Terms & Conditions

Terms for UK Orders, [a]:

UKa1 (acceptance of terms)
[a1.1] Orders are shipped at the buyer's own risk. This is specified in bold on every product page, and links to the Terms of Sale are clearly listed and easily accessible on all product pages and the checkout.
[a1.2] By ticking "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" when placing an order, you agree to have read the T&Cs thoroughly, 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 and public holidays, the shipping day will be adjusted accordingly. 
[a2.3] 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 Royal Mail warehouse over the weekend, should any courier delays occur.
[a2.4] Eggs are shipped using "Royal Mail 1st Class", which aims to deliver in 1-2 days.
[a2.5] Customers can select either "Royal Mail 1st Class Recorded" or "Royal Mail Special Delivery" for the shipment of live animals.
[a2.6] "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).
[a2.7] Both "Royal Mail 1st Class Recorded" and "Royal Mail Special Delivery" will require a signature upon delivery.
[a2.8] 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.
[a2.9] 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.
[a2.10] 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 store credit/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 the event that the delivery is missed and the parcel is taken back into Royal Mail's system (thereby extending the time the live-animals are spending in the post), or the recipient refuses delivery.

UKa5 (winter orders)
[a5.1] Orders placed on Christmas week will be sent the following week as the post office is closed. UK orders of live larvae/adults placed when the temps are below 5C will always include a 24h heat pack.
[a5.2] 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.
[a5.3] 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.
[a5.4] 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.
[a5.5] 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 is specified in bold on every product page, and links to the Terms of Sale are clearly listed and easily accessible on all product pages and the checkout.
[b1.2] As per section [b4], NO REFUNDS NOR EXCEPTIONS will be made for international orders.
[b1.3] By ticking "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" when placing an order, you agree to have read the T&Cs thoroughly, and that you contractually accept to be legally bound by the terms and conditions listed here. Strictly NO exceptions will be made. 

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.
[b2.4] Eggs are shipped using a regular service which aims to deliver in 7-28 days (w/o tracking).
[b2.5] Live animals are shipped using a registered service, which aims to deliver in 5-14 days (w/ tracking). *currently there are severe delays due to the pandemic which has negatively affected delivery times*
[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 check the import regulations, and to ensure that the stock is legal to import into their country. Orders are shipped assuming this has been done.
[b3.2] Ensuring that the correct import permits are present upon arrival is on the responsibility of the buyer. Therefore, buyers who neglect obtaining an import permit prior to purchase will be held at fault for any import related issues.
[b3.3] For countries that require import permits, the buyer is required to present the import customs with an import permit in their name according to customs laws. By placing an order with us and ticking that you have read the T&Cs, you agree that you acknowledge the requirement of import permits where necessary.
[b3.4] Therefore we take no responsibility if the parcel is confiscated at customs when you place an order without the required permits.

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 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.
[b4.3] Stock is sent on the understanding that if the stock arrives dead on arrival, Richard's Inverts will not replace or refund the cost of any dead animals. Buying stock is at your risk. 
[b4.4] If stock arrives DOA to any address outside the UK, we will NOT take responsibility for refunding the value of the dead stock, nor the shipping cost, as we have no control over the stock in transit once handed over to the delivery partner.
[b4.5] We will also NOT take any responsibility for other issues that may arise during transit, such as 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 when placing an order. The placing of all orders is an agreement that you have fully read these terms, and that you accept all responsibility. Stocks, as ordered, are sent only on the understanding that you have read and understood the conditions shown above.

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.