Please see the instructions here.

You don't have to order through this website if you don't want to. You can send an order or a request by email, or through Facebook.

Absolutely. Many of my regular customers ask for a single shell to be put aside for them, and allow the ‘order’ to accumulate before asking me to send the parcel. This is a very good way of reducing postage costs. At the Checkout, click the option "Reserve these shells for me" before submitting your order.

Normally I don’t ask for payment for reserved shells, but if I am holding them for several months then I may do so.

I am equally happy to accept Pounds Sterling (GBP) and US Dollars (USD) as well as Euros (EUR). If you pay with any other currency (e.g. by bank transfer) you are responsible for the bank fees and for the bank’s foreign exchange commission, which is typically c.3.5%.

For all currency conversions I use inter-bank rates as published here. The conversion rates that apply for your order are the rates on the date of the invoice.

Most collectors pay by PayPal (my account is simonaiken@btinternet.com) or by direct bank transfer (I will provide the details on request). You are welcome to pay by Sterling cheque (to "Simon Aiken"), by Western Union, or with cash (Euros, Pounds Sterling, or US$). Cash sent through the post is entirely at your own risk.

For PayPal payments there is a 4.5% surcharge to offset the PayPal fee. If you make a “family and friends” payment this surcharge is waived. In a few countries (e.g. China) PayPal does not allow “family and friends” payments.

Even if you place an order online through this website, you will not be asked to pay online. At no point will you be asked for debit card details or for access to your PayPal account.

Sorry, currently I can’t accept credit or debit card payments.

For your first order I ask for payment before sending the shells. For subsequent orders normally I send the shells and payment is due within 14 days of receiving them. Most of my business is with established customers, and this system works very well.

Only the actual postage cost will be added to your order.

·     Most parcels within the UK cost £3.90.

·     Shipments to Europe cost from £8.95 upwards (dependent on weight).

·     Shipments outside Europe cost from £13.05 upwards (dependent on weight).

Small shells that fit in a 24mm deep box cost only £1.55 to ship within the UK, £3.50 to Europe, or £4.30 outside Europe. This is an excellent choice if you collect small shells.

Over my many years in business I’ve found postage to be very reliable, both within the UK and internationally. Lost parcels are very rare indeed. Generally I send orders by registered mail if the value of shells exceeds about €150. This costs between £1.50 and £1.90 extra within the UK, or between £2.95 and £5.90 internationally. For international orders exceeding c.€250 there is an additional £2.50 insurance charge. There is no difference in speed between registered post and regular. I can send any parcel by registered mail if you request it, irrespective of the value.

I use a courier for the most valuable shipments, and the cost depends on weight, size, destination country, and insurance value.

No. I am always happy to supply collectors who are just starting out and who aren’t ready to make a large financial commitment to their new hobby. Many advanced collectors order just a single shell. The only drawback is that for small orders the postage cost may be a high proportion of your total payment.

I have clients in 59 different countries. Currently I don’t know of any country in the world where local restrictions prohibit the import of specimen shells (apart from CITES species). There are always chances of changes in restrictions, of course.

I understand that occasionally a shell is just "not what you expected" when you receive it, for a variety of reasons. You are welcome to return any shell within 14 days of receipt if you are not completely satisfied, for either refund or credit. This is a policy that has worked well throughout my 27 years in business.

This doesn’t happen often. When it does, it’s usually a bivalve or a Xenophora. I ask that you send me a quick photo to show the damage. If the damage is quite small but affects the value of the shell then we can probably negotiate a reduction in the price, assuming that you wish to keep it. You can of course return the shell if you prefer. If the damage is significant then you will be refunded or credited the full value of the shell.