Frequently Asked

Here is the collection of brief answers to common questions, separated into categories for readability!
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us using Discord, or other methods in Contact & Community.

Q1.0: Sizing sheet/guides?

A1.0: See (link)
Some items will also have guides or links to guides in their description.
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Q1.1: How do I pick between so many options/makers?

A1.1: UIMA cares about being Open, and we are upfront about the Pros and Cons of our listings, as if uncertain!
Of course, ordering several items from the same producer result in easier communication and often faster ship-out time.
Furthermore, since UIMA primarily serves club quartermasters and retailers, we can potentially tailor to your specs, see Q4.1.
Feel free to contact us using Discord, or other methods in Contact & Community.
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Q1.2: How much extra do I pay for Shipping, Tax, Customs, etc?

A1.2: In one word, usually nothing extra!
As a club quartermaster, I have long been bothered by random fees during equipment procurements, this frustration made me build UIMA.
Because of this, UIMA's displayed price already includes these annoying little things, unless you are special, then we will talk!
Sometimes, special things like express-transportation, extremely remote countries may raise the price, see Shipping & Logistics.
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Q1.3: How do you price your items?

A1.3: In brief, UIMA prices the item based on the MINIMUM SAFE PRICE of the item.
As mentioned earlier, to be Open, Fair, and Caring, UIMA accounts for hidden "potential costs" that may ruin a seemingly nice deal, namely:

I - the package is huge, with a big box spiking the transportation cost. This is commonly found on spacious items like masks or rapiers or for tiny orders.
II - the customs becomes evil, and decide to levy a huge charge on the stuff! This happens sometimes, and we dunno when it happens.
III - the transportation company lost a package! UIMA tries to use good international couriers, but the domestic portion can still lose a package, somehow!
IV - to prevent the above, and to be Fair and Caring, UIMA usually purchases transportation insurance, which can be high for items deemed precious
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Therefore, since UIMA takes Care of these things, our pricing is simply the cost when all of these terrible things occur, and UIMA is paying for it!
This price prevents us from hemorrhaging funds (as naive Taran did for his initial club orders), and we will earn a margin when none of these sad events happen!
Furthermore, factor I and IV means that we can also give a 5-20% discount to GIANT (30 swords, 60 overlays...) orders given the packing & insurance conveniences!
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Q1.4: Any discounts? Should I look for any festival sales?

A1.4: As discussed in A1.3, UIMA always gives the MINIMUM SAFE PRICE of the item to be Open, Fair, and Caring.
As UIMA's price is already negotiated with the producer, this means that it is always the lowest possible for smaller batches and there is no festival sales!
Also as mentioned in A1.3, though we are already offering bulk price (usually >5-10 items), we can negotiate discounts for GIANT orders.
With the GIANT orders, UIMA can also haggle with the producer to bring down the price even more, especially when ordering multiple items from one producer.
As always, feel free to come and have a chat!

Q2.1: How do I make an order?

A2.1: Order by sheet is the easiest & fastest! Watch this one minute video that explains everything!
You can also click on the other two options under the Order tab and go from there.
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Q2.2: Why is there a minimum order quantity?

A2.2: The minimum exists because UIMA is meant to be a supply depot, not a retail shop!
UIMA is made for clubs, group leaders, and retailers, we specializes in developing equipment, organizing production, and logistics.
As alluded to in Q1.3, smaller orders become quite expensive
Our retailers do important and respected work, and we are happy to refer you to them for individual purchases, and this is the best since:

I - UIMA gets to focus more on the supply side: ensuring the quality of the products, providing feedbacks to manufacturers, and making future changes
II - because of I, UIMA can be more Caring, as the clubs, leaders, and retailers can have their feedback rapidly implemented and requests fulfilled
III - by directing individual customers directly to Retailers, the individual can rest assured that they are buying products from UIMA's Open and Fair listing
IV - the individuals can receive quick feedback and build direct connections with their friendly and respected local retailers
V - we hope that this reduces hostile and frustrating competitions, as UIMA will not be trying to take over retailers' direct customers

‍Feel free to contact UIMA and join Discord should you have any questions, or would like to report on evil/irresponsible retailers!
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Q2.3: What is the minimum order Quantity?

A2.3: Generally, the minimum order quantity is around 5-10kg worth of goods, >$500 worth of goods, or 5-10 items.
It is important to note here that swords and other long objects can only be packed with themselves:
This means that while UIMA can directly supply you with a full HEMA kit set in a box (overlay, mask, jacket...), the sword cannot be cheaply shipped.
If you really want to, we can, but additional shipping is required here, see Shipping & Logistics for more.
Also, as mentioned in Q1.4, GIANT orders (like 30 swords, or 60 overlays) can have a 5-20% price discount.
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Q2.4: When do I need to pay?

A2.4: You only need to pay when the details of your order is confirmed, and ready to be produced!
You will have your personal order sheet to track the status, quantity, and notes of your order, it will be updated with progress!
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Q2.5: How do I pay?

A2.5: As the sheet indicates, there are several methods:
Etransfer(Canada): taran.litel.punz@gmail.com
Zelle(USA) and PayPal(5% Transaction Fee, Global): taran.zhang.official@gmail.com
UIMA also accepts wire transfers, please contact us for details!
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Q3.0: Do you ship to XXX Country?

A3.0: We have shipped to the majority of the continents on Earth, most likely yes.

If you have concerns, we can discuss the details using Discord.
But don't worry, UIMA won't take your money before we confirm we can ship to you.
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Q3.1: How much is the shipping?

A3.1: Shipping by sea/train is already included in the price, along with other fees like customs and taxes, see Q1.3
UIMA does this because Taran has suffered many times with "price frauds," and wants to make sure it doesn't happen with us.

As noted in Q2.1 and Q2.2, faster air shipping is possible at a fee (around $15 per KG), we can discuss the details using Discord.
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Q3.2: What is the shipping method?

A3.2: The default shipping method already included in the price is by sea/train, and the exact company depends on the region.

We also have the option for express air shipping, and it is usually around $15 USD per kilogram.
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Q3.3: What is the shipping time?

A3.3: Usually, the default shipping by sea/train usually takes 35-50 days after launching, only 5% of the orders take longer.
Sometimes, unusual situations like strikes or remote country/regions may restrict this, making it take longer.
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As mentioned above, we also have express air shipping! This options usually delivers goods within 12 days, with 7% taking longer.
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Q3.4: Where can I track my shipping?

A3.4: The status of your order will be continuously updated in your copy of the sheet.
When your order ships off internationally, there will be a link provided for you to track your order.
UIMA is also happy to chat and respond when we are less busy.
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Q3.5: What if something goes wrong with shipping?

A3.5: First, rest assured that UIMA purchases lost package insurance for all shipping packages.
As long as we hold the evidence of a lost package, we will be able to replace or refund you.
Other than that, please work with your local delivery partner to make sure the package gets to your hands without being stolen at your porch.
As for customs, UIMA would usually have paid for it, but please contact us if something goes wrong..
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Q4.1: Do you provide customization services?

A4.1: A lot of producers do, check the item tags to confirm!
Batches of sword can be ordered at different lengths, jackets at different colors, all you need to do is send an inquiry.
As for labels, it would depend on the manufacturer, but we are generally happy to add your label on the side of ours.
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Overall, since UIMA works directly with the manufacturers themselves, many are happy to tailor to your specs.
As long as you have a sizable batch with reasonable requests, UIMA is more than happy to coordinate!
Taran is almost always here online, simply checkout our Discord for a visit!

Note that some manufacturers have a high stock - single model approach, they will not tailor much.
Be sure to check the item tags for details!
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Q4.2: I am a retailer, can I get a exclusivity agreement on a UIMA product?

A4.2: No, this is unnegotiable.
This decision is at the very core UIMA's Open, Fair, and Caring principles.
In fact, UIMA exists BECAUSE of CERTAIN retailers' abuse of their exclusivity agreement, breaking the hearts of so many kind ppl.
Needless to say, UIMA will NOT be the monster, we will NOT let it happen to people under our watch.

Because of this, we are here to coordinate if you see any hostile price competitions, or other price abuses.
Furthermore, with the abundance of items, we are also here to discuss options for retailers to differentiate their offerings.
UIMA's goal is to make an environment where the producers, retailers, and individuals are all happy without frustration.
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Still, as Q4.1 suggests, we are happy to make customized batches just for you, making it practically exclusively your design!
This way, you will have something of your own without breaching our no-exclusivity agreement.
Moreover, if the product is entirely your design, we will ask for your permission before offering it to the others.

We hope that this arrangement will make for happiness on all sides:
We wish the retailers to be responsible yet profiting,
we wish that the producers will no longer struggle with inter-retailer politics,
and we wish the individuals will benefit from all of the above.
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Q4.3: How does the warranty service work?

A4.3: Different manufacturers have varying methods, but UIMA will take care of you.
You can find the warranty terms of an item in the item description, for example Eco CA swords are often 6 months.

Depending on the situation, the producer will decide the warranty action:
Based on the circumstances, the producer may decide to send you replacement parts, or an entire replacement.
UIMA will be sure to transport these parts to you, or include some known possibly-breaking parts with your batch.
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UIMA works with kind producers that are not stingy, but having footage that captures the equipment breaking is still good.
So yet another reason to record your sparring sessions!

Feel free to reach out if you have concerns pre/post purchase, see Q4.4 for more!
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Q4.4: I found some issues with a UIMA item's features, can I report it?

A4.4: Of course! UIMA actively tries to make the community better by helping the R&D process.
Please simply checkout our Discord for a visit, or any other means. Be as specific with pictures and diagrams as possible.

UIMA wants to be genuine rather than a ruthless cutthroat business, the OFCS (Open, Fair, Caring, Safe) principle is how we work!
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Q4.5: I am here because a retailor/club is doing terrible things with UIMA items, can you help me?

A4.5: Yes, let us know if someone has been mean, and we shall work on this together.

Remember, UIMA is here to build a happier and positive process for the community, and Taran will be behind your back.
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