A Comprehensive Guide to Our Shipping Policy
In the bustling world of e-commerce, where every click counts, shipping can make or break the customer experience. At Tropical Fish and Coral, we understand the pivotal role shipping plays in ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. That’s why we’ve meticulously crafted a shipping policy designed to exceed your expectations at every turn.
Receiving Date Selection
When it comes to shipping live animals, timing is everything. We offer overnight shipping exclusively for live animal orders, ensuring they arrive promptly and in optimal condition. Dry goods orders, on the other hand, are shipped the next business day via Ground shipping, with an estimated arrival of 3-5 days from the shipping date.
Livestock Shipping
All livestock shipped is for local pickup only and to be arranged.
For our valued customers in the local area for pickup, we ship livestock via UPS overnight, guaranteeing swift and secure delivery. Moreover, for those aiming for a Saturday delivery, UPS levies an extra $15 charge to ensure your livestock reaches our local facility for you to pick up and is arranged to be picked up immediately.
Dry Goods Shipping
Dry goods, essential for maintaining your aquatic ecosystem, are shipped via USPS, UPS, etc. to destinations within the contiguous US. However, please be aware that additional fees may apply for shipments to Alaska. We regret to inform our customers in Hawaii, PO Boxes, or PMBs that we are unable to offer shipping to these locations at this time. Furthermore, it’s important to note that livestock and dry goods ship separately, ensuring the integrity of each order.
Flash Sale Events
Participating in our exciting flash sale events? A shipping module is a prerequisite for snagging those heavily discounted prices. Please note that customers in Alaska may be subject to additional shipping charges during flash sales.
UPS Next Day Air Guarantee
We understand the importance of reliable shipping services, which is why we entrust UPS with our Next Day Air Guarantee. While UPS typically ensures arrival by 11 pm, it’s not uncommon for deliveries to arrive even earlier. However, please bear in mind that UPS has temporarily suspended guarantees, and delays may occur.
Packing and Temperature Control
Ensuring the safety and well-being of our live animals during transit is paramount to us. That’s why each order is meticulously packed with oxygen, heat, or cool packs, ensuring the animals remain safe for up to 48 hours. We also take into account prevailing weather conditions, and customers have the option to leave special instructions at checkout to accommodate any specific needs.
Order Processing
To streamline our operations and ensure timely delivery, we have set a cut-off time of 2 PM PST for next-day shipping. Orders are processed and shipped from Monday to Friday, with Saturday delivery available for those willing to incur a surcharge. Additionally, orders placed within the same packing window are automatically combined, reducing unnecessary shipping costs.
Empowering our customers with control over their shipments is a top priority for us. That’s why we strongly encourage signing up for UPS MyChoice, a service that provides package control and alerts, ensuring a seamless delivery experience.
Holiday Shipping
During certain holidays, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, we pause shipping operations out of respect for the festivities. Rest assured; any orders placed on these days will be promptly shipped on the next available business day.
Delivery Signature
While a signature is not required upon delivery, we strongly recommend timely retrieval of your package, especially for live animal orders. This ensures the health and well-being of the animals upon arrival.
Pickup Option
All live Goods Must be picked up in person at our local facility in St. Goege. Prefer to collect your Dry Goods shipment in person? No problem! Customers have the option to have their shipments held for pickup at UPS centers, providing added convenience and flexibility.
Extreme Weather
In the event of extreme weather conditions, we take proactive measures to safeguard our shipments and prevent any potential losses. Rest assured; your orders are in safe hands with us.
Multiple Orders
Add-on orders are seamlessly integrated into our system, automatically combined, and shipped together to minimize shipping costs and streamline the delivery process.
Shipping Rates
Please note that shipping rates are subject to change at the discretion of the company and its shipping partners. While we strive to maintain competitive rates, fluctuations may occur in response to market conditions.
In conclusion, at Tropical Fish and Coral, we take great pride in our commitment to providing exceptional shipping services to our valued customers. From meticulous packing and temperature control to reliable delivery options and flexible pickup arrangements, we go above and beyond to ensure your orders arrive safely and promptly. Thank you for choosing us as your trusted partner in aquatic care.
Guide to Shipping Livestock and Dry Goods
In the realm of aquatic enthusiasts, ensuring the safe transportation of livestock and dry goods is paramount. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or a newcomer to the hobby, understanding the nuances of shipping live animals and related supplies is essential for the well-being of your aquatic inhabitants. At Tropical Fish and Coral, we pride ourselves on our meticulous shipping practices, designed to guarantee the health and happiness of your aquatic treasures.
Shipping Livestock: Ensuring Safe Passage
When it comes to shipping live animals, precision and care are non-negotiable. At Tropical Fish and Coral, we employ a series of rigorous protocols to ensure that your livestock arrives at its destination in optimal condition. Our shipping process begins with the selection of robust, insulated packaging materials, meticulously designed to maintain stable temperature and provide ample oxygenation throughout the journey.
Each order is meticulously packed by our team of experienced professionals, who are well-versed in the delicate art of animal transportation. We take great care to include sufficient water and oxygen in each package, and when necessary, we utilize heat or cold packs to regulate temperature fluctuations. Our commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of the shipping process, from packing to delivery, ensuring that your aquatic companions arrive healthy, happy, and ready to thrive in their new home.
Dry Goods Shipping: Efficiency and Reliability
In addition to live animals, Tropical Fish and Coral also offers a wide range of dry goods to meet all your aquatic needs. From filters to decorations, our selection of dry goods is curated with quality and affordability in mind. When it comes to shipping these essential supplies, we prioritize efficiency and reliability to ensure that your order reaches you in a timely manner.
We understand that prompt delivery is crucial, which is why we offer expedited shipping options for dry goods orders. Whether you’re stocking up on essentials or investing in new equipment, you can rest assured that your order will be processed promptly and shipped with the utmost care. With Tropical Fish and Coral, you can shop with confidence, knowing that your dry goods will arrive on time and in perfect condition.
Shipping Policies and Procedures
At Tropical Fish and Coral, transparency and integrity are at the core of everything we do. We believe in keeping our customers informed every step of the way, which is why we have outlined our shipping policies and procedures in detail.
Cut-off Times and Shipping Schedule
To ensure timely delivery, we have established a cut-off time of 2 PM PST for shipping next-day orders. Orders placed before this deadline will be processed and shipped the following business day, Monday through Friday. Please note that our offices are closed on weekends, and orders placed after the cut-off time will be processed on the next available business day.
Shipping Methods and Options
We offer a variety of shipping methods and options to accommodate your needs. For live animals, we utilize UPS Next Day Air for overnight delivery to the contiguous US, with additional charges for Saturday arrival. Dry goods orders are shipped via USPS, UPS, or other carriers, with standard shipping rates applying to the contiguous US.
Weather Considerations
The health and safety of your aquatic companions are our top priorities, which is why we closely monitor weather conditions and adjust our shipping practices accordingly. In cases of extreme weather, we may delay shipping to avoid potential harm to the animals. Additionally, we take extra precautions, such as adding heat or cold packs to insulated boxes, to ensure that your order arrives safely, regardless of the external conditions.
DOA Policy
In the unfortunate event that you encounter issues with your fish upon arrival, we have implemented a Dead on Arrival (DOA) policy to address your concerns. We require documentation, such as photos or videos, of any issues prior to opening the bags, and we offer store credit for DOA fish, excluding shipping costs. Our goal is to provide a seamless and stress-free shopping experience, and our DOA policy reflects our commitment to customer satisfaction.
Learn More: Acclimation Guide
We use high-quality, special packaging to send your animals to you to ensure they are as comfortable as possible. Shipping is FREE when you spend $500.99 or more on live animals. Live animal orders totaling less than $500.99 will incur a special handling fee of $49.99 to cover the cost of overnight shipping and the packaging materials.Â
As the animals that you ordered from our Suppliers are Certified, you can have confidence that every effort has been taken to ensure they arrive alive, however, despite our best care sometimes the animals don’t make the journey. In the unfortunate event that your animals do not arrive alive, please contact us immediately (within 12 hours) of delivery and send a photo to us directly: admin@tropicalfishandcoral.com. We will either reimburse you for the animal that did not make the trip or work with you to schedule a replacement shipment.
Conclusion
At Tropical Fish and Coral, we go above and beyond to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your aquatic treasures. From our meticulous packing process to our transparent shipping policies, we strive to exceed your expectations at every turn. Whether you’re stocking your aquarium with vibrant fish or replenishing your supplies, you can trust Tropical Fish and Coral to deliver excellence every step of the way.
Thank you.
