Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT OUR UNIFORMS

Q. I've had problems finding a uniform that will fit me properly because of my body shape. Why is your uniform so different?

A. Most companies offer a universal size of uniform given your height and weight. These uniforms rarely fit everyone well. Universally sized uniforms cannot provide the exacting requirements of a demanding high performance athlete, or demanding consumer. Athletes require form-fitting equipment that considers the minimum regulatory requirements.

At Toraki, it is important to us that you are sized properly so that your uniform (jacket and pant) fits. Our gis come close to “made-to-measure” right from the factory.

Q. How do I determine what uniform will best meet my needs and budget?

A. There are three questions that you should ask yourself:

What is your budget i.e., $50 - $99; $100 - $149; $150 - 199; $200+?

The prices of Toraki uniforms reflect cotton density, size, construction and guarantees more than just quality. For example, our "PREMIUM" label uniform is cut and stitched exactly like our "GOLD" label uniform and so the price difference is really in the cotton density and the difficulty with which it is constructed.

Are you a beginner and how many times a week do you practice?

Our "WHITE" and "BLUE" label uniforms are for beginners. The difference between the two products is color; one is bleached white ("WHITE") and the other is dyed blue ("BLUE"). More serious practitioners often purchase the "SILVER" or "GOLD" label uniforms.  The "PREMIUM", "SILVER" and "GOLD" uniforms are bleached white and the "GOLD BLUE" uniform is dyed blue in color.

Are you training for recreation or sport?

Beginners should commence with our “DOJO” or “WHITE” label uniform. If you are training three or more times a week, you will realistically require two uniforms. We recommend you invest in our “GOLD” or “PERSONAL GOLD” label as you become more experienced because it was designed to be invincible, so to speak (eg. It can "give and take a beating").

IMPORTANT SIZING INFORMATION

Q. What uniform size do I need?

A.This depends on the type of uniform you are interested in.

At toraki, it is of paramount importance to have our customers sized properly. Sometimes we request additional information from customers (PERSONAL SERIES uniforms). Please be accommodating of our request to enable us to better assist you, the customer. The additional sizing information enables toraki to not only immediately size individuals more effectively, but also to create a legacy of information for individualized reference and future product innovations.

For the WHITE, DOJO, PREMIUM, SILVER, GOLD, BLUE and GOLD BLUE uniforms we have provided height and weight charts/tables for you to help size you. We have also provided some "general" sizing guidelines to help you even further.

For the PERSONAL SERIES of gi, we need several body measurements and gi preferences.

We request the following information:

Height, Weight, Chest, Waist, Thigh, Calf, Bicep and Forearm.

In addition, there are three (3) judo specific measurements:
    1) Sleeve-2-Sleeve;
    2) Pant Outseam
    3) Wrist-2-Wrist

1) Sleeve-to-Sleeve (S2S) Length Measurement

To determine the Sleeve-to-Sleeve (S2S) measurement, please follow this procedure on a jacket that has been washed and completed dried:
1)	Please "lay" your judogi jacket on a flat surface with the arms outstretched (with the back of the jacket facing you).
2)	Measure the distance from one sleeve opening, across the back and over to the other sleeve opening.
3)	PLEASE DO NOT MEASURE WITH YOUR ARMS STRETCHED OUT TO THE SIDES. THIS WILL BE INCORRECT.
NOTE	If you require more or less length on your current judogi jacket in terms of sleeve length, please add or subtract to the S2S length that you provide accordingly.

2) Pant Outseam (PO) Measurement

	To determine the Pant Outseam (PO) measurement, please follow this procedure;
	1) Please "lay" your judogi pants on a table or flat surface;
	1) Please measure the length from the waistband of the pant to the leg opening.

3) Wrist-to-Wrist (W2W) Length Measurement

To determine the Wrist-to-Wrist (W2W) measurement, please follow this procedure:
1)	Obtain the assistance of someone;
2)	Stand with your arms in front of you (as if you were being tested by the referee at judogi control);
3)	Ask your friend to measure the distance from one wristbone around the widest part of your back and down to the other wristbone.

We have designed some sizing forms (PDF format) for your convenience.
These are available in multiple languages. Please select one (1) of the following languages;

Dutch

English

French

German

Russian

Spanish

NOTE: You will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files.

Question: I have a tournament/competition this coming weekend and want to wear a new judogi for it?

Answer: At TORAKI, we HIGHLY DISCOURAGE you from adopting this strategy with respect to uniform selection. The judogi is a piece of high performance equipment. Only in extreme circumstances such as your judogi ripped "two (2) days" before the tournament do we recommend purchasing a "new" uniform. Hopefully most competitive judoka have more than one judogi available for use at any one time and this "emergency situation" will not occur.
There are several difficulties with trying to order a judogi at the "last moment". In addition to ordering the correct size, you must allow yourself time to wash and shrink the judogi (or judo pants) to the desired size. There is no shortcut.

We recommend you constantly "examine" your judogi for wear and tear and prepare (plan) for the replacement of one’s equipment (judogi) from time to time.

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Washing and shrinkage instructions

Toraki equips its products with hang-tags or washing instructions for optimal product care. As a reminder, or if the washing instructions are missing, please read the following instructions:

Q. What about shrinkage?

A. Our uniforms are cut and designed to be shrunk. Since each uniform label has its own unique weave, cotton density and design, shrinkage will vary. In general, you can expect anywhere from 10-20% shrinkage along the sleeve length.

Q. How do I clean my TORAKI judogi(s)?

A. Please follow the instructions below if you purchased a TORAKI uniform from Canada:

• Please DO NOT allow your uniform to "sit" in your gym bag!
• Please wash the uniform in HOT WATER;
• DO NOT USE BLEACHING AGENTS (including detergents with bleach additives or colour-safe bleaching agents);

Q. Do I use a dryer to dry my uniform?

A. DO NOT PUT THE UNIFORM IN THE DRYER IF YOU ARE NOT INSTRUCTED TO BY TORAKI. IT WILL NOT FIT!

Q. Help ~ "I have blood on my uniform"

A. Please follow the following instructions:

• Do not panic ~ in martial arts practice, this can occur!
• Use COLD WATER and some hand soap, GENTLY "massage" (rub, knead) the area stained with blood;
• Please wash normally (see above)

Q. Should I do anything special when washing my uniform?

A. DON'T USE BLEACH! USE MILD DETERGENTS ONLY! We recommend the following when washing and drying your uniform:

• Do not use liquid bleach or detergent with bleach added such as Tide with Bleach.
• Turn your uniform inside out before washing and drying.
• Wash your uniform as soon as possible after use or hang dry it until it is to be washed.
• Wash in hot water unless it is a blue colored uniform, then use warm water instead.

CUSTOMER COMMITMENT AND SERVICE

Q. What if I am sent a uniform that does not fit properly?

A. If a uniform does not fit, return it within 30 days (postage paid) and we will exchange it without hesitation. Before you do, please remember to shrink the uniform at least a couple of times as per the washing instructions and keep in mind that the uniform has some more shrinkage to go. Please read carefully the shrinkage information. This will give you a better understanding of how Toraki uniforms form-fit over time. We value your business and we hope that our products meet with your satisfaction.

WARRANTY

Q. What is this "10 Year Warranty" on the Gold label uniform all about?

A. The Toraki "Gold" label is the only uniform with a warranty. This warranty is for 10 years and is valid only if the following conditions are met (For purchases on or before 31 December 2002):

1. The 10 year warranty is only for the Gold label jacket only.
2. The jacket has not been bleached and/or washed with bleaching agents.
3. The uniform has not been resold or given to a person other than the original owner (non-transferable).
4. A copy of the original invoice must be sent back with the jacket along with a brief note explaining why the jacket is being returned.
5. The jacket must not be older than 10 years from the invoice date.
6. The jacket must be sent to:
   

   Toraki Trading Company Limited
   170 West Beaver Creek Rd. Unit 8
   Richmond Hill, Ontario
   Canada L4B 1L6
   (905) 707 - 8482
   

7. Customers are responsible for the pre-payment of all shipping and handling charges.
8. Jackets sent to Toraki under the warranty program must be washed and dried. Failure to comply will result in a levy of $20 per jacket for appropriate cleaning.
9. The Gold Label jacket will be repaired if it has been ripped, or has come apart at the seams. Toraki will only replace the jacket if it is beyond repair with a jacket of comparable value for the balance of the original warranty. Normal wear and tear on the material is not covered in the warranty. (Example: Fraying of the collar, fraying of the rice grain material, etc.)
10. This warranty is valid for Canadian Customers only.

Toraki is not responsible for lost and/or misdirected merchandise being returned under this program. It is the individual's responsibility to ensure the receipt of the returned merchandise by Toraki Trading Company Limited.

This warranty does not cover damage that occurs in transit, or results from alterations, additions, modifications, accidents, misuse and/or abuse.

The provisions of this warranty are in addition to and not a modification of or subtraction from the statutory warranties and other rights and remedies contrived in any applicable legislation and to the extent that any such provisions purport to disclaim, exclude or limit any such statutory warranties or other rights or remedies, such provisions shall be deemed to be awarded to the extent necessary to comply therewith.

Toraki is not responsible for lost and/or misdirected warranty registration cards. It is the individual's responsibility to ensure the receipt of the warranty card by Toraki Trading Company Limited.

HOW TO ORDER

Q. What methods of payment do you accept?

A. It is company policy for all orders to be paid in advance. This can be done by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express), PayPal or with a certified cheque or money order. Please be patient if you send a certified cheque or money order. We will not send the uniform until payment is received.

Q. Where do I mail my certified cheque or money order to?

A. Make the cheque payable to Toraki Trading Company Limited and send it to:

Q. How do I pay by credit card?

A. Call us Toll Free at 1 - 888 - 486 - 7254 (1 - 888 - 4toraki) and we will take the information over the phone.

Q. What about Shipping and Handling Charges?

A. If you are buying one uniform within North America (excl. Hawaii and Alaska), add $13.95 irrespective of quality and if you are buying more than one uniform you should call us for the exact shipping charges. The Shipping and Handling charge is calculated for you when you make a purchase online. The cost will depend on the following factors:

• Distance to Destination (Origin: Richmond Hill, Canada)
• Total Weight of the Order
• Selected Shipping Method (Speed: Ground or by Air)

Q. Do I have to pay taxes on this purchase?

A. Canadian Customers:
FOR ONTARIO RESIDENTS ONLY, please add applicable taxes as follows:

• Gis, videos, shipping&handling (GST and PST)
• Books (GST only)

• GST on all items

• HST on all items

Non-Canadian Customers ordering from our Canadian Web Site:
You will be responsible for duties and taxes applicable for your country.
Orders made from our Canadian Web Site will be shipped from Richmond Hill, Canada.

BACKORDER

Question:Will TORAKI notify me if I have a backorder?

Answer: Yes, TORAKI will notify you via email if you have a backorder. We will also provide you with the available options and try to assist you with finalizing a decision.

Question: What if my order is out-of-Stock?

Answer: The selection of products on www.toraki.com is limited. We know that sounds limiting (it is, we are trying to expand the product line to satisfy your demands), but if you work within the existing limits, you will find that the possibilities are limitless. After you have placed an order with TORAKI and if an item is no longer available from our inventory, you will receive a notice via email that the requested item is not in stock with an "estimated" time or replenishment and/or options that may be available to you in order to accommodate your product request.

If your order is processed and inventory is out if stock, a TORAKI Representative will contact you via email.

Question: How do I go about receiving a refund?

Answer: Upon receiving authorization to return a product (see "How to Return a Product"), a TORAKI representative will inform you of how your refund will be processed. If you are expecting a credit to your credit card please allow at least two (2) billing cycles for the credit to appear on your statement.

Question: Do you have a restocking fee?

Answer: In the event that you do not contact us prior to returning an item, we retain the exclusive right to impose a charge of $25.00 USD (28 EUR) for the restocking and tracing of the package. The charging of this fee is to permit TORAKI to remain responsive to our customers and to provide the most efficient and informative service that we can provide.

Question: Do you refund shipping fees?

Answer: We give all our purchases a thirty (30) day money back guarantee (with the exception of shipping and handling) against our products. TORAKI refunds shipping costs ONLY if the return is a result of our error. (incorrect size from the stated invoice size was sent).

UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT REFUND SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES FOR uniform sizes that we have not recommended.

Question: When can I expect the refund credit to appear on my credit card?

Answer: Credits will be placed on the credit card used for the original purchases. Please allow at least two (2) billing cycles for the credit to appear on your statement.

TORAKI refunds shipping costs ONLY if the return is a result of our error. (incorrect size from the stated invoice size was sent).

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Technical Questions (Information Technology)

Question: Is E-mail communication private and secure?

Answer: No. Until such time as TORAKI is satisfied with the security of Internet E-mail, TORAKI will not accept transactions/instructions that will affect your account or personal information by Internet E-mail messages; however general product or service questions or inquiries are welcome.

TORAKI customers are expressly discouraged from sending confidential or personal information via Internet email messages. Please remember Internet email is not secure. Use Internet email to send us non-confidential notes only. Do not use email to send us transaction instructions (e.g. credit card information).

TORAKI customers who choose to send Internet email messages to TORAKI that contain confidential or personal information do so entirely at their own risk.

Question: What are SSL’s (Secure Socket Layers)?

Answer: Information on the World Wide Web is transmitted using 'HTTP' (HyperText Transfer Protocol). Secure data on the Web is distributed by using the Secure Socket Layer (SSL). This is a layer of security over top of HTTP information. (The location addresses for secure sites use 'https:' at the beginning instead of the regular insecure 'http:'). Your browser would have been shipped to you with SSL enabled. Please see your browser's 'Help' files for more information about SSL. For your protection our responses will not include any confidential information.