Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Copes Fish Zone. By accessing or purchasing from our store, you agree to the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.

1. General Information

Copes Fish Zone specializes in breeding and selling live freshwater fish, specifically cichlids. By placing an order, you confirm that you understand the responsibilities involved in owning and caring for live fish. We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time without prior notice.

2. Live Fish Disclaimer

All fish are live animals and may vary slightly in:

• Coloration
• Size
• Pattern

Photos shown on our website are representative and not exact guarantees of appearance. We do our best to provide healthy, high-quality fish, but natural variation is normal.

3. Shipping Policy (Live Arrival Guarantee)

We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG) under the following conditions:

• Someone must be present to receive the package on the first delivery attempt
• Fish must be unpacked immediately upon arrival
• In the rare case of DOA (Dead on Arrival), you must:
  
  Provide clear photos of the fish in the unopened bag within 2 hours of delivery
  Email or message us immediately with proof
  
  

Failure to follow these steps voids the guarantee.

Important Notes:

• We are not responsible for shipping delays caused by carriers, weather, or incorrect addresses
• Shipping costs are non-refundable
• We reserve the right to reship or refund at our discretion

4. Weather & Shipping Conditions

We monitor temperatures closely to ensure fish safety. We may:

• Delay shipments due to extreme weather
• Include heat packs or cold packs when necessary

Your order may be held until safe shipping conditions are available.

5. Returns & Refunds

Due to the nature of live animals:

• No returns are accepted
• Refunds are only issued for valid DOA claims that meet our requirements

6. Customer Responsibility

By purchasing from us, you agree that you:

• Have an appropriately cycled aquarium
• Understand cichlid care requirements
• Will properly acclimate your fish upon arrival

We are not responsible for fish losses due to:

• Poor water quality
• Aggression from tank mates
• Improper acclimation
• Inadequate tank conditions

7. Order Issues & Cancellations

• Orders cannot be canceled once shipped
• If you need to cancel before shipping, contact us immediately
• We reserve the right to cancel any order for any reason (including stock issues or unsafe shipping conditions)

8. Limitation of Liability

Copes Fish Zone is not liable for:

• Any damages resulting from the use or misuse of our products
• Losses due to fish behavior (e.g., aggression)
• Tank crashes or system failures

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at:

• Email: copesfishzone@gmail.com
• Website: copesfishzone.com

10. 

1. Acceptance of Live Arrival Guarantee (DOA Policy): You agree that you have read, understood, and consented to the terms laid out in our official Live Shipping & Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy. This policy dictates the sole and exclusive remedies available to you in the event that livestock arrives deceased or damaged.
2. Strict Timeframe and Evidence Requirements: You acknowledge that live animals cannot survive prolonged exposure outside or inside a sealed transit box. Therefore, you agree that you forfeit all rights to a replacement, store credit, or refund if you fail to provide clear photographic and video evidence of the unopened, factory-sealed bag within two (2) hours of the carrier’s official electronic delivery timestamp.
3. Carrier Delays and Weather Holds: [Your Store Name] packages all livestock using industry-standard insulation, oxygen, and temperature packs via certified logistics channels. However, we do not control third-party shipping carriers (UPS/FedEx). You agree that transit delays caused by couriers, mechanical failures, or extreme weather do not constitute a breach of service by [Your Store Name] and do not qualify for a credit card chargeback.
4. Waiver of Right to Chargeback: You explicitly agree that you will not initiate a credit card chargeback, dispute, or payment reversal through your issuing bank or payment processor for reasons relating to livestock mortality, shipping delays, or perceived livestock health, without first attempting to resolve the issue directly with our support team under the guidelines of our DOA Policy.
5. Legal Enforcement: If a chargeback or dispute is filed in violation of this agreement, Copes Fish Zone reserves the right to submit this signed Terms of Service agreement, your checkout acknowledgment, and the carrier tracking data to your credit card issuer as binding proof of order fulfillment. You will be held liable for any administrative fees, collection costs, or legal fees incurred by Copes Fish Zone in defending a fraudulent or non-compliant dispute.

11. Agreement

By purchasing from our store, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.