General Questions

Where Are You Located?
Our business is based in Vancouver BC (Canada) but we ship world wide.

How Long Have You Been In Business?
Since March 2004. The online store has existed at this specific URL since November 2005 (prior to that we were simultaneously at araneum.ca and ebay.ca).

Are You Affiliated With the (X) Company/Store/Etc.?
Art of Adornment is entirely independently owned and operated (read more About Us). We have been asked this question a lot lately because of the rising mainstream popularity of Gothic and vintage-influenced fashion, and the flourish of stores that have opened in recent years which feature similar styles. Any affiliations we may have with other stores, publications, etc. can be found on our About Us page.

How Many People Work There?
Technically only one, but other designers' work is frequently sold on consignment, so it is more like 3-6. More info About Us.

Do You Have A Retail Store Location?
No, however some products are occasionally available in-store at Lace Embrace Atelier (you may wish to call them first). Retailers in other parts of the world which carry Art of Adornment items can be found on the About Us page.

Can I Use Your Pictures On My Website, or Post Them In My Blog?
Yes! Ask us for copies of the images you want and we will email them to you. You must not alter them to remove or conceal our legal copyright watermark or logo graphic ("Art of Adornment" "Copyright © Elaine Barrick", etc.), and you must save the images to your own web host for display (no hotlinking).

I Am A Model/Designer/Photographer/Filmmaker - Can I Shoot Your Designs?
Yes! We are currently seeking people that would like to include our work in their shoots in exchange for copies of the resulting images. See the Gallery page for more information.

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About Our Jewelry

I Have Metal Allergies. Am I Going To Have A Reaction?
Nickel allergies are common (in about 12-15% of people), although many with allergies can wear nickel for a few hours without problems. Any metal components which are known to contain nickel, lead, or other substances that commonly raise health concerns have been noted in the product description. We offer upgrades to sterling silver parts on many of our metal jewelry products (see any Earrings or Chokers product for details).

What Does "Plated" Mean?
Plating is a process where one metal is applied over another in a thin layer by using an electrical current to bond the two metals. This is done for three reasons: 1. to protect against corrosion or scratches (rhodium or nickel plating), 2. to resist discolouration or tarnish (rhodium, nickel or gold plating), or 3. to reduce cost since a product made with a thin layer of precious metal (e.g. silver) over a less expensive base metal (e.g. brass) costs much less than a solid piece of precious metal. Plating is not as durable as solid metal however; it will eventually wear away with use (where it rubs against the skin mostly), revealing the base metal underneath, a process which can take 1-10 years depending on how frequently you wear it and how well you care for it. Hence this is why plated jewelry is much less expensive than solid precious metal; its shorter lifespan is the sacrifice you make.

How Do I Clean And Care For My Plated Metal Jewelry?
If you wear your plated jewely only periodically (a few times a month for only a few hours at a time) and avoid contact with household cleaners, talc, potting soil (gardening activities), and abrasive products (steel wool, sand paper, granite, etc.) it should last 5-10 years. Hang up your necklaces and earrings rather than casually tossing them in a jewelry box or else you risk scratching any beads as well as metal parts.You can further protect your plated jewelry by periodically painting clear liquid lacquer specially designed for protecting metal (or clear nail varnish will do) to surfaces that touch the skin most frequently. We recommend cleaning your plated jewelry with mild soap and water and NOT chemical cleaners, anti-tarnish agents or "impregnated"-type polishing cloths - they will damage the finish on antiqued pieces especially.

What Is "Rhodium"?
Rhodium is a silver-coloured precious metal from the platinum family that is highly scratch- and tarnish-resistant. It has a slightly less reflective finish than sterling silver which makes it a great compliment to antiqued silver jewelry, since antiqued finishes are darker in colour and less reflective. We use a lot of rhodium-plated components in our jewelry for both these reasons. Also, rhodium is usually safe for people with sensitive skin since it does not contain nickel (which is known to cause allergic reactions).

What Is The Difference Between "Silver Plate", "Sterling Plate", "Silver Fill" and "Solid Sterling"?
When we use the word "silver", we don't mean silver coloured metal, we mean genuine silver ore. However we will use the generic term "silvertone" to describe metals such as nickel or steel if we are not 100% sure of the metal content.

Solid Sterling: the total metallic content of the component (solidity) is .925 silver with .075 copper additive (92.5% pure silver = "sterling"). Usually stamped with the hallmark "925" to indicate purity.
Sterling Plate, Silver Fill and Silver Plate: a thin layer of silver ore has been electrically bonded to a core of base metal, usually steel or brass. Since silver is expensive and fairly soft, layering it over a harder base metal gives the component greater strength at a lower cost. "Sterling plate" is a very thin layer of .925 sterling; "silver fill" is sterling plate but applied in a much thicker layer. Plated and filled components are never hallmarked since they are not solid silver.
Silver Plate: a somewhat generic term nowadays, meaning a layer of silver ore applied over a base metal. The layer could be sterling plate, silver fill, or even an alloy of sterling plate blended with tin, nickel or rhodium (in other words, not much silver at all). Our silver plated components do not contain nickel; in fact the majority are sterling plate.

What's the Difference Between "Antiqued" and "Antiqued Oxidized" Silver?
Normal polished silver is bright and shiny, and very white in colour. "Antiqued" silver is slightly more steel-grey in colour, with the deep areas in the design darkened (by use of a pigmenting agent) and the raised areas still shiny. "Antiqued oxidized" silver has been treated with a chemical that actually changes the surface of the metal; it has a a rich all-over matte finish ("patina"), is steel-grey in colour, with the deepest areas in the design significantly darkened to imitate considerable age.

How Do I Clean And Store My Fabric Choker?
See the Choker Care page.

Does Crystal Contain Lead? Is It Dangerous?
Crystal beads and rhinestones are usually about 30% lead. You cannot absorb lead through your skin - it is only transferable through inhalation and ingestion. Crystal should not be handled by children, since they often put objects in their mouths. Lead is present in many other household objects (pewter, plumbing pipes, dirt/soil, fine glassware, etc.); always wash your hands after handling these objects, and never drink from a chipped or cracked crystal glass.

What Kind Of Quality Can I Expect?
Better than you probably think. Our prices are rather low for artisan designer accessories, but this does not imply poor workmanship. We do not believe that designers should inflate their prices just to be pretentious. How do we keep prices low? Products are sold direct from our private studio, so there is no middleman, no storefront to maintain, nor expensive overhead costs. We do all of our own graphic design, packaging, shipping and marketing. We buy components wholesale so the savings are passed on to you. We are also extremely selective and check each piece carefully for flaws - we would not sell anything we would not be proud to wear ourselves!

Why Do You Use Vintage Components?
Three reasons: 1.) because there is some amazing stuff out there that they just don't make anymore! 2.) by reusing antique materials we help reduce waste in the enviroment, and 3.) because nothing says "retro" like the real thing - using real vintage components makes an old-fashioned style piece look much more authentic.

Where Do You Get The Metal Choker Parts & Other Components? Can I Buy Some From You?
Sorry - a great chef never reveals her secret ingredients! But if you are looking for jewelry-making supplies, we recommend Eclectic Craft & Jewelry Supply.

Do You Sell Kits So I Can Make Your Designs For Myself Or My Store?
No. One of the goals of our business is to offer items people cannot easily find elsewhere, making them that much more special and personal to those who collect them. It is considered disrespectful in the arts world (and actually illegal in the eyes of copyright law) to duplicate another artist's designs and sell them as your own. Even craft stores that kits and patterns do so under the impression that they are for personal use only, not for resale (if you check the packaging there is usually some fine print to this effect). If you are inerested in making jewelry, the best thing you can do is to start by experimenting with materials you can buy at your local fabric store or bead shop and see if you like working with it. You will inevitably come up with something really unique that will encourage other people to admire it, because you are always making something different and new.

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Payment

Can I Pay By VISA? Or Money Order? Or Cheque? Or...?
See the Payment page for all accepted methods.

Do You Accept Prepaid Visa (Etc.) Gift Cards?
Visa (or American Express, etc.) gift cards are a very new payment option and not all gift cards are accepted. Before attempting to use your gift card online it must be registered (see Online or Phone purchases). Then when you go through our checkout, select PayPal/Credit Card as your payment option and follow instructions for paying without a PayPal account. If you encounter problems while submitting payment you must contact the card issuer directly (see info provided with card) for assistance. Prepaid cards which do not require the use of a PIN or other security data are not accepted.

Can I Place My Order Over The Phone?
Sorry, we cannot take credit card orders over the phone. If you would rather not pay online, see the Payment page for alternatives.

Can I Combine Purchases With Items I Won In Your Ebay Store (Or Previous Orders Placed Here)?
No. Separate orders must be shipped separately.

I Just Placed An Order But Forgot Something. Can I "Add On"?
No. Once placed, an order cannot be changed. We would have to cancel it and refund your payment (could take a few days to process), and you would have to place a new order including the items you forgot.

Why Do You Charge Sales Tax On Canadian Deliveries?
Because we are a legitimate registered Canadian business, and it is the law. The law states that anything sold within our province (BC) must be charged all applicable taxes; orders shipped to other Canadian provinces must be charged GST (or HST). Tax is charged on the item total and shipping cost combined, since it must be based upon whatever costs it takes to get the purchase into the recipient's hands.

Why Are All Your Prices In US Dollars By Default?
Although we are located in Canada, we use the currency which the majority of our customers use. You can switch to other currencies at any time by using the drop-down list in the left menu.

Do I Have To Convert My Currency to $USD Before I Pay?
No. You may select your currency of choice by using the left-hand menu - both PayPal and HyperWallet convert your country's currency for you automatically during Check Out using the current exchange rate. If paying by money order or any other accepted method we will give you a converted total.

I Tried To Pay But It's Not Working. Help?
See the Techincal Problems questions.

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Shipping

Do You Ship To...?
We ship worldwide, with the exception of Belarus, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Myanmar and Somalia due to Canada Customs export restrictions.

How Much Do You Charge To Ship?
Rates vary depending on parcel size, parcel weight and country, starting between $6-$12 USD. To preview your exact rate, add an item to the cart and begin Check Out (you will not be obligated to buy). Non-Canadian addresses: when buying multiple items (order value over approx. $100 USD) it may be cheaper to split them up, placing two small orders rather than one large one. The bigger the box, the more costly the shipping, especially for overseas.

Why Is My Shipping Rate So Expensive?
Either because 1.) your shipping address is inside Canada (unfortunately Canada Post does not offer more economical options for domestic shipping), or 2.) you are purchasing multiple items which are affecting the size and weight of the parcel (see question above).

How Long Does Shipping Take?
It depends on service and destination. See Estimated Delivery Times to your area.

Will My Parcel Have A Tracking Number?
Tracking is available on all services worldwide EXCEPT Small Packet services.

Do You Offer Rush/Express Shipping?
Yes! We offer rush delivery worldwide (1-7 business days depending on destination). More details here.

Do You Offer Overnight Shipping?
We can only offer next-day service to Canadian destinations at this time.

Can You Ship My Purchase As A Gift?
Yes! See the Gift Options page for instructions on how to ship your purchase as a gift.

Will You Ship To A Different Address (Work, School, Gift Recipient)?
Yes! However please see Non-Billing/Gift Address first for important information before ordering.

Why Won't The Checkout Let Me Ship To An Address Different Than My Home?
It is actually an anti-fraud measure put in place by banks and credit card companies as well as PayPal, but it can be quickly resolved by adding the address to your payment source account before purchase. See Non-Billing/Gift Address for details.

Can The Parcel Be Left At My Side Door (Etc.) If No One Is Home?
No. Parcels dropped off and left unattended risk being stolen or damaged, and insurance does not cover unsecured parcels. Instead, have us ship it to an alternate address (work, shool, neighbor, etc.) if picking it up from the post office is inconvenient.

What Return Address Information Will Be Displayed On The Parcel?
Parcel ship from "E Barrick / Art of Adornment".

My Order Has Not Arrived Yet. What Should I Do?
If it has not arrived within a couple of business days of the estimated delivery time quoted, first contact your local post office since it may be waiting for pick-up (they may have been unable to notify you - this DOES happen!). Click here for more info on delivery time and overdue shipments.

The Tracking Has Not Been Updated In Several Days. Is My Parcel Lost?
Tracking is only as good as the mail carrier scanning the bar code on the parcel. Just because it has not been scanned in a few days does not mean it has been forgotten. Frequently to addresses outside Canada, once the parcel has entered the destination country very few scans are made until the parcel appears at your door. This is normal. There is no need to worry unless more than two weeks has passed since the online tracking was last updated.

If My Order Does Not Arrive In Time For My Event, Can I Return It?
Only if it is not a Final Sale item, although please note that shipping costs are non-refundable. However in cases of delayed XpressPost or Priority delivery, we may be able to refund part of the shipping cost.

Can I Combine Purchases With Items I Won In Your Ebay Store (Or Previous Orders Placed Here)?
No. Separate orders must be shipped separately.

I Just Placed An Order But Forgot Something. Can I "Add On"?
No. Once placed, an order cannot be changed. We would have to cancel it and refund your payment (could take a few days to process), and you would have to place a new order including the items you forgot.

I Gave You The Wrong Shipping Address. Can You Re-Send It If It Comes Back?
Yes, but we must to bill you for double the shipping rate before we can re-send it. Canada Post charges us the full rate for having the parcel sent back to us, and again for sending it back out, so these costs must be covered. Double-check your shipping address for mistakes before you confirm your order!

Can I Pick Up My Order?
Yes, see the Shipping page for full details.

Can You Ship By FedEx, UPS, DHL (etc.)?
No. They charge high brokerage fees to international clients, require extensive paperwork, and have restrictions on items containing precious metals, crystal, and semi-precious stones.

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Sizes

How Are Your Items Sized, and What Size Should I Order?
The measurement you see beside "Fits (X) Size:" is the natural body measurement the item will best fit, NOT the measurement of the actual item. If you do not have a dressmakers' measuring tape, take a piece of string or ribbon and mark where the end meets, then measure it while flat.

Do You Do Custom Sizing?
Yes. Almost all jewelry items can be shortened at no extra charge (include a note in the "Order Notes" box during checkout). Silver-plated and gunmetal-plated choker chains can be lengthened up to 3 inches at no extra charge, but sterling choker chains, beaded necklaces, choker ribbons, and pocket watch chains will require a small fee for lengthening. Many of our fancy lace chokers look much better on larger sizes if custom made from scratch rather than just lengthening the chain - ask us for a quote before puchase (usually there is no extra charge, they just take a few days before ready to ship).

How Tight Should My Choker Be Worn?
Very snug, but you should still be able to slip your finger under the band without too much difficulty.

Why Don't You Make "One Size Fits All" Chokers?
Because clothing and accessories are supposed to fit you properly and look flattering. In our opinion, "one size" chokers can look like an awkward compromise, especially on larger sizes. We want you to look your best! See second question in this section.

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Prices & Ordering

How Do I Use The Shopping Cart?
When viewing the list of items, click the product name or "Buy Now" button beside an item and its detail page will load. Click the "Add To Cart" button and the item will be added to the cart. To remove an item from the cart, click the small white box to the left of the thumbnail image and then click the "Update Cart" button.

Do I Have To Create An Account In Order To Shop?
Yes, but that is not a bad thing! Creating an account allows us to provide you with better service. After signing in you can view past and current orders, track order status, create product notifications and subscribe to our free email newsletter. It also speeds up the checkout process for you since your account can store up to 5 shipping addresses. You will not be asked to enter financial data (credit card numbers, etc.). We only use your information to process your order and do not spam or share this information with anyone.

Do You Have A Printed Catalogue?
No, because our selection is constantly changing.

Can I Place My Order Over The Phone?
Sorry, we cannot take credit card orders over the phone. See the Payment page for alternatives.

Will I Receive A Confirmation Email When I Order?
Yes, if the email address you provided during account sign-up is valid. If you do not receive a confirmation, check your spam/junk mail folder or log in and view orders.

Can I Combine Purchases With Items I Won In Your Ebay Store (Or Previous Orders Placed Here)?
No. Separate orders must be shipped separately.

I Just Placed An Order But Forgot Something. Can I "Add On"?
No. Once placed, an order cannot be changed. We would have to cancel it and refund your payment (could take a few days to process), and you would have to place a new order including the items you forgot.

Can You Put An Item On "Reserve" For Me?
No. Many of our items are one-of-a-kind or limited edition, so to be fair to everyone who might want them everything is sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

Do You Do "Backorders"?
No. We would not want to disappoint you by taking an order only to tell you several weeks later that it is no longer available, and that you have waited for nothing (we use many rare and vintage materials which sometimes sell out unexpectedly). See question below.

When Will An Item Will Be Back In Stock?
If we know when an item will be back in stock, a date will be displayed on the item details page in red text beneath the item description. However this date is approximate. You can sign up for an email notification by clicking the link under "Product Notification" (bottom right-hand corner of item detail page).

Do You Have More Of (X) Item?
If an item is marked "discontinued", "one of a kind" or "limited edition", quantity is limited. Otherwise handcrafted items can usually be made in higher quantities upon request (contact us with item #'s and how many you need). Items that are no longer listed in our store have either sold out or cannot be made anymore due to scarce materials.

Do You Wholesale?
No. Most of our products are handmade by skilled artisans, not by machines, so they cannot be mass-produced quickly and cheaply. If you are interested in reselling, we offer a 20% discount on orders valued over $200 USD (click here for details).

Do You Take Custom Design Orders?
Basic custom options (change the colour of a bead, add length, make smaller, etc.) are possible on most items. You must include these options in your order - requests cannot be made after purchase. if the option you seek is not available there (eg. change rhinestone colour), contact us for a quote before purchase. Please note that we no longer take custom requests for hats or wood boxes.

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Returns

What Is Your Return/Refund Policy?
Many items can be accepted for return, however we must receive your return within 60 days from date of purchase, since refunds cannot be issued after that time. See our Returns page for product exclusions, refund terms, and details on repairs/alterations.

My Item Doesn't Fit. Can I Return It?
See our Returns page for information on what items can be returned, exchanged or altered.

The (Part) On My (Item) Broke, Can You Fix It?
If it is one of our hand-crafted items (distinguishable by the designer's name appearing in the product description), definitely! Notify us immediately and post it for return within 30 days of purchase for free repair/replacement (sent back to you at no charge). After 30 days we reserve the right to charge for any materials, labour, and return shipping costs. See questions below for problems with other types of items.

There Is A Problem With The Watch I Bought. What Should I Do?
Please note that watches are Final Sale (see why). If there is a problem you should 1.) check if the watch is wind-up style or not (see Watches and read item's description) and wind it if it is, 2.) to see if you have merely overwound the watch, tap the back sharply with your knuckle a few times to get it running again, and 3.) ensure the battery is engaged by putting the top ring in the down position (if it is and the watch still does not operate, have the battery changed). Always check a watch immediately upon receipt, because unless it arrived damaged (glass cracked, piece broken off, etc.) and we are notified right away, we are unable to accept a return.

My (Item) Has A Flaw In It. Can I Return It?
Yes, if it is a handcrafted item (identified by the designer's name appearing on the item detail page), is unworn, and is returned within 30 days of purchase. However please note: some components we use are vintage stock (noted in item's description). More about returns with vintage parts here.

My Order Did Not Arrive In Time For My Event. Can I Return It?
If it is not a Final Sale item and has not yet been worn, yes - but shipping charges are non-refundable. If your event is less than 3 weeks away we recommend you choose XpressPost or Priority shipping just to be on the safe side (delivery times for each service are quoted during Check Out).

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Technical Problems

* IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, FIRST ENSURE YOUR BROWSER IS SET TO ACCEPT "COOKIES" *

I Emailed You But Did Not Get A Reply. Why?
This is likely because: 1.) it got filtered as spam or bounced because your inbox was full, 2.) you have not waited at least 24 hours for us to reply, 3.) your email address is no longer valid or was entered incorrectly, or 4.) your question has already been answered in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). To avoid our messages being filtered as spam, add contact @ artofadornment.ca (without spaces) to your contact list. Some SBCglobal/ATT/Earthlink users are not receiving our emails regardless - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. Try re-sending using a different email address (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail, etc.).

Why Can't I Create An Account?
It is almost always due to a typing error. Ensure your email address and password are spelled correctly, your entries contain no unnecessary blank spaces, and that your Caps Lock key is off (type data in full - do not allow your computer to fill it in for you automatically). Also, avoid using abbreviations in the state/province box. If you cannot remember if you have created an account here before, try logging in with your email address. If your email is on file but the password is incorrect, you will see an error notice to that effect and can use the Forgot Password function.

Why Can't I Sign In?
See question above. Remember, your email address is your login ID - if you change it in your profile it will automatically become your new login. If you have checked everything carefully and still cannot sign in, it is possible that your email address had a typing error during sign-up. Give us your full name and the email address you are trying to login with and we will check it for you. Note: passwords can only be given out via the Forgot Password page.

I Forgot My Password And Clicked the Link To Get A New One. Why Hasn't It Come?
This is likely because 1.) it got filtered as spam or bounced because your inbox was full, 2.) your email address is no longer valid or was entered incorrectly, or 3.) some SBCglobal/ATT/Earthlink users are not receiving our emails - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. To avoid our messages being filtered as spam, add contact @ artofadornment.ca (without spaces) to your contact list and try again. If you suspect cause #2 or #3, sign up for a new account using a different email address (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail, etc.).

Why Am I Having Trouble Viewing Some Of Your Pages? [Enabling Cookies]
Your browser's security settings are either set far too high or your browser is unable to accept "cookies". Cookies are information sent by a web server to temporarily store on a browser so it can keep you logged in and remember your cart contents while you shop. Browser cookie settings are usually under Tools > Options > Privacy (path to location varies by browser, so look for Privacy settings regardless). Privacy should be set to "medium" (in FireFox, to "remember history"). Few mobile devices use cookies, so you may have to shop from home. Also, pop-up blocker programs may prevent our detail images from loading. Try temporarily disabling the blocker.

I Tried To Check Out But It's Not Working. Help?
This could be because 1.) your billing and/or shipping addresses were entered incorrectly (check postal code and state/province closely - avoid abbreviations and remove any blank spaces before your entries in each field), 2.) if paying by credit or debit card, your address was not entered EXACTLY as it appears on your statement (shipping to a gift/work address?), or 3.) your browser does not have "cookies" enabled (see question above). If paying with a PayPal or HyperWallet account, it may help to use the same email address here as you do there. If paying with a prepaid Visa or American Express Gift Card, see second question under Payment. If despite these suggestions you still experience problems, it may be that your card has an automatic anti-theft security restriction which prevents online processing (common for people who have never shopped online or internationally before). Contact the card issuer to lift any restrictions before checking out again.

Why Won't The Checkout Let Me Ship To An Address Different Than My Home?
It is actually an anti-fraud measure put in place by banks and credit card companies as well as PayPal, but it can be quickly resolved by adding the address to your payment source account before purchase. See Non-Billing/Gift Address for details.

Why Did I Not Receive A Confirmation Email After Placing An Order?
This may be because 1.) it got filtered as spam or bounced because your inbox was full, 2.) your email address is no longer valid or was entered incorrectly, 3.) your order was not completed, or 4.) some SBCglobal/ATT/Earthlink users are not receiving our emails - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. First, view recent orders to see if your order was processed. If your order was completed and you suspect cause #2 or #4, switch to a different email address (Hotmail, Gmail, etc.) to avoid future problems. To avoid our messages being filtered as spam, add contact @ artofadornment.ca (without spaces) to your email contact list.

Why Am I Not Receiving Newsletters Or Product Notifications?
First check that you have opted in to these services. View the account menu (requires login) and click links under Email Notifications. If notifications are already turned on yet you are not receiving them, see question above.

I Bookmarked One of Your Pages But Now It's Gone. Why?
When a customer buys the last product in stock, the page becomes temporarily unavailable (check back after 24 hours - it will reappear if we can estimate when more stock will become available). When a product has completely sold out it is permanently removed from our server.

Personalized Help
If you have tried the suggestions above and are still having problems, feel free to contact us.

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