Terms of sale & FAQ
Please read these terms carefully before sending any enquiries.
Thank you and welcome.

Contact:
eMail: felix@cowries info or felix.lorenz@t-online.de
Mailing address: Fr. Ebert-Str. 12, 35418 Buseck, Germany.

Languages spoken: English, Deutsch, Francais (modeste)

Payment

Prices are in Euro, payment should be made within two weeks after receipt, but delayed payment is possible on larger puchases.
There will be no discounts, please don't even ask, and kindly read the explanation below (FAQ).
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 are most welcome, the account information is given on the bottom of my eMails.

Credit card - payment (VISA, Master) is possible on any ordering amount. Simply state your card number and expiry date.

Paypal for any amount to: felix@cowries.info or felix.lorenz@t-online.de

Postal money orders can be sent for any amount

Bank cheques are accepted only for amounts exceeding Eur 500.

NOT accepted: - Western Union, Moneygram or alike, American Express

 Ordering

Orders have to be sent by eMail: felix@cowries.info, or postal letter. Your order should contain: Lot-Number, species name, quantity required, price

Sorry I do not take orders by phone or fax.

New customers please include your mailing address and a valid credit card or reference to another dealer with your first order.

Minimum ordering amount is 100 Euro, except for shells purchased through the auctions.

 Postage: Small boxes are 5.00 Euro, bigger ones 10.00, large ones 20.00. 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 for whatever reason, 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 may 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. Dead-collected specimens do not fall in this category unless explained in detail*, nor do we list shells as "fine" 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.

FAQ:

"what is the meaning of POR?" P.O.R.: Price on Request. Please send an eMail to enquire for the price of items marked with POR. You will receive an answer if you state your full name and address, or if you are a returning customer, unless the item is sold or sent out on approval.
"why is there no discount?" Because I resepect those customers who are prepared to pay my prices and I do my best to do a fair deal. If you feel my prices are too high: please buy from another dealer. If you want to give it a try with me: you will not be disappointed. If you are on a budget: I will do my best to make your dreams come true, give generous instalment-options, delayed payment, or offer you an alternative lower price specimen. But please do not try to bargain me down. Please be respectful: to my customers, but also to me and the service I provide: with this website, all of its contents, and the most buyer-friendly conditions of payment you will find anywhere on the internet these days. Thank you for your understanding.
"can you reserve these shells till..." Sorry, I do not reserve shells. You can pay me later, but the decision for the purchase has to be made within five days after receipt of the shells.
"can you send additional fotos of..." I can do that only in exceptional cases, e.g. a very expensive shell, and for established customers only. I prefer to send  shells on approval and return.
"can you select one that is like in the picture / big / small / dark / nice / cheaper but lesser quality" If you give me specifications like this I am most happy to follow them as best as possible.
"do you ship to the USA" I ship to most countries of the world, except all of South America, Malaysia and Indonesia.
"why do you not respond to my eMail?" Because either 1) I am too busy 2) travelling 3) your request reveals that you have not cared about reading these terms 4) other reasons. Apologies, please re-send...
"do you exchange shells" Only in rare cases - I prefer to buy shells and collections rather than trade.

Thank you!


legal issues