If your question is not answered below, please contact us via email or ring us @ 1-802-444-0111 and we will do our best to answer your inquiry promptly.
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How to place your order
1. Place desired items into your online shopping cart, click "Checkout" when ready to proceed.
2. Enter billing information. Creation of a user account is optional, but will allow you to track your previously submitted orders. Requesting shipment to a different delivery address may require additional verification after your order is complete. When required fields are filled in, click the green "Submit" button.
3. Choose shipping option. We offer USPS Priority Mail as our base service (2-6 days). Upgraded shipping options are available. Rates determined by location and weight. We ship Monday through Friday. Please note "Express and Next Day" orders may not be guaranteed "Next Day" due to carrier pickup times, packing, etc. (See below FAQ for more details)
4. Select one of the following Payment Methods to complete your order.
NOTE: The use of VPNs that place your IP address outside the USA may result in difficulties with the proper processing of credit card payments. Please disable VPN use if using online card payments, or select one of our other easy payment options (credit card by phone, etc).
Online Credit Card payment is available for Visa, Master Card, and American Express. Enter payment details and your order will be completed after clicking the green SUBMIT ORDER button at the bottom of the screen.
Credit Card by Phone payments are available for all major credit cards (including Discover). Please call 1-802-444-0111 after clicking the green SUBMIT ORDER button at the bottom of the screen to complete your order.
Mail Order payments are available for cash, check, or money orders (USD only). Clicking the green SUBMIT ORDER button at the bottom of the screen will generate your Order Invoice with Order ID #. Please print this invoice or include Order ID # with payment and mail to: The Works, PO Box 3337, Knoxville, TN 37927. Make checks or money orders payable to "Sporeworks." If you have supplied a valid email during checkout, you will receive updates when your payment is received and tracking details for your order shipment.
Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency options are available through online checkout. Follow the on screen prompts after clicking the green SUBMIT ORDER button at the bottom the screen. Some crypto payments may not update immediately, please allow up to 24 hours for your order status to update.
Final Step : Include any important order notes or special instructions and check the "I accept the Terms & Conditions and Privacy statement" box at the bottom of the screen before clicking the green SUBMIT ORDER button.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
How soon are orders shipped and what are typical delivery times?
Orders are typically processed and shipped within 24-48 hours. We ship daily, Monday through Friday. Orders placed 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. UPS Air does not provide weekend delivery, 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?
Culture and spore syringes are shipped in USPS provided Priority Mail packaging (Flat Rate Mailers). Orders for spore prints are shipped in small 4 x 8 inch padded bubble mailers. Domestic packages will only contain the needed labels for shipping and will not display outside descriptions of the packaged contents. 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.
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. 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.
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 "current 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.
My cultures or spores appear to be contaminated or damaged, 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 and/or damaged by heat or cold exposure during shipping please contact us with your original purchase information and we will make arrangements to replace your spores/cultures as per our sterility guarantee.
Will high heat or freezing temps damage my spore or culture material in shipping?
While high heat can damage spores, it generally requires non-fleeting exposure to temperatures over 120F. In winter, spores can withstand freezing temperatures. However, extended exposure can result in the spore solution freezing, cracking and damaging the plastic of the syringe container. This may threaten the sterility of the product. We highly recommend shipping to an address where the package will be delivered inside immediately such as a PO Box, private rental mailbox, office, etc. Being left outside or in a mailbox in the sun during the heat of summer can lead to damaged material. We offer UPS Next Day or 2nd Day shipping options and can ship UPS or USPS Mail with signature required so the package is not left outside, though doing so may require you to pickup from a local facility if no one is available to sign at delivery. We do not package products with heat or ice packs, as we find this to be ineffective in limiting environmental exposure in transit. We offer a 30 day cleanliness and sterility guarantee that covers damage from high heat and extreme cold. See FAQ note above.
What is your return and refund policy?
We offer a sterility and stability 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. 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. No returns or refunds for orders shipped outside the USA.
My tracking number says my order was delivered, but I never received it, now what?
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 those over the age of 18.
Do you ship to countries outside the USA?
No, we currently do not 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. We may ask you to file a damage claim with the shipper so that we can reclaim funds for the damage caused. We will then make arrangements for your package to be reshipped ASAP so as to minimize any delay.
How should I store my cultures and spores and how long will they last?
Liquid culture syringes should be stored and placed in your fridge until 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 products are prepared from a nutrient broth solution and stored at refrigerated temperatures prior to shipping.
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. 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.
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