Our Policies
Please read the following policies prior to placing your first processing order with us. Indicate that you have read these policies by completing the Policy Acknowledgement Form. We will not process your fiber until the Policy Acknowledgement Form is completed.
General Statement
We provide custom fiber processing. That means that we work closely with you to ensure that the service we provide results in the fiber preparation you want. That said, animal fibers are a natural product and as such, can vary from animal to animal and year to year. We will communicate with you if the process isn't going as we originally discussed. You can choose to stop at that point, or work out a new plan. You will be responsible to pay for all the work completed, even if the fiber won't run as you requested.
Fiber Requirements
No minimum weight requirement. Minimum 2 lb. processing charge per fleece.
Fiber must have a minimum 2" staple length for carding. We can process shorter fibers if blended with longer ones.
Heavily-matted fleeces can't be processed - if you cannot pull it apart readily, neither can we. If we come upon more than 1 pound of matted fleece, we will return that portion to you, and refund half the deposit for that matted poundage by deducting it from the final invoice.
Pre-Processing - Skirting and Debris
We pick all fleeces by hand before scouring. This allows us to evaluate your fiber, make recommendations if your requested processing may be problematic, and determine if the fiber is ready for scouring.
Fleeces must be skirted before giving them to us. This saves you money and us time. Likewise, heavy debris (e.g. hoof trimmings) will damage our equipment. If we remove more than 4 oz of heavy debris, or more than 8 oz of unprocessable material (e.g. poop tags, veg matter, second cuts), we will apply a $35 surcharge.
Heavily-dyed fiber (e.g. color bleeds when wet) needs to be re-washed. Our usual scouring charge of $12/lb will apply.
If you have a multi-colored fleece and want the colors separated, we can do that in the pre-wash picking stage for an additional $4/lb.
Washing
You can save money by washing your fleece yourself, following these instructions. We reserve the right to reject a pre-washed fleece as not clean enough for our equipment. At that point, we will contact you to arrange for re-washing or for return of the fleece.
Processing and Fiber Weight Loss
Fiber weight loss is an expected part of processing. Intake weight includes fiber plus lanolin, dirt/sand, veg matter, guard hairs, etc. We do everything we can to maximize your end product fiber weight, but you can expect anywhere from 30% to 50% weight loss depending on the condition of your raw fleece.
When Your Fiber is Ready
We will contact you via phone, text, or e-mail as provided on your order form. We will also e-mail you an invoice. If we are shipping your fiber, the invoice must be paid in full, including shipping costs, before we send your fiber.
Payment is due within 15 days of invoicing. Fiber must be picked up or shipped within 30 days of invoicing. If invoices are unpaid for 30 days, or fiber is left for more than 45 days, the fiber becomes the property of Appleton Family Fiber Mill. These terms can be altered if both parties agree in writing no later than 15 days from invoicing.
Cancellation Policy
Customers who cancel orders may incur cancellation charges, fees and labor charges. Cancelled orders not picked up or mailed out (pre-paid for shipping) within 30 days of cancellation become property of the Mill.