Here at An Unlikely Story, we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best possible shopping experience in-store and online. We appreciate you shopping with us and we are so grateful for your business. Here is the information on our ordering and delivery processes:
Placing Your Order:
One of the benefits of shopping at an indie bookstore, is that real people manage your orders and ensure you get the best books in your hands. That being said, real humans (not computers) process your online orders with us. Because of this please allow up to 24 hours for your order to be processed, and up to 48 hours if you are shopping during the holidays.
Once we process your order, we pull books from our shelves for you. Occasionally, there will be a book that you've ordered that we do not have on hand, which we have to order in from one of our out of state warehouses. This process takes a bit longer, but once we've processed your order we will email you with an estimate of when your books will be ready.
When you search for a book on our website, please note that "On our shelves now" means that we likely have the book in the store at that time, however this is subject to change due to in-store sales. "Available to Order" typically means that we have to order the book from a warehouse so it will take a bit longer to get your books to you. At any time, for any book feel free to call the store at (508)-699-0244 for a more specific timeline of your order.
Pre-ordering books ensures that when all of the best new books hit the shelves, there will be a copy with your name on it. However, due to publisher laws we cannot take payment for pre-order books before their publishing date. Therefore, any orders with pre-orders will not be processed until the pre-order's publishing date and the books in your order will not be ready for shipping or pickup until all of the books have been published. If you would like to order multiple books, we ask that your place orders for pre-order books separately so we can get your books to you in a more timely manner.
Payment Methods:
We gladly accept most credit cards as a payment method on our website. If you have been gifted an Online Only Giftcode you may use it during checkout by clicking the "online only gift code" bubble on the payment method screen.
You may also use store gifts cards on our website! Click the "Yes!" box above the payment method screen which will open a text box for you to enter your gift card number. Please be sure to include the whole gift card number, including the 'RC' if your card has one. If you are using a store gift card on the website, you will need to provide another method of payment in case your gift card does not cover the total cost of the order. Your credit card will not be charged unless your gift card amount does not cover the total cost of your order.
Shipping and Delivery Methods:
Now for the fun part! How do we get your books to you? We offer a variety of shipping and delivery methods to get your books from our door to yours. We currently offer:
- In-store pickup- Free of charge! Come on in and visit us to pick up your books. Your books will be at the cash wrap under your last name.
- Curbside pickup- Free of charge! Grab your books from the comfort of your car! We'll let you know when we have your books, give us a call when you're in the parking lot and we'll bring your books out to you. We typically bring the books to the driver side window, but feel free to pop the trunk for contactless pickup!
- USPS Priority Mail- $8.00 + 0.95 per additional item. With this option you can expect to receive your items in 2-3 business days. You will receive a tracking number when your order has been shipped so you can see just when your package will arrive. *Please note that around the holidays, there may be some additonal delays, out of the control of An Unlikely Story, due to heavy volumes of packages through USPS.
- Media Mail: $3.00 + 0.50 per additional item. This option is available for orders that contain only book items. Orders containing gift items are not eligible for Media Mail. This service is uninsured and may take up to 2-3 weeks for you to receive your items.
Thank you for shopping with us! Happy reading!