Packaging and DOA Policy
I am a a private hobbyist who hand-raises my fish. Each and every one of my bettas gets daily attention from birth untill it finds a new home, and are special to me. I do my best to make sure his or her trip is as safe and stress-free as I can make it.
Here is what we do to make sure you get your Betta in the best possible condition:
1.)The fish are fasted a full 24 hours prior to shipment, to minimize ammonia and nitrate build up in their shipping bags caused by decaying feces.
2.) Depending on the method of shipment, I try to package the fish as late in the day as possible to insure they are not in their bags any longer than necessary. USPS shipments are dropped off at 9:00 AM for they can catch the first shippment out.
3.) The fish are carefully caught and placed into a small plastic cup of clean water, I use some Home Made Betta Spa. To reduce the stress of shipping.
4.) The cup of water and fish is gently poured into the shipping bag, and the bag is carefully twisted and knotted, leaving ample room for oxygen. Bettas are air-breathing anabantids, and the air is more important to them than the amount of water. A basic rule of thumb is that you should provide enough water to adequately cover the fish, and no more.
5.) The bag is then inverted and placed into a 2nd bag, which is also knotted tightly.
6.) The identification number and/or description of the fish is written on the outer bag with a waterproof marker.
7.) The bag is wrapped in newspaper for further insulation and isolation.
8.) The bag is placed inside the insulated shipping box.
9.) The excess space is filled with tightly-wadded newspaper, or other reliable insulating material.
10.)The package is closed and fastened securely with packaging tape and labeled 'FRAGILE' and 'THIS END UP!'. I do not mark the packages as containing live tropical fish because, although this is perfectly legal with both UPS and USPS, many employees do not know the rules and can cause unnecessary delays while they confirm that the shipment should be permitted.
Heat packs are automatically included when the weather warrants one. I will always check your forecast at before shipping, and adjust my packaging accordingly. Like most things in this world, heat packs are not free. I use 40+ hour packs, and they cost me approximately $2.00 to buy and to have shipped, so that is what I charge you for them. The price is small to pay to ensure you fish arrive with out the additional stress of being chilled.
The only shipping method I guarantee is USPS Express overnight. In some more rural parts of the country, Express arrives 2nd day. I only guarantee live arrival to overnight addresses. If you live in an overnight zone but USPS messes up your delivery, I cannot guarantee live arrival. I can, however, help you to recoup your postage costs from USPS. Guarantee is void if customer requests signature waiver! This is because I have no idea if your fish were allowed to sit on the front step in the heat or cold for hours on end before you got to them. Without signature waiver, the postal carrier will put the box back on the truck and take it to the post office, where you can pick it up at anytime. Guarantee is also void if you are not around to sign for your package on the first delivery attempt, or if you refuse to pay for a heat pack and/or reschedule your delivery due to inclement weather, against my recommendations.
In case of DOA:
Do NOT open the bag! I am sorry, but I have to stand firm on this policy and there will be no exceptions.
Take a clear photo of the fish dead in its original, unopened shipping bad and email it to me within 6 hours of arrival. I will gladly refund its purchase price or replace it. Keep in mind that sometimes fish die in transit...the package is mishandled, temperature differences between the two locations are too extreme, and the list goes on.
Some fish seem to just die from the stress of being shipped. Tropical fish,even the hardy betta, are very delicate creatures. When you order bettas from this site, you are automatically acknowledging that you know and accept these risks, and understand that I am not responsible for accidental and unfortunate loss of your fish in transit.
When I package your fish, they are in the best of condition. I will never knowingly send you a sick fish! They are carefully examined prior to shipment, and if anyone looks under the weather I notify you right away to either postpone the shipment or replace the fish.
I am a a private hobbyist who hand-raises my fish. Each and every one of my bettas gets daily attention from birth untill it finds a new home, and are special to me. I do my best to make sure his or her trip is as safe and stress-free as I can make it.
Here is what we do to make sure you get your Betta in the best possible condition:
1.)The fish are fasted a full 24 hours prior to shipment, to minimize ammonia and nitrate build up in their shipping bags caused by decaying feces.
2.) Depending on the method of shipment, I try to package the fish as late in the day as possible to insure they are not in their bags any longer than necessary. USPS shipments are dropped off at 9:00 AM for they can catch the first shippment out.
3.) The fish are carefully caught and placed into a small plastic cup of clean water, I use some Home Made Betta Spa. To reduce the stress of shipping.
4.) The cup of water and fish is gently poured into the shipping bag, and the bag is carefully twisted and knotted, leaving ample room for oxygen. Bettas are air-breathing anabantids, and the air is more important to them than the amount of water. A basic rule of thumb is that you should provide enough water to adequately cover the fish, and no more.
5.) The bag is then inverted and placed into a 2nd bag, which is also knotted tightly.
6.) The identification number and/or description of the fish is written on the outer bag with a waterproof marker.
7.) The bag is wrapped in newspaper for further insulation and isolation.
8.) The bag is placed inside the insulated shipping box.
9.) The excess space is filled with tightly-wadded newspaper, or other reliable insulating material.
10.)The package is closed and fastened securely with packaging tape and labeled 'FRAGILE' and 'THIS END UP!'. I do not mark the packages as containing live tropical fish because, although this is perfectly legal with both UPS and USPS, many employees do not know the rules and can cause unnecessary delays while they confirm that the shipment should be permitted.
Heat packs are automatically included when the weather warrants one. I will always check your forecast at before shipping, and adjust my packaging accordingly. Like most things in this world, heat packs are not free. I use 40+ hour packs, and they cost me approximately $2.00 to buy and to have shipped, so that is what I charge you for them. The price is small to pay to ensure you fish arrive with out the additional stress of being chilled.
The only shipping method I guarantee is USPS Express overnight. In some more rural parts of the country, Express arrives 2nd day. I only guarantee live arrival to overnight addresses. If you live in an overnight zone but USPS messes up your delivery, I cannot guarantee live arrival. I can, however, help you to recoup your postage costs from USPS. Guarantee is void if customer requests signature waiver! This is because I have no idea if your fish were allowed to sit on the front step in the heat or cold for hours on end before you got to them. Without signature waiver, the postal carrier will put the box back on the truck and take it to the post office, where you can pick it up at anytime. Guarantee is also void if you are not around to sign for your package on the first delivery attempt, or if you refuse to pay for a heat pack and/or reschedule your delivery due to inclement weather, against my recommendations.
In case of DOA:
Do NOT open the bag! I am sorry, but I have to stand firm on this policy and there will be no exceptions.
Take a clear photo of the fish dead in its original, unopened shipping bad and email it to me within 6 hours of arrival. I will gladly refund its purchase price or replace it. Keep in mind that sometimes fish die in transit...the package is mishandled, temperature differences between the two locations are too extreme, and the list goes on.
Some fish seem to just die from the stress of being shipped. Tropical fish,even the hardy betta, are very delicate creatures. When you order bettas from this site, you are automatically acknowledging that you know and accept these risks, and understand that I am not responsible for accidental and unfortunate loss of your fish in transit.
When I package your fish, they are in the best of condition. I will never knowingly send you a sick fish! They are carefully examined prior to shipment, and if anyone looks under the weather I notify you right away to either postpone the shipment or replace the fish.
