Frequently Asked Questions
Account
How do I log in to my account?
Use the Maharaja icon link in the top right corner of the website, or if you are on a small screen look for the Account link as you scroll down.
Alternatively, you can do so from here.
You don’t have to have an account to buy from us: you can checkout as a guest. But if you create an account re-ordering is a lot less hassle. Best of all, sign up for our loyalty plan -- join the Drinks Darbar and enjoy great benefits…here!
I have left messages on social media - why haven't I heard back?
We're so sorry - we understand how frustrating this can be. The problem is that we’ve got lots of orders coming in, and the longer we spend giving into the temptation of engaging on social media, the longer we're delayed in processing orders. So we prioritise fulfilling customer orders over responding to social media posts.
The best way to get in touch with us is to email us on swagat@maharajadrinks.com or ring us on 0330 818 1082.
I've forgotten my password - how do I reset it?
Go to this Sign In link, and then select "Forgot your password?" Enter the email address associated with your account, and we'll send you a link to reset the password. Make sure you check your Junk folder!
Product
Can I buy a gift card or gift voucher?
Yes, of course! You can purchase an e-Gift Card here.
Do you sell vegan products?
Yes! All our vegan and vegetarian products are clearly identified in the product details section.
How do you choose products for your site?
We try to identify suppliers who share the same ethos and philosophy we espouse. The search is continuously on for those who are proud to produce the highest quality drinks, with due regard to their environmental footprint, their people and the planet.
Are your products only from India?
Most of our products are imported directly from India, but some is acquired from Indian suppliers who have distributors in the UK. But all our stock is 100% made in India!
Why don’t you stock, X, Y or Z?
Alas, some products which look as if they are Indian are actually not, despite the marketing hype! And not all products made in India fit with our ethos and philosophy or suit palates outside India. But we are always on the lookout to add to our range so if you think we should stock something we don’t please tell us by email at swagat@maharajadrinks.com.
How do I store my purchases?
We suggest you follow manufacturers’ recommendations, but generally:
Bottles and cans of alcoholic drinks should be stored cool, dry and away from the sun, avoiding big temperature swings. Most of our wines are screw capped and don’t need to be stored on their sides.
Our teas and coffees too should also be kept away from heat, light, moisture and odours. Exposure to these will cause tea and coffee to deteriorate and lose flavour.
Generally speaking, black teas and more heavily oxidized oolongs can be stored for a longer time than green, white and lightly oxidized oolong teas. Green teas, white teas and light oolong teas are best drunk within two to three months of opening.
However, they can also be stored in the fridge to maintain freshness for as long as possible. If you choose to store your green, white and light oolongs in the fridge, be careful to take the packs out a little in advance of making your tea so that they can reach room temperature. Opening a bag straight from the fridge will result in condensation on the inside of the pack, which when closed can affect the quality of the tea inside.
Some people store roasted coffee beans in the freezer, to prolong shelf life, but others say it loses flavour if frozen. Why not experiment for yourself? Remember coffee is hygroscopic, so store in totally airtight containers in the freezer, and allow to come up to room temperature before grinding and brewing.
I don't know anything about Indian Drinks! Please can you help?
It would be a pleasure! Email us at swagat@maharajadrinks.com or phone us on +44 330 818 1082 and tell us what you can about your (or your giftee’s) tastes and interests, and your budget, and we’ll come up with some suggestions.
Delivery
What is the best way to track the progress of my order?
You can Track Your Order here.
Once your order is placed you'll receive an order confirmation email containing the order details. And when it has been carefully packed and shipped, you'll receive a shipment notification email. The email will also contain any tracking information available. You may also receive shipping updates directly from the courier.
What are your shipping costs?
Standard Mainland UK delivery is FREE on all orders of £100 and over (excluding shipping) and on ALL orders for members of our Drinks Darbar (you can sign up here). For all other
orders delivery is £8 per order.
We do not currently deliver to Northern Ireland or the Scottish islands.
What if I'm not home for my delivery?
Most items sold by us will be shipped via DPD. They send recipients a text message or email on the morning of delivery with an option to change the delivery day or give instructions to leave the order in a safe place.
If you're not home when delivery is attempted then at the very least you'll get a note through the door to allow you to rearrange.
Do you deliver everywhere in the UK?
Currently we only deliver to UK mainland addresses, excluding Northern Ireland and the Scottish islands. We hope to increase our delivery scope soon, so watch this space!
Where is my order shipped from?
We are UK-based and all orders are dispatched from our third party fulfilment centre in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire.
How long will delivery take?
Our standard delivery time is 2-3 working days, but faster options are available at checkout.
Orders
Can I visit your shop and sample your products?
Sorry, we don’t have a physical shop. We are an online only seller. We do have tasting events for members of our Drinks Darbar – read more here.
Can I send gifts to multiple addresses in one order?
Unfortunately it is not possible to have multiple delivery addresses for one order.
To send orders to multiple addresses would require multiple orders.
Can I buy digital gift vouchers, and how do they work?
Absolutely! Go here on our website.
Our gift vouchers are available to use within 12 months of issue after which they will expire and any remaining balance will be lost.
If the order value against which the gift voucher is used is more than the gift card amount the extra can be paid in the normal way.
I need some advice. Can I chat with someone?
No problem! Just email your request to swagat@maharajadrinks.com and we’ll respond phata phat!
Can I amend / change my order?
If you need to make changes to your order, send an email to mistry@maharajadrinks.com.
Occasionally customers put in an incorrect shipping address or gift message, which can be amended if you get in touch quickly. We are here to help wherever we can!
Will my delivery contain a receipt?
We do not include a receipt or invoice with our deliveries.
Should you require it, your order confirmation email will contain any taxes and VAT details.
How do I change my delivery address?
If you need to change your delivery address please let us know the new address asap - email us at mistry@maharajadrinks.com.
If your order has already been shipped and is with the courier we may not be able to change the delivery address, but we'll do our best to help!
Can I include a gift message with my order?
Absolutely, and it’s free of charge! A gift note can be added as an accessory when reviewing your basket prior to checkout.
If you forgot to add a gift message to your order, please get in contact as soon as possible by emailing us at mistry@maharajadrinks.com. The team may still be able to add this in for you before it’s processed.
I have a voucher code - how do I use it?
If you have an eGift Voucher or Discount Code, you can redeem this during your checkout. On the delivery information page, you will see a summary of your order on the right-hand side, and a box with the heading: 'Gift card or discount code'. Enter the code into this box and hit 'Apply'.
Your savings should be applied. If you're having any problems please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Can I get a VAT invoice?
Your order confirmation email acts as your VAT invoice - it contains any taxes and our VAT number.
My billing address is wrong, can I change it?
If your order has been placed and you've received an order confirmation email but you realise your billing address is wrong, or it matches your delivery address (this happens a lot!) then don't worry - it doesn't affect anything.
We can't change billing addresses after an order has been placed, and we don't include any invoice or billing information in the box.
General
Can I sign up to your newsletter?
You can sign up to our newsletter using the form in the footer of the website.
We also have the Drinks Darbar, which you can join here, giving you access to exclusive news and products and free shipping on all orders
Do you have a blog?
We have several! You can find them here.
Returns
What is your returns policy?
We are committed to ensuring you are completely satisfied with your purchase. If you are not happy for any reason contact us within 14 days of receipt of your order to discuss a refund or replacement item.
Please note we cannot accept returns of any product that has been opened. But please don’t destroy or throw away any product before you’ve spoken to us and agreed that doing so won't affect any refund or replacement.
Please see Section 5 of our Terms and Conditions.