Before you order a ring, get four answers in writing: what metal and stones it is made of, what size it is, how and when it will be delivered, and what happens if it does not fit or arrives damaged. Clear answers protect you, whatever the ring means to you.
This applies to any lucky ring, magic ring or charm, from us or from anyone else. The meaning of a ring is personal. The practical details are not, and you should be able to check them.
Ask exactly what the ring is made of
Words like "silver colour", "gold tone" or "precious metal" can hide a lot. Ask for the actual metal, for example sterling silver, gold of a stated carat, stainless steel, brass or copper, and whether the ring is solid or only plated.
If there is a stone, ask what it is and whether it is natural, treated or man-made. If you have sensitive skin, ask about nickel, which is used in some cheaper metals and causes a rash in some people.
Ask for a clear photo of the item you will receive, and keep it with your order messages. For our own rings and charms, Shakir gives you the actual item, its materials, its size and a photo before you order.
Get the size right before you pay
Ring sizes are written differently in different countries. The US and Canada use numbers, the UK and Australia use letters, and much of Europe uses the inside measurement in millimetres. Say which system you are using, or send a measurement in millimetres, which avoids confusion.
- Measure the inside width of a ring that already fits the finger you plan to wear it on.
- Or wrap a thin strip of paper around that finger, mark where it meets, and measure the length.
- Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are usually a little larger, and check the ring will pass over your knuckle.
- Ask whether the ring can be resized later, and who pays for it.
Understand delivery time, tracking and cost
Ask for two separate times: how long the item takes to prepare before it is sent, and how long the carrier usually takes to deliver it. A ring that is blessed or prepared for you may take longer than one sent straight from stock.
Ask which carrier will be used, whether there is a tracking number, and what delivery costs. Check your full address and postcode before the item is sent. A parcel sent to a wrong or incomplete address can be delayed or returned.
Our shipping and delivery page explains how this works for orders from Witch Doctor Shakir.
Customs and import charges
When a parcel crosses a border, the country receiving it may charge import duty, tax such as VAT or GST, and a handling fee from the carrier. These are often paid by the person receiving the parcel, sometimes before it is handed over.
The rules depend on your country and on the value of the parcel. The UK government, for example, explains these charges on its page about goods sent from abroad. Ask the seller whether import charges are included in the price, and check your own country's customs website if you are not sure.
Some countries also have rules on items made from certain natural materials, such as some plants, shells or animal products. If a charm contains natural materials, ask what they are before you order.
Know the return terms before you order
Ask these questions before you pay. Our returns and exchanges page answers them for our own rings and charms.
- How many days you have to ask for a return or exchange.
- Whether a wrong size can be exchanged, and who pays postage both ways.
- What happens if the item arrives damaged or is lost in the post.
- Whether an item made or blessed specially for you is treated differently.
Know your rights and keep a record
Depending on where you live, you may have legal rights when you buy from a business, for example if goods are faulty or not as described. A seller's own policy cannot take those rights away.
Keep the messages where the price, materials, size and delivery were agreed, and your payment receipt. If anything goes wrong, a clear record makes it much easier to sort out, with the seller or with your bank.
