100% of profits stay in Girlguiding and all of our products are ethically sourced.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

We hope you find the Girlguiding online shop enjoyable and easy to use.

However, if you have a question regarding ordering or using the shop, you can find the answers to our customers’ most frequently asked questions below.

If your question is not answered, please contact us by completing our Contact us form.

How do I place an order?

Shopping on the Girlguiding online shop couldn’t be easier!

If you’re ordering for the first time, here are some helpful steps you may need to follow:

  1. Browse our products to find the items you wish to purchase. You can browse in a number of ways:
    • Browse by product categories using the navigation on the left-hand side of the page, or
    • Search for items using our product search, where you can enter a product code, word, phrase or combination of words to find items that fit your criteria.
  2. Add the items to your basket by clicking on ‘Add to basket.’ If you know the product code, you can use our ‘Quick buy’ option where you can add items using the four digit product code (as found in the Guiding Essentials catalogue).
  3. You can check which items are currently in your basket with our handy ‘Mini basket’ feature which appears on the right-hand side of every page. If you click on ‘Mini basket’ this will take you to the ‘Your basket’ page where you can amend your order.
  4. Once you have added everything you need to your basket, go to ‘Your basket’. Here you can check the items and quantities (and adjust if necessary) and then choose the country you wish your order to be delivered to. Once happy, click on ‘Proceed to checkout’.
  5. Complete all of the information on the ‘Checkout’ page, including your personal information and debit/credit card details.
  6. When you press ‘Submit your order’ an order confirmation will be shown with your order reference and details. This will also be emailed to you.

What should I do if I cannot log into my online account?

Please check your browser settings by referring to your browsers online support. Sometimes computer/ browser updates alter settings such as compatibility which can affect your user experience.

If the problem persists try a different browser if possible.

If you receive a message saying that your account is locked or are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our sales advisers on 0161 941 2237 or via email tradingshop@girlguiding.org.uk.

What should I do if I cannot place an order?

There’s a number of reasons that you might be having trouble placing an order. Often, the problem is caused by the settings in your browser, so please refer your browsers online support or try a different browser.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our sales advisers on 0161 941 2237.

Which credit/debit cards can I use to pay for my order?

The online shop accepts Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards.
Your credit/debit card will be charged immediately when you place an order online.

What should I do if my credit/debit card was refused when placing an order?

Please check your card number and card expiry date, and try to enter the details again. Please note, cards need to be registered against your account billing address.

If the problem persists, please try a different card if possible.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our sales advisers on 0161 941 2237.

If I buy something from the Girlguiding online shop, will my credit/debit card number be safe from hackers?

Yes. Girlguiding doesn’t hold your details. We use a trusted internet payments company, who are used by many UK companies, to process the credit/debit card payments. These details are processed safely and securely at the time that you place your order.

How secure is buying over the web?

Your order is processed using our secure server when you proceed to checkout – you can tell whether you are on a web page which uses our secure server as it will have a padlock in the bottom right corner, and https: in the address line (non-secure sites use http: at the start of the website address).

Your credit/debit card details are encrypted both during and after the checkout process.

Please note, if you are a UK resident using a UK issued credit card and the transaction is over £100, you are automatically protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This means that if the trader fraudulently charges your card for something that you did not order then the credit card company are equally liable for the debt.

In practise this means that the credit card company would refund you for the fraudulent charge whilst making the corresponding charge directly to us. Please contact your card issuer for more details.

I've got a query about my order, how do I contact customer support?

You can email us with your query by completing our contact us form.

Alternatively, if you would like to talk to one of our advisers, you can call us on 0161 941 2237, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm. Please note on Tuesdays we are closed for staff training between 9.30am and 10am.

If you wish to contact us outside of these hours, you can email us by completing our contact us form or call us on 0161 941 2237 to leave a message on our answerphone. We will do our best to respond to your query on the next working day.

I have a promotional code, how do I use it?

If you have a promotional code, please enter this in the designated box when viewing your basket. You will need to press ‘Apply’ once you have typed in your code to see it added to your order. If you are seeing an error message please ensure that you have entered the code correctly, it is case sensitive.

Can I amend the item in my order?

Unfortunately our team won’t be able to make changes to the items in your order, so just arrange to return it to us and we’ll sort out a refund for you. 

Can I cancel my order?

If you need to cancel your order please contact us as soon as possible after placing the order so that we can check if that is possible with our order processing team.  If the order has already been dispatched to you just arrange to return it to us and we’ll sort out a refund for you.

When do you take payment for my order?

Your debit/credit card will be charged immediately when you place an order online.

 

How do I order registered badges?

If you have a volunteer membership number, when you are logged onto the online shop enter the details in the ‘My account’ under the ‘Personal details’ section. You will then see an extra tab in the badges section showing registered badges available to order.

How do I order bespoke goods?

For bespoke badges, please email orders and queries to bespoke@girlguiding.org.uk.

For bespoke clothing, or joint bespoke clothing and badge orders, you can email orders and queries to bespokeclothing@girlguiding.org.uk.

For personalised flags and banners, please email orders and queries to flags@girlguiding.org.uk.

What should I do if the courier confirms that they have lost my parcel?

Please call us immediately on 0161 941 2237 and quote your order reference number. We will investigate the problem with the courier on your behalf. 

What happens to my order if I am not in when the courier attempts to deliver it?

If you are not in when our courier attempts delivery they will leave a calling card which will provide you with a direct contact number for your local parcel delivery depot or post office.

You can then call to arrange an alternative delivery date or to collect the parcel directly from your local depot.

In some cases according to local arrangements, they may leave your parcel with a neighbour.

What happens if I receive my order and it is damaged, or there are items missing?

Please contact us immediately on 0161 941 2237 or complete our Contact us form and quote your order reference number. We will investigate the problem on your behalf.

Claims for shortages or damage(s) must be made (preferably by email) and received by Girlguiding within 7 days of delivery of the order.

How do I view and update my account details?

You can simply log in to your account via the "My account" page where you can see your personal details and online order history. You can also update your delivery addresses and personal details.

To log into your account you will need the email address you used to register when you placed your first order and your unique password.

If you have forgotten your password, you can request a reminder.

I don't live in the UK, can I place an order?

Currently orders can be placed online for a limited selection of counties, simply register and place your order. It is hoped that a wider selection of countries will be available soon.

If the country you reside in is not on the dropdown list you can still place an order by email to overseasorders@girlguiding.org.uk or by phone +4416194 12237 between GMT 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

If you have not shopped with us before you may find it helpful to email your name and address to us first so that an account can be set up for you ready for when you email or phone with your order.  Full details of how to pay will be provided when the order is confirmed.

Postage will be charged on an individual basis according to weight, size and country to be delivered to (minimum cost £4.50). A £0 postage charge when you place your order online indicates that a postage price will be emailed to you for your approval.

Please note if you order goods from our site for delivery outside the UK, they may be subject to import duties and taxes. We have no control over these charges. For further information on this, please contact your local customs office before placing your order.

For further details, please see Delivery and Returns.

I live at a British Forces address, can I place an order?

Orders can be placed to go to BFPO addresses. In line with Post Office recommendations for sending a parcel to a member of HM Forces, please ensure that the delivery details below are quoted for any orders:

  • the recipient's number, rank and name
  • the sub-unit, unit and BFPO number
  • the address quoted is c/o the Forces member if the order is for a member of their family.

Do prices include VAT?

Yes, all prices shown on the Girlguiding online shop include UK VAT (Value Added Tax) at the appropriate rate. Currently this rate is 20.00%.

How do I get a VAT receipt?

When your order is delivered you will receive a sales invoice that includes all of our VAT information.

How do I find my nearest shop or volunteer shop ?

Please visit our Shop locator page for information.

Are volunteer shops/agents the same as my local school-wear shop?

Volunteer shops/agents are run by Girlguiding volunteers and all the profits made from sales are used to support local guiding. They are not to be confused with high street school-wear retailers, who sometimes sell our items, that are commercial businesses

Girlguiding operates one high-street shop in London and three in Scotland in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The net profits from these shops also support guiding. Check out our shop locator for details.

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