FAQ's

What is Not Busy Co.?

Not Busy Co. is a Vancouver Island small business creating curated escapes built around books, good things to drink, and provisions worth staying in for.

Some are ongoing. Others are one-time escapes.

Everything is chosen to work together, with one goal: to take you somewhere else for a while.

What comes in a Not Busy Co. box?

That depends on the escape you choose.

Reader’s Retreat is built around a book selected for you, with tea, treats, and thoughtful extras.

A Little Elsewhere includes a book chosen especially for you, a full-size Vancouver Island tea or coffee, and Island-made bakery treats and/or confections.

Exact contents change, but the rule stays the same: nothing random. Everything earns its place.

What is Reader’s Retreat?

Reader’s Retreat is our ongoing curated book escape.

Each box is built around a book selected especially for you, along with tea, treats, and thoughtful extras chosen to make the whole experience feel complete.

After ordering, you’ll have the opportunity to leave the Curator a Clue and tell me a little about what you like, what you don’t, and how far you’re willing to wander.

Reader’s Retreat is available as a subscription, with each month bringing a new book and a new reason to disappear for a while.

What is A Little Elsewhere?

A Little Elsewhere is a one-time book escape available in Tea and Coffee editions.

Each includes a book selected especially for you, a full-size Vancouver Island tea or coffee, and Island-made provisions.

For the Tea edition, simply choose caffeinated or caffeine-free. I’ll choose the blend.

For your provisions, choose between Island Bakery Only or Island Bakery + Confection. Flavours and selections change depending on what’s being made here on the Island that month.

The tea comes from here. The coffee comes from here. The treats come from here. The box is curated here.

And the whole thing is designed to take you elsewhere, no matter where you are.

No subscription required.

How is my book chosen?

After ordering, you’ll have the opportunity to leave the Curator a Clue.

Tell me a little about what you like, what you don’t, and how far you’re willing to wander. The final selection is always mine, but your clues give me somewhere to start.

Leaving a clue is completely optional.

Is this a subscription or a one-time purchase?

Both are available, depending on the product.

Reader’s Retreat is available as a subscription.

A Little Elsewhere is a one-time purchase with no subscription required.

Any available box can also be sent as a gift.

How do Reader’s Retreat subscriptions work?

Reader’s Retreat subscriptions renew automatically based on the option you choose.

Monthly subscriptions include a 2-box minimum. After that, you can continue, skip, pause, or cancel before your next billing date.

What is the 3-Month Subscription?

The 3-Month Subscription delivers one Reader’s Retreat per month for three months and is billed every three months.

It includes a 2-payment minimum. After that, you can continue, skip, pause, or cancel before your next billing date.

Can I skip or cancel my subscription?

Yes.

After the initial 2-payment minimum, you can skip, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time before your next billing date through your account.

When do boxes ship?

Boxes ship once per month.

Order by the 18th to be included in that month’s release. Orders placed after the 18th will be included in the following month.

Tracking information is sent once your order ships.

Do you ship outside of Canada?

At this time, Not Busy Co. ships within Canada only.

If international shipping becomes available, updates will be posted on the website.

How do I track my order?

Once your order ships, you’ll receive a tracking email.

If you don’t see it, check your spam folder or contact us through the form and we’ll help.

Can I send a box as a gift?

Absolutely.

Boxes can be shipped directly to the recipient, and no pricing information is included in the package.

You can include a gift note at checkout.

What is your return and refund policy?

Because our boxes are curated and prepared specifically for each order, all sales are final once shipped.

If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 7 days of delivery.

We’ll help with the shipping insurance claim process where applicable.

Are the food items allergy-friendly?

Some items may contain, or be produced in facilities that handle, common allergens.

If you have allergies or sensitivities, please contact us before ordering so we can let you know what may be suitable.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards and secure payments through Shopify.

How can I contact Not Busy Co.?

You can reach us through our contact form.

We respond as quickly as possible during business hours.

Who is Not Busy Co. for?

Not Busy Co. is for people who still feel the pull — and follow it.

If you like getting absorbed in a book, discovering something you might never have chosen for yourself, or stepping into something that holds your attention completely, you’ll feel at home here.

How do subscriptions work?

Subscriptions renew automatically based on the option you choose.

Monthly subscriptions include a 2-box minimum (two payments). After that, you can continue, skip, or cancel anytime before your next billing date.

What is the 3-Month Subscription (3 Boxes)?

The 3-Month Subscription delivers one box per month for three months and is billed every three months.

It also includes a 2-payment minimum. After that, you can continue, skip, or cancel anytime before your next billing date.

Can I skip or cancel my subscription?

Yes. After the initial 2-payment minimum, you can skip, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time before your next billing date through your account.

When do boxes ship?

Boxes ship once per month.

Order by the 18th to receive that month’s box. Orders placed after the 18th will ship the following month. Tracking information is sent once your order ships.

Do you ship outside of Canada?

At this time, Not Busy Co. ships within Canada only.

If international shipping becomes available, updates will be posted on the website.

How do I track my order?

Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking email. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder or contact us through the form and we’ll help right away.

Can I send a box as a gift?

Yes. Boxes can be shipped directly to the recipient.

You can include a gift note at checkout, and no pricing information is included in the package.

What is your return and refund policy?

Due to the curated nature of our boxes:

All sales are final once shipped
If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 7 days
We will assist with the shipping insurance claim process where applicable