Terms for UK Orders, [a]:
UKa1 (acceptance of terms)
[a1.1] Orders are shipped at the buyer's own risk. This information is clearly stated in bold on every product page. The Terms and Conditions of sale, including shipping and liability details, are made easily accessible through links provided on all product pages and during the checkout process.
[a1.2] By ticking the box "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" when placing an order, you confirm that you have thoroughly read and understood the terms and conditions, and that you contractually accept to be legally bound by the terms and conditions listed here. Strictly NO exceptions will be made.
UKa2 (shipping methods)
[a2.1] Orders are shipped once a week on Mondays, and the cut-off time is 6pm (GMT) on Sundays. This is highlighted in bold and italics in the shipping section of product descriptions.
[a2.2] In the event of postal strikes, public holidays and periods of cold/hot weather, the shipping day will be adjusted accordingly.
[a2.3] Eggs are shipped using "Royal Mail 2nd Class" (no tracking), which aims to deliver in 2-3 days.
[a2.4] Customers can select either "Royal Mail 1st Class Recorded" or "Royal Mail Special Delivery" for the shipment of live animals.
[a2.5] "RM Special Delivery" aims to deliver the next day before 1pm (fully tracked), whereas the cheaper, basic "RM 1st Class Recorded" aims to deliver in 1-2 days (only delivery confirmation).
[a2.6] Both "Royal Mail 1st Class Recorded" and "Royal Mail Special Delivery" will require a signature upon delivery.
[a2.7] For customers who would like to add additional items to an existing order where the shipping has been paid for, the option named "Add to existing order" should be selected at checkout. Please note that this option should ONLY be selected if you have already paid for shipping for an existing order that has not been shipped yet.
[a2.8] It is clearly highlighted at checkout that the "Add to Existing Order" option is ONLY for customers who have already paid for shipping for an existing order that is awaiting shipment. For customers who ignore this notice and select this option without having an existing order, please note that it will not be possible for your order to be shipped until shipping has correctly been paid for.
[a2.9] As of 17:00, 30th May 2023, "Add to existing order" shipping option has unfortunately had to be removed at checkout. This is due to a high number of customers selecting this option without having an existing order, despite the notice given.
UKa3 (shipping protection)
[a3.1] Customers have the option to add shipping protection at checkout, which provides compensation in the event your delivery is stolen or lost during transit.
[a3.2] In the event that the delivery is stolen/lost, we will provide compensation in the form of a refund equal in value to the goods, when shipping protection is purchased with the order.
[a3.3] The shipping cost will NOT be included in the compensation value as we have no control over the stock in transit once handed over to the delivery partner.
[a3.4] The compensation provided by shipping protection will be voided in the event that the recipient misses or refuses the delivery.
UKa4 (live arrival of stock)
[a4.1] LAG (Live Arrival Guarantee) is ONLY offered for items purchased with "RM Special Delivery" at checkout, which is the express overnight shipping service provided. This is highlighted in bold and italics in the shipping section of product descriptions.
[a4.2] "RM 1st Class Recorded" is not a guaranteed overnight service and can be subject to delays on some occasions. We therefore strongly recommend that "RM Special Delivery" is selected for all livestock orders for the safety of the live animals, and "RM 1st Class Recorded" is only selected for the orders of dry goods such as equipment. If the buyer still wishes to pay for this cheaper service, DOAs resulting from the negligence of selecting the guaranteed overnight delivery option for livestock is fully upon the responsibility of the buyer.
[a4.3] We take every care to ensure that healthy stock is selected, and that the stock is packed carefully so that the stock will survive the journey in the post.
[a4.4] As these are living animals, they can be sensitive to extreme temperatures during the summer and winter months. We therefore strongly recommend that customers select the insured "RM Special Delivery" shipping option at checkout during these seasons. This is for the safety of the animals with the faster shipping time, and allows us to provide the LAG policy in case of death in transit.
[a4.5] When cheaper "RM 1st Class Recorded" is selected at checkout, compensation will NOT be available in any form if stock is DOA (dead on arrival) to a UK address as this not a guaranteed next day service.
[a4.6] When "RM Special Delivery" is selected at checkout, compensation will be available if stock is DOA to a UK address. We will fully refund the value of the dead stock, provided that proof of death is sent in a form of a photograph/video to the email - [info@richardsinverts.com] - within 24 hours of delivery. Please be aware that we only guarantee live arrival, and we are not responsible for your animal dying after it has been with you for more than 24 hours.
[a4.7] Negligence to notify us within 24 hours with the appropriate photos as requested in clause [a4.5] is upon full responsibility of the buyer, and voids the LAG policy.
[a4.8] The shipping cost will NOT be included in the refund as we have no control over the stock in transit once handed over to the delivery partner.
[a4.9] The LAG is voided for orders placed with "RM Special Delivery" in cases where the parcel is not handed directly to the recipient upon delivery, thereby extending the time the live-animals are spending in the post. These can include events where the delivery is missed and the parcel is taken back into Royal Mail's system, delivery is rescheduled by the recipient mid-transit, or the recipient refuses delivery. The above is not an exhaustive list.
[a4.10] DOAs resulting from the negligence of selecting the guaranteed overnight delivery option for livestock during summer and winter when extreme temperatures are likely, is fully upon the responsibility of the buyer.
UKa5 (winter orders)
[a5.1] The store will be forced to close around the Christmas/New Year period due to Royal Mail's holiday closures and delays that deliveries are subjected to during these periods. Closure details will be posted on the website banner and the main page notice board when it is put into place.
[a5.2] UK orders of live larvae/adults placed when the temps are below 5C will always include a 24h heat pack.
[a5.3] For livestock orders (as per clause [a4.3]), it is imperative to select the insured "RM Special Delivery" shipping option at checkout during winter for the guaranteed overnight service, for the safety of the live animals. This is of the utmost importance near December, when delays are common due to the increased Christmas mail volumes over at Royal Mail.
[a5.4] Despite Royal Mail's advertised 1-2 day delivery window for "RM 1st Class Recorded", it is common for parcels to encounter delays upwards of several days in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As per clause [a4.3], we therefore strongly recommend that "RM Special Delivery" is selected for all livestock orders, and "RM 1st Class Recorded" is only selected for the orders of dry goods such as equipment.
[a5.5] We understand that last minute orders for Christmas are common. Therefore the store will remain open until the final recommended Christmas order date provided by Royal Mail at the latest. To reiterate, it is strongly recommended that "RM Special Delivery" is selected for winter orders containing livestock to ensure overnight delivery. In the event of news of Christmas backlogs at Royal Mail, we reserve the right to close the store on an earlier date for the Christmas period to prevent the possibility of "RM Special Delivery" orders facing delays as well.
[a5.6] As per clauses listed under [a4] , live arrival guarantee is ONLY offered for items purchased with "RM Special Delivery" at checkout. If the buyer still wishes to pay for "RM 1st Class Recorded", please note that DOAs resulting from the negligence of selecting the guaranteed overnight delivery option for livestock especially during winter is fully upon the responsibility of the buyer.
Terms for International Orders, [b]:
INTb1 (acceptance of terms)
[b1.1] Orders are shipped at the buyer's own risk. This information is clearly stated in bold on every product page. The Terms and Conditions of sale, including shipping and liability details, are made easily accessible through links provided on all product pages and during the checkout process.
[b1.2] As stated in section [b4], international orders are non-refundable, and no exceptions will be made.
[b1.3] By ticking the box "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" when placing an order, you confirm that you have thoroughly read and understood the terms and conditions, and that you contractually accept to be legally bound by the terms and conditions listed here. Strictly NO exceptions will be made.
[b1.4] When you accept these legally binding terms, you declare that you possess all necessary import permits as required by law. You acknowledge that you are legally obligated to abide by the terms and conditions outlined here. Once these terms are accepted, orders are shipped under the assumption that you have the correct documents and permits, and that they will be present upon arrival in the destination country.
INTb2 (shipping methods)
[b2.1] Orders are shipped once a week on Mondays, and the cut-off time is 6pm (GMT) on Sundays. This is highlighted in bold and italics in the shipping section of product descriptions.
[b2.2] In the event of postal strikes and public holidays, the shipping day will be adjusted accordingly.
[b2.3] In the event of a shipping day adjustment, orders containing live animals will shipped on days other than Thursdays or Fridays. This is to prevent the risk of live animals getting stuck in the courier warehouse over the weekend, should any delays occur.
[a2.4] Eggs are shipped using "Royal Mail International Economy" (no tracking), which aims to deliver within 60 days.
[b2.5] Live animals are shipped using a registered service, which aims to deliver within 14 days once the package has been processed through the exporting agency. *there have been severe delays since the pandemic which has negatively affected delivery times can take up to 4 weeks*
[b2.6] Customers have the option to add shipping protection at checkout, however this is only applicable for UK customers. Shipping protection does NOT apply to international orders.
INTb3 (customs & permits)
[b3.1] It is the buyer's responsibility to familiarize themselves with the import regulations of their country and ensure that the products they are purchasing can be legally imported. Orders are processed under the assumption that the buyer has fulfilled this responsibility.
[b3.2] Ensuring that the correct import permits are present upon arrival is on the responsibility of the buyer. Therefore, neglect in obtaining the necessary import permits prior to purchase will hold the buyer liable for any issues related to the importation process.
[b3.3] In countries where import permits are required by customs laws, the buyer is required to present the import customs with an import permit in their name according to comply with the regulations. By placing an order with us and confirming that you have read and understood the T&Cs, you agree that you acknowledge the requirement of import permits where necessary.
[b3.4] Therefore we cannot be held responsible if the package (or any part of its contents) is confiscated at customs due to the buyer fraudlently declaring that the necessary permits are present, and an order is placed.
INTb4 (arrival of stock)
[b4.1] The conditions during shipment are out of our control, so international shipping of stock is entirely at the customer’s risk.
[b4.2] We take utmost care to ensure that healthy stock is selected, and that the stock is packed carefully to enhance the survival of the stock in transit..
[b4.3] Please note that if the stock arrives dead on arrival (DOA), Richard's Inverts will not provide replacements or refunds for any deceased animals. The purchase of livestock is entirely at the buyer’s own risk.
[b4.4] In the event of stock arriving DOA to any address outside the UK, we regretfully CANNOT assume responsibility for refunding the value of the deceased livestock or the shipping cost. Once the stock is handed over to the delivery partner, we have no control over its condition during transit.
[b4.5] Furthermore, Richard’s Inverts cannot be held accountable for any other issues that may arise during transit, including confiscation by customs due to the lack of a required permit or any other problems related to the shipment.
[b4.6] Buyers from outside the UK must accept all risks associated when placing an order. By ticking the box “I agree to the Terms and Conditions” and proceeding with the purchase, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the T&Cs, and you assume complete responsibility. Livestock, as ordered, are sent only with the understanding that you have familiarized yourself with and agreed to the aforementioned conditions.
INTb5 (winter orders)
[b5.1] Ensure that the temperature of the receiving country is suitable for the arrival of stock.
[b5.2] If it is currently winter in the destination country and the night-time temperatures are near freezing (40F/5C), it is advisable to wait until the weather warms back up in spring before placing an order.
[b5.3] As stated in section [b4.4], all international orders will be at the buyer's own risk and no refunds will be made if any problems arise with the shipment.
