FAQs

About S&B
Where are your Headquarters?

Our company is based outside of Washington, DC in Rockville, MD. All of our warehousing and shipping is done from this location, and you're welcome to come and shop from the largest selection of needlepoint accessories in the world (probably).

Our address:

Smathers & Branson

1570 East Jefferson St

 Rockville, MD 20852

How can we contact you?

By phone - 1-844-952-7319
By email - info@smathersandbranson.com

What are your business hours?

Our offices and customer service lines are open Monday through Friday 9am - 6pm ET

Where can I find your products?

The majority of our sales happen through our incredible retail partners. Currently, we sell to over 2,000 locations around the country and abroad. These stores vary from traditional men's specialty stores, fine gift stores, golf clubs and resorts, and campus bookstores. Give us a call if you are looking for a store near you and we'll search our database for a retail partner that might have what you're looking for.

Our Products
How are your products produced?

All of our needlepoint products are entirely hand-stitched and assembled in Vietnam. We source our materials from around the world, including American-made brass belt buckles, Italian leather and French cotton thread. Check out the Our Story page to read more about how and why we started S&B and the Corporate and Social Responsibility page to learn about the amazing relationship we have built with our Vietnamese partners!

Why does the stitching on my products look slightly different than the photo online?

We pride ourselves with the amazing quality and consistency in our needlepoint. There are over 14,000 individual stitches in a typical belt, so it's not uncommon to find something that makes each piece unique. We believe this is what makes a handmade product special, but we never intend to sell anything with imperfections. If you have any questions about the quality of an item, please contact us and our customer service team will be happy to help.

Why don't I see my School / Organization / Team on your website?

Smathers & Branson® Is currently licensed to produce products for Arnold Palmer, Ducks Unlimited, the Grateful Dead, Jack Nicklaus, MLB, NHL, Pink Floyd and over 125 colleges and universities, and Greek organizations across the country. All of our collegiate, professional, and fraternity products are officially licensed through that institution, with their permission and with a percentage of each sale going back to that institution. We are continuously working on acquiring new licenses for schools and teams to expand our offerings. If you don't see your favorite team or alma mater listed, we would love to hear from you.

All trademarks, logos and brand names shown are the property of their respective owners and used under license. Please note premium licensed logos on Life Belts are not eligible for promotions or discount offers.

What gift packaging do you offer?
How do I care for and clean my products?

To clean needlepoint: Spot clean with a damp cloth or soft bristle brush. For more extensive care, we recommend consulting a professional cleaner.

To clean leather: Clean and buff with a horsehair brush. If using a leather conditioner, test in a small area first before proceeding. For more extensive care, we recommend consulting a professional cleaner.

To care for suede: Use a bristle brush to remove any dirt or debris. For more difficult stains, use a suede eraser or consult a professional cleaner. If using a protector or sealant, test in a small area first before proceeding.

Do you offer a Warranty?

We guarantee all of our products free from manufacturer's defects for a full year from the purchase date. If you believe you received a defective product that falls within our warranty period please email us a description, receipt or order number and images of the defect in question to info@smathersandbranson.com.

No warranty will be given to shoes that show signs of wear. Shoes may not be returned if the top is creased or the sole is scuffed. We recommend that you walk on a carpeted surface and avoid fully flexing your foot when trying on our shoes. Smathers and Branson will only replace shoes with material or workmanship defects. We will not replace shoes with customer abuse or damage, accidental or otherwise.

Product Sizing
Belts: Men-What size should I order?

To find the most accurate S&B belt size, please Click here for measuring instructions. Please do not go off of other company’s belt sizes as they often measure their belts differently.

 The simplest way to determine a S&B belt size is to add 2 inches to a men's pant waist size.  If the recipient is an odd pant size (33, 35 etc.), add 3 inches to the pant size to obtain the correct belt size. If they wear multiple pant sizes, use the largest size to calculate the correct belt size.  This formula works best for chino style pants. 

If the recipient typically wears designer denim or low rise pants, you may need to add 3-4 inches to the men’s pant waist size. If that is the case, we encourage you to review our measuring instructions to find the correct belt size.

Belts: Women-What size should I order?

For women, the most accurate way to obtain the correct belt size is to either measure through the recipient’s belt loops when they are wearing their pants or measure an existing belt that fits well. This measurement will be their ideal belt size. Please Click here for measuring instructions. Please do not go off of other company’s belt sizes as they often measure their belts differently.

Dog Collars

To accurately measure our dog collars, we recommend following the sizing chart below.

Dog Collar Sizing Chart

All Special Order sizes noted on the chart are not currently available online, but can be placed on order by giving us a call at 301-229-9436.

Children's Belts

To accurately measure our children's belts, we recommend following the sizing chart below.

Children's Belt Sizing Chart

Shoes

Our shoes are regular width.
Downing Bit Loafers and Driving Shoes run true to size. Belgian Loafers run ½ size large.

Men's Shoe Size Chart

Shipping
Where do you ship?

We are able to ship to street addresses, P.O. F.P.O. and A.P.O. boxes in all 50 states and around the world.

Please note that if you select UPS shipping, they are unable to ship to P.O. boxes.

I entered the wrong address on my order. Can this be fixed?

Please double check your address for accuracy before submitting your order online. Once the package has been picked up by the carrier, it becomes difficult to re-route that item. Please call us and we can assist you.

What are your shipping rates?

Economy- Free

UPS Ground- $10

UPS 2 Day Air- $25

UPS Next Day Air- $50

When will my order ship? 

We strive to process orders as quickly as possible. Orders placed Monday through Friday are shipped within one business day. Orders placed after 1pm on Friday or over the weekend are shipped Monday. If you need your order to ship the same day, please place your order before 1pm EST using an expedited service (Please note that UPS does not deliver on Saturday, Sunday and holidays), and we'll be sure your order ships from our warehouse the same day (excludes back-ordered products and custom items).

When will my order be delivered?

Depending on the shipping method selected when checking out, delivery times can vary. We ask that you allow up to 2-5 business days for delivery of all UPS ground and 3-8 business days for delivery of USPS shipments. See the map below to estimate based on quoted transit time from our carriers. Orders placed before 1pm EST (M-F) with an expedited shipping method such as 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air are expected for delivery within their respective business day timeline.

UPS Next Day Air: Expected to deliver the next business day*
UPS 2nd Day Air: Expected to deliver in two business days*
*UPS does not deliver on Saturday or Sunday and certain holidays

Due to COVID-19, shipping carriers are experiencing record volume causing significant delivery delays, which is unfortunately out of our control.

How can I track my order? 

When a shipping label is generated, you will be emailed a tracking number for your order. Shipments can be tracked through the respective carrier service selected for your order: UPS//USPS

International Shipping

International orders are excluded from free shipping + free return shipping on exchanges and may be subject to additional customs fees.

How much duty and tax will I have to pay?

We're unfortunately unable to provide estimated duties and taxes as this information varies by country.
The total of your order at checkout does not include any additional import duties / taxes. All prices on our website are listed in US Dollars.
Please note that international shipping fees do not include taxes, import duties, or additional customs charges and they may differ depending on your region.

Monogramming
Where will the monogram go on my product?

For belts, the monogram is stitched into the end of the needlepoint on your right front hip as you wear the belt. On a flask or wallet with a motif or logo, the monogram will replace the motif on the back.

I need to make a change to my monogrammed order. Can I do this?

We apologize, but we cannot make changes, adjustments, or cancellations to an order after it has been submitted.
We still may be able to help though! Please give us a call at 1-844-952-7319.

How long will my monogrammed item take?

All of our products are entirely stitched by hand, and each monogrammed item is stitched from scratch. Our lead times vary per product, and we ask that you reference each product page for the most accurate turnaround time.

Can you expedite / rush my order?

Unfortunately we are unable to rush the production time of orders, in order to meet our strict quality standards, we ask that you please allow the full quoted time for your product to be stitched. We try our best to quote an accurate production timeframe upfront.

Returns & Exchanges
What is your Return & Exchange Policy?

Only items purchased directly from www.smathersanbranson.com are eligible for return/exchange.

Merchandise must be returned within 45 days of shipment for refund or 120 days for exchange. 

Merchandise must not be worn, damaged, or washed.

Merchandise must have all original tags attached.

Monogrammed, personalized, made-to-order and final sale merchandise cannot be returned or exchanged.

Original shipping charges are not refundable.

To learn more about our policy, please visit our returns & exchanges page, linked here.

Do you provide return labels?

Smathers & Branson only provides return labels for items that are being sent back for a refund or store credit via our returns portal. The cost of the label will be deducted from your refund.

If you receive damaged, defective, or incorrect merchandise, please contact us at 1-844-952-7319 or by email at info@smathersandbranson.com and a representative will be glad to assist you.

How long does it take to process a return or exchange?

Please allow 7-10 for processing of returns. Exchanges can take up to 45 days to process. In an effort to get exchanges issued as quickly as possible, we recommend purchasing the correct item right away and returning your original item.

Promotions & Discounts
Do you offer promotions & discounts?

Periodically, Smathers & Branson® will send our various promotions or discounts via email or mail to customers subscribed to our mailing list. These promotions are only valid during the dates listed and cannot be applied to any previous orders.You may occasionally find third party websites advertising promotional codes for our products, these are often invalid. The best way to stay up to date on our latest products and promotions is to subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom right of this page.

Do you offer a Military Discount?

Smathers & Branson® is proud of our military and offers a 10% discount on all products to active duty military and veterans.
Please give us a call at 1-844-952-7319 for more info or for help with placing an order.

Others
When can I cancel my order?

Unfortunately we are unable to make changes or cancel an order after the order has been submitted at checkout. We ask that you please carefully review your order details before submitting. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at info@smathersandbranson.com.

What payment methods does Smathers & Branson accept?

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover).

Sales Tax

Sales tax is calculated based on shipping address and determined at checkout.

My credit card was charged but I haven't received my order. What should I do?

For all orders placed with Smathers & Branson® we process payment up-front and in full. Because all of our products are hand-stitched, back-ordered products, custom items and monogramming can take up to several weeks for delivery. To provide the smoothest shopping experience for all of our customers payment for these items will remain as a credit on your account until they are ready to ship. If you have any questions or would like an update on your order, please give us a call at 1-844-952-7319.

I never completed my order, but my credit card shows a charge from you.

Some card companies put a temporary hold on charges when you initiate an online order, even if the charge is declined or you cancel your order. We do not control when the funds are released, so please contact your financial institution for assistance.

How does S&B use my information?
Is your website secure?

We use 128-bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) security technology for establishing an encrypted link between our web server and your browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral. Once you enter the checkout page, SSL will be enabled and the "http" in our web address will be replaced by "https." Depending on your browser you may also see an unbroken key or a closed lock next to the address bar in your browser. Please note that only browsers that are compatible with 128-bit Secure Socket Layer technology will be able to order online with us. If your browser does not support SSL, we recommend that you download and install an updated version. If for any reason you are uncomfortable or unable to submit your order online, we would be happy to assist you over the phone at 1-844-952-7319.

Do you give charitable donations?

Smathers & Branson® is fortunate to be able to contribute to many charitable causes that we believe in as well as those of our customers and supporters. If you have a cause you would like to see us get involved with please email us atinfo@smathersandbranson.comor call us at 1-844-952-7319.

When I register with Smathers & Branson, will I start receiving emails and catalogs?

Yes, you will automatically be added to our mailing lists. You can unsubscribe to S&B emails with the unsubscribe link in the email at any time. If you would like to be removed from our catalog mailing list, please email info@smathersandbranson.com with "Catalog" in the subject line along with your name and your complete mailing address in the body of the email.

Would you please send me a catalog?

We would be happy to mail you a catalog, please send an email toInfo@smathersandbranson.comwith your name and shipping address and we will have one in the mail to you shortly!