Payments & Returns

Payment Methods

PayPal, Money Order, PayPal (Direct to Seller), Venmo, CashApp, Zelle

Postage & Shipping

Item Location

21704, Maryland, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Shipping Method

Contact Seller for final shipping charges

Shipping Instructions

💳 Gilled Gems – Payment & Transaction Process

🟦 Accepted Payment Methods
I accept the following secure payment options:

PayPal (Goods & Services or Friends & Family depending on buyer preference)

Cash App (PERFERRED METHOD)

Zelle

Venmo (if needed)

USPS Money Order (optional for certain buyers)

❌ Credit Cards Are NOT Accepted
I do not accept credit cards under any circumstances.
Aquabid does not provide built‑in credit card processing, and I do not use external merchant processors (Square, Stripe, etc.) for live‑animal transactions.

📨 How the Transaction Works (Step‑By‑Step)

1️⃣ Buyer Wins or Buys the Listing.

Once you win the auction or use Buy‑It‑Now, you must contact me directly through Aquabid’s message system or email provided in the listing. Expect Prompt and quick responses but definitely within 24 hours.

2️⃣ We Confirm Your Order
I will reply promptly to:

Confirm the fish or product you purchased

Confirm your shipping address

Confirm your preferred payment method

Review weather conditions for safe shipping

Schedule your shipment window (Mon–Wed only)

3️⃣ Buyer Sends Payment
You will send payment using one of the accepted methods listed above.
Once payment is received, I will:

Mark your order as paid

Begin fasting the fish (24–48 hours)

Prepare your shipment for the next available safe shipping day

4️⃣ Shipping Is Scheduled
We will coordinate the exact shipping day together.
I ship ONLY via UPS 2‑Day Air or FedEx 2‑Day Air — these are the only options for rare fish.

You will receive:

Confirmation of the shipping date

Tracking number once the label is created

Instructions for receiving your live fish safely

5️⃣ Buyer Must Be Present at Delivery
Because these are temperature‑sensitive live animals, you must:

Be available at the door

Retrieve the parcel immediately

Inspect the fish within minutes

Provide DOA documentation within 1 hour if needed

⚠️ Refund, Replacement & DOA Terms (Professional & Clear)
If ALL fish are DOA:
✔ Full refund of the entire order
OR
✔ Free replacement of the entire order
(buyer pays shipping for reshipment)

If ONLY some fish are DOA:
✔ Refund equal to the value of the affected fish
OR
✔ Free replacement of the affected fish
(buyer pays shipping for reshipment)

READ ON FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS:
Required DOA Documentation
Must be submitted within 1 hour of delivery:

10–14 second video of unopened bag and affected fish

Clear photos of unopened bag

Photo of unopened parcel with tracking label visible

Any photos showing delivery issues (sun exposure, wrong location, etc.)

📌 Final Buyer Responsibilities
To ensure a smooth transaction, buyers must:

Contact me immediately after purchase

Pay using one of the accepted methods

Be present at the delivery window

Follow DOA documentation rules

Communicate clearly and promptly

This process protects both you and me and ensures your rare fish arrive safely and professionally.

📦 Gilled Gems Premium Shipping Standards & Instructions
UPS 2‑Day Air & FedEx 2‑Day Air Only — Elite Care for Rare Fish 🐟💎

At Gilled Gems, every live fish is shipped using ONLY UPS 2‑Day Air or FedEx 2‑Day Air. These are the exclusive carriers I trust for rare, boutique‑raised fish due to their reliability, temperature control, and predictable transit windows.

I do not offer USPS, Ground shipping, or any slower methods.
Your rare fish deserve the fastest, safest route available.

📦 How Your Fish Are Packed (Premium Boutique Method)
Every fish is packed using a professional, impact‑resistant system designed to protect rare strains during transit:

🐟 Fish Preparation
Fish are fasted 24–48 hours before shipment

This reduces waste, improves water quality, and ensures safer travel

💧 Bagging Method
Fish are packed in 4MIL impact‑resistant, puncture‑resistant bags

No double‑bagging — 4MIL bags outperform double‑bagging and reduce stress

Bags are filled with medical‑grade oxygen

📦 Insulation & Temperature Control
Fish are placed inside an insulated shipping box

Heat or cold packs are added based on your local weather forecast

Internal padding prevents movement and absorbs shock

Boxes are sealed to prevent temperature swings and rough handling

🚚 Shipping Schedule
Monday–Wednesday only

No shipments past Wednesday

No shipments near major U.S. holidays
This prevents weekend delays and ensures fish arrive within the guaranteed 2‑day window.

⚠️ DOA Policy — Premium, Strict, Transparent
The DOA window begins the moment the carrier marks the package “Delivered.”
The window expires 1 hour after delivery.

Because live fish are temperature‑sensitive, buyers must be present at the door and ready to retrieve the parcel immediately.

📸 Required DOA Documentation
To process a DOA claim, buyer must provide:

One clear 10–14 second video of the unopened bag and affected fish

Several clear photos of the unopened bag

A photo of the unopened parcel with visible tracking label

If applicable, photos documenting delivery issues such as:

Parcel left in direct sun

Parcel left in an incorrect location

Delivery preventing timely retrieval

This documentation protects both buyer and seller and ensures accurate assessment.

💰 Replacement & Refund Policy (Business‑Correct & Boutique‑Fair)
If ALL fish in the shipment are DOA:
✅ Full refund of the entire order value
OR
✅ Free replacement of the entire order
(buyer pays shipping for reshipment)

If ONLY some fish are DOA:
✅ Refund equal to the value of the affected fish
OR
✅ Free replacement of the affected fish only
(buyer pays shipping for reshipment)

Important Business Disclaimer
Replacement fish are always free, but shipping is not included for resending replacement fish.
This ensures fairness, sustainability, and transparency for both parties.

📨 Buyer Responsibility (Premium Disclaimer)
Buyers expecting live animals must:

Be available at the door during the delivery window

Retrieve the parcel immediately

Submit DOA documentation within 1 hour

Opening a parcel and filming a short video takes only minutes.
Delays beyond the 1‑hour window void DOA eligibility.

Returns Accepted

No