Got a question about The FLOCK or The AfterFLOCK? Perhaps you aren't the only one. Here are a few of the questions received most often and their answers. . .
Q: The FLOCK, The FLOCK Lite, and The AfterFLOCK. What is the difference between these three membership programs?
Various blocks made from FLOCK pre-cut fabric kits
The FLOCK is the original bird block kit membership program that officially began in February 2018. A new kit featuring a different surprise bird block was shipped to each member every month. The FLOCK membership ended in December 2022 with over 60 bird block kits in the entire collection.
The FLOCK Lite is the pdf version of the bird block kits that commenced one year after The FLOCK. Members received a pdf version of the pattern and full-sized template set via email each month on a one year lag from the original pattern release. In other words, the block pattern released to The FLOCK in January 2018, was the featured pdf pattern for January 2019. The FLOCK Lite membership option continues through the end of 2023
The AfterFLOCK is a continuation (of sorts) of The FLOCK collection for those who may have started with The FLOCK late and still want to collect blocks in the series or for those who are completely new to the program. The biggest difference between the FLOCK and The AfterFLOCK is that the blocks are not a secret. Members choose the block they'll receive each month in their shipment.
Membership is not required in either The AfterFLOCK nor The FLOCK lite to purchase individual kits or pdf downloads 'a la carte.'
Q: How do I select which bird kit I want each month for my AfterFLOCK membership?
While your membership is active, your monthly block payment will be withdrawn from your credit card on file. Within an hour after your renewal payment is complete, you'll receive a separate email asking you to make your block selection for the month. Please respond to that request promptly! Once your block selection has been made, your block will usually ship within a week of the completed order. Full-sized templates will be emailed about 10 days after that.
Please note, that Hummingbird Highway has a very small staff, so if Joan is out of town, there isn't a back-up staff to ship orders in her absence.
Each AfterFLOCK Member is responsible to make a separate selection order each month their subscription is active. Review the steps outlined in this video to help with your monthly block selection. Your monthly order is a two-part process - the first part is the the renewal payment, which, after the first month, happens automatically - the second part is the kit selection. The kit selection order is a ZERO-value order placed through the Hummingbird Highway online shopping cart to communicate which of the in-stock kits you wish to receive for the month. The video walks you through the steps.
Due to system limitations, you may only add one kit to your monthly selection order.
You may order additional kits in a separate order at any time.
I am an AfterFLOCK member and the bird I want is out of stock. What do I do next?
If your current month selection is out of stock, it's probably in the process of being re-stocked.
That means: fabric inventory has to be ordered, then cut, then shipped to the laser cutter, then the fabric is laser cut and assembled into kits, then shipped back, then packaged. Even though there are a lot of steps involved and a lot of variables (sometimes fabric manufacturers are out of stock, too!), it's amazing how quickly kits can sometimes be back in stock. From the time a kit goes out of stock, it can take up to 4 weeks or more for that kit to be back in stock depending on a variety of circumstances.
We try to stay on track with planning demand for the more popular kits, but birds can be very unpredictable in their flight patterns!
There are over 60 different bird designs! If your first choice selection is out of stock. choose another in-stock kit for your current delivery while your first choice is making its way through the process.
None of the bird designs have been retired, so it's just a matter of time before your first choice is ready for the monthly migration to your mailbox!
Please note that the bonus hummingbird at the bottom of the first page of the Life List is not eligible for your monthly kit selection.
Q: What birds can I choose from for my monthly AfterFLOCK block shipment?
All the previously-released bird block kits eligible for your monthly shipment are listed on the final Life List. The only exception is the bonus hummingbird at the bottom of page one on the Life List--it cannot be used to offset your monthly AfterFLOCK membership fee.
You can download the complete Life List HERE.
Q: What's with all the numbers on my packing slip that arrived with my kit? Have I been overcharged?
For AfterFLOCK membership orders, unfortunately, the packing slip does not accurately reflecting the charge against your card on file.
The packing slip that arrives with your kit is generated from my shipping software. Via the shipping software the the two AfterFLOCK orders that happen each month--the monthly membership renewal and the zero’ed out kit selection order. When these two orders transfer from the website to the shipping software transaction and are then combined to create a single mailing label, the information from the two orders do not combine properly, often creating an erroneous total amount on the packing slip.
You will note, that the packing slip total amount is crossed out manually. The main purpose of the shipping software is to generate the mailing label and communicate tracking information back through the website. While the numbers don’t make sense on the packing slip, the shipping software does nothing to generate any fees against your account.
Rest assured, that your card has been charged correctly, even it the figures aren't accurately reflected on the packing slip. Orders are checked and cross-checked daily. When in doubt, check the amount reflected on your credit card statement for accurate billing information. I am very sorry for this inconvenience.
Q: What happens if I don't select my AfterFLOCK block?
While your membership is active, your monthly block payment will be withdrawn from your credit card on file each month. About one hour after that payment renewal is complete, you'll receive a separate email asking you to make your block selection for the month.
If you don't receive that block selection request email promptly, please check spam and promotion folders on your computer. If you've had a change in email, please contact us with your new email address. Emails to roadrunner email accounts, unfortunately, will be automatically rejected, so please provide an alternate mail address for AfterFLOCK communications.
Please respond to the block selection email request promptly!
If your block selection isn't made within 1-2 weeks of your renewal order, your membership will be placed on 'hold' to avoid an accumulation of unfilled orders.
To return the membership from hold to active status, contact us by email to make your catch-up block selection, once that is complete, your account will be reactivated and returned to normal activity for the following month.
If you're unable to make an online selection in a timely manner, please notify us by email regarding the delay. If you're having trouble with the steps involved, we can assist.
Once your block selection has been made, your block will normally ship within a week of the completed order. Full-sized templates will be emailed about 10 days after that.
Q: How do I login to the site?
Go to https://hummingbird-highway.com/my-account/ and enter your email and password. If you can't remember your password, then click on the "Lost My Password" link, and the system will walk you through setting up a new one.
A-a-and, if you want to log out, go back to the account page. At the top, just under the website header, where it says "Hello, [your name]", look for the log out link right after your name and click on it. You will be logged out automatically when you close the browser.
Can I post pictures of my blocks and projects to social media?
YES. Absolutely! Since folks who see your posts may ask for more information, link back to The FLOCK page here at Hummingbird Highway. Please send me a photo of your project as well, I love to see what you're doing with your FLOCK blocks!
Oh, no! My billing/shipping notification says NY and I don't live in NY!
Don't worry. The shipping software used at the Hummingbird Highway automatically corrects your address for the shipping label based on your zip code. If your zip code is correct, your package will be shipped to the correct state, even though the email notification isn't correct.
I'm a FLOCK Lite Member. How can I tell what bird is flying in next?
While I don’t maintain a listing of the upcoming Lite pattern releases, you can find them by looking at the FLOCK fabric kit listing. This will take you to the member area of the shopping cart (you have to be logged into the site to see the kits and their descriptions - scroll up for Log in tips)
Once you’re at the kit listing page, you can see what’s coming by clicking on each photo. You will then be inside the shopping cart item. Just below where it says "add to cart," notice the first four numbers of the SKU, starting with the last two digits of the year (19, for example) and the month 05 (May) of this kit's original release date - May 2019. Since FLOCK Lite kits are released one year after their original release as a fabric kit, this pattern will be the LITE delivery for May 2020.
Here are the Lite bird 
releases for the next few months, taking you to the end of 2022 and into 2023.
Upcoming Lite Releases
2023
January - Southern Rockhopper Penquin
February - Steller's Jay
March - Mourning Dove
April - Pileated Woodpecker
May - Scisortail Flycatcher
June - Western Tanager
July - Brown Pelican
August - Greater Roadrunnner
September - Barn Owl
October - Canada Jay
November - Northern Bobwhite
December - Ruby-throated Hummingbird and American Robin's Nest (Bonus)
How Do I cancel my subscription?
We hate to see you go, but, hey, things change. The beauty of The AfterFLOCK is that you can start or end your membership at any time. You can access your membership details, including changing an address, updating payment information, or cancelling your membership when you are logged into the site--Go to https://hummingbird-highway.com/my-account/ and enter your email and password; if you can't remember your password, then click on the "Lost My Password" link, and the system will walk you through setting up a new one. Or just send an email with the request to discontinue your membership and we'll take it from there. You may join The FLOCK again at a future point, if you wish, however, any incentives that were available for your original subscription date will no longer apply.
Please note: No refunds, no returns, or exchanges on any FLOCK orders. Cancellation requests will take effect after the most recent paid order has been shipped.
