| Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why buy alpaca fiber? Alpaca is a rare specialty fiber that is sought the world over for its luxurious characteristics and beautiful natural look. It is stronger, lighter and more resilient than wool, finer than cashmere and equal or superior in warmth to Gortex. Unlike wool, alpaca has no lanolin oil to wash out in processing, therefore harsh toxic chemicals are unnecessary in processing the fiber. This makes alpaca better for the environment and it is 100% natural. In fact, there are 22 different natural colors of alpaca fiber, but the white dyes well and holds its color. It is wonderful to blend with silk and other types of fiber. The natural fibers of alpaca are hair, not wool which makes it hypoallergenic.People who experience a rash from wool will be very pleased to wear alpaca. Once a quality alpaca sweater is worn the owner will tell you about its unique comfort, encasing warmth, breathability and soothing softness. In fact, they are so strong and resilient, they can last a lifetime. Garments in excellent condition have been found in Peruvian grave sites dating back 2000 years. Still relatively rare and expensive, Alpaca is the true standard of clothing luxury, fit for the Kings and Queens of Machu Picchu. 2. What is an Alpaca? The Alpaca is a small and gentle animal weighing about 120 - 185 pounds. Their family is the Camelid or Camel, Guanaco, the wild Vicuna and last but not least the familiar Llama. Where the Llama has a coarse fleece that can be used for rugs, the alpaca is raised for their luxurious fiber that can be worn next to the skin. Alpacas eat by grazing in grass pastures and by drinking fresh water. They seldom eat tree leaves making them quite environmentally correct! In addition, their camelid evolution has given them the ability to survive on very little water and food, so they are easy keepers. Like cows the alpaca has three stomachs and the grass they consume is used very efficiently with little waste. One cow eats as much as ten alpacas. Nearly all the alpaca's food is converted to energy, so coming from the desolate area of Peru in the Altiplano where most animals could not survive, they thrive. Over 80% of the total alpaca population in the world still lives in the Andes mountains of Peru, their native land. Alpaca fiber incorporates the finest features of the world's natural fibers. It is as soft as cashmere, plus stronger and three times warmer than wool. Generations spent in freezing temperatures at high altitudes has given alpacas more thermal capacity in its fiber than nearly any other animal. The fiber contains tiny air pockets that give it powerful insulation. This makes it ideal for clothing. It is also very lightweight, another plus in clothing. An intelligent, timid and friendly creature, the alpaca is a well-developed social animal that communicates through humming and subtle body language. It is one of the calmest and easiest-to-get-along-with creatures on earth. Alpacas don't bite like llamas, they don't spit like camels, they don't kick like cows, they don't charge like some herd animals such as bulls, and they certainly don't stampede. Their padded feet are gentle on the pastures. Also, an alpaca herd knows how to designate a spot to potty; they generally drop their beans in a few locations of a pasture. This helps keep the rest of the land free from disease and parasites, not to mention making it easier for their stewards to clean up the waste. Did we mention that waste makes some of the best composted fertilizer known to man??? 3. What is "royal" or "baby" alpaca? There are 7 fineness grades of alpaca fiber. These grades reflect the fineness of the fibers that went into that particular item. The fineness of an animals fiber is not necessarily related to its age, but baby alpacas often have "finer" fleeces than older animals. "Royal" baby is the finest grade fleece. Since this grade fleece is rare, products made from "royal" alpaca can be very expensive. Baby is the next finest grade. It is very fine and can easily be worn next to the skin. Superfine is the third grade, and is widely used in making garments. It is very soft and exquisite. The course grades and are normally used for outerware garments that are not worn next to the skin, and for other items (rugs, etc). Course alpaca fiber is still widely used. It is very durable and has all of the wonderful qualities of the finer grades of alpaca. 4. How do I care for my alpaca garments: We have a web page in our site that gives general instructions. Click on this link: wash and care for alpaca clothing. 5.Are alpacas harmed to make these garments? No. Similar to sheep, alpacas are shorn each year, normally in the late spring before it gets too hot. They shear between 5#-12#'s of fiber each year. That fiber is then woven, or spun, into clothing and other items. 6.Where does our product come from? Our fiber products and Alpacanure come directly from our own alpacas here in Washington State. Our handmade goods typically come from Peru, although some goods are made in the U.S. Where possible, all Peruvian items are fair traded. 7. Do we buy goods on consignment? Yes. We strongly support alpaca artisans and offer a variety of consignment options. Contact us with your product ideas. 8. What is our return policy? We want you to love everything you buy from us. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, just return it within 30 days of purchase for a full refund of the purchase price. In the event the return was our error, we will refund your shipping costs also. Items returned after 30 days will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made. Even exchanges will be subject to the same policy. All refunds, or exchanges, must be returned in the exact same condition and packaging as shipped. Refunds will be issued in the original form of payment, and will be processed within two weeks of receipt of return. Please include a copy of your original invoice with your return so we can ensure proper credit to you. 9. How is my order shipped, and when will I get it? Ground orders are shipped via: UPS Ground or US Postal Service depending on destination and order size. Other orders, including air orders, are shipped via the most cost effective delivery system we can find at the time. Shipping costs are added to all orders, unless other arrangements have been made with us in advance. Special Orders, orders outside the continental US, bulk orders and wholesale orders may be subject to other factors/costs, including: shipping, processing, layout, raw materials, consignment arrangements, special purchases, handling and other costs associated with these orders. If your order is in stock, it is shipped within 72 hours. If it is a custom order, or not immediately available for delivery, we will communicate your expected arrival date so you know what to expect. |
| 1. Click here for on-line order form: 2. Click here for printable order form: 3. Click here to e-mail orders: 4. Submit fax orders to: 5. Please make checks payable to: 6. We gladly accept Paypal: 7. Credit cards for payment, call: (All orders subject to approval, availability and mandated Local, State or Federal Taxes. Custom orders may incur added charges. Shipping costs not included. Prices and terms subject to change without notice. |
On Line Order Form
360-252-6618
Alpacas at the Well
360-350-0497
