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Terms of sale
Languages spoken: English, Deutsch, Francais (modeste)
My policy is to supply only selected, correctly identified specimens of ascertained origin at reasonable prices, to provide collectors with the information and support they require to build up a complete, scientifically valuable collection. If you have certain preferences such as "size" or "color forms", "localities", "bargains", "perfection" please let me know so I can improve and personalize my service.
Payment
Prices are in Euro, payment should be made within two weeks after receipt, but instalment payment is possible on larger puchases. US customers may pay in US$ at the current exchange rate. No payment in advance is necessary, but first-time customers may be asked for reference or a valid credit card. You will not be charged before the receipt and approval of the goods.
Bank transfers may be done to these accounts:
Europe, Asia, Australia, South Africa
account name: Felix Lorenz, bank name: Sparkasse Giessen, Buseck, Germany, Bank No. 51350025, account No. 256005877, Int. Bank Account No.: DE08 5135 0025 0256 0058 77 , SWIFT-BIC: HELADEF1GIE
USA, Canada
account name: Felix Lorenz, Bank name: Wachovia, routing No. 063000021 , Account No. 1010140232727
Postal money orders for any amount
Bank cheques are accepted only for amounts exceeding Eur 500.
Credit card - payment (VISA, Master) is possible on any ordering amount. Simply state your card number and expiry date.
NOT accepted:- Paypal or alike, - Western Union, - American Express
Ordering
You may order by eMail, or fax, your order should contain: Lot-Number, species name, quantity required, price
New customers please include your mailing address with your first order.
Minimum order amount is 100 Euro, except for shells purchased through the auctions.
Postage
Postage (approximate) 100-250 g 250-500g 500-750g 750-1000g 1000-1500g Europe 2,50 4,00 6,00 8,00 10,00 World 8,00 12,00 16,00 20,00 28,00 for registered mail add 2,05 Boxes for an ordering amount over 500 Euro are sent free of postal-charges.
Returning shells
Shells may be returned within five days after receipt, declared as "scientific shell-sample, returned after study".
Please send by registered Mail, Air Mail from overseas. Please do not use any private mail-services but the public mail services. Sorry, but return-shipments sent by "UPS" cannot not be accepted and will be returned to sender!
Grading
www.cowries.info offers shells that have been most carefully checked for their quality and correct data. Integrity is our motto, happy customers worldwide are our reward.
gem: a flawless specimen without chips, scars or healed marks. gem- basically is gem, but in some species the shell-formation is less regular than in others. f+/gem: this term is used for specimens with barely noticable natural irregularities - still "gem" to most collectors and dealers. fine (f.): a specimen with natural irregularities, or slight defects. No dead-collected specimens fall in this category unless explained in detail*, nor do we list shells here in which the flaw visibly affects the beauty or the morphological characteristics of the shell. good (gd): a shell with apparent defects not seriously affecting the beauty. dead (fresh dead): a specimen that was not livecollected, it may come close to gem but show the apparent signs of a dead taken shell (drill holes, wear of the nacre). Please refer to the accompaining explanations and the photo for details.
*A dead taken shell can still be a valuable collector's item, and it may be the only evidence available for certain species or forms.contact information and legal issues
