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How
to order
Ordering couldn't be simpler! Most
customers just
use our easy and convenient shopping cart system. The shopping cart accepts
payment by credit card, debit card, or PayPal account and no personal information is
collected by VMS of any sort. A PayPal account is not required to process
credit cards, simply select the "don't have a PayPal account" option during
checkout. PayPal credit card processing is incredibly secure, we'll simply receive payment and shipping
address after your transaction is compete - we'll never see you credit card
information and nobody else will either!
Once payment in full has been received, we will contact you via e-mail to arrange shipping to you.
Please note that we do not just automatically ship - you must respond to our
email indicating you accept the proposed shipping date, understand the terms of our
guarantee, and will be present to sign for the package. Failure
to accept shipments within 30 days (unless caused by weather or agreed to in
advance) will be considered abandonment, and all monies will be forfeited to us.
In the case of multiple specimen orders, we will hold animals until your order is
complete and all can be shipped together.
Many customers wish to add additional specimens to their order prior to
shipping in order to save shipping costs for a second order. Our shopping
cart system is unable to accommodate this, and will charge an additional
shipping fee on such orders. However, we will automatically combine multiple
orders and refund all excess shipping charges. Alternatively, you may simply
send payment for the additional specimens using the PayPal link below, be
sure to include a list of specimen ID numbers in the note field or in a
separate email.
Contact
information
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Telephone
Please note that our business is
100% internet-based, and does not have telephones as they are simply not
needed. We prefer that contacts be made
via E-mail. All of our transactions are handled this way with no problems.
Odds are you would just get a recorder anyway - we're always off cleaning
cages or doing something.
Terms & payments
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Payment
We do not maintain wait lists, accept deposits, or offer payment plans of
any sort.
Customers wishing to pay via cashiers' check, money order or personal check
are advised to contact us by email for a quotation and arrangements prior to
sending payment.
Payment can be made via credit card, debit card, cashiers' check, money
order or personal check. Cashiers' check, money order or personal check will require a delay of
seven to ten days to clear before your order will be processed. Please make
all checks/money orders payable to:
VMS Professional Herpetoculture
PO Box 1951
Canon City, CO 81215-1951
Please do not send cash through the mail. Note that personal checks which
fail to clear are not considered payment and will result in removal of the
ON HOLD status
of your selections and therefore possible sale to another party. Returned
checks will be charged a $22 NSF fee.
Note that we do not process credit cards directly and will not take credit
card transactions over the phone. Such telephone transactions are the most
common source of credit card fraud.
Customers wishing to pay by
credit card are encouraged to use PayPal. This service is free to the buyer, and
the merchant fees paid by us are minimal. PayPal's security system is very tight, and
helps us to avoid these fraudulent transactions. This helps us keep prices low. PayPal will charge your credit
or debit card and immediately notify us
by e-mail so we can ship your animals right away.
Colorado residents will be charged 5.6% sales tax.
Please read our guarantee and shipping policies before sending any
money. Exchange of money signifies acceptance of these policies.
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Deposits and Wait Lists
We no longer maintain waiting lists, accept deposits, or offer payment
plans of any
kind.
All specimens are offered on our website on a first-come, first-served basis
when ready for sale. This allows all customers equal opportunity to acquire
them. We simply recommend visiting our availability pages often, especially
during the periods we've stated the specie of interest will be hatching.
We are offering a third party
monitoring system which will automatically notify customers by email when the
page or pages of their choice have been updated. Simply adding your email using
the link provided at lower left of any availability page will start
notifications for that page. If any changes in availability or new specimen listings are made
to the page, you'll know within hours! It's easy, free, and you can unsubscribe
at any time.
Please note that our business is highly seasonal, with most
offspring born in June and July. Often, second clutches hatch during August and
September. Please plan your purchases accordingly, because once they are sold we
can't make more until next year!
Many customers wish to build an order consisting of
several specimens of different types. Often these may not all be available at
the same time. If paid for in full, we will delay shipping an order until additional
desired specimens become available or until we determine they will not be
available that year. In this manner, customers can assemble one sizable order,
saving on shipping costs,
simply paying for additional specimens as they are added.
Our
guarantees
All our animals are captive born here at our facility and
will be feeding regularly unless otherwise stated at time of
sale. We go to great lengths to produce these animals and will ship out only
sound and healthy specimens.
If you are unsure of how to
provide proper care for any specie we supply, feel free to ask. We have raised
many of these species through several generations.
We offer a live arrival guarantee and a health/sex guarantee. Each is
described in detail below.
Please read ALL policies below prior to placing your order. Exchange of
money signifies acceptance of these policies.
Failure to adhere to these policies will void all guarantees.
Guarantees apply only to the original purchaser
and destination
(named on the invoice) and are not transferable.
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Live Arrival Guarantee
As we cannot guarantee that proper care is being provided once they
leave our facility, we can only guarantee live arrival. Conditions of the live arrival guarantee are simple:
An adult must be present to receive the shipment
on the first delivery attempt.
All
shipments are sent "signature required", no exceptions.
The
temperature must be in the 45°F to 95°F range. No guarantees for
shipments exposed to weather extremes outside the 45°F to 95°F range.
Temperatures at our end must be acceptable or we may delay shipment. You will need to assist us in scheduling
your shipment during periods of extreme weather. While delays in
scheduling a shipment may seem intolerable, they are nothing compared to
opening a box containing a prized specimen only to find it dead. Our use
of extreme caution and proper packing has resulted in very very few DOA's in
the last eight years - a remarkable success.
You MUST contact us within 24 hours of receipt of the shipment regarding
losses. Please
provide a description of the condition of the shipment. Digital photographic
proof of loss will
be required at a minimum, and we reserve the right to request return of the frozen
carcass to us.
FedEx Priority Overnight shipments are not guaranteed
by the carrier. VMS guarantees live arrival for these shipments, provided the
guaranteed arrival time is by 10:30AM or 12:00PM (Noon). Shipments spending more time than
this on delivery trucks (4:30PM guaranteed arrival times) run a higher risk of
experiencing losses and will NOT be guaranteed by us. For areas where
later delivery times are the norm, we recommended the shipment be
sent to an alternate address with delivery before noon or be sent "hold for pickup"
to the nearest FedEx Hub. Shipments held for
pickup in this manner will be guaranteed live delivery by VMS, even if
picked up later in the day.
Shipping costs are not refundable by us
(although the carrier may do so if
they are at fault for delays). We must file claim on this and if approved by
the carrier, we will forward your
refund to you immediately upon receipt by us.
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Health & Sexing Guarantee
We provide a 48-hour inspection period, this period
allows for veterinary inspection of your purchase to verify health and sex. Conditions of the
health & sexing guarantee are simple:
Claims must be
made to us within the 48 hour period starting at time of receipt of the
animals. We will
replace any animal deemed unhealthy or improperly sexed by a licensed
veterinarian during this 48 hour period with another of the same
type. Should we be unable to provide a replacement, credit or refund will
be provided. We reserve the right to issue a refund in lieu of replacement
solely at our discretion.
All snakes are guaranteed sexed correctly.
Geckos are guaranteed for sex only if specifically listed "guaranteed
male" or "guaranteed female" at time of sale.
Many geckos are sold as as "un-sexed, incubated for male" or as "un-sexed,
incubated for female". This means the sex of the specimen is not known at
time of sale, but the
egg was incubated at temperatures known to produce primarily a given sex. As with all things natural, there can be
exceptions and we cannot guarantee
sex for these specimens.
We do not guarantee that snakes will feed within the guarantee
period. In fact, we think it is foolish to even attempt it.
Please let them settle into their new homes for about a week before trying
to feed them. See our care page on
Acclimating Your New Pet.
Shipping
Info
Beginning September 13th, 2005:
Please note that due to our
remote location, rapidly increasing fuel costs, and our increasingly busy animal
care schedule, we will be sending out all shipments on Tuesdays
for arrival on Wednesdays each week. We understand this may not fit well
with some schedules, but we simply cannot spend four hours each day packing
orders and delivering them to the shipping centers (a 130 mile round trip).
Please plan for Wednesday deliveries based on this schedule. We understand that
this will often require shipping to an office address, neighbor, friend or
relative in order for someone to be there to receive the package. We must make
this change to be able to continue to provide our customers with specimens that
are well-cared for and reasonably priced. Thank you for your cooperation!
You will
receive an invoice for all transactions with your shipment.
All shipments will be packed in new cardboard boxes,
insulated with styrofoam. All bags, deli cups, etc will be new, no old
recycled junk. Chemical heat packs or cold packs will be used where
appropriate. All shipments will require that you be present to sign for
them, please arrange to be there when the shipment arrives.
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FedEx Priority Overnight
All shipments are
sent via FedEx Priority Overnight. FedEx Priority Overnight delivery has proven very
reliable. They have even gone so far as to standardize their requirements
for live reptile packaging, a sure sign they are interested in carrying such
cargo when other carriers are not. Cost for this service is $52 and must
be prepaid by us. Therefore, it needs to be paid to us in advance, with
payment for the animals. Colorado residents are eligible for reduced
shipping costs of $32.
Actual time of arrival varies by location, but is next day by 10:30AM
or by 12:00PM (Noon) in most
areas, or by 4:30PM in very rural areas. Such rural locations may require
special consideration, we will provide this information and options when
scheduling your shipment.
FedEx clearly states that they offer no
guarantee of any sort on live animal shipments. Due to these restrictions,
please do not file any claims with this carrier, they will not pay them.
FedEx Priority Overnight service has proven so reliable that VMS will guarantee
shipments sent in this manner, provided the guaranteed arrival
time is by 10:30AM or by 12:00PM (Noon). Shipments spending more time than
this on delivery trucks (4:30PM guaranteed arrival times) run a higher risk of
experiencing losses and will NOT be guaranteed by us. For areas where
later delivery times are the norm, we recommended the shipment be
sent to an alternate address with delivery before noon or be sent "hold for pickup"
to the nearest FedEx Hub. Shipments held for
pickup in this manner will be guaranteed live delivery by VMS, even if
picked up later in the day.
FedEx 'Priority Overnight' shipments may be tracked online at:
http://www.fedex.com/us/
Exports
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VMS does not provide export
services
International shipments exiting the United States
are very complicated, expensive and time-consuming to process. Generally,
unless you are planning to make a very substantial purchase you will find
the time and expense involved will not justify the purchase.
VMS does
not provide export services. You must make
arrangements with a licensed import/export broker in the United States to
handle all requirements for your exportation. VMS will simply be sending your
shipment to a licensed broker within the United States.
Please realize also the following policies VMS has in effect regarding
international shipments:
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All international orders must be paid in
advance. No exceptions. We will not place specimens on hold awaiting
completion of paperwork without payment in full.
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Failure to arrange shipping within 30 days from
receipt of funds will result in forfeiture of 50% of funds paid for
specimens. There will be no refunds for expenses incurred by VMS on your
behalf, such as obtaining International Health Certificates.
-
VMS is responsible only for shipping and
guaranteeing your items
to your designated broker's address within the United States. VMS will
not be held responsible for any losses in transit, or violations of law once your shipment has been received by
your import/export broker.
Additional tips for a smooth transaction
Turn off your e-mail spam
blocker, or put us on your 'OK' list. You wouldn't believe how many people
write to us and we cannot write back simply because they have all their mail
blocked. Duh.
Don't use multiple e-mail
addresses when contacting us. Many customers use different addresses
when at work and at home. Doing so will virtually guarantee our
responses will wind up at home when you are at work and vice versa! Pick
one and stick with it.
Don't change your shipping
address without making absolutely certain you have notified us. We've actually
had a customer move to a different state during the order process and
never even mention it! Needless to say, the new owners of his old home
were surprised to find an Airborne Express delivery person on their
porch holding a box
of snakes!
Have a backup plan in case of emergency. Murphy's Law simply states that "If
something can go wrong, it will; if more than one thing can go wrong, the
worst possible one will". Planning to receive a shipment by noon and having
plane tickets for Hawaii at 2:00 will guarantee your shipment will arrive a
day late! While late shipments are not common, they do happen - give
yourself a little margin for error. The life of your new pet may depend on
it.
Be aware that some jurisdictions
may have regulations pertaining to the importation of various reptile
species. It is up to you, the customer, to be aware of any regulations
pertaining to this in your area. VMS cannot possibly be aware of all laws in
the various states, counties and cities throughout the United States. VMS
ships reptiles at the customer's request, and will not assume responsibility
should this request violate local law.
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