QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS / FAQ
Here we have compiled the questions frequently asked of us along with our detailed answers.
Do you have any further questions or suggestions? Please contact us, we always have an open ear for you!
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All about our products
- What wood are the products made from?
- Where does the wood come from?
- Are there new products?
- At those prices, surely it all comes from China?
- Is the cooperage ware only for decoration?
- Do you have operating instructions for the products?
- Are your products harmful to the environment?
- Can the wooden products go in the dishwasher?
- Are the toys CE-tested?
- Can I view a sample?
- Are the individual packagings of the products licensed?
- All about shipping and packaging
- All about ordering
- Specific questions from our business customers
All about our products
What wood are the products made from?
Our products are predominantly made from native beech. Other products are made from poplar, maple, birch, oak, lime, aspen, alder, cherry and various softwoods. You can find more information about the types of wood we use, clearly presented, here.
Where does the wood come from?
You will find this information for every product in the "Origin" field. The wood our products are made from mostly comes directly from the neighbouring forests of our German and European producers. These pieces of woodland are often family-owned for generations and are managed sustainably, so that descendants too can still live from the yield of the family property.
The responsible handling of the raw material wood is one of the most important concerns of our company, and so we are pleased that the forest area in Germany has grown considerably over the past decades.
Are there new products?
We are constantly working to make our range even better and more varied. You can find all new products on the New Arrivals page. Many new products and special promotions are also presented in our Newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at the very bottom in the footer of every page.
At those prices, surely it all comes from China?
Our products are made almost exclusively in Germany and other European countries. The woodware industry based in Europe is very competitive, and there are various reasons against importing most products from the Asian region. These include, for example, the woods that grow there, which differ significantly from those required for the usual quality.
The delivery times and the environmental burden caused by the long transport, as well as the sometimes unsatisfactory quality of workmanship, should also be mentioned.
Is the cooperage ware only for decoration?
No, our cooperage ware can be used in full after prior treatment (see Instructions/Care notes). Nevertheless, the cooperage ware can of course also be used excellently for decoration when it is not in everyday use.
Do you have operating instructions for the products?
For some products we have created operating instructions. These can be downloaded directly with each product in the shop or viewed on the Instructions/Care notes page. In some cases they are enclosed with the products in printed form.
Are your products harmful to the environment?
Quite the opposite! Wooden products are active environmental protection.
The CO2 bound in the wood, and thus in our products, remains in the object and is only released again after the product is decommissioned, through combustion or decomposition. Thanks to the sustainable management of European forests, more wood grows back than is processed. Unlike plastic or metal products, the "waste" - that is, the shavings from production - can still be used for heating, and many of our producers use this energy source to heat their production sites and homes, and also to operate the drying chambers for the pre-drying of the wood. Since wood is a valuable and expensive raw material, our producers are also always keen to get as much as possible out of the available wood.
This thriftiness leads to an effective use of the different qualities of the woods. Many of our wooden products are also ideal replacements for items that, unfortunately, still very often consist of plastic. You can find more information on this topic at: https://www.hofmeister.shop/Leben-ohne-Plastik
Can the wooden products go in the dishwasher?
You can. However, unfortunately one cannot say in advance whether that will be the last time it is used or whether the product will withstand it. With glued boards there is a great risk that the glue will be washed out, so that after opening the dishwasher several strips of wood are found. But even with products made from a single piece, one cannot firmly assume that they will survive the moisture and heat of the dishwasher unscathed. We can therefore not provide any guarantee for this, and it is up to each person to decide whether they want to take this risk. Very elaborate and extremely expensive impregnation processes are currently being tested. We are monitoring developments in this area for you and will offer these products as soon as they are ready for the market.
Are the toys CE-tested?
The CE mark does not constitute a test seal, but is merely the declaration of the manufacturer or the importer into the EU that all relevant EU directives are being complied with. For children's toys, the manufacturer/distributor must comply with a number of directives and declare that its products conform to the regulations. To achieve a higher level of safety, some manufacturers/distributors have products specifically tested for conformity with EU directives by independent testing institutions. For example, we have had some products for children tested by TÜV Rheinland. However, there is no obligation to carry out these tests. All toys on the market in the EU must comply with the EU directives. Otherwise they would not be allowed to be placed on the market.
In summary, one should therefore not speak of a "CE test" but of "CE conformity". Even if an explicit conformity test has taken place, there is currently the risk that a dealer who speaks of a "test" will receive a cease-and-desist warning. This may constitute misconduct under competition law, as a consumer might be misled by the reference to a test.
Please also note that, as a rule, all toys for children sold by us are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
Can I view a sample?
Of course you can examine the product more closely before placing a larger order. If you are interested in a product from our range and would first like to take a look at it, you are of course welcome to drop by. We are happy to welcome you in Göttingen and to present this or other products to you. Should the journey be too far, we are also happy to send you a sample by parcel. Regardless of the minimum order value, you can simply send us an order by your preferred means (ideally via our order form in the customer area). Please note that it is a sample order, so that we only charge you for the product and the freight, but no small-quantity surcharge. Please understand that we cannot take back samples or offset their cost. We endeavour to present each product with a meaningful photo, dimensions and designations/descriptions, so that a physical sample is generally not required. Should you nevertheless wish to examine a product at your location, we ask you to bear the costs incurred for this, as we would otherwise have to raise the overall price level to finance free sample shipping. Special products that are manufactured at the customer's request are excluded from this sample arrangement. For such orders, please enquire about the sample costs if applicable, as new tools sometimes have to be purchased for sample production.
Are the individual packagings of the products licensed?
A few of the products we trade are individually packaged. This packaging may be passed on by our customers in Germany to end consumers, as the paper/cardboard or plastic packaging has already been pre-licensed by our supplier or is covered with regard to take-back and recycling by the contract we have concluded with the company Noventiz. Should it accidentally happen that we send individually packaged goods to our customers based outside Germany, we ask you to remove the packaging and dispose of it properly.
Below you can see the certificate for the fulfilment of the take-back and recycling obligations under the provisions of the Packaging Ordinance (VerpackV) for the 2019 calendar year.
Are the wood glues and oils used harmful to health?
All of our products that are glued, bonded or treated with oils are of course absolutely harmless to health and therefore also suitable for coming into contact with food. So you can chop vegetables on your favourite board or turn your steak with the barbecue tongs without any concerns. We are also happy to send you a declaration of conformity. Please simply contact us about this.
Are there care instructions for your products?
For some products, such as barrels, cups made of birch wood or our butter moulds, we have special care instructions that we enclose with every order. This way you can always care for and protect your favourite products optimally!
A well-cared-for wooden product can be an almost lifelong companion, and we want our products to last you as long as possible. You can find more information on cleaning and care here.
Can I add my name or my logo to the products?
Yes, with almost all of our products it is possible to add a logo, a name or a slogan. Here we work with three different variants of customisation:
Pad printing, branding and laser engraving.
You can conveniently select the application in the online shop, or you can speak to our sales team directly to clarify all the details such as prices and conditions in person. We will then work out the perfect placement together with you and only begin the finishing once you are completely satisfied. You can find more information on this here.
All about shipping and packaging
Our goods are packed loose and, above all, plastic-free in the shipping box. Small parts are bundled in sustainable paper bags. Sensitive products come sufficiently wrapped in packing paper. We fill the cavities in the parcels with environmentally friendly packing paper.
What packaging costs arise?
We do not charge any separate packaging costs for our standard packaging. If you wish to have the products individually packaged, we can offer this for a surcharge.
How high are the shipping costs?
See Freight costs and delivery information for private customers
See Freight costs and delivery information for dealers
Is a different delivery address possible?
Yes, as soon as you reach the checkout area to complete the order, you can add a different delivery address to your customer account.
Where do you deliver to?
See Freight costs and delivery information for private customers
See Freight costs and delivery information for dealers
How is it shipped?
Unless you wish to collect the ordered products (or have them collected), the goods will be delivered to you by freight forwarder. Smaller order volumes are shipped with our parcel service provider DPD (https://www.dpd.com/de/de/).
All about ordering
How large are your sales units?
We pick orders without sales units. Order exactly according to your needs. If you need 37 pieces, then order 37 pieces and we will send you the desired 37 pieces. We do not want to force more on anyone than they need or to complicate the order unnecessarily.
What happens if a product is not available?
Should a product not be available, this will be noted on the delivery note and the invoice. Please observe the note at the end of the document indicating whether the unavailable goods have been placed on back order and will be delivered subsequently. Otherwise, please simply order the item again with your next order. We will be happy to inform you as soon as the product is back in stock and available.
How can I order?
Via the online shop, e-mail, fax, letter, telephone (for existing customers) or even without a specific order during an announced visit.
When does the invoice come?
To reduce our and your paper consumption, we generally now only send our invoices and delivery notes digitally. Should it ever be necessary to correct an invoice, please get in touch with us. We will be happy to resend lost invoices or corrected invoices to you. Please contact our sales team if you would like the invoice attached to the parcel.
Do you have a minimum order value?
No, we have decided not to charge a minimum order value. Both as a dealer and as a private customer, you can order even the smallest quantities without additional costs.
Are order confirmations sent?
Order confirmations are only sent on request. As a rule, delivery is immediate, which makes an additional order confirmation superfluous. For orders received by e-mail, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.
Specific questions from our business customers
Do you have photos for my online shop?
Some customers need individual or all product images to upload the product data. For this we have set up a Google Drive folder for you, which is regularly updated with photos of new products: Product images download Google Drive.
Should you need the photos in high resolution as a PSD file for print templates, for example for flyers and catalogues, please get in touch with us.
Where do I find the recommended retail prices?
Our philosophy is that we do not impose any rules on our customers, and this also includes not specifying any retail prices. Every merchant calculates differently and should have the opportunity to obtain the price that is appropriate for them. When selecting the products and calculating our selling prices, we make sure that our customers can resell a product to end customers with a suitable markup. For smaller and cheaper products, the markups are relatively higher; for larger and more expensive products, rather lower. Due to the various psychological price thresholds (1 euro, 2 euros, 5 euros, 10 euros), you cannot calculate with a fixed percentage either, but rather have a little more left over on one product and a little less on another. All in all, the products in our range are suitable for achieving a contribution margin of at least 100 percent.
Do you also deliver in the name of third parties? (Dropshipping)
We are also happy to offer you the option of dropshipping. If you have any questions, our sales staff will be very happy to advise you on this.
