FAQ
Questions,
answered.
Can't find it? Ask Dot or write to us.
Buying a manual
How much is a starter manual?
Every starter manual is $14.99. You pay once, and it's yours to keep. No subscription.
What do I get?
A full starter manual as a PDF: every tool labeled, exactly what to buy and what to skip, safety in plain words, and your first project step by step with simple drawings. Read it on any device, or print it.
How do I pay?
Tap Get the manual on any hobby page, then pay by card on a secure checkout page from Stripe, our payment company. We never see your card number.
Is every manual ready to buy?
New manuals are finishing all the time. If one isn't ready yet, leave your email on its page and we'll tell you the day it is.
Do I need an account or a password?
No password, ever. Your email is your account. Right after you pay, your library opens on that device. On another device, type your email on the library page and we'll send you a one-time sign-in link.
Your manual
Where is my manual after I pay?
In your library (pickuphobby.com/library/), which opens right after you pay. We also email you a link to it, with how to read and print it.
How do I read it on my phone or tablet?
Open your library and tap Read it now. It opens right in your browser. To keep a copy, tap Download PDF: it opens in Books on iPhone and iPad, in Files, or in any PDF app.
Can I print it?
Yes. It's a letter-size PDF that prints nicely at home, in color or black and white. Take it to the bench or the kitchen counter.
I'm on a different phone or computer. How do I get it?
Go to pickuphobby.com/library/, type the email you used to pay, and tap the one-time link we send you. It works for 20 minutes.
I didn't get the email.
Check your spam or promotions folder for an email from pickup. You can always open your library and sign in with your email instead. Still stuck? Write to us from the contact page.
Can I share my manual?
Your manual is for you. Your name is printed small at the bottom of each page, so please don't pass it around. If a friend catches the bug, send them to pickuphobby.com.
Can I get a refund?
All sales are final. A manual can be downloaded the moment you pay, so we don't offer refunds. If a file won't open or something looks wrong, write to us from the contact page and we'll fix it.
Something's wrong with my manual.
Write to us from the contact page with your order number (it's in your email) and we'll fix the file for you.
About pickup
What is pickup?
A place to find a new hobby: how-to videos by real makers, each credited and linked to its creator, next to a plain-English starter manual that takes you from zero to your first finished project.
Who writes the manuals?
pickup writes them, not the video creators. They're starter guides from manual makers, not trained professionals: for detailed or safety questions, ask a professional in that trade.
Who made the videos?
Each video belongs to the maker who made it. It plays from YouTube, and every page credits and links their channel.
I made one of these videos. Can I earn from it?
Yes: claim your page through the pickup creator program and share in every manual your video helps sell. The program opens soon.
How do I reach a person?
Use the contact page. A real person reads every note and writes back by email.
We make the manuals. We are not trained professionals in each craft. These manuals give you the first steps: what to buy, how to set up and how to test your skills. For detailed or safety questions, ask a professional in that trade.