Q: Does your website show what's in the store right this minute?
A: Not necessarily. We do have 20,000 books and other items in the store at any given time, but the website—like most websites—shows what we either have on hand or can get for you. Depending on how available the book and when you place your order, books we don't have on the shelves can arrive back in as quickly as overnight or in 2-3 days. Other books (often older titles that aren't in high demand, books from very small publishers, books that are print-on-demand titles, etc.) may take 4-10 days to arrive. We try to give customers a realistic sense of when their books will arrive.
Q: Why doesn't your website show exactly what's on hand in the store?
A: Our web host updates the website once per day, every evening. We can't change that. This means that a book in stock at 10 am may not be in stock at 10:30 am if someone buys the last copy, but the change in inventory wouldn't be reflected on the website until that night. Conversely, the website might show that we are out of a title, but we might receive 20 copies midday. Those stock levels also wouldn't be accurate until later that evening.
We didn't want customers frustrated by coming to pick up books that had been sold out from under them and figured it was better to show what we have and can order instead of showing inventory that may not be accurate as stock levels fluctuate throughout the day.
Q: Do you have gift cards for people who live out of state and/or prefer to order online?
A: We do! In addition to physical Flying Pig gift cards, which we can mail to local recipients or hold at the store for their visits, we also sell online gift CODES, which are specifically meant to be used for online ordering. Our website shows both options. You can purchase gift cards through the website or at the bookstore, but you can ONLY purchase online gift codes through the website. (Note: Please make sure to put your name in the message you leave for your gift recipient, since the online gift code will be emailed from the Flying Pig and your grateful recipient may not know whom to thank!)
Q: I'd rather not order online. How else can I order books?
A: You are welcome to email requests for recommendations and lists of titles you'd like to flyingpigorders@gmail.com. Titles and authors are helpful, as well as preferred format (hardcover or paperback if both are available). We will respond to emails as quickly as possible. Remember, the elves are busy and we are a small staff!