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frequently asked Questions
How can I pay for my order?Payment can be made by credit card on the website with the 3D Secure secure payment system (a one-time use code is sent to you by SMS to validate the payment), by check, by bank transfer or by credit card by telephone. The manufacturing of the umbrella begins upon receipt of payment. Postage and packaging costs are in addition to the price of the umbrella. Order times are approximately 3 to 6 working days, the time it takes to manufacture and ship the package.
Do I need to create an account on the website to order ?It is not obligatory to create an account on the website to order an umbrella.
What are the shipping rates for a package in France, Europe and outside the European Union?Postage and packaging costs are in addition to the price of the umbrella. They are €13 for one or more folding umbrellas and €17 for one or more straight umbrellas for France. For Europe, shipping and packaging costs are €16 for one or more folding umbrellas and €26 for one or more straight umbrellas. Outside the European Union, postage and packaging costs are €20 excluding VAT for one or more folding umbrellas and €35 excluding VAT for one or more straight umbrellas.
What are the shipping rates for the French overseas territories, Canada and the United States?Shipping rates for the French Overseas Territories, Canada and the United States are calculated based on volumetric weight and not the actual weight of the package. For our folding umbrellas and depending on the area, the shipping rates for a package are between €35 excluding tax and €55 excluding tax. For our straight umbrellas and depending on the area, the shipping rates for a package are between €45 excluding tax and €85 excluding tax.
Umbrellas as well as postage and packaging costs will always be tax-free for the French overseas territories, Canada and the United States as well as for countries outside the European Union.
In accordance with the new law of July 1, 2021, tax and customs fees are applied upon receipt of the package since our products are automatically sold tax-free when you purchase on our website via a country outside the European Union:
“Individuals who purchase on sites that sell tax-free and do not apply VAT at the time of the online sale, may be asked by the carrier, upon delivery of their package, to pay duties and taxes, notably VAT. The carrier could then charge the consumer management fees, in addition to VAT.”How does the dispatch work ? Could I track my package ?We ship your package by Colissimo with delivery against signature at home or at a relay point. When the package is shipped, you will receive an email from the Post Office with a tracking number. You will receive your umbrella within 2 to 3 working days for France. For Europe and countries outside the European Union between 5 to 7 working days.
How does the order process work?You can find order information here:
https://www.parapluie-artisanal.com/informations-concernant-votre-commande/
At each stage of your order you will receive an email to inform you of the progress of your order (check that the order email is not in the spam folder of your email box)
– Order pending: for payments by check or bank transfer the status of the order is “pending”, the time to receive payment.
– Order in progress: when we receive payment, the order will change to “in progress” and we will start manufacturing your umbrella.
– Order completed: the manufacturing of your umbrella is complete. We will prepare your package and ship your umbrella in the next few days. When the package is shipped, you will receive an email from the post office with a package number for tracking.I want to order several different umbrellas how could I do ?For an order of several umbrellas we don't make you pay several deliveries and packing cost. We gather all your order in one cardboard. The price could vary depending on the weight of the package.(see prices above).
Is there a cover with the umbrella ?Our umbrellas are sold without a cover.
Our umbrellas are sold without covers. On request a cover could be made for 15€ for a folding umbrella or for 25€ for a straight umbrella.For a Shepherd umbrella, the cover costs €35, to which must be added €5 for delivery by mail. Cover requests are made by email or telephone. Payment for a cover can be made by check or bank transfer.
An umbrella should always dry open (handle down) and it should close it only when it is dry. Do not leave it wet for too long in the cover, this ends up damaging the materials and voids the warranty.
If you'd like to find out more about umbrella care and folding, you can follow our tips and video tutorials on this page : https://www.parapluie-artisanal.com/en/how-to-care-for-an-umbrella/
See also our: Terms of SalesAre the umbrellas guaranteed ?Our umbrellas are guaranteed for one year and repairable throughout their life. The warranty does not cover problems resulting from abnormal and improper use of our umbrellas.
An umbrella should always dry open (handle down) and it should close it only when it is dry. An umbrella is not made to be used as a cane, this will damage the tip, the nut as well as the springs by pressing it on the ground. If you want to walk with it, we make it English umbrella which is specifically intended for this use and adjusted to the size of the person.
See also our: Terms of Sales
During the warranty, repairs as well as return shipping and packaging costs are free. Our umbrellas are delivered with a warranty certificate to keep for one year. This voucher must be presented in the event of a problem with the umbrella during the first year. When the warranty is expired, the repair becomes chargeable.
Contact form
Umbrellas guaranteed and repairableHow heavy are umbrellas?The classic folding umbrella weighs 420g.
The men's folding umbrella weighs 500g in polyester and 570g in cotton. The classic straight umbrella weighs 430g in polyester and 540g in cotton. The large umbrella weighs 530g in polyester and 660g in cotton. The English umbrella weighs around 500g depending on the type of wood and the Berger umbrella weighs 1kg.Can your umbrella be repaired ?Our umbrellas could be repaired throughout their lives. Each part of them could be replaced including the fabric. Don't hesitate to use the quotation form of our website. Then you could send the umbrella by post or you could directly go to visit us in our shop in Poitiers. In addition to the price of the repais and out of warranty you have to pay 13euros for the shipment return for a foldable umbrella and 17euros for a straight umbrella.
Contact form
Umbrellas guaranteed and repairable
Please ship your umbrella with this completed form, which allows us to be able to
contact you if there is a problem and to be able to track your package when we ship it.
Without this form previously completed, we will not be able to process your request.Are the foldable umbrellas less strong than the straight ones ?The straight umbrellas are almost unbreakable
and they don't turn inside out thanks to their carbon fibre ribs. It is technically not possible to get a foldable mechanism with 100% of carbon fibre. However we don't use aluminium like the 95% of the fodling umbrellas which we can buy everywhere. Our mechanism are all made in steel and they ensure an increased strength compared to the umbrellas you could find in department stores. The steel is heavier than the aluminium but it has the advantage of not wringing and not breaking when the umbrella has turned inside out several times. At François Frères it is the end of the disposable umbrellas !Can I have an umbrella from another brand repaired or have a parasol restored?For umbrellas from other brands and parasol restorations, a quote is established by email before sending it to our workshop. To do this, you can use the quote form on our website. From this form you will be able to attach photos and requests regarding your umbrella. Do not hesitate to indicate as many details as possible such as:
The numbers of ribs
The size of the ribs and the diameter of your umbrella
you have to say if it is an automatic or a classic umbrella
You also have to say if it is a foldable or straight umbrella
Join several pictures and a picture showing where it is broken
Give your adress and your phone number in order to contact us Contact form
Please ship your umbrella with this completed form, which allows us to be able to contact you in the event of a problem and to be able to track your package when we ship it. Without this form previously completed, we will not be able to process your request.Can I make a parasol repair ?We could repair all umbrella and sunshade brands but we could not repair the parasols.
I would like to have my initials on the handle or on the fabric or have a logo or pattern print added, is this possible ?We could not engrave initials on the handle or on the fabric and we don't do any logo or pattern printing on the fabric.
Is it possible to put a strap on an umbrella ?If you ask we could put a strap on our straight umbrellas for 15euros. It enables you to take your umbrella and to keep your hands free. . Shoulder strap requests are made by mail, email or telephone. Payment for a shoulder strap can be made by check or bank transfer.
Is it possible to put a different handle instead of a maple's one ?For straight umbrellas, we can offer chestnut handles, leather handles or a straight handle rather than a curved one. Folding umbrellas can be offered with maple pommels (wood color or black) or curved maple handles. Handle requests are made by mail, email or telephone. Payment for a handle can be made by check or bank transfer.
Example of handlesHow should I care for my umbrella ?An umbrella doesn't need a particular maintenance. However if you want to keep it as long as possible it is important to open it and make it dry after each use but you musn't shake it to make fall the water drops. Never close a wet umbrella! Just like clothing, fabric and wood need to breathe. Once your umbrella is dry, store it in a dark place away from heat, the moon and UV rays. An umbrella with automatic opening must always be opened vertically (tip upwards). This allows the mechanism to deploy without forcing, while avoiding wear and tear after several years of use.
If you'd like to find out more about umbrella care and folding, you can follow our tips and video tutorials on this page : https://www.parapluie-artisanal.com/en/how-to-care-for-an-umbrella/There is a stain on my fabric, can I remove it?It is possible to get a stain out of a hessian but all the stains can't be removed. The best solution is to clean it with a sponge, a little household soap and lukewarm water. Don't worry it will not remove the waterproofness of your umbrella. The best way to avoid staining it is to dry it well and avoid leaving it in a car trunk, for example.
To remove greasy stains from an umbrella canvas or any type of textile, you can use gasoline F which is a multipurpose degreaser, thinner and stain remover.Is the cotton fabric waterproof ?Our 100% cotton cloth are water-repellent and they ensure you a protection from the sun thanks to a tight weave and they are also waterproof.
Is there more choice in the store than on the website?We offer a wide selection of umbrellas on our site, but we have an even greater selection in our store. Some models are unique depending on the fabric collections and cannot be offered on our website.
Is it possible to visit your store and your workshop for a group of people?It is possible for groups of 15 people to visit our workshop, but only by appointment.
Is it possible to have a custom umbrella made?We can manufacture to measure, only with stocks available in our workshop:
Bespoke and customisation production
For any request, do not hesitate to contact us by email:
Contact form
parapluie.artisanal@gmail.com
Or by phone: 05 49 41 18 77What is the difference between a plain, printed or woven umbrella?The difference is only aesthetics. A plain umbrella is an umbrella with only one colour. A printed umbrella is an umbrella which has a motif printed on its fabric. A woven umbrella is an umbrella which is realised with weaving yarns. We use different weaving such as Serge or Jacquard weave.
What is the difference between a straight umbrella and an English umbrella?A straight umbrella like any manufacturer is made in two pieces, the handle which is made of maple and assembled with the mast which is made of beech.The English umbrella is made of a single piece of wood like a cane, it is solid wood that is hot-bent and then turned into 16mm diameter.
The parts are made of brass with a brass tip and a wider section unlike “classic” straight umbrellas. It is a particular know-how and an assembly which is quite rare in France. It can be used for walking or simply for the beauty of the object and the wood. It is adjusted to the customer's size. This is the “Rolls” of the umbrella.Are the umbrellas all so resistant ? Why are there different prices depending on the models ?Our straight umbrellas are all so resistant thanks to their carbon fibre ribs. Our foldable umbrellas have all carbon fibre ribs and have the same strength.
Only the aesthetics change between the models, the fabrics, the diameter or the cut.Are all the umbrellas handmade ?Since 1882 in the François Family for five generations, we have produced handmade umbrellas in our worskhop in Poitiers. Our umbrellas are 100% handmade. Traditional Workmanship A guarantee of quality and know-how, we are certified Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant We buy materials from the best suppliers existing in order to ensure an extreme quality of our products and to satisfy our custumers. At François Frères gone are the scraped handles, the washed-out painting and so on. Quality from the handle to the ferrule. The house of the the umbrellas and sunshades.
I have received an umbrella with a little different tint than the one presented on your website, is it normal ?The fabric's tints, the handles and the shaft could slightly varied from the models presented on our website. Our products are all handmade and are not 100% identical when they leave the factory. Each handle is different depending on the deliveries and the wood veins. Each fabric roll could have a slightly different colour which could change between two deliveries.