Frequently asked questions

Got a question? Check this list first!

I'm a member. Will my discount be applied automatically?

No. At least, not yet. We're working on that on the back end here at FSF HQ. For now you still need to the enter the discount code you were given when you joined as an associate member.

Do you ship internationally? If so, what is the cost?

YES! We ship overseas a lot. In fact, almost every day. The cost of shipping internationally varies according to what you want to buy, where you live, and what method you choose for freight (Postal Service or UPS). Please do a little shopping on our site, place some items in your cart, and then take a look at the shipping costs to get an idea of how much it will cost to ship an item to your country.

I want a (hat|hoodie|mug|life-sized plush gnu). Why isn't it on the store?

The short answer is, we don't have it... yet. There are a lot of items that we're working on for you. Right now only what we have in stock is available on the store. We are working on adding more shirts in more styles and sizes, more types of accessories (including hats!), and other items. While we can't tell you what they are right now, they will appear on the store as soon as we have them ready to sell and ship. If you have suggestions about what you'd like to see on the store please feel free to send an email to sales@gnu.org.

I got my item and I decided that I don't want it. Can I return it?

No, and yes. We'll exchange items if they arrive broken or damaged (thus far this hasn't happened). Unfortunately we're not in the position to be able to take returns on everything we sell since the purchasing, inventory, packing, and shipping of all of our products is essentially a one-woman operation. So, please make sure you actually want everything you purchase when you purchase it. If you are a wholesaler there is information for you about returns on our wholesale page.

Why are some shirts available only in very large or small sizes?

Some shirts are from, say, our 20th anniversary. We're at 25 now, w00t! These shirts are not going to be reprinted. (Make sure you read the item description carefully.) We will be adding new shirts for our 25th anniversary and eventually for our 30th. As a result, we will sell out our current inventory in the available sizes, and when they're gone, they're gone for good.

Why aren't your t-shirts organic cotton?

Right now we're working with a supplier from whom we purchase sweatshop-free shirts that are made in the USA. At this point we're able to bring you an ethically sound shirt at a fair price while still raising money for free software. When we are able to do that with organic cotton shirts we will look into it, but at the moment the cost is prohibitive.

I'm in Canada, why is UPS my ground option?

We offer the same three options for all shoppers regardless of where you're shopping from. This is to allow the maximum number of price and time variables for different destinations. Some folks from Canada have expressed a desire to avoid UPS due to fees. We can't help you with the way UPS does business, but we can tell you that the store is set up to offer you the best combo of price and time to choose from in getting your purchases to you.

I work at a college or university and I need to order books for my class and professor. How do I do that?

Email sales@gnu.org with your name, your address, the book(s) you need, the quantity, the date by which you need it, the professor's name, and the PO#. We'll contact you with total pricing information, a ship date, and invoice information. We'll even set up your online account for you so that you can order through the store in the future. How's that for customer service?

For the full story on buying books as a reseller, please see our Wholesaler page

I want to give a store gift certificate to that special geek in my life. Can I do that?

Not yet. We don't yet have gift certificate functionality built into the store, but we're working on it, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, you can make purchases and have them shipped to another address, so if there is something that your favorite hacker just simply must have, go ahead and order it. We'll make sure it gets to them.

I live in the Boston area and I'd love to volunteer to help out with the store or with other FSF activities. How do I do that?

That's great, we'd love to have you. Volunteers keep the FSF going. Please see http://fsf.org/volunteer for more information, or give us a call.

I have some art I made that I think would be awesome on an FSF shirt/hat/button/sticker, etc. How do I get it in front of someone who makes those decisions?

Email graphics@gnu.org with your design. We'll look it over, make a decision, and add it to the GNU art online page.

Poof! Instant recognition. Remember that your art will be, like all good free things, open for tweaking, change, and manipulation if we do end up using it.

I want to write a book for the GNU Press. How do I go about doing that?

Check our Author page, it should have all the information you need.

Questions about your order? Check the FAQ or email us at order@fsf.org.