For My Delivery?

You will receive a card through your door explaining what to do next. Please make sure you contact the carrier within 5 days, or your parcel will be returned to us, this will incur a returns fee, restocking fees and a further delivery charge if you still require the item.  Remember you can change the shipping address in checkout to a works address or friend or neighbours if that helps. 

We cannot add special instructions such as - leave behind gate, under recycling bins or leave on step - we can only pass on special instructions that will enable our delivery partners to gain a signature - leave with neighbours is a good one!  The driver will then pop a card through your door showing you where your parcel is.

What happens if I change my mind and my parcel has been shipped?

You are welcome to change your mind about your purchase, and as long as the items are resalable, unopened or unused (there are some restrictions though - Please see our returns policy on our website for full details -  we will gladly refund their value to your method of payment.  However is your parcel has been shipped and refused you will be charged for the shipping and return costs. 

If you wish to return your items yourself we recommend you use a trackable system such as the Post Office Recorded Services so you can trace your parcel.  We cannot be held responsible for goods which do not arrive back safely with us.   Returns must be made within 7 days of receipt.

My Parcel Hasn't Arrived?

Please check with neighbours, incase they have kindly taken in your delivery, occasionally parcels can be damaged or lost in transit - please inform us as soon as possible so we have the opportunity to investigate and if necessary arrange another order to be sent so there's no tears at your party!

There's something missing in my parcel?

If there are any discrepancies or missing items on your delivery we must be notified within 3 working days from the date received by calling 01277 224622 or emailing us cs@funpartysupplies.co.uk

Is ordering online safe & Secure?

Ordering with Fun in a box is Safe and Secure, when you go to our checkout pages please notice the Padlock symbol and our URL address changes to  https://  - our websites are also 3D secure, the online equivalent of Chip & Pin, please ensure you log off our sites when your order has been processed. 

Fun in a box  uses SAGE PAY or PAYPAL as your payment service provider. SAGE PAY use Thawte 2048 bit encryption systems. At the browser 128 Bit SSL is used.  Transactions on your statements will be from FUN IN A BOX LIMITED

What credit cards do we accept?

We accept all credit and debit cards except Solo & American Express.

What is 3D Secure?

Verify by Visa & MasterCard SecureCode

Here at Fun in a box we invest time and effort into ensuring the highest levels of security possible on all payment card orders. To support our already high levels of fraud screening, we have implemented Verified by Visa (VbV) and MasterCard SecureCode (SecureCode).

What are they?

Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode are security programmes from Visa and MasterCard which give you enhanced protection when shopping online. They allow you to create your own personal password, known only to you, for use as an extra security measure each time you use your Visa and MasterCard payment cards to make a future purchase online. Fun in a box is one of a number of online stores providing this added security for customers to give you peace of mind when shopping online.

How do they work?

You only need to register with VbV and SecureCode once to create your password for each of your payment cards. Then whenever you shop online using your registered cards you will be asked to enter the relevant password as an additional validation before the order is confirmed.

What do I need to do to register?

To register with VbV or SecureCode you need to complete the details in the box on the right so that Visa or MasterCard can verify your card. After entering your personal details you will then be asked to create a personal password which will be used to authenticate future orders placed online with your Visa or MasterCard payment cards at participating stores. The details you enter in this process will be submitted to your card issuer over a secure link; this information will not be held/viewed on any Fun in a box systems.

What if I am already registered?

If you have already registered you just need to enter your personal VbV or SecureCode password as indicated in the box on the right to continue.

Most card issuers should give you the option to sign up later and just proceed with the payment, if not you can try using another card or call our customer Service team on 01277 224622 who will be happy to answer any questions.

Remember you can always process credit and debit cards through the PayPal system.

Can I Pay with a Cheque or Postal Order?

No sorry, we no longer accept cheques or postal orders.

What currencies do we accept?

All transactions are made in UK Pounds.

How do I know my order has gone through?

You will receive an email with a confirmation order number as your order is placed, please keep this safe as the quickest way for us to track your order is using this order number.  If you do not receive this email please contact us as soon as possible, your order may not have been completed correctly or your email address may be incorrect.

Please check your confirmation carefully, especially for payment method and the shopping cart, the delivery date you have chosen and of course the correct postcode and address, failure to do so could result in delays getting your parcel to you!

Can I have a VAT receipt?

Of course, all our prices include VAT and you will receive a receipt with your order that clearly states the VAT breakdown.  Current VAT applied is 20%.

Is everything in stock?

Our stock levels are maintained at high levels, however from time to time suppliers can themselves go out of stock or sometimes discontinue items without informing us and we may have to call you with a substitute idea or of course offer a refund on a product.  Most times items that are showing online are currently in stock or due in on our next delivery from the supplier, unless we've stated otherwise on the product.  (see pre-order)  Please call us to check if you need to.

Pre-Ordering items

We offer a facility to pre-order new items that are being launched - these items are clearly stated on the websites, we update the expected delivery times regularly but they are dependent on the suppliers information and can sometimes change. 

We suggest you include your party date in special instructions so we can keep you upto date, and please keep checking the website for the latest information.  Pre-order customers are given priority on these items when they arrive in our warehouse.

Can I return something?

We want you to be happy - and to tell all your friends, if there is something wrong please call us or email us so we can see if we can put it right - our returns policy states

On the rare occasion you are not happy with your order you must contact us either in writing to Fun in a box, 8 Hurstwood Avenue, Brentwood, Essex. CM15 9HT or via email at info@funpartysupplies.co.uk in the 1st instance for further information. We are not obliged to accept any returns without prior consent. All faulty products offer a money back guarantee, however we will always send a replacement item to you if in stock in the first instance.

Under the UK's distance selling regulations you have a 7 day 'cooling off' period when you may return an item unused, in it's original condition, with unopened packaging, if you no longer require it*. It is however your responsibility to return the item in perfect and saleable condition and at your own cost. We strongly recommend you use a trackable system to return your goods such as Royal Mail Recorded delivery so your item can be tracked if lost.  We cannot refund items that are not received by us.  Once inspected, we will then arrange to refund your credit card for the item returned minus any P & P costs as these are non-refundable. Any returns after 7 days, will not be refunded, however we will happily offer a credit to your account for future purchases.

Please return your items to RETURNS, Fun in a box ltd, 8 Hurstwood Avenue, Brentwood, Essex.  CM159HT - Please include a covering letter or your order number with all returns.

If your parcel is not longer required, is refused,  or you change your mind, and your parcel has already been dispatched, please note you will be charged a returns fee - this is a direct cost made by our couriers of £6.50.  This will be deducted from any refund due to you.  This only applies to UK based customers.

If you have been offered free delivery and the whole order is returned to us, you will be charged for an original delivery charge, this price will be dependent on what delivery method was used.

To redirect your parcel to another address will incur additional delivery charges of £15.00

*Please note we do not offer refunds or exchanges on personalised products which are made to order, face paints, foil or latex balloons that we do not inflate or confectionery*

If you have any questions concerning returns, then just give us a call on 01277 224622 or email us at cs@funpartysupplies.co.uk

We process refunds as quickly as we can, but during busy periods this may take upto 10 working days.  We can only refund to your method of payment.

How Do I Order Online?

Our site is really easy to use, we designed it that way!  Start with a category - eg Children's Birthday Themes, choose the character you like, and then all the products will be shown, add the quantities you require in the boxes, and press the add to cart button - your shopping cart will then be created.  Follow the instructions online to progress to to checkout. There's a full How to shop available - CLICK HERE

Can I come to your shop?

We are a mail order company and do not have a high street shop you can visit - sorry

Do you dispatch overseas?

We do ship overseas, the price will show in checkout depending on your location and the size and weight of the parcel. 

Can I place an order over the telephone?

Of course, however our site is 3D secure (the online equivalent of Chip & Pin) and your order may take time to process, and you may need to login to provide your secure passwords/codes - we'll explain the process to you over the telephone. 

We are open 7 days a week, 10am until 5pm, with an answer phone in operation should all lines be in use.

Is there a discount for bulk purchases?

All our prices are very competitive, however there are some occasions whereby we can pass on price discounts for bulk purchases - these are normally only available if your order exceeds 200 of one particular item or the total value of your order exceeds £500.  It does vary - so call us to check

Helping the Environment

Fun in a box often reuse and recycle packaging  and as much as possible recycle any unwanted packaging material. 

We urge all our customer to do the same and use the appropriate recycling facilities that are available to them locally.

Who is Fun In A Box Limited?

Fun in a box is an established family run party business trading over various websites including www.FunPartySupplies.co.uk  www.HighSchoolMusicalParty.co.uk    www.PartiesForGrownUps.co.uk  www.KidsPartyBagFillers.co.uk  www.1stBirthdyaFun.co.uk and www.personalisedprintedribbons.co.uk 

As seen on www.organisedbride.co.uk