Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Choose the Menu Shoppe?

  At the Menu Shoppe you can feel confident that you’re getting: 

  • Personalized customer service
  • Industry best quality at competitive prices
  • American-made manufacturing
  • Tons of customization options to suit your vision
  • Guaranteed value backed up by warranties

  As a family run company, the Menu Shoppe puts customer service first. We believe in the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices, all made in the United States. We offer a large selection of styles, colors, and sizes, and offer custom sizing upon request. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Call our toll-free number or email us at  sales@menushoppe.com and we’ll work with you to deliver your vision.

  We guarantee the life of our menu covers. Throughout our website on each product page, you will find estimates of when each item will start to show signs of wear. We offer recommendations for cleaning and storing our products so you can feel confident they will last. And as an added precaution, we back up our products with generous warranties so you can feel confident in your order. Though issues are rare, if they pop up we will do what we can to make it right. If your cover shows premature wear under average recommended use and handling, we will replace it at a prorated cost.

  Please note: We do not cover damage to our products due to improper use or storage, e.g. burn marks from being held too close to an open flame, shriveling due to covers being put through the dishwasher or cleaned with harsh chemicals, covers left out in the rain, or any other damage through human error.
• What Are Your Hours?

  Our website is open to accept orders 24/7/365.

  Phone hours are 11am-5pm EST Monday-Friday, with the exception of all major and bank holidays.

  We are a family-run business. Members of our family share roles, some on a part-time basis. We all strive to give excellent and friendly customer service and one or more of us is working on most business days. Our phones are answered by a short auto-attendant message, but if you call during business hours (11am-5pm EST Mon-Fri) and press 1 for sales or 2 for the business office, there’s a good chance your call will be live answered. If you do get our voicemail, you can expect a return call by the next business day.

  Emails are typically answered by the next business day. For sales email us at sales@menushoppe.com, for the business office, email us at shoppekeeper@menushoppe.com
• How Long Will My Menu Covers Last?

  Our covers are custom made in the United States. They should last as long or longer than any other menu covers being sold on the internet today. The length of time they will last will depend on the material they are made of, how often they’re being used, and how well you take care of them. Please refer to specific item pages and review our  warranty policies for more detailed information.

  Menu Covers with Clear Pockets should last 1.5 to 2 years. Click here to find out more about these menu covers and why we can make this claim.

  Custom Menu Covers, Binders, and Check Presenters made of washable, heavy duty material should last 2 to 5 (or more) years with regular use. Please note that some materials are more durable than others. Please refer to specific item pages for an estimated lifespan of each unique material.

  Pad N Seal Menu Covers should also last 2 to 5 (or more) years. However, the clear inside pockets may start to crack after 1 year, depending on how often you change your paper inserts and how heavily they are being handled. High volume use and frequent, rough handling will limit the life of this item, therefore these are not recommended as a full service menu cover.

  Crystal Clear Menu Covers are perfect for frequent menu insert changes that make lamination impractical or cost prohibitive, e.g. special menus, after hours, bar menus, weekend service, etc. They are NOT recommended for heavy duty use. You should expect to have some seam tears now and then and may need to replace a few of them every four to six months. Our Extra Rigid Menu Covers should last twice as long.

  If you have questions about the durability or life of an item, please call our toll-free number or email us at  sales@menushoppe.com. We are happy to assist you in finding the right item for your specific needs.
• Can I Get a Sample?

  Samples of most of our products are available to ship. Call or email us and we will be happy to help find the right menu cover for you. Our selection of samples might not include the exact size, color, or configuration you have in mind, but we should be able to help you see the general look, feel, and quality of our products.

  For some (but not all) materials, we have swatch decks available.

  We charge a $25 deposit to ship out samples and swatch decks, which is refunded when you return the deck to us. Don’t worry, we’ll include a shipping label with your sample to make it easy to return.

  Custom Samples

  We understand that before placing a large custom order, you might want to see the finished product. In most instances, we can produce and sell you a single sample. Call or email us to request your sample.

  In addition to the quoted cost of your item, shipping, and applicable art fees, we charge a service fee:

  • $25 for sewn-edge covers
  • $50 for most case-bound covers and Dynasty products
  • $75 for wood, metal, and genuine leather

  If you place an order for 50 or more covers within 90 days of receiving the sample, the service fee will be credited toward your order, as will any applicable art fees (as long as you use the exact same, unchanged logo you used on the sample for your order, including size).

  Note that normal production times apply – both for the production of the sample and for the subsequent order. This means if your item’s production time is 15-20 days, it will take 15-20 days to create the sample, and then another 15-20 days after order approval to produce your full order.
• What are Your Credit Terms?

  Terms: Our prices are FOB (Free on Board) from our factory and do not include shipping/freight costs, which are paid by the customer. We accept PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, & Discover. We can provide instructions for ACH or fed wire payments from banks within the United States.

  We collect sales tax for shipments to New Jersey.

  All web orders must be paid upfront with a credit card. Phone orders can be paid via credit card, ACH, or fed wire.

  We offer credit terms of Net 30 days (from order) on a case-by-case basis to customers who have previously established good credit with us and have placed at least one pre-paid order within the last two years. Please contact us by phone or email to enquire. (“Net 30” means all funds are due 30 days from the date of order.)
• How Do I Send Art and What is the Proofing Process?

  How Do I Send Art and What is the Proofing Process?

  We require all art submissions to be sent electronically. Vector file formats are highly preferred (Adobe Illustrator or EPS) but we can work with high quality PDF, PNG, and TIFF files much of the time. Any text should be outlined in vector form. Please include the name of the font or other identifying information, if applicable.

  Proofs

  We will provide a digital proof of your order for approval. This can take 5 to 7 business days, depending on our order volume and the complexity of the design. Note that production does not begin until you approve the proof, so the art process will add to the production turnaround time.

  It is very important that you look at this proof carefully before you approve it.

  Custom orders are produced solely based on the details of the proof we send for your approval. Once you approve a proof, you assume all applicable costs associated with changes, corrections, or replacements, including (but not limited to) the material, size, configuration, art, stamping colors, or text. This proof will be used as a final blueprint for production, regardless of any other written or verbal communication between us before or after proof approval.

  
  Once you have thoroughly read the above guidelines, you may submit artwork using our Online Form. Or you may send art files to sales@menushoppe.com
• How Long Until My Items are Ready to Ship?

  All quoted turnaround times are estimates and not guarantees.

  At the Menu Shoppe, all of our items are made in the U.S at the highest quality for the most competitive price. In fact, most of our custom and made-to-order items are made by hand right here in New Jersey. Some products take longer to ship than others, however, this is due to the attention to detail and quality craftsmanship that goes into the production of our custom and made-to-order products.

  IN-STOCK items are generally marked as such and will ship within 3 business days from our New Jersey warehouse.

  QUICK-SHIP items are generally marked as such and will ship within 5-7 business days from our New Jersey factory.

  MADE-TO-ORDER and CUSTOM items generally take 15-20 business days to produce in our New Jersey factory. If your order contains an art imprint, production time begins once your art proof has been given final approval by you AND all materials necessary to complete the order are in-stock at the factory. Art proofs usually take 5-7 business days (and the 15-20 days production time starts after art is approved by you).

  Some important exceptions:

  • All Clear Spiral Menu Covers usually ship in 5-7 business days
  • Deluxe Cafe Style Menu Covers usually ship in 14-18 business days
  • Items made with Natural Cork, Faux Ostrich, or Wood usually ship in 18-22 business days
  • Items made with Genuine Leather usually ship in 25 business days

  Made-to-order items are produced first in/first out, scheduled by our New Jersey factory’s production manager on a weekly basis. Please note that orders are not put into the production queue until art is proofed by you AND all materials are in-stock at the factory. Although we try to accommodate each business’s unique situation and communicate those needs with our production manager, our sales manager is not able to override the schedule or skip the line, as this can cause production issues and delays for all of our valued customers.

  Please note: if you cancel or change an order after production has begun, we cannot issue refunds and may be unable to modify your order.

  If you absolutely must request Rush service, please contact us to see if we can accommodate you. Rush orders are charged an additional 25% of the total balance of your order and are subject to approval by our production manager. 

  Please refer to our shipping policies for more information about shipping times.
• What are Your Shipping Policies?

  We ship to all U.S. and Canadian street addresses via UPS and FedEx. This includes AK, HI, PR, and other U.S. territories.

  We DO NOT ship to post office boxes, nor can we ship outside of the U.S. and Canada.

  We ship by FedEx Ground or UPS Ground in the U.S. and FedEx International Ground or UPS Standard in Canada, unless otherwise requested at the time of checkout (other methods do cost more and menus can be heavy). Time in transit will vary by distance from our shipping locations in New Jersey.

  Payment of customs fees and/or tariffs into Canada are the responsibility of the customer and are generally collected by UPS or FedEx prior to delivery. Delays caused by CBSA are uncommon but do occur and are beyond the control of The Menu Shoppe, FedEx, or UPS.

  Note that payment for an expedited shipping service has no impact on production times, only on the time the items take to be shipped from our factory to you.

  Shipping Damage: In the unlikely event that a shipment arrives damaged, do not unpack your boxes! You must take photos of the damage in the condition it was in upon arrival. To file a shipping damage claim, email us at sales@menushoppe.com with your order number and photos of the damage with a brief description. FedEx or UPS will send a representative to review your claim.
• What is Your Return Policy?

  In Stock and Quick Ship Items (labeled as such on individual product pages) can be returned to us for a full refund (not including shipping), as long as they have not been customized or damaged. Items must be returned to us within 30 days, shipping prepaid, in the condition in which they were shipped. You must notify us of the return prior to shipping the item back so we can notify our warehouse. Returns can be initiated through the return authorization form or by emailing us at sales@menushoppe.com. Please include the original pack list with your return.

  Made to Order and Custom Items cannot be returned or exchanged, regardless of whether or not they have been customized/personalized. Prior to ordering, you may request a sample to ensure you are happy with the materials, construction, size, and/or price of the item. Custom and Made to Order Items are produced solely based on the details of a proof we send for your approval. Once you approve a proof, the order will go into production per the proof’s exact specifications and you will assume all applicable costs associated with changes, corrections, replacements, or cancellations, regardless of any other written or verbal communication before or after proof approval. In the unlikely event of a production error, wherein the product does not match the specifications of your approved proof, please file a return claim via the return authorization form on this page. Please include a description of the issue, your order number, and any other identifying information in the “Reason for Return” box. If a production error is confirmed, we will refund the item or remake your order at our own expense. We may require you to send us photos of the item or return the item at our expense before issuing a credit. Please include the original pack list with your return.

  The following practices will cause your items to wear out early and are not covered by our return policy:

  • Damage caused by improper handling or abuse. This includes but is not limited to: water/weather damage, reverse folding your menu covers (like any book cover, this will break the spine), storage in an overly hot or cold area (this may cause the panels to warp or crack - if it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s not suitable for your menu covers), burn marks from being held too close to an open flame, or overstuffing the pockets (e.g. stuffing them with thick cardboard instead of our recommended cardboard stiffeners or cramming the panels full of old menu inserts).
  • Improper cleaning. This includes but is not limited to: cleaning with harsh solvents and/or alcohol based cleaning agents, dousing or soaking your menu covers in water, or using excessive force. Though we do guarantee that our menu covers and holders are water resistant against spills, they are not water-proof and absolutely cannot be cleaned in the dishwasher. Simply wipe them down gently with cold water and a clean, damp (not wet) microfiber cloth. If cold water alone isn’t doing the job, you may dilute a drop of blue Dawn dish soap into the water.

  Shipping Damage: In the unlikely event that a shipment arrives damaged, do not unpack your boxes! You must take photos of the damage in the condition it was in upon arrival in order to file a claim. To file a shipping damage claim, email us at sales@menushoppe.com with your order number, and the photos of the damage with a brief description. FedEx or UPS will send a representative to review your claim.

  For any further questions about our return policy, call our toll free number or email us at  sales@menushoppe.com.