FAQ

 

Are the items on the website made to order, or are they currently in stock and ready to ship?

Our new website is in stock ready to ship. We will do our best to ship out within 2-5 business days. 

 

Is my order guaranteed?

Yes and no. We do our best to keep our online inventory updated as items sell, but occasionally an item may sell out before our system has been updated.

If this happens, we will notify you as soon as possible and do our best to accommodate you, whether that means helping you find a similar item, offering another solution, or issuing a refund.

When will my order ship?

In stock orders will ship right away, 1-5 days. Made to order items will generally ship in, 1-6 weeks. Learn more about our Made to Order process here: OUR PROCESS.

How will my order ship?

Generally via US Postal Service. Please see more here: SHIPPING & RETURNS.

Is in-store pickup an option?

Yes, if your shipping address is within the Bay Area, in-store pickup will be an option that you can select during checkout. The default store for pick-up is our Berkeley store:  2907 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705. If you’d rather pick up at our Piedmont Avenue (Oakland) store, please write your preference into the notes. Please also include your phone number with the order. We will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up. There is no charge for this option. 

What is your return policy?

Please see our policy here: SHIPPING & RETURNS.

Do you have gift certificates?

We do! You can order one from this page: GIFT CARD.  If you have a paper gift certificate, bring it to the store for redemption. If you have an electronic gift certificate from before 2026, please Contact Us for redemption.

Can I add notes to my order?

Yes, when specifying your Shipping address and method, there is a space to add Order Comments. In the notes section is where you would add an alteration needs and pick up needs. 

Can I reorder something that is not showing in the online store?

If you have purchased an item from us before and can't find it on our website, please don't hesitate to call the store directly (510) 644-1220 or Contact Us form. Not everything is listed in our online store, and sometimes we are able to do custom orders for things we no longer produce on a regular basis. Custom orders, if accepted, may take 2-8 weeks to ship, as we make to order. Please note that the price may be higher than you previously paid. Please also note that not all past designs will remain available.

How consistent are the sizes and colors?

We try our best to keep our sizing and colors consistent, but we don’t mass-produce our garments. This means there will be some variation from batch to batch in sizing and color.

Do you offer organic cotton?

We don't at this time, but we may in the future. 

Will my garment shrink?

No everything is pre-washed and preshrunk before it gets to the store.  

What are the care instructions?

Machine wash cold and tumble dry warm. Because many of our products are hand-dyed, some color bleeding may occur, especially during the first one or two washes.

For best results, wash with similar colors and keep darker colors separate from lighter items.

Do you offer alterations or custom sizing?

Alterations may be available, but they are not a guaranteed service. Because our production team is small, availability depends on our current capacity and is offered at our discretion.

Custom sizing or modifications may also be available depending on the garment and the request. Additional charges may apply, and pricing will vary based on the garment and the type of alteration or customization requested.

What should I do if I find an error or have trouble using the new website?

We appreciate your help as we continue improving our new website. If you notice an error, broken link, or experience any difficulty while browsing or placing an order, please let us know.

Your feedback helps us identify issues and build a website that is easier, smoother, and more enjoyable for everyone to use.

What if I have a question, comment?

We love to hear from you and always appreciate feedback!  For any refund request, complaint or special accommodation please email workshop@shopcottonbasics.com.  Or use the Contact Us form to tell us what you are experiencing.  Thank you!

Why did Cotton Basics move to a new shared space with Elements Boutique?

We understand that some of our longtime customers may have questions or concerns about our recent changes and move into a shared space with Elements Boutique.

As with any transition, there may be some growing pains and occasional production delays while we adjust to our new setup. This move was made with the long-term future of Cotton Basics in mind. After nearly 30 years in business, we want to make sure Cotton Basics can continue serving our customers for many years to come.

Retail is constantly changing, and we knew it was important to adapt in order not only to survive, but to grow and thrive. We truly believe our new space will allow us to operate more efficiently, invest more into production, and ultimately offer our customers more of the Cotton Basics styles they know and love.

We are incredibly grateful for your patience, loyalty, and continued support as we begin this next chapter.