In order to contact us, please call Toll-Free 1-800-874-1776. You may also reach our individual offices via phone, email or mail.
Gates Flag & Banner Company Gates Flag & Banner Company South
6. East 1st Street 4026 Wards Rd. Unit G1 #147
Clifton, NJ 07011 Lynchburg, VA 24502
request@gatesflag.com requestva@gatesflag.com
973-478-7600 434-333-0404
2. What are your store hours?
Our New Jersey location offers a retail store that is open to the public. Store and phone hours are as follows:
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Seasonal*
Sunday: Closed
*We are open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM April 1st-July 4th. We are closed on Saturdays for the remainder of the year.
Our Virginia location does not have a retail store that is open to the public. Our phone hours are as follows:
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
We are available to meet in person, based upon request. Please contact requestva@gatesflag.com to submit requests.
Orders
1. How to Place an Order?
Orders can be places in a variety of ways. We are here to assist and ensure that your order is placed efficiently.
Order Online: Stock items can be ordered easily through the website at www.gatesflag.com. Customers may also request a quote for custom items and/or flagpole installation & service. (Please note our flagpole installation and service areas here.)
Order by Phone: We have a staff of highly trained individuals who can help determine exactly what you need. Call us at 1-800-874-1776, Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Order In-Store: Come in and visit us at our retail location in Clifton, NJ. With 150 years of expertise, we are happy to assist! Please see our store hours here.
2. How to Track Order?
3. How can I change or cancel my order?
Orders may be changed or cancelled before the shipping process begins. In order to change or cancel, please contact us by calling 1-800-874-1776 or emailing request@gatesflag.com, and referencing your original order number. If the item has already been pulled for shipment, please note that you may incur a 15% restocking fee. Once an order has shipped, customers must follow the Return Policy to return or exchange an item.
4. What are my payment options to place an order?
Whether placing an order online, in-store, or over the phone, we have a variety of payment options to fit your needs.
Pay by Credit Card: We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. There is no extra fee to pay with a credit card.
Pay by Check: You may send in a check for an order that is placed online or over the phone. Once the check is received, the order will ship. Please note: Orders will NOT be sent until payment is received, unless you have been approved through our credit check process.
If you would like to be set up to be invoiced for your order(s), please submit a request to request@gatesflag.com.
Pay by Purchase Order: Please be sure that purchase orders include all costs, including shipping & handling. Quote requests may be emailed to the addresses below. Purchase Orders may be emailed, faxed or mailed to the following locations:
Gates Flag & Banner Company Gates Flag & Banner Company South
East 1st Street 4026 Wards Rd. Unit G1 #147
Clifton, NJ 07011 Lynchburg, VA 24502
request@gatesflag.com requestva@gatesflag.com
Fax: 973-478-3680 Fax: 973-478-3680
Pay by Cash: Cash is accepted in our retail store. Please note, we are not responsible for any cash that is lost or stolen in the mail.
5. When will my credit card be charged?
Credit cards are charged when an item is shipped or picked up, unless otherwise discussed with
the customer.
6. Why was my order delayed or cancelled?
Please refer to our Shipping Policy for general guidelines on when to expect your order. Please note that sometimes orders may be delayed or cancelled for the following reasons:
Products are out of stock. We keep a very large inventory of products, but occasionally items are out of stock. If you have ordered an out of stock item, it typically takes 5-7 business days for the item to ship. Customers will be notified of this delay upon placing the order.
There is a shipping delay. Occasionally products are delayed by UPS, USPS, or FedEx. These delays can be due to weather, power outages, or other issues. Gates Flag & Banner Company is not responsible for any delays incurred once a package leaves our location. Customers are responsible for providing the correct Ship-To address, and accepting the package. Failure to do so may lead to further delays. If you are experiencing a delay, please feel free to track your package here.
Products are no longer available. Although very rare, occasionally products are discontinued. It is our goal to always keep our website up to date, to ensure customers will not purchase items that are no longer available. If a discontinued item is purchased, the order will be cancelled, and the customer will receive a full refund.
It is always our main goal to provide you with quality products in a timely manner. If you have a concern, please contact us at 1-800-874-1776 or request@gatesflag.com.
7. Why is my order arriving in multiple shipments?
Depending on the size of the products, orders may ship in multiple boxes. Occasionally orders may come in multiple shipments if a part of the order is out of stock and needs to be ordered. We will always attempt to ship items together, unless otherwise specified by the customer. If you have questions about your shipment, please contact us at 1-800-874-1776 or request@gatesflag.com.
8. When will I receive my order confirmation?
9. What happens once you receive my order?
Upon receipt of your order, we will get to work packing the order right away. Our #1 priority is getting your products to you in a timely manner. Products will ship the same day on orders received before 2 PM. Please read our Shipping Policy for more information regarding the shipping procedures.
If your item is out of stock or discontinued, we will notify you right away. If you need to cancel or change your order, please see more information here.
10. Why is there a charge on my card if my order was cancelled?
Credit cards are charged when items ship. If your credit card has been charged, and you have cancelled or returned your item, please see our Return Policy to better understand when and if you will receive a refund. Credits may take several days to be reflected on your account. The exact number of days is up to the discretion of the individual credit card companies.
11. What do I do if my promo code is not working?
Promo codes are available at different times throughout the year. Typically, only one promo code is available for use at a time. If your promo code is not working, please check the applicable dates to ensure that the code is active. If you are still having issues, please contact us at 1-800-874-1776 or request@gatesflag.com.
12. How do I sign up to receive promo codes?
If you would like to sign up to receive email promotions, please complete the form here.
13. How do I checkout?
Customer Service
1. What if my product is missing parts or damaged upon receipt?
We stand behind the quality of our products. If you receive a product that does not meet our standards, we will be glad to exchange it for you. Please follow the guidelines in our Return Policy to exchange the product for a new one.
Whenever possible, check your package before signing for receipt. If your package has been damaged in shipping, please refuse delivery and inform us via request@gatesflag.com. We will ship out a replacement product as soon as possible.
Returns
1. What is your return policy?
Please see our complete Return Policy here.
2. Easy Returns: How can I process my return or exchange online?
3. How can I reprint my return label?
4. What is your return address?
Residents of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina may send their returns to:
Gates Flag & Banner Company South
4026 Wards Rd. Unit G1 #147
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Residents of all other states may send their returns to:
Gates Flag & Banner Company
6 East 1st Street
Clifton, NJ 07011
Shipping and Receiving
1. When will I receive my order?
Please review the Shipping Policy to best estimate when your order will ship. You may track your order here.
2. Can I buy online and pick up at your store?
Our retail store is located in Clifton, NJ. If you are local to the area, you may select In-Store Pick Up while checking out. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup. You may also check the status of your order at any time here.
3. What is your shipping policy?
You may review our Shipping Policy here.
Installation & Service
1. Do you provide onsite installation?
We are the largest installer of residential and commercial flagpoles in the Northeast. If you would like a quote for an in-ground flagpole, please submit a Flagpole Request form, and we will contact you with a quote. Not sure if we install in your area? You can access our installation areas here.
We are not currently providing installation at our Virginia location. Please check back for updates. If you have a request for a small pole, please contact us at requestva@gatesflag.com, and we will do our best to meet your needs.
2. How do I order installation?
Please complete a Flagpole Request form. One of our experienced representatives will be in touch to answer any questions and provide a quote.
3. Do you provide service for flagpoles?
We provide service on flagpoles that are in disrepair. If you would like a quote on a flagpole service, please contact us at request@gatesflag.com. In order to expedite your request, please include the size and material of the pole, picture(s) of the broken parts, and the street address. Please check our service areas here to see if we provide service in your area.
We are not currently providing service at our Virginia location. Please check back for updates. If you have a request for a small pole, please contact us at requestva@gatesflag.com, and we will do our best to meet your needs.
4. How do I order a flagpole service?
Please contact us at request@gatesflag.com. In order to expedite your request, please include the size and material of the pole, picture(s) of the broken parts, and the street address. One of our experienced representatives will be in touch to answer any questions and provide a quote.
5. Do you paint flagpoles?
Depending on the material of the flagpole, we can paint a dingy flagpole. If you would like a quote on a painted flagpole service, please contact us at request@gatesflag.com. Please check our service areas here to see if we can provide this service in your area.
Flag Etiquette
1. What are common terms used in the flag industry?
Canton:
The blue field in the upper left corner of the flag.
Finial:
The object on the top of a flag pole generally an arrow, ball, or eagle.
Fly:
The edge of the flag that is away from the pole, also the distance from the pole edge of the flag to the outer edge.
Fringe:
Gold braiding placed along the three edges of the flag away from the pole.
Gold:
Braiding placed along the three edges of the flag away from the pole.
Half-mast:
The flag at the center of the pole as a sign of mourning.
Halyard:
The rope used to raise the flag; also called a hoist rope.
Hoist:
The edge of the flag parallel to the pole and opposite the fly; also the measurement of the flag along the pole edge.
Length:
The measurement of the flag between the fly and the hoist.
Obverse:
The front or more important side of the flag. The side seen when the flag pole is to the right of the flag.
Point of Honor:
On the United States Flag this is the blue field and stars (union).
Staff:
Flag pole. On a ship it may be referred to as a mast.
Union:
The blue background with white stars.
Width:
The distance along the side of the flag parallel to the pole.
2. What are the proper Standards and Respect in regards to the U.S. Flag?
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.
3. How do I properly raise and lower my flag?
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
4. How do I properly display my flag indoors?
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.
5. How do I properly display my flag outdoors?
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
• The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger
• No other flag ever should be placed above it.
• The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
6. How do I properly display the flag in parade?
The flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. For onlookers, the flag should always be on the left. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
7. How do I properly salute the flag?
All persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
8. How do I properly display my flag in mourning?
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.
9. What is the standard for a proper U.S. Flag Display?
When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States.
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (the viewer's left). When the flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
When hung in a window, place the blue union in the upper left, as viewed from the street.
10. How do I properly retire my U.S. Flag?
Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter or your local Elks Lodge and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag.
11. Is it appropriate to fly a flag that has fewer than 50 stars?
Yes, it is. You can fly a historic flag.
12. When is an appropriate time to fly your flag at half-mast?
Your flag should be flown at half-mast upon reliable information that a past or present President or Vice-President has died. It should also be flown at half-staff upon Presidential proclamation.
13. When flying more than one flag, what order should they be in?
The order of precedence for flags is National, State, Military, Veterans and POW/MIA, then other. If there are multiple state flags, place them in order of admission to the union. Multiple other national flags are traditionally shown in alphabetical order.
14. What is the meaning of the folds in a flag-folding ceremony?
There is no legal reference to meaning of the folds in the Flag Code. There is, however, a popular description of a flag folding ceremony:
• The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
• The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
• The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
• The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
• The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.
• The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
• The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
• The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
• When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
15. Can I fly my flag 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
When a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The Flag Rules offer no additional guidance on this question. Shine your light directly upon the flag unless you have sufficient local lighting to make the flag easily visible at night.
16. What size flag should I fly on my flagpole?
15' 3’x5'
20' 3’x5' – 4x6’
25' 4'x6' – 5’x8’
30' 5’x8’- 6’x10’
35' 6'x10'-8’x12’
40' 8'x12' – 10’x15’
50' 10’x15' – 12’x18’
60' 12’x18’-15’x25’
70'-80' 15’x25’- 20’x30’
90'-100' 20'x38'-30'x50