FAQ

 

How did the "patiche" get its name? How is it pronounced?

You may have tried looking up the word "patiche" (pronounced "pah-TEESH") only to find that it doesn’t exist! Up until just recently, we thought it was French for "handpick," based on what Larry Ingalls called his original prototype. At the time Larry developed the first prototype in 1985, he was working with French- and Arabic-speaking crew members at dig sites in the Middle East. So when he told us that’s what it was called, we simply took his word for it, and the name has prevailed.


How do I place my order?

Go to the "Store" tab on this website, click on the product(s) you want to purchase, specify the quantities of each product, and then click on the rectangular "Add To Cart" button. After you have made your selection(s), click on the "Cart" tab, and then the "Checkout" button. You will be asked to provide your email address (which will be used to send your receipt and notifications about your order), your shipping address and payment method (all major credit cards are accepted). You will then have the opportunity to review your order before placing it. Once the order ships, you will receive an email with the tracking and/or customs number, and the expected delivery date.


What is the time frame between when I place my order and when it ships?

If we receive your order Monday through Friday by noon Pacific Time, and if it is an order for one or two items, it will usually ship out the same day. Orders received over the weekend will go out either Monday or Tuesday of the following week. This time frame will vary depending upon the quantity of items you order, and you will be kept informed of your order’s status throughout the process.


Do you ship anywhere in the world?

While we have not shipped to every single country, for the most part, the answer is "yes." We have only experienced one problem with an order to the United Arab Emirates (UAE); despite our best efforts, the package was unable to be delivered to its destination, and was ultimately returned to us.


I placed my order, but your website is not adding in the cost of shipping and handling.

This will usually happen in cases where you have ordered more than one of any item, or a combination of items (for instance, a walking pick and one or two patiches). It can also happen if you are ordering from a country that we have not shipped to before. If S&H has not automatically been added to your order, you will be contacted by email as soon as we determine what the additional charges will be. Then we will send you a Request for Payment for the additional S&H and once payment is received, your order will ship.


Can I specify a different delivery address for my order?

Yes! This is especially handy if you are sending your purchase as a gift. The destination address can even be in a different country from the one you’re ordering from. Shipping and handling rates will apply to the delivery address. If the order is to be a gift, let us know by email and we will only include a packing list with the order that specifies you as the drop-shipper. That way your gift recipient does not need to know the cost of the gift, but will know that it was you who sent it. You can also request that we email you the invoice separately.


What options are available for shipping?

For most orders, we use the United States Postal Service. If the order is to be delivered within the United States, we use USPS Priority Mail service, which usually arrives within 2-3 business days. Foreign orders usually go by U.S. First-Class International Mail, with delivery times ranging anywhere between 10 to 21 business days, depending upon the destination’s proximity to a major airport. For instance, we have experienced delivery as soon as five days from our location in central California to Paris, France, and London, England. Deliveries to Australia and New Zealand usually take between 2 to 3 weeks. We have also used UPS, FedEx, and other global delivery systems. These are generally more expensive. If you wish to use any of these other methods, please notify us by email and we will work with you to satisfy your request.


I banged up the blade side of one of my patiches while removing rocks this summer and the edge is a bit mangled and not as flat as I would like it to be anymore. Do you recommend any particular method for fixing that?

If you will return the damaged item to us at your expense, we can usually refurbish it for you and only charge you for the return freight.


I broke the handle on one of my patiches. Do you sell just the handle and can I replace it myself?

Yes, we do sell individual handles which come with the necessary amount of steel wedges so that you can replace the broken handle with the new one. You can also return the item with the broken handle to us at your expense. We will then replace the handle with a new one and can usually refurbish the pick head for you at the same time. You will be charged only for the cost of the handle plus the return freight. The best thing to do in this case is to contact us first by email to let us know about your particular situation, as we don’t sell individual handles through our website.