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.

• Postal address
  
  VMS Professional Herpetoculture
  PO Box 1951
  Canon City, CO 81215-1951

• 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.

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.

• 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.
   

• 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.

• 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 $39 ($49 to Alaska) 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 $22.
  
  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/

• 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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

In accordance with PayPal's fraud prevention policies, all contacts and shipments must be made to the email account and address connected with that PayPal account. Please understand that these policies are put in place by PayPal to protect your credit card or bank information from possible fraud and unauthorized transactions.

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.