HOW OUR SITE WORKS

How do I know my Ordering session is secure?

Do you use "Cookies"?

What is a "Cookie", anyway?

What does a "Cookie" do for me?

What if I have "Cookies" disabled?

Do I have to accept all "Cookies"?

ABOUT OUR POLICIES

What is your Guarantee?

Do you charge Sales Tax?

How do you ship your orders?

What are your Shipping/Handling charges?

Do you accept International orders?

What is your Shipping Policy?

What is your Return policy?

What is your Privacy policy?

PROBLEMS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

I order a product, but when I REVIEW my Shopping Cart, it's not there. What's wrong?

I click on "Add to My Cart" but nothing happens - my browser just 'churns'. What's wrong?

I have my Browser set to accept "Cookies", but I still can't place an order. What's wrong?

What are the "Categories"?

How do I review what's in my Shopping Cart & Wish List?

How do I remove a product from my cart?

HOW DO I KNOW MY ORDERING SESSION IS SECURE?

Your personal information is secure, period. When you're asked for any Billing information, look at the bottom of your browser window: depending on the version you're using, you'll see either a padlock icon which is CLOSED or a key which is all in ONE PIECE. That means that everything you type in and send to us is encrypted ("scrambled") before it leaves your computer; when your data arrives at our server, we decrypt ("unscramble") it and store it in a database which is secure.

To make sure you have the latest security features on your Browser, download and install the latest version of your favorite Browser, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.

DO YOU USE "COOKIES"?

Yes. Our site makes use of "Cookies" to keep track of you and your order while you browse our site. "Cookies" are in no way harmful to your computer system - this is simply the most effective way to provide quality service to our customers.

WHAT IS A "COOKIE" ANYWAY?

A Cookie is text which we're asking permission to store in your Browser's directory. If you agree by configuring your Browser to accept Cookies, then your Browser stores the text in a file on your hard drive. On most Browsers, the default settings enable you to accept Cookies, so if you haven't changed your defaults, you most likely don't have to do anything to ensure that your Browser accepts Cookies.

The Cookie we ask your Browser to store contains an ID number to track your Shopping Cart contents. It does not store any personal information such as your e-mail address, street address or phone number. And, when you do send personal information to us, it goes nowhere else - we do not sell lists or customer data to outside sources.

WHAT DOES A "COOKIE" DO FOR ME?

We use the Cookie to keep track of the items in your Shopping Cart. This is a common practice on the Web ... almost every site which offers online ordering uses Cookies. One important thing to remember - every Web site's Cookies are unique, which means that the Cookie we send your Browser cannot be read or used by any other site.

WHAT IF I HAVE COOKIES DISABLED?

Sorry, but if you disable Cookies on your Browser, you will not be able to purchase any products online.

DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT ALL "COOKIES"?

The answer is "No". Depending on the Browser you're using, here are the general procedures to change your settings:

If you're using Netscape 3.x choose Options and then Network Preferences on the Menu bar. In the window which opens, select the Protocols tab; place a check mark in the box next to "Show an Alert before ... Accepting a Cookie". This will give you the option of accepting or declining a specific Cookie when one is sent to your Browser.

If you're using Netscape 4.x choose Edit and then Preferences on your top navigation bar. Once in Preferences, click on Advanced located on the tree. This will give you four options to regulate Cookies.

If you're using MSIE 3.x choose View and then Options on your top navigation bar. Once in Options, click on the Advanced tab and you will be given the option to check the box titled "Warn before accepting Cookies".

If you're using MSIE 4.x choose View and then Internet Options on your top navigation bar. Once in Internet Options, click on the Advanced tab and scroll down to the yellow exclamation icon under Security. There you will be given three different options to regulate Cookies.

WHAT IS YOUR GUARANTEE?

At Home Controls we promise to treat you with care and respect before and after the sale. We provide a high level of technical support to our customers free of charge. Check your order as soon as you receive it and notify us immediately if there is a problem. HCI is not responsible for typographic errors.

We guarantee the lowest prices on the items we sell! If you do find a lower price, notify us immediately by calling 1-800-266-8765 or FAX proof-of-price to 1-858-693-8892 Sorry we cannot price match price clubs or companies which require membership or franchise fee. Price match items must be an in-stock (by HCI and competitor), identical item.

DO YOU CHARGE SALES TAX?

Sales tax is automatically added to all orders shipped to any address within the State of California.

HOW DO YOU SHIP YOUR ORDERS?

We offer same-day shipping on most credit card orders received before 3 PM PST. Our huge inventory assures you the most timely delivery possible.

WHAT ARE YOUR SHIPPING CHARGES?

Our standard shipping method for domestic orders is by ground service. Please specify 2nd Day or Overnight Air services when ordering (overweight and dimensional weight packages will be an additional charge). Special Saturday Delivery service is available for Overnight Air orders for an additional $15 charge; specify when ordering. All shipping FOB San Diego, CA.

Upon checking out on this site, shipping charges will be automatically calculated.

DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL ORDERS?

Yes! All international orders must be paid at the time of sale, or in advance, in U.S. currency. Credit cards are honored if issued by a US bank or lending institution. Cashiers' checks or money orders must be received prior to shipment and must be drawn on a US bank. Wired funds must be received prior to shipment, call for wiring instructions.

As with domestic US orders, shipping charges will be automatically calculated.

WHAT IS YOUR SHIPPING POLICY?

Standard shipping method for domestic orders to the continental United States is by ground service with a 2 to 5 business day delivery time. Ground service charges are based on current common carrier freight charges with a $9.95 minimum rate. For expedited air delivery in the continental United States, delivery time for in-stock items is typically 1 to 3 days and the charge is the current common carrier charge with a base rate of $17.95. Bulky or oddly shaped items where common carriers charge a dimensional weight will require an additional charge.

Alaska and Hawaii require air shipment and typically costs an additional $10.00.

WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?

To return a product, phone the Home Controls Customer Service Department at 1-858-693-8887 to obtain the required RA (Return Authorization) number. Products will not be accepted for return without the RA number marked on the carton.

Merchandise returned within 30 days of purchase with the appropriate RA number will receive a full product cost refund or store credit, provided it is in perfect re-usable condition in original undamaged and unmarked packaging, and is complete with all instructions and warranty card.

Used or installed merchandise is not returnable unless defective. Defective products will be replaced or repaired according to the manufacturer’s warranty policy. Shipping costs are not refundable, but HCI will pay the ground freight to ship your exchanges or replacements of defective merchandise. Upgraded air shipping is available at customer expense. We recommend you insure your package because we cannot be responsible for any refund or replacement if your package gets lost in shipment.

Sorry we cannot accept returns for refund or credit on test equipment, wire, books, or software.

NOTE: Surplus and discontinued products are also ineligible for return. All sales on these items are final.

I ORDER A PRODUCT, BUT WHEN I REVIEW MY CART, IT'S NOT THERE. WHAT'S WRONG?

MSIE: have you DISABLED "Active Scripting" in your Tools|Internet Options|Security|Custom Level ...? That could be why your Shopping Cart is reporting that it's empty. We use a programming language named JavaScript to keep track of the items in your Shopping Cart; if you have Active Scripting turned off, the Shopping Cart can't function properly. If this is the case, you will need to reset your Browser to enable Active Scripting.

I CLICK ON "Add to My Cart" BUT NOTHING HAPPENS - MY BROWSER JUST 'CHURNS'. WHAT'S WRONG?

MSIE: have you DISABLED "Active Scripting" in your Tools|Internet Options|Security|Custom Level ...? That could be why your browser just 'churns' and nothing happens. We use a programming language named JavaScript to place items in your Shopping Cart; if you have Active Scripting turned off, the Shopping Cart can't function properly. If this is the case, you will need to reset your Browser to enable Active Scripting.

I HAVE MY BROWSER SET TO ACCEPT COOKIES BUT STILL CAN'T PLACE AN ORDER. WHAT'S WRONG?

If you have Active Scripting ENABLED on your Browser but still can't add items to your Shopping Cart, you may be having a problem with the cache. When you try to add something to your Shopping Cart, your request was received, but the screen that appeared is from your cached memory. This problem can be solved by clicking on the "Refresh" or "Reload" button on the top navigation bar of your Browser.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?

We will never share any of your personal information without your prior consent. The data we gather from the Billing and Ship-To information is filed and used only to help us enhance the features and content of our site - it is not used or shared in any other way.

WHAT ARE THE "CATEGORIES"?

We have divided our products into several main "Categories" (Audio & Video Entertainment, Telephones & Intercoms, Security Products, etc.). Then, within each of these Categories, we've further divided everything - for instances, under "Lighting & Appliance Control" you'll find "X10 Switches," 'X10 Receptacles," "X10 Modules," and "ALC Switches".

Department choice in every case is "All products", meaning all products in the Category.

HOW DO I REVIEW WHAT'S IN MY SHOPPING CART & WISH LIST?

On each Shopping page there is a "Shopping Cart" button at the top of the page... click on it to see a list of the products you have placed in your Shopping Cart. You can change the quantity of any product in your cart by changing the number in the "Quantity" column and clicking on "Update Sub-Total". You can "put back" a product by clicking the “delete” button. Keep shopping by clicking on the "Continue Shopping" button. When you're finished browsing, click on the "Proceed to checkout" button.

HOW DO I REMOVE A PRODUCT FROM MY CART?

Click on the "Shopping cart" button at the top of any shopping page. Select the “delete” button underneath the item that you no longer want to purchase. The product you want to "put back" should be gone.