turnaround time

We complete most online orders on the next business day. However, this is a part-time business. If your order will take more than 3 days to be processed, we will advise you by email within that time.
If you need rush shipping or or a guaranteed ship date , please order by phone (888-568-MAPS) or inquire ahead by email.

please order carefully

If you feel less than confident you have chosen the right products, please contact us before submitting an order. Wondering how up to date a map really is? Will a certain map suit your exact purpose? Is your town on the map? The Map Center cheerfully answers questions like this. Trial and error shopping is wasteful because returned maps can seldom be resold as new and we cannot dump returns and overstock back to our suppliers as retail giants do. Instead, we stand for patient, knowledgeable customer service before the sale, sufficient to get it right the first time.

returns and exchanges

If your purchase is not as expected due to an error on this website or other communication from us, or due to shipping error or merchandise defect, we will correct the problem. If your shipment was damaged in transit do not discard the items or the packaging. Let us know as soon as possible and we will arrange a prompt replacement of your order.

All other returns must be authorized by phone or email and are subject to a 20% restocking charge. Returned packages must be marked with our return authorization number. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges and properly repacking the merchandise. Credit will be issued only for merchandise received in new condition. The Map Center will not accept delivery of any returned package that is not clearly marked with our return authorization number.

gifts

You may declare a Gift purchase on the checkout page under “Order notes (optional).” The gift recipient may request a return authorization as described above and exchange the item for one or more products of equal value or a gift certificate.

shipping or picking up

Board mounted and framed maps are expensive to pack, to ship and to pursue or eat the damage claims. For years selling framed maps we added actual shipping cost at checkout. Then like everyone else we promoted “Free Shipping.” Strangely enough, even though each new price exceeded the sum of old price plus shipping, the number of abandoned shopping carts dropped sharply and volume increased. So why did we again unbundle shipping?

Our prices reflect workmanship and materials that have not been compromised in order to pay for “Free shipping.” In other words, wherever you may be, the same price lets you buy a fine quality framed map right where it was made or an inferior product with free shipping.

We aim to serve local customers best even though plenty of our maps appeal to customers anywhere and customers from everywhere are welcome. To make your trip to Pawtucket to pick up an order even more worthwhile, we invite you to arrive before lunchtime and join us and any other interesting guests for a “home cooked” meal at the big table right here in Suite A114! — When pandemic conditions permit, of course. — There is a loading dock, plenty of parking, and you can visit a vast houseplant store and a brewery while you are in the building.

shipping huge maps

Maps wider than about 4 feet do not ship as a package, they are freight, a considerable jump in cost. If you order one of the huge framed maps (about 6 feet wide) a $300 shipping charge will be added at checkout. This is subject to adjustment up or down because every freight delivery is quoted separately. If the adjustment is an increase, we will not act until we have informed you of the actual cost and received your instructions to proceed or to cancel and refund. If you are interested in having a huge map delivered you are welcome to inquire about freight cost before you enter an order in the webstore.It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.