Q: Do I have to become a member to place an order?
A: You don't need to be a member to place an order, but it would be a good idea! It allows us to contact you if there is a problem with your order, and it allows you to view your order status online. Best of all, becoming a member is free, easy and quick. Just click here to create your account.
Q: Why should I become a member? What's in it for me?
A: Okay, check this out. If you become a member, you'll be able to store your billing address, multiple shipping addresses, join our optional mailing list and check your order status any time you'd like! Members can also chat on our rockin' community message board or enter one of our contests for a chance to win big! Wait - There's more! If you're a member, you can choose to receive exclusive E-mails from Hot Topic letting you know about new products, announcements and special promotions before anybody else. How cool is that? Join now!
Q: Can I order by telephone?
A: If you have a technical problem placing your order online, you may call Customer Service at 1.800.892.8674, or +1.626.709.1189 for international customers.
Customer Service will be here Sunday from 9:00 PM - Midnight, Monday thru Thursday - 12:01 AM - 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM - Midnight, Friday 12:01 AM - 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 7:00AM - 5:00PM. (All times listed are Pacific Standard Time).
Please have the items and SKU numbers available when you call to place your order. You will also need to call us if you wish to place an order using four or more gift cards, a money order or cashier's check.
Q: Is your site secure?
A: Yes, all private credit card information is encrypted across a secure line. You can learn about what encryption we use by clickinghereor on the Verisign logo, located in your Shopping Cart.
Q: What types of payment do you accept?
A: We accept Master Card, VISA, Discover, American Express, Hot Topic gift cards and ATM / Debit Cards with a VISA or Master Card logo.
In addition, you may pay with a money order, cashier's check, Hot Topic paper gift certificate or store credit. Orders using these payment methods must be placed through Customer Service at 1.800.892.8674, or +1.626.709.1189 for international customers.
Sorry, we do not accept personal checks, mall gift certificates, COD or cash.
Q: Can I change my order after I have totaled my sale?
A: Yes, you can hit the "Shopping Cart" link and add or delete items before you finalize your sale. Just make sure you only click the "Submit" button once! This will avoid any duplicate charges.
Q: When will my credit card be charged?
A: Your card is only authorized when you place an order. We don't charge your credit card until the order has shipped and is on its way to you.
Q: Do I have to pay taxes on my purchase?
A: Yes, sales tax is calculated according to the state and county tax laws in which the order is being shipped. The tax calculation shown online is only an quote. There are situations where this quote will differ from the total charged. Once your order is finalized, the sales tax will be re-calculated based on city, state, county and district tax rates. Fear not! The difference between the two is usually no more than a few cents.
Q: When will I receive my order?
A: Orders are processed Monday through Friday. Before your order ships, please allow 1-2 business days for order processing. Orders are not processed or shipped on weekends or holidays. Please keep this in mind when selecting your shipping options.
Orders using FedEx Standard Overnight take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 2 business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Friday. Signature required for delivery.
Orders using FedEx 2 Day take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 3 business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Friday. Signature required for delivery.
Orders using FedEx Express Saver take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 4 business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Friday.
Orders using FedEx Ground / Home Delivery take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 3-5 business days. These orders are shipped Tuesday-Saturday.
Orders using FedEx Puerto Rico Priority take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 2-4 business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Saturday.
Orders using USPS Express take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 10-14 business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Friday.
Orders using USPS Priority take 1-2 days to process and, once shipped, will arrive in 14+ business days. These orders are shipped Monday-Friday.
Hot Topic may need to contact you if there is an issue with your order, so please keep your member information updated! All order communication is done via E-mail, so it is important that your E-mail address is accurate and current.
Q: What happens if a product is cancelled on my order?
A: The bad news is if an item is cancelled from your order, it means the item is sold out. The good news is that you are only billed for merchandise that has shipped! We can try to find out if an item is still available; just click here and choose"Product Questions"from the menu. Include the item name, description, and SKU number if you have it. We'll find out if and when it's coming back in. Since we don't backorder items, keep checking the site often, especially since we add new items almost every day!
Q: How do I know if my order went through?
A: There is an easy way to verify that your order went through. If you received an order number, you are all set! Your order is being processed! Make sure to only click the "Submit" button once to avoid duplicate orders or charges.
Q: Can I change my order after I've clicked "Submit?"
A: To make changes to your order after you've already clicked "Submit," call Customer Service immediately at 1.800.892.8674, or +1.626.709.1189 for international customers. As long as the order hasn't gotten too far along in processing, we should be able to modify it for you. Hurry!
Q: Can I backorder an item that is currently unavailable?
A: Due to the rate at which items sell out and are replaced by new merchandise, we do not place backorders for items. The good news is we can try to find out if something is still available. Just clickhereand choose"Product Questions"from the menu. Include the item name, description and SKU number, if you have it. We'll find out if and when it's coming back in!
Q: Why haven't I received an E-mail regarding my order?
A: There are usually two reasons why you are not receiving E-mail notifications. You may have an outdated E-mail address on file, or you may have a spam blocker filtering out E-mail from our system. Make sure to keep your user information current by updating your E-mail address. Also, try turning off any spam blockers that may be preventing our messages from getting to you.
Q: Why does the word "NONE" appear on my order confirmation
E-mail?
A: The word "NONE" does not mean an item is out of stock or that you are not going to receive an item. Our system looks at different variables, such as size, quantity and color, to determine exactly what item to ship. If the word "NONE" appears on your order confirmation E-mail, it simply means our system does not need any further information to process a request for that item.
Q: Can I use my Torrid gift card for a Hot Topic order?
A: Sorry, but Torrid gift cards can't be redeemed at Hot Topic stores or at Hottopic.com.
Q: Can I place a Hot Topic and Torrid order together?
A: Unfortunately, we don't combine orders for Hottopic.com and Torrid.com, but fear not! You can call Torrid.com toll free at 1-866-TORRID-1 (1.866.867.7431), or +1.626.709.1189 for international customers, during business hours, and they'll be happy to place that order for you.
Q: What happens if I use a gift card but an item on my order is sold out?
A: If you've used a Hot Topic or Torrid gift card as payment for your order and an item has sold out, you'll be receiving a refund check in the mail. This refund process can take 1-2 weeks but before you know it, you'll have a check waiting for you in your mailbox!
Q: Why doesn't the FedEx web site recognize the tracking number for an order I placed?
A: When utilizing FedEx.com to track an order, your tracking number will not be recognized until approximately 24 hours after your order has shipped. This is the time needed for their online tracking system to update. Try tracking your package again the following day and follow it to your front door!
Q: How do I receive my 10% discount for being in the military?
A: In order to take advantage of your 10% military discount, just call Customer Service at 1.800.892.8674, or +1.626.709.1189 for international customers. We'll be happy to process that order for you! All orders being delivered to a US military address overseas will be shipped via US Priority Mail and will qualify for the discount.
Q: My shopping cart says that one or more of my items can only be delivered using Ground shipping. What's up?
A: Okay, here's the deal. Some products can't go on
planes 'cause they're considered hazardous materials.
What that means is they could spill or leak. As a
result, we have to send that stuff to you via Ground
shipping. Items that airlines consider hazardous
materials include (but aren't limited to) makeup, hair
dye and incense.
You have a couple of options. You can 1.) have your
entire order arrive via Ground shipping or 2.)
place two separate orders, one with the hazardous
materials arriving via Ground and one with the rest of
your order arriving however you want. We're sorry for
the inconvenience. We just don't want Hot Topic stuff
leaking all over the airplane! Not cool.
Q: What is an RMA#?
A: When you have an item to return or exchange, we issue you a Return Authorization Number (RA#). FedEx refers to this number as an RMA#.
