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Frequently Asked Questions

Your Phone Model
Ordering Online
Shipping/Delivery
Damaged Shipments
Returns
Privacy
Cellular Batteries
Data
Cellular Antennas

Your Phone Model

Q: How do I know what my phone model is?

A: In most cases, you can find the make and model of your phone by removing the battery. You should find a label containing the make and model of your wireless phone located directly on the back of your phone.

Ordering Online

Q: Is the Accessory Web-Store secure?

A: Yes, we secure your private information using a VeriSign SSL Certificate. Information exchanged with any address beginning with https is encrypted using SSL before transmission.

Q: What are your payment methods?

A: We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express and check cards containing a Visa or MasterCard logo, directly thru a secured gateway. Be sure to enter your billing address correctly. This is the address where you receive your credit card statements. Checks and money orders cannot be used for payment.

Q: How will my order be confirmed?

A: You will be sent an email confirming the full details of your order, including Order Number, itemized costs, and delivery schedule.

Q: Can I change or cancel my order once it’s been submitted?

A: Because our Accessory Web-Store is a fully automated ordering process, no order can be modified or cancelled once it has been submitted. Customers are urged to double check shopping cart contents prior to submitting order.

Q: How can I track my order?

A: To get real-time status on your order:

Select the Track an Order link

Enter the Order Number given to you at your time of order

Enter your Shipping Zip Code

Shipping/Delivery

Q: What are my delivery options?

A: All orders are delivered by UPS or FedEx. We do not ship orders through U.S. mail. Orders placed Monday through Friday by 4:00 p.m. EST will be processed the same day. Orders placed after 4:00 pm or on weekends and holidays will be processed the following business day.

Delivery options:

Express Overnight Delivery -With this option, your order arrives the following business day [does not include Saturday or Sunday] after processing. Keep in mind that orders must be placed before 4:00 p.m. EST in order to be processed that day. Add one business day to delivery for orders placed after 4:00 p.m. EST.
Standard 3-Day Delivery -With this option, your order arrives 3 business days after processing. Keep in mind that orders must be placed before 4:00 p.m. EST in order to be processed that day. Add one business day to delivery for orders placed after 4:00 p.m. EST.
Standard 5-Day Delivery -With this option, your order arrives 5 business days after processing. Keep in mind that orders must be placed before 4:00 p.m. EST in order to be processed that day. Add one business day to delivery for orders placed after 4:00 p.m. EST.

Q: How are delivery costs determined?

A: Delivery charges are based on weight rather than distance. You will be able to view the delivery costs prior to completing your order.

Q: Will I be charged tax on my order?

A: Based upon the state in your delivery address, you may or may not be charged tax. You will be able to view any tax prior to completing your order.

Damages in Shipment

Regardless of your delivery terms, we will assist you if the merchandise is verified as damaged in transit. If this occurs, please take the following action:

Do not accept a visibly damaged product until the person making the delivery has endorsed the air bill/bill of lading with a statement of the extent of the damage.
If damage is concealed and found after unpacking, retain all packing material and immediately call us. Concealed damage must be reported on the same day of delivery.
Notify us immediately of damages so that we can provide you with assistance on the claim with the freight carrier. When calling, please have the sales order number at hand.

Returns

Q: What is your Return Policy?

A: We offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee. You may return your shipment for refund or credit within 30 days as follows:

Product must be in original condition.
Product must be in original product packaging, uncut, unmodified, and unused.
Product must be returned at your expense within 30 days of delivery date through a "traceable means" (e.g. certified mail, UPS, or FEDEX).
All components and manual must be returned.
A credit or refund will be issued for returned products, minus delivery charges.
Data software may be returned for credit if unopened within 30 days. Opened software may be returned for replacement product only; credits will not apply to opened data software.
Items not in compliance with Return Policy will be returned back to you at your expense.
Please complete the return forms included with your shipment and reference the original transaction number or contact us if you need assistance.

Q: How do I send back my product?

A: Please carefully pack and send the defective item back to us. You must include your original packing list, the returned product and which product you would like as a replacement. If you no longer have the original invoice, please include a note with your name, date of purchase, order number, and the above information about your exchange.

Privacy

Q: What is your privacy policy regarding personal information?

A: The Accessory Web-Store takes the privacy of your personal information very seriously. We will never sell, rent, or lease your personal information to any third-party marketing organization. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Cellular Batteries

Q: What is the difference between cellular phone batteries?

A: Nickel Cadmium batteries (NiCad batteries) offer strong dependable performance, hold their charge for weeks and work very well in extreme heat or cold. They can take more charges than any other type of cellular phone battery. They are also the less expensive alternative. As the "old reliable" of the portable cellular market, NiCad batteries are always available for every phone. These are generally best for the infrequent user.

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH batteries) can handle frequent charging more effectively and are less prone to memory effect. They offer better performance relative to their size and weight, so they tend to be the battery of choice for heavy cellular users. This technology is newer than NiCad, but most medium- and high-end phones now offer NiMH cellular phone batteries.

Lithium Ion batteries (Li-Ion) are the top-performing and best rechargeable mobile phone batteries available in today’s marketplace. Lithium batteries also have a higher capacity and are much lighter than NiMH batteries. Another advantage to lithium batteries is that memory effect is virtually eliminated.

Q: How long should an average battery last?

A: It’s not really a question of how many years or months, although a cellular phone battery over two years old may begin showing some signs of wear and tear. The real issue is the number of times you’ve charged your battery. Most batteries will get 200-300 "cycles” (a bit more for NiCad and a bit fewer for NiMH). Less is known about lithium batteries because they haven't had the same scrutiny as the others to date.

Q: How fast will my battery charge?

A: It depends on the type of charger and the size of the mobile phone battery. A rapid charger will charge a slim battery in as little as 30-45 minutes. A standard charger will take from 8 hours to almost 20 hours for extended batteries. Most in-vehicle chargers will rapid charge the battery to about 50% capacity in less than an hour, then switch to slow charging.

Q: How is my battery affected by being on a digital system compared with analog?

A: Your battery's talk and standby time will increase significantly on a digital network. While each digital system is a little different, they are all more efficient in transmitting information. This means your battery does not have to work as hard and will last longer on digital.

Data

Q: How will I know if my handset will support specific data products?

A: Before purchasing any data products, please confirm with your ISP [Internet Service Provider] and Cellular Service provider to make sure they support specific data capabilities. The Customer is responsible for confirming this information before making their purchase. Data software may be returned for credit if unopened within 30 days. . Opened software may be returned for replacement product only; credits will not apply to opened data software.

Cellular Antennas

Q: What can I do about poor reception in my vehicle?

A: There are two main ways to improve reception: connecting directly to an external antenna or enhancing the power of the portable with a booster kit so it has enough power that the cell site can "hear" it. But even without adding those products, you can improve your reception inside the vehicle by keeping the antenna vertical and as high as possible so the metal in your vehicle does not impair the signal.

Q: Is there an external antenna available for my phone?

A: Not all portable phones can connect to an extra antenna. It depends on your phone model and the availability of a connector to mate up with an antenna. There are many antennas to choose from. They include stubby antennas that are perfect for traveling, ¼-wave antennas you can use outside your vehicle, magnetic mount antennas for the top of your vehicle, and small antennas that suction to the window. When you have a car kit, you can use antennas that mount on glass, roofs, bumpers and more.

Q: What is "gain?"

A: It is the process of re-directing the antenna’s power toward the horizon, thereby improving its reception capabilities in many cases. It essentially increases the antenna’s reach by decreasing its vertical component in favor of the horizontal.

Q: What antenna will work best for me?

A: It depends on how you use your phone. 0 decibel (dB) gain antennas, often called unity gain, are usually best in cities or mountains because they provide the same coverage vertically and horizontally (note: this statement is not always true when there is good coverage in those areas). Cellular was originally designed for 3dB gain antennas as they provide the optimal combination of vertical and horizontal patterns. 5dB antennas are the best for flat areas because their pattern is primarily horizontal.