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FAQ -- Frequently asked questions about Atlas™ Ergonomic Book & Copy Holders |
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Answers to the most commonly asked questions |
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Where can I see an Atlas in a store?
We have very few dealers throughout the United States. Atlases are a quality product, and therefore very expensive to make -- so to sell them at a reasonable price, there can't be much of a mark-up. For this reason, most of our sales are direct sales. Nevertheless, if you are (or know of) a dealer who wants to carry them, please let us know! And if you're looking for a dealer in your area, call us at 800 GET ATLAS to see if there is one. |
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What if I have a rush order? Do you ship other than UPS Ground?
We generally ship next day air and second day air with Airborne Express. We can ship using your Airborne or FEDEX shipper number. We can also ship via the US Postal Service, if that meets your needs. Alternate shipping, or shipping beyond the contiguous 48 states of the US, may cost more, and you will be charged for the shipping amount and, if necessary, a nominal service charge. Our UPS Ground shipments, which have been extremely reliable, go out from Cincinnati, Ohio. This means an Atlas can get to the east coast within 3 days, and to the west coast within 5 days of shipment. We generally ship within three business days. |
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What if I'm not sure my order went through, or when it will be shipped?
Following a suggestion by one of our customers, people who purchase Atlases on line
or who give us an email address will receive a shipping notification via email on the day
the product is shipped. This notification will
contain the UPS tracking number, and how to use it.
We generally ship within 3 business days; any delays are announced on screen during the purchasing sequence, or by telephone. You can always check by calling us at 800 GET ATLAS (800 438-2852). Pressing # will get you beyond the outgoing message so that you can leave a message for us, if a human does not answer. |
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Would your stand be capable of holding Webster’s Third International Dictionary?
Closed it is 9 x 13 and 4 inches thick.
Any of our book holders could hold your dictionary. The only question is, with your dictionary's thickness of 4 inches, will it matter to you if all the pages are not supported when the dictionary is opened to the a's or the z's? Many book holders support only the binding. Our Standard Atlas and Atlas Ultra have shelves that are 3 inches deep and the Atlas-LC's shelf is 4 inches deep (certainly enough for your dictionary). The New Columbia Encyclopedia, at 12.25 tall, 9.5" wide and 3.6" thick is shown on the Atlas-LC page (see menu at left) . This encyclopedia will also sit easily on a Standard Atlas or Atlas Ultra, but when it's open at the a's the dictionary's middle pages may sag. This would of course not be a problem for short periods of time. You can see a Webster's New World Dictionary, which measures 7 x 10 x 2.25 inches, on a Standard Atlas (see menu at left) and on an Atlas Ultra on those respective pages. Either of these can certainly support the weight and width of your dictionary. |
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What are Atlases made of?
All colors of the Standard Atlas and Atlas-LC are made of a special birch plywood which has many plies, and is thus resistant to the swelling and shrinking solid wood undergoes when the humidity changes. The black units have a low-sheen black finish (usually stained black and the finished with a clear sealer); the fruitwood units also are stained and sealed; but all are made of birch plywood. Atlas Ultras are currently made of ®Trespa. Trespa is made of paper and resins pressed together under high heat and pressure. It is extremely strong and durable. Atlas Ultras can be ordered in quantities of 20 or more in almost any color that Trespa makes. Since they are cut from large sheets rather than molded, we are able to alter dimensions if you have special requirements (see "Custom Atlas" in menu at left). |
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Do you make any smaller Atlas Copy Holders?
We used to make a Slim Atlas, measuring just 7.5 inches wide, but there weren't many calls for it. We currently have a few on hand, or it can be ordered as a special order Atlas in quantities of 10 or more. You can read about it at http://www.bookandcopyholders.com/store/slim.html. We can make Atlases in any size (larger or smaller) or color that you need, in quantities of 10-20 or more. |
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Is the line guide magnetic?
No, it is a simple counterweighted device. It can be used with either a clear thread (for reading) or a black thread (for lines and columns, to give left-right orientation). The clear thread is now standard; we'll be happy to substitute a black thread if you request it. |
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Why is the Atlas Ultra so much less expensive than the Standard Atlas?
The wood of the Standard Atlas requires a lot of hand finishing -- repeated sanding and application of color and/or finish. It also requires installation of hardware (hinges, angle support mechanism). It has more parts than the Ultra, and comes with a line guide and spring-loaded clip. |
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Do you have any adaptations for people who are disabled?
The Atlas is an example of universal design -- that is, all people, including people with disabilities, can use the Atlas as is, after it is adjusted. We have been told that the Standard Atlas is the only book holder on the market that is sturdy enough to be used by people who use a mouth stick. For people with limited hand strength who use the spring-loaded clip that comes with the Standard Atlas, we have an "Easy Pull Loop" which enables you to slip a finger or a pencil through the loop to operate the clip. |
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How long have Atlas Ergonomic Book & Copy Holders
been on the market? The Standard Atlas has been sold since 1994. Atlas-LCs were first made in about 1997. Atlas Ultras were first sold in November 2000. |
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Is the Atlas patented?
Yes. And there is a patent pending on the Atlas Ultra. |
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Do you ever have sales or discounts?
Occasionally, we have a sale -- usually for people who are on our email mailing list (which we do not share with anyone else). We always have quantity purchase discounts, beginning at 3 units. You also save a lot on shipping when you purchase several Atlases -- and we pass those savings on to you. |
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I have lost most of my page stoppers. Can I get replacements?
Of course! We now make them of stainless steel, and we may have to charge you $1-2 if you need a complete set. Call us and we'll see what we can do, considering current pricing and postage. If you prefer the old Lucite page stoppers, we still have a few left. |
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Do you have a question for us? If so, email us at info@bookandcopyholders.com,
or call 800 GET ATLAS (800-438-2852).
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Ordering | How They Work | Why Atlas is Ergonomic | Ergonomic Guidelines | What Users Say
Scientific Data | Custom Atlas | FAQ | Useful Links | About Us
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(800) GET-ATLAS or (800) 438-2852 
info@bookandcopyholders.com
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