Self-Service
You can create a quote on the TCI Store by following the steps below:
Add the items you need to your cart.
Once you have everything you need, go to your shopping cart and select ‘Create a Quote.’
Print or email your quote as needed.
Placing an Order for TCI Products
Purchase Orders:
TCI accepts purchase orders from customers in the United States only. For the fastest processing, email your purchase order to info@teachtci.com or fax it to 800-343-6828. Make sure your purchase order is legible, is an official school or district purchase order (not a requisition), and contains the following information to avoid processing delays:
Bill-to and ship-to addresses
Unique purchase order number
Order date
Order total, including shipping and handling and sales tax if applicable
Authorized signature
If you are not placing your order through the TCI Store, you must reference a quote number or provide the following information for each item you are ordering: item number, description, quantity, and price.
Credit Card Orders:
Use the TCI Store to order with a personal or district credit card. We are unable to take credit card orders over the phone.
Check or Money Orders:
Send your order, making sure to include the same detailed information listed under purchase orders, with payment to: TCI, PO Box 6004, Whittier, CA 90607.
Get TCI's W-9:
Quotes
Requesting a Quote for TCI Products
Request a Quote
You can request a quote from TCI using our Contact Sales form by following the steps below:
Choose the “Request a Quote.” option on this form.
Choose your subject.
Let us know exactly what you need to have quoted — item number, description, and quantity — in the Questions/Comments section of the Contact Sales form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find TCI's W-9?
If you need a copy of TCI’s W-9 for your purchasing process, click here to download a PDF.
What are my shipping and handling options?
All orders ship FOB shipping point. Depending upon your order type and location, there are a variety of shipping methods available.
Ground
TCI ships all non-license items for regular domestic orders at 5% of the order subtotal or $10.00 minimum. Online license orders do not incur a shipping or handling fee.
Expedited Shipping
Print orders can be expedited to any domestic location at 15% of the order subtotal or $20.00 minimum. Science Materials Kits can be expedited to any domestic location at 25% of item subtotal.
Alaska and Hawaii
All print orders to Alaska or Hawaii are shipped via expedited shipping at 15% of the order subtotal or $20.00 minimum. Science Materials Kits are expedited at 25% of item subtotal.
P.O. Box, APO & FPO Addresses
TCI cannot ship to P.O. Box, APO or FPO addresses.
Third-Party Shipping
If you would like to use your own carrier for shipping materials, TCI can facilitate this at 3% of the order subtotal or $10 minimum. In order for TCI to use your carrier to ship materials, you must include the carrier name, carrier account number, and billing zip code with the order.
International Shipping
TCI does not ship to international locations.
If your order includes physical items, you must provide a US destination for shipping.
TCI will not complete international customs forms or any other documentation required for international shipments.
TCI is not responsible for any applicable duties, customs charges, or taxes.
All items ordered (both print and digital) are included on the commercial invoice sent with any physical shipment, and all items may be subject to the tax and duties of the resident country.
Redelivery Fees
If your order is returned to TCI for any of the following reasons, you will be charged a redelivery fee. TCI will require a form of payment to cover these fees prior to reshipping:
Your delivery location is closed, and TCI was not notified of the closure.
You missed a scheduled delivery with the carrier.
You or any person at your site refused your shipment.
How long will it take for my order to process?
Orders take 1–3 business days to process. Multi-destination orders take additional time for processing and delivery.
License orders:
Access instructions will be sent via email after your order is reviewed and processed.
Print items and lab materials:
For Ground Shipping: allow three business days for order processing and 7–10 business days for shipping.
For Expedited Shipping: allow three business days for order processing and 3–5 business days for shipping.
Expect shipping delays (up to 1–2 additional weeks) for orders placed or requested ship dates from mid-July through the end of August.
Lab Materials shipping to AK and HI will incur a 10% Surcharge
How does TCI's print subscription program work?
TCI offers some consumable student materials as bundled print subscriptions. If your bundle includes a print subscription, you will receive the first year’s consumables in year one. In subsequent years, TCI will contact you each spring to confirm your shipment of the next year’s consumables. You can only request one shipment per order per year. You may adjust the quantities across school sites and grade levels provided the consumables are the same type, subject, and language.
If the total adjusted quantity exceeds the total of your original order(s), your refill request must be accompanied by a purchase order for the difference. You cannot use future year’s quantities on the current year’s shipments. Any adjustments below your total annual quantity cannot be used as a credit for a future year. A minimum purchase of 20 print subscriptions is required to participate in TCI’s print subscription program.
How do TCI licenses work?
TCI licenses provide access to TCI’s online resources. With the purchase of any grade-level, subject-specific license, you have access to any and all of the TCI programs for that license. Student licenses are required to add students to your classroom. Student licenses do not work independently and must be linked to a corresponding teacher license to function.
TCI license expiration dates align with most school calendars. Learn more about license terms.
Review our system requirements.
How does TCI address my school/district's tax exempt status?
TCI collects sales tax in the following states: AL, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI. By law, TCI cannot extend a school or district’s sales tax-exempt status to an individual making a purchase on a personal credit card.
If you are ordering from the TCI Store using a school credit card with a school/district billing address and the school/district has sales tax-exempt status, please send a copy of the tax-exempt certificate referencing your order number within 24 hours to info@teachtci.com or by fax (800-343-6828). Although you will see a line item for sales tax when you submit the order, it will be removed before your credit card is charged. Failure to email or fax a certificate within 24 hours may result in sales tax being added to your order unless have a tax-exempt certificate on file with us.
How do I request a return?
Return Policy: You may return any license or unused print products in saleable condition within 60 days of the invoice date. TCI does not accept the following items for return or exchange: bent, torn, soiled, marked, barcoded, or stamped items; opened, shrink-wrapped items; items damaged due to insufficient packaging when returned; products received at events or conferences; and science materials kits. See our Business Terms for more information.
Request a Return Authorization:
Begin the return process by completing the online return form.
After you complete the form, click “Search.” All of the items from your order will be displayed. Only the items that are within TCI’s return policy will have a checkbox next to them.
Select the items you wish to return, update the quantity, and click “Return.”
TCI will review your request and send you a return authorization or reach out if we have any questions. TCI does not issue return labels. The customer is responsible for the cost of shipping returns. Follow the instructions on our Return Authorization form carefully to ensure you will receive credit for your returned items.
I am a parent, and my child’s school has asked me to purchase a student license. How do I do this?
Making individual purchases of student licenses is easier than ever!
Step 1: Buy the Student License from our TCI Store. Make sure to checkout as a guest.
Scroll through our programs to find the program you were asked to purchase.
Locate the Student License.
Select the ‘License Duration’.
Enter the quantity you need and click ‘Add to Cart’.
Click ‘View My Cart and Checkout’ and complete the ordering process.
Step 2: You will receive an email from TCI Subscriptions titled “Action Required: Your TCI Student License (ORD XXXXX).
Open this email and click ‘Student Account Setup’.
If your child’s school has asked you to purchase the student license, click on ‘LINK TO SCHOOL’.
Enter the City and State of your child’s school.
Select your child’s school from the list.
Select your child’s teacher email from the list and use this to ‘Create Account’ for your child.
Note: If you are not sure what to use for the student username, use the student’s first initial and last name to create the username. Most schools follow this convention.
You are all set!
Your child can now begin using their student license!
How do I place an international order?
You can place an international order in one of two ways:
Submit your order online and pay by credit card at shop.teachtci.com, or
Request a quote by emailing info@teachtci.com, submit the quote with a check to TCI, PO Box 6004, Whittier, CA 90607
Payment
TCI only accepts credit cards for international orders. We do NOT accept wire transfers or purchase orders from international customers.
Delivery Schedule
Licenses will be made available 1–3 business days after we receive your payment. Non-license materials will ship 1–3 business days after payment has been received.
TCI Does Not Ship Internationally
If your order includes physical items, you must provide a US destination for shipping. TCI will not complete international custom forms or other documentation required for international shipments. TCI is not responsible for any applicable duty, customs charges, or taxes. All items ordered (both print and digital) are included on the commercial invoice sent with any physical shipment, and all items may be subject to the tax and duties of the resident country.
Customs information for print items:
Country of Origin: United States
Harmonized Tariff Code for Books: 4901.99.0010
What are TCI's data security practices?
TCI implements appropriate safeguards to protect against the accidental, unauthorized, or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, disclosure of, or access to personal information, such as:
Limiting data collected and saving only the minimum amount of information needed to perform tasks.
Role-based access to data with the minimum amount of access needed to complete work being granted to both internal staff and customer users.
Designating and training individuals responsible for the privacy and security of user data.
Periodic penetration tests to check for any system vulnerabilities.
Deleting all student accounts and content on an annual basis.
Automated monitoring and alerts for suspicious log-in attempts.
Encrypting all user data in transit and at rest.
Breach notification: While TCI makes every effort to protect user information, in the event of a security breach, TCI will notify users by email within 24 hours of discovering the breach. If the breach involves information from TCI’s Application Services, TCI will notify the TCI Administrators whose accounts have been impacted. TCI will reach out by telephone if the school or district has requested telephonic notification. If an affected account does not have a TCI Administrator, the TCI Coordinator will be notified. If an affected account has neither a TCI Administrator nor a Coordinator, individual teachers will be notified.
I'm a customer in California. How does TCI calculate the sales tax on my order?
For orders containing non-digital products that are shipping to California, sales tax includes tax on the shipping charges. TCI charges sales tax on the shipping charges because we do not track the actual shipping cost per order. Our approach aligns with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s guidelines on shipping and delivery charges.
For more details, visit: CDTFA Advisory on Shipping and Delivery Charges.
Where can I find TCI's Sole Source letter?
You can download TCI’s Sole Source letter here.