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Do you ship outside the US?
For sure. We're happy to ship to most places in the world, and can give you an estimate of the shipping cost once we confirm that all of the items in your order are available. Most of our international orders are sent via the US Post Office using Air Mail. Exact shipping charges are available after the order has been packed. Once packed, the order cannot be changed.
How long will it take to get my order?
That depends on the destination, when you place the order, the way you are paying, and whether your order includes items marked "Pre-Order". We ship Monday to Friday, but not on the weekends. Usually we send In-Stock merchandise within 1-3 business days of receiving your payment. Then it can be another 5 to 7 business days in transit to US addresses and 7 to 25 days for International deliveries.If you have a special deadline, please be sure to tell us or write it in the comments on your order and we'll do our best to help you meet it and quote fees for expedited shipping methods.
What if I am not satisfied with my order? (Return Policy)
We hope you will be happy with your order, but if you are not, it is best to call or email us about your plan. A prompt refund of the merchandise price will be issued for any regular catalog item (does not include 'As-Is' items) returned for any reason within 10 days, in the same condition as received. If we have made an error, or if there is a product defect, we'll go out of our way to help get it fixed promptly.
Where is my newsletter?
Our printed catalogs are mailed every other month. There's no charge to receive a sample copy. And if you become a regular customer, your on-going subscription is automatically renewed with each order. If you would like to be sure to receive all of our newsletters, regardless of whether you have placed a recent order, you can subscribe for just $7.50 per year (US addresses). International subscription: $15.00. We always post the pages of our recent catalogs right here on our website.
To stay up-to-date with the latest announcements on new items and what's just come in, we strongly recommend:
What do "Wait List Only" or "Pre-Sold Out" mean?
Once in awhile our orders exceed what we can get. Then we start a Wait List and those on the Wait List get first shot if there are any cancelled or unpaid items. There is a "reasonable chance" of getting a Wait-Listed item, but no guarantee, so it's good to see if you can find it elsewhere. And once we have several folks on a Wait List, we then stop taking any more "maybe" orders at all, and that's what "Pre-Sold-Out" means.
Is there a minimum order amount?
Yes, it's $15, not including the shipping charges. And remember, the more you send in one shipment, the less you pay per-item to ship!
How can I get a discount on your products?
We have regular specials that you can see by clicking on the SPECIALS [insert hyperlink]tab in the title bar. Some last several weeks, others just a few days. We also offer quantity discounts on many of our Elite Brigade products, starting at just 3 of the same item code. Eligible items will show the discount pricing in their individual records.
Whenever we can, we also offer "Cotswold Saver" discounts off manufacturers' suggested retail prices. If you are a licensed reseller, ask about our wholesale program.
Do you have a lay-away program?
We accept installment payments for items that are on Pre-Order and sometimes we require a non-refundable deposit for particular Pre-Order items. We do not have a layaway program for in-stock merchandise. A short-term installment plan can sometimes be individually arranged, depending on the items. Please discuss your request with the sales rep taking your order or add your request to the notes when you submit your online order.
Do you sell vintage GI Joe items?
Yes we do! We have a selection of dressed figures and loose pieces for '60's and '70's era GI Joes and Adventure Team, as well as quite a few replacement items that can give your "old GI Joe friends" new life! We also sell out-of-production Hasbro GI Joes that were made starting in the 1990's. If you are looking for a particular vintage GI Joe item not viewed on our site, email us to check to see if we might be able to help you find it.
Can I be on a waiting list for vintage Joe or other out of production items?
Sorry, it's not possible for us to take back orders or keep a waiting list for older out-of-production items since we never know when (or if) we will have them again, or what the price will be.
Do you buy GI Joe and other 1:6 Scale figures?
Absolutely! Our catalog reaches thousands of collectors, so we are eager to buy GI Joe and other 1:6 scale items. We have a great reputation for fairness, honesty, and fast payment.
We buy (and trade) vintage 1960's and 1970's Adventure Team in good (C7/8 or better) condition . . . packaged or loose, big or small collections as well as Timeless Collection, Classic Collection, and Hall of Fame figures if they are still sealed. We also buy earlier Dragon, Ultimate Soldier, DID, Sideshow, Hot Toys, Soldier Story, etc. sets that are complete and never removed from their original packages. This is our grading system for vintage Joe:
- C10 Mint, unused
- C9 Near mint; if used, it was with great care
- C8 Very nice, some wear visible
- C7 Presentable; has lost crispness, may have minor flaws
- C6 Play wear, some stains or damage
- C5 or Less: No commercial value due to stains, damage, incompleteness
If you have items to sell, please send us a list, including a rating of condition and completeness and your asking price. Pictures are helpful and the more info you provide the better. You can mail the list, fax it or email it to [email protected]. We'll go over your list and let you know what items we are able to purchase and an estimate of what we can offer. A final price will be determined when we have received and inspected the items. Please DO NOT send in items until you have received an okay.
What is Action Man?
Action Man is the "shelf name" used by Hasbro when they sold GI Joe in the UK in the '60s and '70's. It was made in many of the same factories as GI Joe (especially in the '60's) and then was expanded by a company named Palitoy, who worked with Hasbro to produce lots more varieties of figures throughout the '70's and into the early '80's. The figure body is the same as the GI Joe figure body. Just like the Hasbro 40th Anniversary line of figures, there is a corresponding Action Man 40th Anniversary series.
What is The Elite Brigade?
This is our own house brand. Since the mid-1990's we have manufactured a variety of 1:6 parts, sets and figures as well as figure stands and figure storage boxes. A number of our items are especially made to be replacement parts for vintage GI Joe sets.
Are you connected to or licensed by Hasbro?
Our only connection to Hasbro is as a retailer of their GI Joe products. We share their enthusiasm for the GI Joe hobby. We currently hold no Hasbro licenses.
Do you have a store I can visit?
We don't have store front with fancy retail displays, but if you are in the Seattle area, you are welcome to make an appointment to visit us at our headquarters on Whidbey Island (about an hour north of downtown, including a 15 minute ferry ride).
Where did the name Cotswold come from?
When we started our business in the '80's, we were importers of British antiques and collectibles. The "Cotswolds" are a well known tourist area in England, southwest of London, filled with quaint thatched cottages, and brimming with antique shops. We thought Americans would associate the name "Cotswold" with "antique hunting".
What if I have a suggestion for Cotswold to produce something?
We are happy to pass on your ideas to our development group for their consideration. Your opinions are very important to us so let us know if there are things you'd especially like to see us produce.