Orders & payment terms

Payment Policy

Orders are confirmed after successful payment. Failed payment does not reserve live fish inventory β€” stock can change quickly.

Quality live fish starts with honest policies and careful packing.

Order confirmed at payment

Inventory is reserved after successful checkout.

Secure processing

Card data handled by our payment provider.

Accurate billing

Shipping address must match delivery needs.

Live inventory

Stock changes quickly β€” pay promptly to secure fish.

When orders are confirmed

Payment confirms your live fish order

HiGuppy orders are confirmed after successful payment. Unlike digital goods, live guppies are pulled from breeding tanks, inspected, and packed β€” so payment timing and address accuracy matter from the first click.

Failed, declined, or abandoned payments do not reserve fish. Popular strains can sell out while an unpaid cart sits open. If you have trouble at checkout, contact us before assuming your order is secured.

Processing begins after payment: Live fish are typically prepared within TODO: processing time business days. Ship days are TODO: shipping days β€” see Shipping Policy.

Accepted methods

We accept major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and other methods shown at checkout. Available options may vary by order total and region.

Local pickup payment

Pickup orders may have different payment timing. See Local Pickup for appointment and payment terms.

Wholesale / bulk

Large orders may require a deposit or invoice. Contact us for wholesale quotes before paying outside standard checkout.

Checkout requirements

Billing and shipping accuracy

Live fish cannot be rerouted easily once in transit. Double-check every field before you pay β€” corrections after packing may not be possible.

Shipping address

Must be a deliverable address where someone can receive the package on delivery day. No PO boxes if carrier requires street delivery for live shipments.

Phone number

Carriers may use your phone for delivery updates. A reachable number reduces missed deliveries β€” critical for live fish.

Email address

Order confirmations and tracking are sent by email. Use an inbox you check on delivery day.

Ship-to states

We ship to TODO: states served. Orders to unsupported areas may be cancelled and refunded.

Billing name

Billing name should match payment method. Mismatches can trigger fraud review and delay shipment.

Order notes

Use order notes for ship-date requests or delivery instructions visible to us before packing β€” not for tank advice.

Failed & flagged payments

Declines, chargebacks, and fraud review

We protect buyers and our breeding operation from fraudulent orders. Most checkouts complete instantly; some require extra verification.

Situation What happens
Card declined Order is not confirmed. Try another payment method or contact your bank. Fish are not held.
Payment pending Some methods (e.g. certain wallets) may pend before confirming. We ship only after funds clear.
Fraud review High-risk orders may be paused for verification. We may contact you before shipping live fish.
Chargebacks Filing a chargeback without contacting us first may result in account restriction. Reach out for DOA or shipping issues per policy.
Duplicate orders Contact us immediately if you accidentally paid twice. Refunds for true duplicates are processed when identified.
Chargeback notice: For live arrival issues, follow our DOA Policy before disputing charges. Chargebacks on fulfilled live fish orders complicate fair resolution for both parties.

Refunds & adjustments

When refunds apply

Refunds are not automatic for every live fish scenario. They follow specific policies β€” cancellation timing, DOA claims, and order errors.

  • Before packing: Cancellation may be possible β€” see Cancellation Policy.
  • DOA on arrival: Approved claims per DOA Policy.
  • Weather delays: Do not automatically trigger refunds β€” orders are held for safe ship windows.
  • Post-acclimation deaths: Generally not refundable β€” see Quarantine & Health.
  • Seller error: Wrong item or cancelled strain β€” we work with you on refund or replacement.
Payment data: We do not store full card numbers. Payment processing is handled by our PCI-compliant provider. See Privacy Policy.

Payment FAQ

Common payment questions

When am I charged?

Most orders charge at checkout. Your bank may show a pending authorization before it posts. We begin preparing live fish after payment succeeds.

Can I pay with two methods?

Standard checkout supports one primary payment per order. Contact us for special arrangements on large wholesale orders.

Do you offer payment plans?

Not for standard retail live fish orders. Wholesale buyers may discuss invoice terms separately.

Are prices inclusive of shipping?

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on service level, destination, and seasonal packaging needs.

How long do refunds take?

Approved refunds return to the original payment method. Timing depends on your bank or PayPal β€” typically 3–10 business days after we process the refund.

Ready to order?

Review shipping and cancellation policies before checkout.