Help & FAQs | Vintage Villages – Answers to Your Questions

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us at info@vintagevillages.ca.

1. General Information

What Does 'Vintage Villages' Mean?
For us, it means curating a collection of older, hard-to-find Department 56 or Lemax retired pieces that hold unique, nostalgic value. We specialize in retired items from past collections, ensuring that collectors have the opportunity to find discontinued designs that may no longer be available elsewhere. Whether you're looking to complete a cherished holiday village or expand your display with rare and sought-after pieces, our selection of retired Department 56 and Lemax items makes us an ideal destination for collectors.

Are You Affiliated With the Brands You Sell?
Vintage Villages is not officially affiliated with the brands featured on our website. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.

We specialize in vintage and secondary market collectibles, including retired and hard-to-find pieces. While we hope to offer new products from these brands in the future, our current selection consists of carefully sourced pre-owned and vintage items.

All product photos on our website are taken by us to ensure an accurate representation of the items you’ll receive.

What Does It Mean When Department 56 or Lemax Retires a Product?
At the end of each year, Department 56 and Lemax retire certain pieces from their collections, marking the end of their production. Once a piece is officially retired, the mold used to create it is typically destroyed, ensuring that no additional units will be made. This not only limits the number of existing pieces, increasing their rarity and collectible value, but also allows designers the creative freedom to develop new and innovative designs for future collections. Retired pieces often become highly sought after by collectors, as availability decreases over time.

Do You Carry New Department 56 or Lemax Items?
Not yet, but we're working on expanding our inventory to include new products in the future. Stay tuned!

What Does 'Powered by AI' Mean?
"Powered by AI” means we use artificial intelligence to help create unique artwork for our greeting cards. AI assists us in generating creative images, which we then refine, blend, and perfect with our personal touch in Photoshop. This combination allows us to craft original, high-quality designs efficiently. It also helps us keep costs low and provide a huge selection of greeting cards for you!

What is AI?
AI is technology that allows computers and machines to perform tasks. This can include creating art. AI learns from large amounts of data and can improve over time by identifying patterns and adjusting based on new information. When something is "powered by AI," it means an intelligent system is working behind the scenes to make it function smarter and faster.

2. Ordering & Payment

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
We accept major credit cards, PayPal, and other secure payment methods during checkout.

3. Shipping & Delivery

Do You Offer Free Shipping?
Yes! We offer free shipping for greeting cards when you buy 3 or more. This will calculate automatically at checkout if you have 3 cards in your cart. All other items use the best rates available to your mailing address.

Where Do You Ship?
We currently ship to Canada, the United States, and the UK.

Need shipping outside these countries? Contact us, and we'll provide an international shipping quote. We'll do our best to find you the best available rate!

info@vintagevillages.ca

How Long Will My Order Take to Arrive?
Shipping times vary based on location and order volume. Standard shipping typically takes 2 to 9 days.

How Can I Track My Order?
Once shipped, you’ll receive a tracking number via email to monitor your package's journey.

Can I Pick Up My Order?
If you are local to Toronto and want to pick up your order, please contact us and we will process your order manually. Send us an email at info@vintagevillages.ca

4. Returns & Damages

Why Are Vintage Items Final Sale?
All vintage items are sold AS IS and are final sale. Vintage items are final sale because they are often one-of-a-kind pieces with unique characteristics and wear that reflect their age. This policy ensures that each item is carefully chosen by the buyer, and it helps us maintain fairness and integrity in our sales process. We encourage customers to review descriptions and photos thoroughly before purchasing. If you received the wrong item, or the item is not as described, please reach out to us.

What If My Order Arrives Damaged?
If your item arrives damaged, please email us within 48 hours with photos of the packaging and item. We will review the claim and assist with next steps.

Do You Accept Returns or Exchanges?
Non-vintage items may be eligible for returns within 14 days of delivery. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase. Customer provides return shipping. Please see our refund policy or contact us for more details.

5. Special Services

Do You Buy Entire Villages or Collections?
Yes we do! We’re always looking to expand our vintage selection. Email us with photos and details of your collection for consideration.