Shipping-DOA Policy

1) Overview

At Wish List Corals, we specialize in healthy, aquacultured, and responsibly sourced live coral. We package every order with professional-grade materials to ensure safe arrival and minimal stress to the animals. By placing an order with us, you agree to the following Shipping & DOA (Dead-On-Arrival) Policy.

2) Order Processing & Shipping Schedule

  • Shipping Days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only
    (to avoid weekend delays)
  • Order Cutoff: Orders placed by 12:00 PM (noon) ship the following day.
  • Shipping Method: Overnight delivery only via [FedEx/UPS] Priority Overnight.
    No 2‑day services are offered.

3) Local Pickup (North Wales, PA)

Local customers may pick up orders in North Wales, Pennsylvania to save on shipping costs.

  • Pickup is by appointment only.
  • After checkout, we will contact you to schedule a pickup time.
  • Corals are prepared and temperature-stabilized in advance; please arrive at your scheduled time.

4) Packaging & Weather Considerations

  • Insulated shipping containers, temperature-controlled gel packs, and professional coral packaging are used for all shipments.
  • Heat or cold packs are added based on weather along the shipping route.
  • In cases of extreme heat or cold, Wish List Corals may delay shipping to protect the animals.
  • Customers may choose to ship during weather holds at their own risk, but DOA coverage will be void.

5) Shipping Area

We ship ONLY within the continental United States (Lower 48).
No international shipping. No shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, or U.S. territories.

6) Delivery Requirements

  • Overnight shipments must be received on the first delivery attempt.
  • If you will not be home, we strongly recommend Hold for Pickup at a local FedEx/UPS facility.
  • Wish List Corals is not responsible for:
    • Delivery delays caused by the carrier
    • Missed deliveries
    • Temperature exposure or theft after delivery

7) DOA (Dead-On-Arrival) Guarantee

We guarantee live arrival under the following conditions.

7.1 Requirements for DOA Coverage

All of the following must be met:

  1. The order was shipped Overnight (the only method offered).
  2. The package was received on the first delivery attempt, or picked up within 2 hours if held at a carrier location.
  3. You provide:
    • Clear photos of the coral in the sealed bag within 2 hours of delivery, and
    • Additional photos out of the bag if requested.
  4. Corals were acclimated per our guidelines.
  5. The order was not forwarded to another address after delivery.

7.2 What the DOA Guarantee Covers

  • Total mortality on arrival
  • Severe shipping damage making survival impossible

7.3 What Is Not Covered

  • Color loss or color differences from lighting variations
  • Minor cosmetic fragging defects
  • Pests discovered after arrival (we dip, but quarantine is always recommended)
  • Damage due to:
    • Missed deliveries
    • Temperature exposure after delivery
    • Carrier delays
    • Acclimation errors
    • Poor or unstable tank conditions
  • Freebie/bonus corals

7.4 Remedy

  • Wish List Corals will provide store credit or a replacement coral (if available).
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable.

8) How to File a DOA Claim

Send an email or message within 2 hours of delivery with:

  1. Your order number
  2. Photos of the coral in the unopened bag
  3. A brief description of the issue

Keep all corals and packaging until your claim is reviewed. Claims submitted after the 2‑hour window may be denied.

9) Cancellations, Changes & Holds

  • Orders canceled before shipping are subject to a 15% restocking fee.
  • Wish List Corals will hold paid orders for up to 14 days.
    • After 14 days, additional fees or cancellation (with restocking fee) may apply.
  • Orders may be combined if they have not yet shipped.

10) Acclimation Guidelines (Required for DOA Coverage)

To reduce stress and ensure coral health:

  1. Float sealed bags for 15–20 minutes to temperature-match.
  2. Dip all corals using a reputable coral dip (follow manufacturer instructions).
  3. Avoid freshwater dips unless species-specific.
  4. Start corals in lower light, gradually increasing intensity over 3–7 days.
  5. Recommended tank parameters:
    • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
    • Temperature: 77–79°F
    • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
    • Calcium: 400–450 ppm
    • Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
    • Nitrate: 2–15 ppm
    • Phosphate: 0.02–0.10 ppm

11) WYSIWYG & Stock Photos

  • WYSIWYG corals: You receive the exact coral shown.
  • Representative frags: You receive a piece similar in size and color from the same mother colony.
  • Lighting and photography differences can cause color variance.

12) Limitation of Liability

Wish List Corals’ liability is limited to the purchase price of the affected coral(s). We are not responsible for tank losses, equipment issues, or other consequential damages.