FAQ - 四賀梶原農園

1. GROUP DELIVERY DISCOUNTS

You can save a little by forming a group with your friends and neighbors. You can of course order more than 1 share for yourself and enjoy the discount as well. PLEASE HAVE ONLY 1 PERSON (group host) submit the order form. Please do not have each member of your group submit

individual forms.

1) Prices

2,650 yen per share for a 2-share delivery

2,650 yen per share for a 3-share delivery (same price as 2-share delivery)

2,500 yen per share for a 4-share delivery

note 1) The price will change when there is a cancellation. e.g. If one member in a 4-share delivery group cancels for 2 weeks, the price per share will change to 2,650 yen for the rest of the group members during the said 2 weeks. The same price change will occur if one member does not pay by the due date and we have to hold delivery for the said member.

note 2) 4 is the maximum number of shares we can fit in one group delivery. If you would like to set up 2 groups, you will need to fill out 2 order forms.

2) Payment: either of the following

A. one member pays for the whole group via PayPal, cash on delivery or bank deposit

B. a separate individual payment via PayPal or bank deposit

3) To set up a delivery group

Please have just one person (group leader) in a group fill out the order form. If your group members prefer to pay individually, in the comment section on the form, please provide each member's a) billing preference (PayPal or bank deposit) and b) his/her e-mail address.

4) How will the produce be delivered in group deliveries?

The produce will be delivered in one large delivery box to the group host. Each item will be bunched individually. For example, the delivery box will contain 4 bunches of each item in a 4 share delivery box.

5) Delivery location

As long as Black Cat has access to the location, the delivery location does not need to be a home address and it can be, for example, an office address, if it is more convenient for the group members. Please make sure to designate a location that is not off limits to Black Cat. You can change your delivery location any time.

6) You do not need to find 4 weekly members for a weekly 4-share delivery group. For example, your group can be a combination of 2 weekly members and 4 every other week members.

2. VEGETABLES IN THE BOX:

1) What will I receive in each box?

Each of our box contains between 8 to 10 different kinds of vegetables. We will try to include in each box some of leaf greens, root vegetables as well as fruit vegetables. However, depending on the season, our boxes will have more of a certain type of produce (spring boxes will have more leaf greens, summer boxes will have less leaf greens and many fruit vegetables, etc.)

2) How big is one box? Will it be enough or too much?

Whether it will be the right amount for you or not will largely depend on your eating style and your household size. Our box is typically enough for a small household (1-3 people) for one week, or for a person who eats a lot of fresh produce. If you find weekly delivery to be too much, you can always change to a less frequent delivery schedule (we offer every other week and monthly delivery service). If one box is not enough, you can also order more than 1 box per week.

3) Do you sell fruit?

We do not sell fruit although we would love to grow organic fruit some day! However, in the fall we usually include apples and Japanese nashi pears we purchase from our neighboring orchard. They are not organic although the orchard has been reducing the amount of herbicide usage over the years. We welcome extra orders.

4) Do I get to choose what to receive?

No. For each delivery, we pick the best seasonal produce available, in addition to some storage produce such as potatoes and onions. However, if there are any vegetables you do not wish to receive, please let us know via order form or e-mail us and we will try our best to accommodate your request.

Furthermore, we would be happy to send you extra bags or bunch of some produce as add-ons, pending availability. Just let us know!

5) Will there be unfamiliar vegetables?

Most likely yes. In addition to the commonly used produce, we also include not so familiar vegetables so that our customers can explore new tastes. Do not worry though - for unfamiliar vegetables we put labels that explain what they are and how they may be used. We would also love to hear about your new and favorite recipes!

3. DELIVERY CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS:

1) Can I stop or cancel delivery?

Yes. Please send us an e-mail at least 2 days prior to the scheduled delivery date. Alternatively, you can have someone else receive the shipment while you are away. Please provide us with the person's name, address and phone number.

2) Can I change the delivery time?

Yes. You can select from the following delivery time windows:

Before noon, 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm, 7-9pm.

PLEASE NOTE: Depending on where you live, the delivery company may not be able to deliver within the requested time window, especially if you live on a military base.

3) Can I change the delivery schedule or day?

Usually yes. Please e-mail us at least 2 days prior to the delivery date.

4) I was/will not be home to receive my package. What do I do?

You can request a redelivery or time/day change by one of the following:

a) Call the delivery company's help desk at: 03-6757-1061 or 0120-17-9625. They have English speaking operators.

b) make changes online:

http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/receive/redeliver/howto/index2.html

When we send off produce boxes, an delivery alert will be e-mailed to you from the delivery company at the e-mail address you have used to place your order. The delivery alert contains a 12- digit tracking number for your produce box, which will be necessary for arranging changes.

4. DELIVERY LOCATIONS

1) Do you deliver to military base addresses?

Yes we do. However, depending on which military base, we may not be able to offer door to door delivery and/or delivery time. Some military bases do not allow delivery trucks onto the base so you will need to receive your boxes at the main gate. Also, even if they do allow delivery trucks onto the base, they sometimes only allow access once a day, usually in the morning, i.e. delivery in the late afternoon/evening is not possible. As of December 2017:

Atsugi & Ikego: door to door delivery available, delivery time option not available - usually delivered before noon/early afternoon.

Yokosuka: door to door delivery available, delivery time option available except between 16-18 pm

Iwakuni: please see below 4) Can you deliver to Iwakuni Base?

2) Can the delivery person leave the box at the door when I am not available?

Depending on the type of your residence, they can. Please select "Yes I allow delivery drop off at the door" on the order form.

3) Can you deliver to office addresses?

Yes, we can, as long as the location is accessible by Kuroneko Yamato (Black Cat) delivery service.

4) Can you deliver to Iwakuni Base?

Yes, we can! However, please note the following:

a) delivery day & time

Since it is a longer distance, the earliest the boxes are delivered is the morning following the normal delivery schedule.

e.g. You would get a "Tuesday" delivery box on Wednesday sometime before noon.

Also there is no delivery time option. Black Cat has access onto the base only once in the morning. They can deliver to your apartment/house and also drop off at the door if you are not home.

b) prices

Again, since it is a longer distance, delivery fees cost more. If you can set up a delivery group, the price per share (box) will be a little more reasonable.

1 share per delivery: 3,200 yen per share
2 shares per delivery: 2,730 yen
3 shares per delivery: 2,730 yen (same as 2 shares)
4 shares per delivery: 2,550 yen

5. PAYMENT:

1) Can I pay cash?

We offer cash on delivery arrangement. Please note, however, you need to pay the delivery truck driver in person, meaning you cannot leave the money at the door unattended for him to collect.

2) How does payment by PayPal work?

PayPal is an online payment service. We will e-mail you an invoice via PayPal at the end of each month. This e-mail invoice will take you through the payment process. Our PayPal arrangement is NOT automatic payment.

3) How do I make a bank deposit?

If you do not have a Japanese bank account, or if you are not familiar with making bank transfers, please do not select bank deposit as your method of payment - it can be quite complicated and expensive!