Society of Genealogists - How to use the Orderline

How to use the OnlineShop to make secure purchases

Please read this page if this is the first time that you have visited the Society of Genealogists' Publications OnlineShop. Each of the topics explains one aspect of using OnlineShop. You may find it useful to print this page as a reminder.

If you are using WindowXP and Internet Explorer 6.0 and have not installed and enabled Java Runtime you will not be able to place an order on-line. You can still browse the catalogue and place an order by Post, email, phone: +44 (0)20 7251 8799 or Fax: (+44) (0)20 7250 1800

OnlineShop Sections and how they are organised

The online OnlineShop is divided sections.

Use the left hand navigation to go directly to a section.

OnlineShop items within a Section

Each section has a header (with icons for navigating OnlineShop site) followed by an alphabetical list of all the titles in that Section. The header allows you to navigate back to the Sections list, to ordering information, to search for any word or phrase, to check the contents of what items you have chosen so far (your 'shopping cart'), and to check out or make delivery and payment arrangements for these items. There's also an option to send an e-mail message to the OnlineShop. You may want to use this for making enquiries about titles you cannot find.

A typical section item contains , its title and author, a brief description of its contents, its price, and sometimes an image and buttons to click to order it.

The Society of Genealogists is a considerable publisher of titles of genealogical interest in its own right. Generous discounts are available to Members of the Society on purchases of its own publications. Each item will show both a normal and a members' price button that can be clicked to add the publication to your shopping cart. You will be asked to supply your membership number at checkout if discounts are to apply, so please have this ready. If you are a member and you select the full price the balance will be assumed to be a donation to the Society

Searching the OnlineShop for any word

The SoG OnlineShop site is indexed by every word. While many people will be most comfortable browsing through the hierarchy of Sections, it is also possible to hone into all sections that contain a particular word or phrase using the Search page, accessed by clicking on the Search icon in the header.

When you run a search the results are presented to you as a new page with links to each of the sections that contained that word or phrase. If the section is large you will probably find it useful to use your web browser's Find facility to look for that word just on this page. This is activated by pressing CTRL + F in most browsers. If a search on one section is unproductive, you can revert to the list of all sections containing that word using your browser's Back button.

Adding an item to your shopping cart

Clicking on the button captioned 'Add to shopping cart' or one of the buttons associated with an SoG publication (for which SoG Members' discounts apply), brings up a Shopping Cart contents page. Once an item is added to the "shoping cart" you will automatically return to the page where you clicked. You can now add more items to the "shopping cart". If you click on the "shopping cart icon in the header it will show all the items in your cart and let you adjust the number ordered, or even remove an item altogether. Clicking on any button which adds an item to your shopping cart is never an irreversible action. You can click on the View Shopping Cart link on all page headers to check and adjust the contents of your cart at any time.

The only time you are committed to ordering a product is when you move to the Checkout phase, enter your credit card details, and make a conscious decision to proceed with the purchase.

Checkout and paying for your purchases

The Actinic Catalog software that the SoG OnlineShop uses sends a Java applet to your browser which the browser then uses to send your credit card details securely, using 128 bit encryption (you will see a locked padlock in the bottom left-hand corner). You will see this as a checkout wizard in the centre of the page. This allows you to move backwards and forwards filling out the details until you are finally ready to send your order. Please note the following:

All checkout fields in red script must be completed. Others are optional but may be useful for keeping track of your order.
You have a choice of Visa/Mastercard/Maestro for payment.
Your credit card will only be debited when the SoG despatches the items you have ordered.
Customers outside the EU do not have to pay 17.5% Value Added Tax on microfiche, computer programs and sundry items. Please indicate this status and your order total will automatically adjust to remove the VAT that is charged to EU residents. Books are exempt from VAT for all customers.
Packing and delivery charges are determined by weight - details are shown on the appropriate pages.