ABOUT GRAD GOODS & MORE

Company History | Customer Comments | Order Policies | Return Policies | Contact Info

The beginnings

Established in 1978 as Good News Music Service, a professional supplier to school and church music programs, The Robe Shop was originally a small division focussed on choir robes. As our expertise grew in the robe area, we began to provide all kinds of robes, including judicial, academic and clergy wear. With our launch on the web in 1994, we realized that this was a great way to bring together those looking for specialized products and those who specialized in them. The Robe Shop was very well received and finally outgrew its original "parent" and was split off as a separate company, featuring custom-tailored robes and accessories. The Robe Shop continued growing at a rapid pace, as our excellent service, knowledge of the product and many years of business experience proved us to be an excellent source for these products.

Enter Grad Goods & More

Requests for graduation caps & gowns eventually led to a special division of the newly independent Robe Shop. Whereas The Robe Shop features the year-round professional garments, Grad Goods & More focuses on limited-use products for events of all sorts- graduation ceremonies preschool to college, PLUS any event that needs short-term robes, like special performances, TV/film events, academic regalia rentals, weddings, so many uses! That's the "More" in Grad Goods & More- garments for all those events and ceremonies that will be watched, celebrated and remembered, which you'll find on these pages.

So, when GRADUATION is a major event in your life,

we hope you'll turn to GRAD GOODS & MORE. Think of THE ROBE SHOP or GRAD GOODS & MORE for any ceremony or event needing robes. We'd love to hear from you again.

P.S. There are some graduation industry giants out there who don't need your business and treat you that way. Our company cares about you and appreciates your business. Grad Goods & More gives you great American-made products at a fair price and you will be treated well in the process. If you agree, please tell your friends about us!

A note on product sourcing: Since Covid our industry has been sorely tested, with some manufacturers changing hands, losing longtime staff and having to start again shorthanded or with novice help, or completely going out of business. Since our beginnings we have always prided ourselves in supplying garments that are made in America. Now, due to these unfortunate circumstances, we find that some of our products must of necessity come from a foreign source, which must meet all the standards as the original. Thank you for your understanding.

RAVES

Just passing on some comments we've received here at The Robe Shop and our graduation division, Grad Goods & More. Can we persuade you to choose us for all your robe and graduation needs?? You'll like our products and the way we take care of you.

"You guys are so wonderful to work with. I'm telling all of my friends about you.
Grad Goods & More made everything so easy for me it's been a joy." -TC

"Just wanted to let you know that the honor cords arrived yesterday! Thank you so much for rushing the order through. They are beautiful!"-JE

"Thank you so much for your assistance and quick response... "-TE

"I worked with Salena. She was terrific. I was in a bind, had one week before the big day and didn't know what to do. Then Salena saved the day.... Please keep up the good work"-AG

"Dear Grad Goods & More: Thank you for your suggestions! They are appreciated. I look forward to doing business very soon."-SG

Graduation Products FAQ

POLICIES for SOUVENIR & RENTAL ITEMS

For policies on tailored garments, please see Robe Info

Ordering:

Orders submitted in writing are clearer and less prone to error. We encourage you strongly to use our order forms so all the details are clear. Although we are happy to take your order over the phone, we reserve the right to assess a $10 processing fee on extensive or complicated phone orders lacking the preparation of a written order.

Delivery time: The less time we have to fulfill your order, the less chance of sorting out any problem that may arise, so we urge you to order 8 weeks ahead or more. If not, we are experts at handling rush orders! First tell us your event date. This will determine delivery choices. We will aim for your chosen delivery target date as the LAST day we can deliver, but often you will receive your order earlier. If your delivery target date is at least 3 weeks out, you receive the best price per item. Please note that once your order is in process with your chosen target date, the date cannot be changed. Typically your order ships directly from our plant as this will save delivery time. We strive to use the shipping method which will meet your date at the most reasonable cost. Desperate last-minute orders are costly- don't yell at us if you waited too long and have to pay a higher price! In MAY, due to the enormous volume of time-urgent shipments, orders with less than 2 weeks lead time may be impossible for us to fill for you.
Overseas orders: please allow 3 months. We do not guarantee delivery dates to foreign addresses. More detail on our FAQ page.

SPECIAL TERMS DURING THE GRADUATION SEASON MARCH 15-JUNE 15:

Here's an incentive to order ahead: Place your order well before MARCH 15 and get the best pricing! Standard orders placed from MARCH 15-June 15 (FEB 15-June 15: custom color/imprint accessories) that are needed within 10 weeks are automatically assessed a Seasonal Surcharge of 20% of the order total, $20 minimum on orders less than $100. Shipping charges necessary to fulfill your order on time are NOT included in the surcharge.

RUSH ACADEMIC HOODS:

8 weeks are required for normal handling of souvenir academic hoods (they are made to order), and any HOOD order that is needed within 8 weeks is automatically assessed an expedite Surcharge of 20% of the order total, $20 minimum on orders less than $100. Shipping charges necessary to fulfill your order on time are NOT included in the surcharge. RENTAL HOODS: Although we make every effort to provide correct rental hoods for late orders, we cannot guarantee correct satin school colors if ordered less than 6 weeks in advance. Last minute rental hood orders will be supplied hoods with correct velvet color from available stock, which may not be an exact match to your specifications.

Payment Terms:

All orders must be prepaid. The only exception are government and corporate entities that have a strict purchase order system (we must have a copy of the PO and need to speak with the person in charge of payment) and a few dependable repeat customers who have been granted on-account status. A $50 late-payment fee is added to any invoice paid later than 45 days from date of invoice, and every 60 days thereafter until fully paid.
Payments over $500 by bankcard will be assessed an order processing charge of 3% to offset our sizeable card merchant fees. Payment by check or money order avoids these fees. Ask us about our check photo system to speed through your order! You can also choose to MAIL your order submitted on our order form, along with your check or money order.

A note on your order estimate:

Prices occasionally can change without notice, and prepaid shipping charges are always stated as estimates. If you are concerned about pricing, please request information from our Accounting Department, as our Order Department is busy each day meeting customer order deadlines and service requests and cannot provide detailed price quotes. Our accounting staff can provide the most accurate estimate of charges, including any minimum order, rush, setup or seasonal fees, but reserves the right to make adjustments to the customer prepayment total after the order has shipped and actual delivery, taxes and other costs are determined. Your final invoice will detail all charges and any discounts or adjustments will be refunded or the difference collected as appropriate at that time.

Minimum Order:

If your order is less than $20, your charge is the minimum $20 required for ALL orders + shipping and any applicable setup fees or tax. Minimum order during Graduation season is $40 + shipping and any applicable tax. Sorry, no exceptions.

Urgent 72 Hour Rush:

We are experts at dealing with emergency needs. If we must drop everything else in order to fulfill your order within a 72 hour period, we reserve the right to add an urgent rush surcharge of 20% of the order total, $20 minimum on orders less than $100. In graduation season where the seasonal surcharge applies, an urgent fee of up to $100 may be applied.

Invoicing:

Your order usually ships directly from our production facilities on the east coast as this will save delivery time. In this case, no invoice will come with your products, only a packing slip. We charge your card for the estimated costs when you order. AFTER we have all the paperwork to document the costs, we create your invoice, accounting for any adjustments to the estimate, and mail your receipt and invoice. You should receive your itemized invoice and receipt within a few weeks of receiving your order.

Shipping:

An estimated ship charge is collected when you order. Actual charges can end up being more, especially if rush/air shipping is determined to be necessary. Any overage is reflected in the final invoice, sent after the shipment has been completed, so you might see an additional charge on your card a few weeks after your estimated prepayment is processed. The Robe Shop Worldwide is not responsible for loss or delays by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc), or items stolen/missing from your address once delivered. Shipping/handling and rush fees are non-refundable.

Sales Tax:

Some orders require that your local tax be added to the total cost. These taxes are calculated at final invoicing, so you might see an additional charge on your card a few weeks after your estimated prepayment is processed. For those in Washington state, the rate is 10.5% and is usually collected with the prepayment.

Currency:

All billings/payments are in U.S. funds. We cannot accept checks in foreign currency.

Security:

We have been in business as a credit card merchant for many years. We handle your critical numbers with care and the integrity of our business stands behind us.

Cancellations:

Once you have provided your payment information, cancellation of a rental or souvenir/grad product order before it has been processed (usually within minutes) is assessed a cancellation fee of 20%, minimum $20. If we have already entered it into the order process, the order cannot be cancelled and there are no refunds. Rental fees on shipped orders are not refundable, regardless if the rental garments are unworn. Please refer to the appropriate return policy for items you already have received.

Returns/Order corrections:

Please inspect your package carefully on arrival and call us immediately if there are any inaccuracies, NOT our order fulfillment plant whose name and address may be on the package. We will take care of any discrepancies promptly. DO NOT ALLOW THE PACKAGE(S) TO SIT UNINSPECTED UNTIL YOUR EVENT. Report any problems within 3 days of your package arrival and we will supply any missing/corrected items at no extra ship cost, but late reporting may require additional charges for rush shipping to meet your date. Due to the inexpensive price of purchased Grad Goods items, no returns, credits or refunds are allowed unless 1) there is a manufacturing defect or 2) your package does not contain the items you ordered. In these 2 instances we provide a return authorization number and detailed return instructions. To receive credit or refund (where applicable) the items must be unworn and returned within 30 days of ship date to a specific address we provide. No returns are accepted after 30 days. Packages sent to us without prior return authorization are returned to sender.

Rental Returns: Please note that once your rental order has been processed, the garments are removed from our rental stock to be in your possession and your rental has begun regardless of what you do or not do with the item(s). Rental charges are not refundable once shipped to you, even if the items are not worn. Our costs are the same regardless of how the garments are worn or not worn and they are not available for us to use for other customers while you are renting them. All rental returns go back to the plant, not our West Coast offices, and are expected to be completed within 2 weeks of the wearing. Shipping information and/or return label is included in your rental package.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RENTAL RETURN ARE MADE AWARE! We find that in larger groups, or with hectic events, sometimes the robes end up in the hands of someone who is not even aware that the robes need to be returned, when, or how. This leads to problems- plan now to make sure the return labels, return boxes and need for prompt return are identified to all people involved.

PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR RENTAL ITEMS IN GOOD CONDITION WILL INSURE THAT YOU ARE NOT LIABLE FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS. Missing or damaged items will be invoiced at the current replacement value ($110 per plain gown, more for academic regalia, as of 2/2013). Rentals not returned within 30 days of wearing require us to track down the unreturned items. Administrative time for this necessitates a $50 MINIMUM RENTAL RETRIEVAL FEE on any rental that is eventually returned late as a result of our notification efforts to find them PLUS rental fees for each month past the weardate the items were unreturned.
Returns that are sent to the RSW offices instead of the correct RENTAL PLANT ADDRESS will be charged a $25 forwarding fee plus the shipping charge.
Your choice to rent from Grad Goods & More is an agreement to these terms.

Any concerns with your order must be directed to Grad Goods & More, either by phone or email. Our staff has been directed to respond promptly to all concerns that are expressed in a rational manner. Yelling, threats, or vulgar language releases Grad Goods & More from any further obligations to resolve your issue.

Size Problems:

Additional shipments to correct SOUVENIR or RENTAL garments which the customer ordered in the wrong size will be billed for shipping (as needed to meet your deadline) and the price of the replacement garments. There are no free size exchanges. Please refer to our criteria for returns listed above. Accurate measurements eliminate robe size problems- please use our measuring help to get what you want the first time. Thank you for your business!

Affiliated with The Robe Shop
Mailing address: 115 5th Ave South #8 * Kirkland, WA 98033
(Mailing address for correspondence only - No retail showroom, no one admitted)
Do not ship any package to this address unless specifically directed. Do not return rentals here!
PHONE: 425-402-3736 * TOLL-FREE: 1-866-597-6237
Business hours are 8-4 Pacific time M-F, but you can leave a voicemail message anytime, we check for urgent messages on the weekends. During busy seasons, our call volume exceeds capacity at times and you may get voicemail, but we are efficiently meeting order deadlines so please leave your message and we will call you back.
FAX (425) 822-4737 24 hrs
Email: gradgoods@gradgoods.com
robeshop@robeshop.com
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