Terms & Guarantees

Payment Options

Canadian methods of payment:

• PayPal or email money transfers to
• Payment via Mastercard or VISA over the telephone.  Please call us locally at 416-630-0063 or Toll-free at 1-855-GECKON' (432-5646) to process your payment.
• Credit card payments can also be made via PayPal if you so desire.
• Cash
• Personal Cheques (please note we will require two weeks for a personal cheque to clear before we will ship)
• Bank Wire Transfer (please contact us for this information)
• In person at trade shows we accept Cash, Interac, VISA & Mastercard as forms of payment. 

International methods of payments:

• Bank Wire Transfer (please contact us for this information)
• PayPal to (European Union Countries ONLY)
• Payment via Mastercard or VISA over the telephone.  Please call us at 416-630-0063 to process your payment. (European Union Countries and USA ONLY)
• Credit card payments can also be made via PayPal if you so desire. (European Union Countries and USA ONLY) 

*All pricing on animals and dry goods quoted on this site are in CANADIAN DOLLARS and DO NOT include applicable Canadian Provincal or Federal Sales Taxes.  When you check out with our shopping cart, applicable taxes and shipping fees will be applied.  Export orders are exempt from these taxes and you will likely be required to pay duties upon import to your country based on the value of the goods. 

Ensuring You Get The Gecko(s) of Choice & Deposits - IMPORTANT!!

A gecko cannot be put on HOLD without a deposit.  Unfortunately, we have had a few too many cusotmers tell us they want a certain gecko and then not follow through with payment.  We feel this is unfair to other customers who end up picking thier 2nd or 3rd choice, only to find out thier first choice has become available when it was once on HOLD. As a result of this issue we will not mark any gecko on HOLD without a 50% deposit or full payment. These two methods are the only way to ensure a gecko(s)  will be resereved for YOU ALONE.  We will process reservations and payments for geckos in the order in which they are received.  Until a deposit or payment is recieved all geckos are for sale to any individual.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to put an animal on HOLD.  After this deposit is received the animal will be marked as 'on HOLD' with your initials until the final payment is received by an agreed upon date (this date must be no later than one month from the HOLD payment date).  If payment is not completed for any reason during the agreed upon time period, your deposit will be forfeited at our discretion.  We reserve the right to deny a HOLD payment on any item, particularly items that are in demand.

Payment Plans

While I typically do not offer payment plans, they can sometimes be arranged for larger sized orders.  If I agree to the plan, then we have a deal.  Payment plans will NEVER extend beyond one month, unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties.  My typical payment plan works as follows:  You must make a 50% non-refundable deposite up front to HOLD the gecko(s) you wish to purchase.  I then expect the outstanding balance to be paid not later than one month from the deposit payment date.  I typically do not like to extend payment plans beyond one month but you can always try to convince me. 

Unfortunately, I have had one too many customers take advantage of the fact that I will HOLD geckos for them (seemingly indefinteily) as well as my generosity to look after them, free of charge, until they complete payment or wish to have them shipped.  I have held geckos for people who have not completed payment or have decided they want to wait to ship for up to half a year.  This was clearly not my intension when I started offering payment plans.  This is why I now consider any payment plan lasting over one month to be unacceptable. 

I am willing to work out a payment schedule with you.  The catch is that you must follow through with all payments as agreed upon or you forfeit all payments that have already been made.  The animal will be put on HOLD until the payment plan is complete.  The animal can then be shipped after full payment has been received.

Waiting Lists

Some of the animals we breed are in short supply and we only produce several per year.  If you wish to be added to a waiting list for any particular animal, please send your request to and we will add you to the waiting list for that particular animal.  Sometimes, with high demand animals, a deposit may be required to hold this animal for you.

If a HOLD payment had been made and we can no longer provide this animal for you, we may offer you a substitute animal (we usually make these deals VERY sweet as we HATE to disappoint our customers) or we will refund your deposit.

All Sales Are Final

Unless the item(s) purchased are not available at the time of sale or when final payment is due, then all sales are final.  After purchase you are protected by our seven-day health guarantee (please see further down this page) once the animal is in your possession.  In the event that the item can no longer be provided and a payment has already been made a credit or refund will be offered at our discretion.

Please keep in mind we are not Gecko facists and nothing is written in stone. :) We will always try to work with you to make sure you are happy with Northern Gecko.  We will always do our best to make sure we make things right if there is a problem.

How Does The Shipping Process Work For Dry Goods?

Overview

We used to ship out our dry goods via Canada Post but since the last Mail Strike, we switched to Federal Express and have never looked back.  Our experince thus far has been better pricing for you, our cusotmers, more reliable tracking system so you can determine where your package is at all times, and NO delays or missing packages to date, since the switch.  This helps us ensure that you get the best experience possible from Northern Gecko.  FedEx Ground does take a little bit longer to arrive in some cases but we find that the relaibility is worth the wait.  There is ONE SMALL CATCH.  Your Address must not contain a PO BOX in it as only Canada Post can deliver to a PO BOX.  So, in order to avoid any shipping complicaitons do NOT submit a PO BOX as your address or it will not be shipped.      Service within Ontario and Quebec is usually one business day.  Service to other provinces will range between  two business days and in some extremely remote locations, six business days.  Fuel surcharges and applicable taxes apply to all shipping costs based on the province where the package is destined to arrive.

Your Shipping Address When paying with PayPal

When you purchase dry goods via PayPal it is very important that you include your shipping address with payment.  This policy MUST be followed with every purchase in order to comply with PayPal’s buyer and seller protection policies.  If you do not provide a shipping address within PayPal, Northern Gecko is not responsible for shipments that are lost or sent to the wrong address.

International Shipping of Dry Goods

Sorry, we do not offer international shipping of dry goods at this time.  All dry good purchases will be shipped within Canada only.

How Does The Shipping Process Work For Live Animals?

Overview

After you purchase your gecko(s) you can be confident that we take care of every aspect required to make sure that your purchase arrives safely in your city.  Your gecko(s) will fly, all expenses paid (by you) from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to an airport in Canada that YOU specify.  Your gecko(s) will fly via Air Canada Cargo Live.  When your gecko(s) arrive at your airport of choice you will be required to pick them up at the appropriate cargo desk.  It is that simple.  Please read this entire section to familiarize yourself with what you will need to do after you pay for your gecko(s). 

Shipping Address When Using PayPal

When you purchase your gecko(s) via PayPal it is very important that you include your shipping address with payment.  This policy MUST be followed with every purchase in order to comply with PayPal’s buyer and seller protection policies.  If you do not provide a shipping address within PayPal I cannot be held responsible for misdirected shipments that are addressed incorrectly.

Scheduling

Northern Gecko DOES NOT ship out live animals automatically after we receive payment as we need to know that YOU, the customer, will be available to pick them up.  After you have paid for your animals via an appropriate method we will mutually arrange a shipping date and destination airport where you would like to pick up your animal(s).

I am more than willing to hold your animals for you (free of charge) until we can find the right day to ship (for you, me and the geckos).  Your geckos will be treated and cared for just like any other gecko in our facility until we ship.  I would rather keep the gecko(s) safe at our facility for a longer period of time then risk their welfare by shipping during less than optimal weather conditions.

Shipping must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance and will only be scheduled after payment has been made in full.  For example, I cannot schedule a shipment contingent upon payment being made that day.

A Note About Extreme Weather Conditions

As you know, we live in a country that has some pretty extreme weather conditions.  Please remember that Northern Gecko will not ship geckos in conditions that would prove to be lethal. This means that we will not ship Rhacodactylus geckos if outdoor temperatures are lower than 1°C (34°F) or greater than 25°C (77°F) in either out city (Toronto) or yours.  NO EXCEPTIONS. 

A current Toronto five-day weather forecast can be found here: http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca   

It remains the customer’s responsibility to check local weather forecasts on shipping day to make sure that temperatures will remain inside these parameters at the destination city.

• In the summer, evening or early morning flights are sometimes an option in order to avoid daytime highs, as the gecko will arrive at the destination airport before/after daytime highs occur.
• In the winter, there are usually some days that are above 1°C (34°F).  These days, while few and far between, provide the perfect window to get geckos to their destination. While we understand your excitement we ask you to please be patient.
• Heat packs and cold packs are provided at not additional charge and will be used as required.  However, they still cannot be used to avoid otherwise lethal temperatures.  If a shipment is delayed the heat/cold pack may stop working before the animal arrives at its destination.
   

Please be patient and wait for the right day to ship.  This is better then receiving a gecko that is extra crispy or requires thawing.  Rest assured that until your geckos ship we will look after them the same manner we look after all of our geckos. 

While I want to do everything to make my customers happy, please remember that the health and well-being of an animal will always come first.  I will not knowingly jeopardize the welfare of an animal by shipping them when it is not safe to do so. I do not offer refunds because a customer does not want to wait for an animal to be shipped safely.

 

Live Animal Shipping Method

After you purchase your geckos and we have scheduled a flight, your geckos will be packed up very carefully in a IATA certified container for shipping live reptiles.  The container has a full one-piece ¾” Styrofoam insert for insulation.  This maintains the temperature inside the box during travel.  The box is clearly marked indicating the presence of live animals within the box and that it should be handled with one side up and kept at room temperature as much as possible.  Hot or cold packs are inserted (when required) to ensure that your animals remain at the appropriate temperature for shipping.

We then take your geckos to the airport for shipping via Air Canada Cargo Live.  If all flights depart and arrive as scheduled, there is no reason that your geckos should spend more than twelve hours inside the shipping container.  This is much better than overnight shipping which is common in the USA.  Although it is somewhat more expensive than overnight air shipping to your door (not an option in Canada), you get same day delivery which is less risky and/or stressful for your geckos.

Shipping Costs

Typically, your order can be shipped coast to coast within Canada for a maximum fee of CAN $110.00 (Toronto to Montreal would be A LOT cheaper).  This shipping charge is the customer’s responsibility and you will be required to pay this amount before we ship to you.  

When required, boxes and shipping materials, heat and cold packs will be provided free of charge.

NOTE:  Because air shipping fees are so costly, it often makes sense to purchase more then one gecko per order, as shipping costs do not increase if you order one gecko or ten.  The animals are so light that really you are paying for the real estate of a decent sized box (16” x 12” x 8”), as there is a minimum box size that can be shipped.  I often suggest if you have friends in the same city/area, that you pool your orders together so that you can split shipping charges.  It is somewhat expensive to send one gecko via air, but gets considerably less expensive if you divide that cost by three geckos (or even ten).

Don’t Forget These Items before You Head To the Airport

• Remember to bring your Air Canada Waybill Number (provided by me when I schedule the flight).
• Bring at least one piece of government issued photo ID, as you will be required to prove who you are before the geckos will be released to you.

Local Pick-up 

If you live close to the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and would like to arrange to pick-up your animals or supplies locally please contact us.  Pick up is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Additionally, Northern Gecko usually attends all Reptile Expos in Ontario (www.reptileexpo.ca).  If you wish to have your geckos brought to the next Reptile Expo for pick-up please notify us at least one week in advance and I will have no problem bringing your purchases to the show.

100% Live Arrival & Health Guarantee

Northern Gecko guarantees that from the moment you receive your gecko it is alive (obviously), healthy and alert.  Whether you are picking up the gecko locally in Toronto or if you ask us to ship it across Canada, your new gecko will be in top shape.  This is my commitment to you.  Please review the policies below so that you can know how to get the most from my guarantee.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Every gecko I sell is backed by a live arrival guarantee; however it is important that you are aware of the conditions in which I WILL NOT offer a live arrival guarantee:

• If outdoor temperatures are lower than 1°C (34°F) or greater than 25°C (77°F) I cannot guarantee live arrival as Rhacodactylus geckos are very sensitive to extreme temperatures (especially extreme heat).  I will not put your gecko(s) at risk by shipping outside of these temperatures, however if you insist that I ship your gecko(s) against my recommendation the buyer shall assume responsibility and my live arrival guarantee is null and void.  Please make sure that you are aware of local weather forecasts in your city on the day of shipping.  You can check weather forecasts here.
• The live arrival guarantee assumes that someone will be present to pick up the gecko(s) when they arrive.  If no one is there to accept shipment upon arrival then the live arrival guarantee shall be null and void.

If an animal arrives expired (this has STILL never happened to us yet, knock on wood:) you MUST notify me within 12 hours of receipt.  If I hear nothing from you within 12 hours I will assume the animals arrived alive and in good health and you are satisfied with your purchase.  In the event that an animal arrives expired, photographic evidence will be required.  If you cannot provide photographic evidence then you will be required to ship the expired animal back at your expense.  An animal that is DOA will be replaced or a credit will be offered at our discretion.

7-Day Health Guarantee

Northern Gecko guarantee that all geckos sold are 100% healthy animals when they leave our facility.  For this reason, we are willing to extend a 7-day health guarantee on all of our stock.  If you are having problems with a newly acquired gecko that you purchased from us it is essential that you to contact us as soon as possible so that we can offer suggestions to remedy the situation.  If you contact us after a gecko’s demise there are no suggestions I can offer you at that point.  Adjusting to a new enclosure and new surroundings can sometimes be a stressful period for a gecko.  For this reason it is important to keep an eye on your new gecko(s) for the first few weeks.  Beyond the seven day period we are unable to offer a health guarantee as we will no longer have any control over how the geckos will be looked after or to what diseases or parasites they might be exposed.

Sexing Policy

If I specify that a gecko is male or female then I make a 100% guarantee that it is sexed correctly.  If I specify that a gecko is 95% female this means that there is a 5% chance that the assumption is erroneous, and it may in fact become male.  Since all geckos look like females from birth and do not show any signs of being male until a certain size (usually 10-20 grams) I am not able to make a 100% guarantee on sex for animals quoted as such.  There is always a chance, no matter how slim, that male organs can begin to develop.  These geckos are not offered as 100% guaranteed sexable animals for this reason. Unsexed animals are offered with no promise of what sex they might become as there have yet to display any signs of sexual maturity.  In the unlikely event that a gecko has been sexed incorrectly and my 100% sexing guarantee applies then the gecko will be replaced with one of the correct sex or a credit will be issued at our discretion.    

Gecko Tails

Geckos can drop their tails as a self-defence mechanism or for no apparent reason at all.  I have personally witnessed this on several occasions and it can leave even the most avid hobbyist scratching their head as to why the gecko dropped its tail.  Some species regrow their tails while others will not.  In the wild, many geckos will drop their tail to escape a predator and will live a long and normal life without it.  It is for this reason that a lost tail is not considered to be a defect.  This being the case, I cannot be held responsible if a gecko loses its tail during shipping.  This has never happened to date but it is important that I state this policy as it is within the realm of possibility.

Gecko Colour

I have spent thousands of dollars on high-end lighting, camera equipment and software in order to represent my geckos as accurately as possible.  Regardless of the quality of camera and lighting equipment used, colours will always look just a little bit different on each individual monitor. I have several monitors in my home and I know that even from one computer to the next colours can appear slightly different.  In fact, it is virtually impossible to make every picture look exactly the same on every person’s monitor.  However, you can rest assured that the only modifications ever made to our photographs are resizing (shrinking), cropping and white balance adjustments (if the gecko comes out too red, too blue or too green).  We will never modify a picture to make a gecko seem brighter or more high-contrast then it actually is.

There are many factors that affect a gecko’s colouration, such as the presence of food, level of stress and environmental factors like humidity.  I photograph my geckos in a state when they are “fired up,” meaning that they are showing some of their finest colours.  However, no matter how hard you try to get them in this state the geckos do not always cooperate.  It is for this reason that I have often heard that the gecko ended up arriving looking “much nicer than it does in pictures.”  To date, I have never had a single customer complain that the gecko they received had colouration that was misrepresented by its picture.  In fact, I hear allot of the opposite as many people often tell me the picture did not do the gecko justice.  With this in mind please be aware that I cannot offer refunds based on a lack of or misrepresentation of colour.