FAQ

NAEIR’s Merchandise

  1. Is the merchandise really FREE?
  2. What products are available?
  3. Are there restrictions on how we can use merchandise received from NAEIR?
  4. How do you determine the merchandise values?

Merchandise Requests

  1. How do I request free products?
  2. Will I get everything I request (Premier Memberships – Big Book Only)?
  3. Are there restrictions on how much merchandise I’m allowed to request (Premier Membership – Big Book Only)?
  4. How will the merchandise be shipped?
  5. What if I want to pick up my requested items (Premier Membership – Big Book and Express; Basic Membership – Express)?
  6. What if I receive damaged items, mis-picked items or items are missing where I was assess a handling charge?
  7. How do I pay?
  8. Does NAEIR accept returns?
  9. What is Grab Bag (Premier and Basic Members Only)?
  10. Is there a minimum handling charge to submit a request?

Membership

  1. Who can join NAEIR?
  2. Does everyone in my organization need a membership?
  3. What are my membership options?
  4. What if I don’t like my membership?
  5. How do I renew my membership (Premier and Basic Memberships Only)?
  6. Have more questions about being a member?

NAEIR’s Merchandise

  1. Is the merchandise really FREE?

    Yes. By law, we aren’t allowed to charge a penny for all the great products donated to NAEIR. You’ll only pay handling and processing fees to cover our out-of-pocket costs to collect, sort, catalog, warehouse and distribute the donated goods. Handling and processing fees help cover the cost of making NAEIR run efficiently and effectively. For most items shipping is free. The only distribution methods that involve shipping are Big Book and Express.

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  2. What products are available?

    There are no limits to what you’ll find available through NAEIR. All the merchandise is donated, so the products offered will be changing all the time. While there’s no guarantee you’ll find specific items you’re looking for, you will find office supplies, tools, craft supplies, clothing, shoes, toys, personal care items, books, paper goods and much more. Our donors include companies like 3M, Rubbermaid and American Greetings, just to name a few. But no matter what it is, NAEIR’s merchandise is always brand-new, high quality stuff. No seconds, hand-me-downs or defective products.

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  3. Are there restrictions on how we can use merchandise received from NAEIR?

    All NAEIR merchandise must be used for the care of the Ill, needy, elderly or youth or to support the administration and maintenance of your organization. NAEIR merchandise cannot be sold, bartered or traded. If you have questions about the details of this requirement, don’t hesitate to contact a NAEIR Membership Advocate.

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  4. How do you determine the merchandise values?

    The dollar values listed for items are based on dollar values provided by the donor. These values usually represent a currently published value for the item if purchased in a store or online.

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Merchandise Requests

  1. How do I request free products?

    All NAEIR items are available through our website, which can be found at www.naeir.org. You can click here to learn more about the merchandise currently available. Some memberships also receive catalogs; all items found in the catalogs can also be found on the website. You can submit your requests online (Teacher’s Program online only), by mail or fax.

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  2. Will I get everything I request (Premier Memberships – Big Book Only)?

    Not necessarily. Many of the items in the Big Books are available in limited quantities. We try to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at receiving the merchandise they request by using a sophisticated allocation system that randomly selects members throughout the catalog cycles to receive in-demand items. Please do not assume that you will receive everything you list on your Big Book request forms, even if you have marked the items as Preferred Items.

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  3. Are there restrictions on how much merchandise I’m allowed to request (Premier Membership – Big Book Only)?

    Most items are distributed through NAEIR on a first come-first served basis. Request as much as you would like and can use within your organization. For Big Book requests, there is no restriction on how much merchandise you can request.

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  4. How will the merchandise be shipped?

    Items are shipped via FedEx from our Galesburg, IL warehouse. We negotiate the best possible shipping rates. Online requests are processed and shipped as soon as possible but please allow a few weeks. Big Book requests are processed and delivered in three to six weeks. Merchandise received through the Express program (Premier and Basic members only) is delivered via freight carrier. You will be provided with a freight quote which must be approved before the merchandise is shipped.

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  5. What if I want to pick up my requested items (Premier Membership – Big Book and Express; Basic Membership – Express)?

    If you choose to pick up your NAEIR merchandise at our Galesburg warehouse, you will need to contact your Membership Advocate who will schedule a Pick-Up appointment.

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  6. What if I receive damaged items, mis-picked items or items are missing where I was assess a handling charge?

    We try to handle all merchandise with care, but accidents can happen. If you have damaged items, mis-picked items (you requested something and received something else) or if you were charged for an item(s) and it was missing from your order, contact your Membership Advocate as soon as possible. Our policy is to provide our members with credits for the damaged items, mis-picks or missing items. The credit can then be used when placing a future order.

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  7. How do I pay?

    Premier and Basic members have the option to pay with a credit card or choose the Bill Us option (you will receive an invoice). Teacher’s Program members may only pay with a credit card.

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  8. Does NAEIR accept returns?

    It depends. If you would like to return merchandise for any reason, please contact a NAEIR Membership Advocate. NAEIR must be notified of the returns before they are sent. Members are responsible for all return shipping costs.

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  9. What is Grab Bag (Premier and Basic Members Only)?

    Grab Bag is a special “shopping” experience at the NAEIR warehouse in Galesburg, Illinois. The Grab Bag area is a section of the NAEIR warehouse filled with merchandise. You have two hours to collect as much stuff as you can fit on an industrial-sized shopping cart. There is a nominal charge for Grab Bag visits.

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  10. Is there a minimum handling charge to submit a request?

    Items requested through Best Values, Deal of the Day, Clearance, Specials, Educational Supplies and Overstock can be submitted as one request with a $25 minimum. Big Book and Express handling and shipping charges vary.

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Membership

  1. Who can join NAEIR?

    Membership in NAEIR is available to schools, teachers, churches and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (this includes groups such as, charities, community organizations, health facilities, retirement homes and more). Our members include schools, teachers, churches, nursing homes, safe houses, rehabilitation centers, after school programs, charitable clubs and more. NAEIR offers different membership options to accommodate organizations of all sizes and budgets.

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  2. Does everyone in my organization need a membership?

    No. We issue one membership per organization (unless an organization requests a Tiered/Secondary Membership – Premier Members Only); but there is no limit to the number of teachers per school that can be members of NAEIR’s Teacher’s Program.

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  3. What are my membership options?

    NAEIR has three membership options: Teacher’s Program (specifically for classroom teachers and school counselors), Basic Program (typically individual or smaller schools, churches and nonprofit organizations) and the Premier Program (usually large schools/districts, large nonprofit organizations and churches with outreach programs). Please click here for more information on membership options and membership fees (membership fees do not apply to Teacher’s Program members).

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  4. What if I don’t like my membership?

    Premier members only are offered a money-back guarantee. If at the end of your first year you don’t receive at least twice the value of your membership fee in free merchandise, we’ll refund the cost of your membership or give you another year with NAEIR for free.

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  5. How do I renew my membership (Premier and Basic Memberships Only)?

    Before the end of your membership period we will send you a reminder to renew. You can mail your renewal check or call your Membership Advocate with credit card information.

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  6. Have more questions about becoming a member?

    Please call NAEIR’s Member Enrollment Department at 800-562-0955 (press 2 for Member Enrollment).

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