Shipping policy

🪸 Red Stick Reef DOA Policy (Dead on Arrival Guarantee)

At Red Stick Reef, we take every measure to ensure your livestock arrives healthy and thriving. All corals and fish are packed with care, shipped overnight, and insulated to maintain safe temperatures. However, since we deal with live animals, rare situations may occur. This policy explains our DOA guarantee and how to make a valid claim.

📦 Shipping Coverage

We only ship live animals within the Continental United States (lower 48 states).
Orders outside this area — including Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or international destinations — are not eligible for live arrival guarantees.

✅ DOA Guarantee Coverage

We offer a Dead on Arrival (DOA) Guarantee on all live corals, invertebrates, and fish shipped via approved overnight shipping services.

  • The guarantee applies only to the first delivery attempt made by the carrier.

  • You must be available to receive the package on the first attempt — missed or delayed acceptance voids the guarantee.

  • Any item that arrives dead on arrival will be credited or replaced at our discretion (shipping costs are non-refundable).

📸 Proof Requirements

To qualify for a DOA claim:

  1. Take clear photos or video of the deceased livestock in the sealed bag, within 2 hours of delivery (based on carrier tracking time).

  2. Email your proof and order number to redstickreef@gmail.com within that 2-hour window.

  3. Do not discard the coral, fish, or packaging until we confirm your claim.

Claims without sealed-bag photos or submitted after 2 hours will not be honored.

🚫 Not Covered

Our DOA Guarantee does not cover:

  • Deaths caused by carrier delays, mishandling, weather conditions, or acts of nature.

  • Deaths occurring after acclimation or once livestock is introduced to your aquarium.

  • Packages left outside, refused deliveries, or incorrect shipping addresses provided by the buyer.

  • Discounted, clearance, or “No DOA” labeled items.

💳 Credits & Replacements

  • Approved DOA claims will receive store credit (excluding shipping costs).

  • Store credit can be used on future livestock purchases.

  • Replacements are subject to availability and will require the buyer to cover reshipping fees unless otherwise arranged.

🪸 Our Commitment

We’re hobbyists first and care deeply about the animals we sell. Every coral and fish from Red Stick Reef is inspected, photographed, and acclimated before shipment. Our DOA policy ensures fairness, transparency, and the best possible experience for both our customers and the livestock we love.