1. Is ordering secure and safe in your store?

Yes, definitely. Altinok Pipes is committed to protecting your online security. Your confidential information is transmitted in a secure and private network that only your computer and Altinok Pipes can interpret. We therefore use a 128 bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection for taking your credit card details. SSL gives you full peace of mind by encrypting any information you submit at the point of purchase. Your credit card number, expiry date and security code will be encrypted before they are sent to payment processor for authorization. This ensures that your card details are received and processed by only our authorized payment processor partner. All your personal details will also be encrypted before they are sent to us and be assured that they will be viewed by only us.

When you get to the payment section, look out for the padlock icon at the bottom of your browser window. This icon informs you that you are in a secure environment and that any details you submit to us will be encrypted.

Our authorized payment processor is WorldPay.
Our website is hosted by ActiveHost.
Our SSL certificate is provided by Thawte.

> Payment Methods
> Security Info

We are working with the most reliable firms in the world:



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2. How do I find my favourite pipe in this store?

1. Use our Classified List drop-down menu at the top right of a page which has all major categories within the site.
2. Use our Search Products engine at the top right of a page with your own keywords. e.g Calabash.
3. Use our Search Page to search a keyword in a specific category.
4. Use our Advanced Search page to search a keyword in a category within a price range.
5. Right click anywhere on a page to easy access for pipe categories.

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3. How do I order my pipe?

Very simple. Please take these steps to place and finalize your order.

• Add your favorite pipe(s) to your cart by clicking on the Add To Cart button on each product page.
• Click Check Out button or Your Cart icon to move to the Shopping Cart page.
• Click Checkout button on Shopping Cart page to move to the Billing & Shipping Information page.
• If you are a returning customer, enter your email and password to retrieve your existing information.
• If you are a new customer, enter your billing & shipping information and type a password for future use.
• Click Continue Checkout button to move to the Verification & Payment Information page.
• Review your information to verify and enter your credit card details.
• Click Complete Order button to finalize your order.

4. Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we do. VISA, Master Card and American Express cards are welcome.

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5. Do you accept Paypal?

Yes, we do accept Paypal.

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6. How do I save my cart to order at a later time?

You can save your favorite pipes creating a Wish List on our website to order them at a later time. To do so, please click Add To Wish List button on product page, sign-in to create a new account or log-in to enter your existing account to save your pipes into your Wish List. That's it. If you want to come back and order a pipe from your wish list, you will need to remember your email and password that you used while creating your new account. Keep in mind that any pipe that has been added to the wish list will have 12 months to expire. We hope that this is enough to make your decision.

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7. When do I receive my order?

If your pipe is not in stock, this means that we will handcarve it for you. It may take up to 4 weeks to finish an order. In rare cases, an overtime is needed due to the unavailability of the meerschaum block in the mother nature. Once your pipe is finished, we immediately ship it to its destination and notify you with an email. We greatly appreciate your patience. Rest assured, it's well worth the wait.

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8. What are the shipping options?

Available shipping options and rates worldwide:

> Shipping Methods
> Shipping Rates

You will be requested to choose one of the shipping ways during your checkout. If you are not tight with the time then Regular Airmail option might be good for you. It is slow but inexpensive and reliable. However, if you are in a hurry, you can choose our Priority Airmail option. Please note that additional charges or legal formalities that could be applied by local customs and couriers have to be cleared by the customer. Altinok Pipes will not take any responsibility in this regard. Wholesale shippings are considered differently than the standard rates.

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9. What is your refund policy?

Return the unsmoked pipe no later than 7 days from delivery and receive a full refund less shipping and 10% restocking charge. Special orders are non-refundable.

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10. What if I receive a damaged product?

If your pipe is damaged during shipping or defective by production, we will replace it. To claim a replacement, please return your unsmoked pipe no later than 7 days from delivery with the same conditions as it was unpacked. Please note, you will need to pay for shipping in both directions.

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11. How do I view my previous orders?

If you are a returning customer, you already had an account in our site so that you should be able to login and view your previous orders. To do so, click on My Orders link and login to your account using your email address and password. Your email and password needed for login can be found in your order confirmation email.

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12. What is your product quality?

We always pay maximum attention to every phase of our manufacturing process. We only use the purist white meerschaum block as we know that only the purist meerschaum is suitable for pipe smoking. Each Altinok pipe is truly hand carved by our skilled artisans. Each pipe is carved with a painstaking attention to details, hand polished and waxed to a milk-white luster. Rest assured, the pipe you receive will be equal or superior to the pipe shown on the website. We guarantee your full satisfaction.

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13. Are they truly handmade?

Yes, they are definitely handmade. Our carvers only use a carving knife in their hands to dress those magnificent pipes. Even the knives are handmade as each carver only feels himself in peace and comfort with his own handmade knife. They only use drills to open holes of rims on the bowl and shank. Their sitting style is very typical. They sit on one leg while bending the other upright to make it use as a working platform, all together sit on a small chair. They create wonderful masterpieces just like this for many years. We truly appreciate our artisans' great innate aptitude.

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14. What is Meerschaum?

Meerschaum is a mineral magnesium silicate (Mg2Si3O8.2H2O). Over many eons, seashells and corals have crumbled and formed sedimentary deposits that are compressed by wave action and plate movement. Pieces of this material occasionally wash up along the coast of the North Sea. It's name is from the German word meaning "sea-foam" which it is said to resemble. This name reflects its characteristics of lightness in weight and whiteness in color. It is one of the most porous substances found in nature, will not burn out, and is considered by pipe smokers as the perfect material for a cool, dry smoke. Only the purist meerschaum, mined in a small area in Turkey, is suitable for making pipes. Please have a look at rough-hewn meerschaum block picture just ready to be carved. It is a very permeable material, heat-resistant up to 2,000C degrees and darkens with use - turning through shades of pink, yellow, brown, reddish brown and eventually black. Virtually no need to break in. Pipes made from this mineral have a cool, airy smoking character. When first mined, meerschaum is the consistency of hard cheese or soft clay. While it is still soft, it can easily be carved into busts, figures, and intricate patterns. Some of the more popular motifs include an eagle's talon holding an egg, Greek gods, Cavalier, Sultan, animals, statesmen, pirates, skulls and dragons. Celtic, lattice, and other ornamental carving patterns are often employed. Many traditional shapes are made as well. After carving, the piece is cured and allowed to dry. It is then dipped in wax to finish.

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15. How do I care for my meerschaum pipe?

There is detailed information here.

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16. Do all pipes come in a fitted case?

Yes. All our pipes come in a custom-made leatherette and velvet lined hard fitted cases.

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17. How do I place a wholesale order?

You are most welcome for wholesale orders for every product shown in our web site. We are offering really good prices to our resellers. Please visit our wholesale page to apply now.

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18. Do you accept custom orders?

Altinok Pipes always welcome special requests of our customers. You might have a special character, figure or face in mind that you would like it to be carved as a pipe, bust or mask. Please contact us with the details of what you have in mind. We will be more than happy to return as soon as possible.

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19. How do I contact with you?

There are many ways to contact us. Please check out here.

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