Frequently Asked Questions
General information
Who is My Carbon Coach?
It's just me, Tim. A forty-something chap with a passion for retail, helping people and trying to save the planet! There's currently no team with me, so whenever you come into the shop or interact with the business online it's myself you'll be seeing and speaking to!
How long have you been in business?
My Carbon Coach has been a sustainable living shop for three years now which is so exciting! Every year it gets a little bigger and a bit more useful to everyone wanting to get a little more eco!
In the first year I added the liquids part of the refillery, and dried food followed in year two. Year three has been all about finding my feet in the new location.
Year four is going to be very exciting as I add an upstairs community space to the shop for things like book clubs, darning workshops, and Animal Crossing hangouts!
How do I know that what you sell is really eco?
Ooh thais is such an awesome question! I take real pride in only stocking products that I've thoroughly tested and used myself (with a few exceptions such as the period care range, which I ask friends and family to help with). I take my time and do my due diligence.
If something just isn't working how it should, or if I have any doubts about the eco credentials, claims, ingredients and manufacturing of any products then they don't make it on to the shelves.
I'm always open to feedback, and if you feel that I've made a mistake or something isn't quite right thn please let me know.
Is the shop vegan? Are you?
Yes, I am happy to say that the shop is indeed vegan. All products sold are plant-based so you never have to worry when shopping.
I am also vegan, I made the switch finally when I opened the shop. I'll be honest I'm not always the best at eating my veggies but I am getting better. I still enjoy my nuggets and burgers, but at least they're now animal-free!
Are you on social media?
Yes I am! I'm most active on Instagram and Facebook as @MyCarbonCoach but I'm also on Pinterest and Youtube too!
There should be some tappable links down at the bottom of the page :)
Online ordering
How Much is shipping?
I charge a flat £3.95 for all orders and this is using the Royal Mail Tracked 48 service. This covers postage to anywhere in the UK.
Do you offer click + collect?
I do! You can select Click+Collect at checkout, it's a totally free option and then your order will be able to be collected from the Taunton shop!
What payment methods do you accept?
I accept all major debit and credit cards, along with payment by PayPal, ApplePay and GooglePay to make it easier for you.
Where do you ship to?
Currently I ship to anywhere within the UK using a tracked Royal Mail service.
I would love to be able to send orders further afield to the EU for example, but thanks to Brexit that probably isn't going to happen for a long while now sorry.
What are orders packed in?
Ooh great question! All orders are shipped in recycled brown cardboard boxes, some are new but I also do my best to reuse as many of the boxes I receive my stock in, it all depends on what you order as to what fits best!
Inside your package you'll find recycled and reused brown paper scrunched up to keep your items safe. None of this inside packing material is new, it all comes from orders I've received.
Why don't you offer Klarna or other forms of credit?
I don't like the idea of people getting into debt or using options like this where the consequences aren't always upfront and transparent.
Not everyone is able to manage their finances well, myself included, so I'd rather not promote/encourage credit culture, I hope you understand.
The Taunton shop
Where is your shop?
I'm located in beautiful Taunton, Somerset. My shop is at 18 Lower Middle Street, TA1 1SF, in the heart of the Independent Quarter. It's just off St James Street, a couple of doors down from the amazing World Of Bears!
What are your opening hours?
The shop's opening hours are:
Tuesday / 10-5
Wednesday / 10-5
Thursday / 10-5
Friday / 10-5
Saturday / 10-5
I am often here on a Monday though, and earlier+later than 10-5, so if you see the lights on but the door is closed please just knock, it's no bother!
Can I pay with cash please?
You certainly can in the shop!
While I'm being honest I do prefer card payments I'd never not accept cash as it's very important for certain things still.
I heard you have a loyalty card scheme?
Yes I do! In the shop anytime you spend around £5 or more you'll get a stamp. Collect 10 and you'll get a fiver off that tenth shop!
Do you have just the one shop?
I do! It's just my one little eco shop in Taunton as a one-off! I'm not sure if I'd ever wish to expand, I very much love being a company of one, I love being here in the shop and seeing you all, so I think I'd feel I was missing out if I wasn't there in the other shop!
Wasn't your shop somewhere else before?
It's true, it has taken me a little while to find my ideal location but hopefully all things going well I'll be in my current location for the longterm future!
I started off as a small pop-up on Bridge Street on the side of a coffee shop, then due to them closing needed to relocate.
I then was along Station Road for almost 2 years but it was a little off the beaten track, so when this premises came up in town I just knew I had to make my final move!
Didn't your shop used to be a restaurant?
It did! Just before me it was a very tasty vegan restaurant called the Mango Tree, they did an amazing jackfruit burger, yum!
Before that it was a boardgame cafe which was also really nice, and befoer that it was The Old Mexican, which was here for so long that's what many people still refer to it as :D
I have had someone tell me that back in the 80s it used to be a record shop which is really cool, I love learning more about this building's history, one day I'll do a blog post all about it!
Is there parking available?
There isn't directly at the shop, and the street I am on has double yellow lines, but there is the Cannon Street car park which is a 2-3 minute walk away and offers longstay parking.
There's also parking at the new Brewhouse development which is shortstay and is again 2-3 minutes walk in the opposite direction.
Is the shop assessible for people with mobility issues?
Yes it is! Unfortunately there is a small step at the front door but I do have a large metal fold-up ramp that I can put out for you if it's required, and the tillpoint where I'm sat is right by the door so I'll always be able to spot you.
Once you're inside the shop I've made sure the layout has plenty of space around the fixtures so that buggies, scooters and wheelchairs are able to nagivate smoothly and with no stress.