HSBC Secure ePayments service

Added to our own security we also process all credit card orders through the HSBC bank Secure ePayments facility. When you have entered your details into the first part of the checkout process you will be transferred to the HSBC secure server for them to take your credit card details. Argenteus does not hold or see any details of your credit card at any time. HSBC will also check the validity of your card details and will authorise payment to us. If possible you should provide a valid personal email address rather than a hotmail account. A landline telephone number is also an advantage.

YOU WILL NOT BE TRANSFERED TO THE HSBC SECURE SERVER UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY PAY FOR YOUR ITEM. NO FUNDS WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU CARD ACCOUNT UNTIL WE SHIP YOUR ORDER TO YOU.

We currently accept MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Delta, Solo and Maestro cards.

Overseas customers please note that we may request additional confirmation of your credit card details and delivery address for some orders received from outside the UK. We hope you will understand our need to ensure extra protection in such cases and in these circumstances we will offer a small discount to cover any extra inconvenience.

We have been forced to take these steps to further validate international orders after a number of attempted frauds. It is our policy to ALWAYS follow up these incidents and co-operate fully with law enforcement bodies in whatever country the fraud attempt has been made from.

Your IP address will be logged at the time of ordering in order to assist any subsequent enquiry. To date we know of at least 3 convictions that are pending in 2 different countries as a result of information supplied by us. Argenteus is committed to beating credit card crime on the Internet and we appreciate your co-operation.

Alternatively you can contact us directly with your order by phone, fax or Email, quoting the product codes shown in the online shop. You can print out your order without sending your credit card details and use this as a reference when ordering or simply fax the whole page to us. Payment can then be made by credit card, debit card, or by cheque.

Purchases made by post and paid for by cheque will be despatched after the cheque has cleared. Please allow up to 3 extra days for delivery in these cases.

If you would prefer, you can ask for your order to be sent to one of our stores for collection and payment in person. Simply select the 'Personal Collection' option from the payments screen during the checkout process and enter the name of the store you would like to visit. You will be notified when the item is ready for collection. Any carriage charge added to your order at the checkout will of course be deducted when you pay using this option.

Please note that when using this facility you should ensure that you are happy with your purchase before leaving the store. The normal online returns and refund options will not be available to customers who collect their purchase in person. Our normal terms of trade will apply as detailed on notices throughout the store. This does not affect your statutory rights.

You can pay for your order online using Argenteus Gift vouchers purchased from any of our stores or via the website. Simply print out your order in the same way as the payment by cheque method and send your gift vouchers to us using a secure delivery service (special delivery in the UK) with a copy of your order to the address shown below. We will reimburse UK customers with any postal costs incurred sending voucher(s) to us for a purchase online.

Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for gift vouchers lost in the post if not sent to us by a secure method. Lost gift vouchers cannot be automatically replaced. If you need any further assistance or information please contact customer services.