If your question is not answered below, please contact us and we will do our best to answer your inquiry promptly.

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Ordering and General Policies

How do I pay for my order? 
Payment by major credit card is available through phone ordering support from 9am to 5pm EST Monday through Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday at 802-444-0111. Simply submit your order online, and call in with payment details to finish your invoice payment. Want to pay by Bitcoin or other Cryptocurrency? We can do that too, just select "Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency" during checkout and follow the prompts . Orders can also be paid through the mail with cash, check, or money order. See below for addition details and instructions. 

How do I place an order through the mail?
Add the desired items to your shopping cart using the buttons provided on the item pages. When you are ready, select checkout and when choosing Payment Method, select "Mail Order: Cash, Money Order, Cashiers Check" and click "submit order." A printable invoice will appear, and a copy will be provided to your email. Print this and mail along with payment to the address listed at the top of the invoice (or the bottom of this page). If you are unable to print your invoice, simply send your payment along with your ORDER ID number from the top of invoice. Make check and money orders payable to "The Spore Works." When providing cash, send as close to the exact amount as possible while avoiding coins, round up or down as needed. Please note: orders paid by personal check may be held for up to two weeks, and mailed payments requiring signature for pickup may take slightly longer to process (certified mail, registered mail, signature required delivery, etc.).

Can I place a "hand written" mail order without generating an invoice?
Yes, we can accept manual mail orders. Please use the online cart to calculate your shipping charges, or call (802-444-0111) during normal business hours to receive a shipping quote by phone. Create a manual order form (typed or legibly hand written) and include: a list of ordered items, your name and address information, shipping method cost, and order total. (A name for the registered mail receiver is required, we are unable to send orders to "resident" or "occupant" as these packages are usually returned to our shipping office). Mail your form, along with cash, check, or money order payable to "The Spore Works": The Works, PO Box 3337, Knoxville, TN 37927.

How do I pay with my credit card?
Credit card payments are completed via phone ordering. First, finalize your order using our online checkout. Select the Credit Card payment option, check the box to agree to our "terms and conditions," and "submit" your order. An invoice will appear on your screen and a copy will also be provided to your email. Your invoice contains an Order ID Number. Our phone ordering support is available 9am to 5pm EST Monday through Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday at (802-444-0111). Please call this number to complete your payment, or someone from our staff will attempt to reach your shortly to complete the transaction. Card payments are conducted by phone to help protect ourselves and our customers from scams and fraud, we appreciate your understanding.

The online shopping cart isn't working for me, do I have other options?
Our online shopping cart has been tested to be functional for all browser types. Check to ensure you have cookies and javascript enabled, as the cart will utilize cookies to keep shopping cart and address information present during your shopping session. Also ensure you are browsing from a current version of the site and not an earlier downloaded or cached version. If you continue to have trouble with our ordering system, please submit a message through the Contact Us link below, or call (802-444-0111) during normal business hours.

Do you have a phone number I can call to place my order?
Yes, we offer phone ordering support Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm EST and 10am to 6pm EST on Saturday and Sunday. Before calling, finalize your order using our online checkout. Select the Credit Card payment option, check the box to agree to our "terms and conditions," and "submit" your order. An invoice will appear on your screen and a copy will also be provided to your email. Then, call us at (802-444-0111). Note: this is not a toll free number. If we are unavailable to take your call, please leave a message and someone will get back to you quickly. We have a small and dedicated staff, and appreciate your patience and understanding. 

How soon are orders shipped and what are typical delivery times?
Orders are typically processed and shipped within 24-48 hours of payment. We ship daily, Monday through Friday. Orders placed on Friday afternoon through Sunday may not be processed and shipped until Monday. Transit time depends on the delivery method chosen during checkout. While we offer UPS Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, and 3 Day Select shipping options, this does not guarantee your order will arrive the day after or two days after it is placed. We place orders with express shipping on priority fulfillment and do everything possible to ship them as soon as possible. UPS Air shipping options do not provide weekend delivery and weekends do not count towards delivery speed guarantee, so orders placed for Next Day or 2nd Day service on Thursday or Friday will likely not make delivery until the following Week.

What sort of packaging do you use and how is it labeled?
Packaging will depend on the items ordered. Orders for spore prints are shipped in small 4 x 8 inch padded bubble mailers. Culture and spore syringes are mailed in small white cardboard boxes measuring 10 x 2 x 2 inches (larger, brown boxes are used for big orders) or else shipped in USPS provided Priority Mail packaging (Flat Rate Mailers). Domestic packages will only contain the needed labels for shipping and will not display outside descriptions of the packaged contents. International orders requiring boxes for shipping (not spore prints) will be labeled with a customs claim ticket describing the contents and value of the package. The return address label will be marked as "The Works" on all orders. Your name and phone number (if provided) will be included on the address. Please be aware for USPS mail that the delivery name must be listed as valid for that address, or else the package may be returned to us.

What delivery options do I have and will I receive multiple packages?
Spore Works currently offers two carrier options: UPS and United States Postal Service Mail (USPS). We offer UPS AIR shipping options, and USPS Priority Mail. These methods are the most reliable and cost efficient available. Each will allow you to track your package to some degree (protecting them from loss in shipment). Our items are shipped from the same location, but you may receive multiple shipments if an item or items are temporarily backlogged and delaying the rest of your order. All orders are shipped as requested during the checkout procedure (unless otherwise arrange prior to order placement by contacting us).

How do I know if my order has been shipped?
When placing your order, include a valid email address we can use to contact you with tracking information. As soon as your order is processed and shipped a confirmation email will be sent to the provided email and include your tracking number. Tracking numbers may require 24 hours or more to be accepted in the relative systems before tracking updates begin.

My tracking number says my order was delivered, but I never received it, now what?
Some shippers may leave your package at your door without requesting signature. If your tracking number shows delivery but you do not have your package, there are several options. First, please check with other members of your household. If your order is still not accounted for, please contact us for additional instructions and to arrange for replacement order. We may ask for you to file a lost package claim with the shipper so we can obtain compensation for the package lost or misplaced at delivery. After a claim is filed we will promptly reship a replacement order, free of charge to minimize any delay for you to receive your order.

I am under 18, can I still order from you?
No. We can only accept orders from adults.

Do you ship to countries outside the USA?
No, we do ship orders outside the USA.

My order appears to be damaged or broken after shipping, now what?
Sometimes packages will receive rough handling during transit. If you find your order has been damaged or broken, please contact us to make additional arrangements. We may ask you to file a damage claim with the shipper so that we can be reclaim funds for the damage caused. We will then make arrangements for your package to be reshipped ASAP so as to minimize any delay.

What is your return and refund policy?
We offer a sterility guarantee on spore and culture products for 30 days after purchase. A 20% restocking fee will be charged on all returned items. Items must be in original unused condition. No returns without written authorization. No returns after 30 days. Shipping charges are not refundable. Checks may take time to clear, for fastest service use credit card, cashiers check, or US Postal money order. If the shipper for any reason returns orders to us you will be billed for additional shipping charges. $20.00 service charge will be charged on all returned checks. Liquid culture products are sold with cleanliness and viability guarantee, should you find your cultures to be unviable or contaminated please contact us and we will make arrangements for replacement. No returns or refunds for orders shipped outside the USA.

Do you include an invoice with my order?
Spore Works will not include an invoice with your order unless specifically requested in the "Special Instructions" during checkout.

How safe is my credit card information?
Your credit card information is safe with SSL certification, and our secure credit card processing via phone allows us to process your payment using our merchant account via protected servers without 3rd party processing such as PayPal, Venmo, Etc.

Do you sell, trade, or maintain any mailing lists?
Spore Works offers our customers the option of signing up for a product announcement list, or "membership" in the webstore with a user account. NO information from subscribers of this list is sold to any other organization or traded to any other organization by Sporeworks. This list is maintained and managed internally by our company. Anyone wishing to remove their name from this list may contact us and request removal. Subscription to this list is recommended to stay up to date on new product releases. Membership or user account status with the webstore allows customers to manage, track, or reference previous orders. User accounts are not required to place an order.

How long has Spore Works been in business?
Spore Works was founded in October of 1998. You can trust that your order will be filled in a timely manner by professionals with a long standing tradition and investment in quality products and service.
 

Do you sell Psilocybe or Panaeolus spores to residents of CA, ID, or GA?
Spore Works will not process any request to these states for Psilocybe or Panaeolus mushroom spores. California, Idaho, and Georgia state law may restrict possession of these mushrooms spores without first receiving proper permissions from the applicable state agricultural or research advisory agency. We regret that any order placed requesting these items shipped to these states will be refused, voided, or refunded. Residents of CA, ID, and GA are not restricted from ordering any other items sold on our site.

What is the best way to view my spores under a microscope?
Spores are best viewed at 400x or higher magnification. Place a small amount of dried spores into a small amount of water and then place a small drop of the resulting solution on a glass slide and cover with a glass cover slip. Excess water can be absorbed with the corner of a paper towel to prevent the cover slip from floating and drifting. Pre-made spore solutions in hypodermic syringes can be conveniently dispensed directly onto the slide. Spores can be accurately measured with a stage micrometer (a glass slide with a tiny engraved ruler).

What is the difference between a spore print and a spore/culture syringe?
Spore prints are collections of spores taken on a sterile medium, usually clean paper or foil, under sterile conditions. The spores are collected by placing a mature mushroom cap on the medium and allowing the cap to release spores. The spores then adhere to the surface of the medium after drying and form a "print." Prints are often used directly to observe spores under a microscope. Spore syringes are simply a mixture of clean spores in a sterile solution. This allows for direct microscopic examination of hydrated spores. Liquid culture syringes of contain living mycelium on a nutrient broth solution and are designed to allow the direct inoculation of healthy tissue into substrate.

What is included with my microscopy kit?
Your microscopy kit will include your selected spore type, in a liquid suspension as a spore filled syringe or as a spore print on paper or foil. It will also include a clean microscope slide and cover slip in a protective cardboard case with instructions for properly performing microscopy with your spores.

How should I store my cultures and spores and how long will they last?
Liquid culture syringes should be stored in the clean ziplock baggie in which they were packaged and placed in your fridge until planned use. Spore prints should be stored in the clean ziplock baggie in which they are packaged. It is best to store this baggie in a refrigerated, draft-free location with low humidity. Spore prints can remain clean for many years if cared for properly. Spore syringes should be stored in a clean ziplock baggie (like the one used in shipping) and placed in a refrigerator. Refrigerating the syringes increases the length of time the spores will remain clean and usable for microscopy (up to 4-5 months).

How are spores handled before I receive them?
Spore prints are taken under sterile conditions are packaged in sterile baggies. The spores are never removed from their bag following printing. Spore syringes are created from clean prints in our positive HEPA pressure cleanroom laboratory and are shipped with the needle sterile. Mushroom culture prodcuts are prepared from a nutrient broth solution and stored at refrigerated temperatures prior to shipping.

My cultures or spores appear to be contaminated, now what?
All spores and cultures are supplied with a 30 day cleanliness guarantee. Should you find any of our spore or culture products be contaminated with mold or bacteria please contact us with your original purchase information and we will make arrangements to replace your spores/cultures as per our sterility guarantee.