Q: I noticed your address is in Pleasanton, California. Do you have a retail shop open to the public?
A: Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen has been serving the internet community since January, 1997. We are solely an online store based out of Pleasanton, California.

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Q: Do you have a mail order catalog, and if so, could I get one sent to the following address?
A: Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen only has an online catalog. Please be sure to visit our frequently updated section entitled “What’s New” to find our latest products.

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Q: What is the meaning of your company logo?
A: The company logo is an imprint of a Chinese chop or seal. It is the founder's Chinese name, Hsu Huey-Wen. Hsu is the last name and Huey-Wen is the first name. Unlike American names, the Chinese last name always comes first.

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Q: Do you give price breaks to people who order large quantities of an item or items?
A: Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen happily offers price breaks for those ordering more that $500 worth of merchandise. For a price quote, please e-mail us at support@mrslinskitchen.com with the list of items you are interested in, including quantity, due date for delivery, and your contact information.

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Q: Does Mrs. Lin's Kitchen sell items at wholesale prices and quantities?
A: Mrs. Lin's Kitchen is an online retailer and we do not sell wholesale.

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Q: I do not live in the United States and was wondering if you ship items internationally. Also, what is the extra cost for this, and how long does it take? How can I find out how much it will cost to receive the item?
A: Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen ships internationally. The cost of shipping and handling is based on the total weight of the items purchased and the destination of the shipment. Therefore, the price, as well as the shipping time, differs from country to country. Shipping and handling quotations will be given once your request is received. For a price quote, please e-mail us at support@mrslinskitchen.com with the item(s) you are interested in ordering, quantity, and the shipping address. You will receive a reply within three business days, along with different shipping choices that vary in both shipping time and price. Once we have received your selected method of shipment, we will proceed to process your order. It is our policy that all credit card transactions, both domestic and international, are verified for our protection and our customer’s. In order to verify international credit cards, we will credit an amount between US $.01 to $1 to your account. Please verify this amount with us within three business days. If no verification amount is provided, we will be unable to finish processing your order. This verification only applies to credit card transactions made by Visa and Mastercard. Once the amount is submitted and verified, your order will be processed and shipped. You may also pay with an official money order or cashiers check, sent to:

Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen
5627 Stoneridge Dr. #306
Pleasanton, CA 94588

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Q: Does Mrs. Lin's Kitchen customize merchandise? I am interested in ordering customized chopsticks and would like to know if there is a minimum order, the approximate price, and how long it will take to receive my order.
A: Mrs. Lin's Kitchen customizes chopsticks and other various types of tableware. The minimum order for chopsticks is 1200 pairs, with a turn around time of three to four months. For further information and a price quote, please e-mail us at support@mrslinskitchen.com with the type of chopsticks you are interested in (color, style, and length), your price range, artwork desired (image, text, and color), and the due date for delivery. For customized tableware, please specify the type or types of tableware you are interested in ordering (chopstick rests, plates, bowls, cups, saucers, etc.), along with the information requested above.

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Q: May I make a purchase at Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen by mailing a personal check?
A: We are only able to accept payments made by official money orders, cashiers checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. All orders paid for with money orders or cashiers checks will be shipped once the check has cleared. If you wish to pay by check, please send a money order or cashiers check along with your order form to:

Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen
5627 Stoneridge Dr. #306
Pleasanton, CA 94588

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Q: What is a Chinese chop?
A: Using the Chinese chop or seal is a Chinese tradition. For centuries, the Chinese have used their chop or seal as a signature, a sign of ownership, or a symbol of a promise or commitment. It is used just as often as Americans sign their names. Almost always, a signature is required in addition to the chop mark. The Chinese chop is used in many different situations, such as withdrawing money from the bank, signing any type of contract, guaranteeing the authenticity of artwork by the artist...etc. Traditionally, the Chinese chop is carved by hand; however, machine-carved chops have become quite popular because they are cheaper to produce. Hand-made or machine made, though, no two chops are alike. Chops can be made from many different materials. (Wood is the most common because it is the least expensive, however, the life of a wood chop isn't as long as one carved from stone, which is the most expensive).

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Q: Why do some tea sets come with four cups and some with five?
A: For both the Chinese and Japanese, the number "four" means death. Therefore, it is an unlucky number. For this reason, many tea sets have five cups instead. Four cups are made to cater to the western culture, where the number four doesn't have any significant meaning.

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Q: Are chopsticks dishwasher safe?
A: It's better not to wash your chopsticks in the dishwasher because the paint on the chopsticks can easily be washed off and most dishwashers are not equipped to hold chopsticks in place.

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Q: What are the small red envelopes I see in your baskets and in other Asian places?
A: This particular red envelope is called "Hong-Bou" in Chinese. It is red because to the Chinese the color red is a symbol of happiness, prosperity and fortune. The red envelope is widely used on many happy occasions such as the New Years and wedding banquets. They are commonly filled with money. Traditionally, the Chinese prefer to give money instead of gifts. It's more practical. Instead of buying something that the person might not like, it's easier to give money and let the recipients decide what they want to buy for themselves. There is no hassle returning or exchanging gifts and both the giver and recipient are happy.

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Q: What are rice crackers and where can I get them?
A: Rice crackers are a very popular Japanese snack. They have also become very popular among all Asian people. Traditionally, they are made of rice flour added to different kinds of ingredients such as soy sauce, salt, sugar and vegetable oil for flavor. They come in many differnt shapes, sizes and flavors and are available in many Asian stores and supermarkets.

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Q: I bought a tamago pan from you and I would like to know how to care for this pan?
A: We suggest the following method of treatment: The pan should be seasoned before the first use. Heat on high and cover with a thin layer of oil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Reheat the pan and add a small amount of oil if necessary. Spread the oil by sautéing any vegetable in the pan. Wash lightly with very mild soapy water. Dry completely and oil lightly before storing. Unfortunately, the tamago pan will rust if not properly taken care of as it is plain steel without any coating.

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Q : What is California Propostion 65 and does it apply to your product?
A:Under California's Prop. 65, "no person in the course of doing business shall knowingly and intentionally expose any individual to a chemical known to the state (California) to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without first giving a clear and reasonable warning..."

At Mrs. Lin's Kitchen, all of our products are in compliance with the standards set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug administration as well as Prop. 65, unless posted.

Useful information can also be found at the California Office Environmental Health Hazard Assessment website: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/p65faq.html

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