Shipping & Returns
Dispatch times, freight, hazardous shipping, damage claims and the full return authorization procedure.
On this page
1. Order cut-off and dispatch
Stocked items ordered before 2:00 PM Eastern Time on a business day are dispatched the same day. Orders placed after the cut-off, at weekends or on U.S. federal holidays are dispatched the next business day. Non-stocked and manufacturer-direct items dispatch according to the lead time shown on your quotation, which we confirm in writing before the order is accepted.
2. Transit times
| Destination | Ground transit | Expedited options |
|---|---|---|
| DE, MD, NJ, PA | 1 business day | Next-day AM available |
| New England, VA, OH, NC, SC | 2 business days | Next-day, 2-day |
| Midwest & Southeast | 3 business days | Next-day, 2-day |
| Mountain & West Coast | 4–5 business days | Next-day, 2-day |
| Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico | Air service only | Quoted per shipment |
Transit times are carrier estimates and exclude the dispatch day. We do not ship outside the United States and its territories.
3. Freight charges
Freight is quoted per order based on weight, dimensions and destination. Orders below $75 in merchandise value carry a $9.50 handling charge. Oversized, palletized and hazardous shipments are quoted individually. Collect shipping on your own carrier account is supported — provide the account number with your purchase order.
4. Cold chain and hazardous materials
Temperature-sensitive goods ship on overnight service with gel packs or dry ice and are dispatched Monday to Wednesday only, to avoid weekend transit. Items regulated for transport are packaged, marked, labeled and documented under 49 CFR by trained personnel; some hazardous items cannot travel by air and will be routed to ground service regardless of the requested speed.
5. Receiving your shipment
Inspect cartons at delivery. Note any visible damage on the carrier's delivery record before signing. Report shortages, damage or incorrect items to manager@vpscientific.com within five business days of delivery, with photographs of the carton, packing material and contents. Keep all packaging until the claim is resolved; carriers require it for inspection.
6. Return authorization
Contact us before returning anything. We will issue a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number, which must be written on the outside of the carton. Returns received without an RMA cannot be identified against an account and may be refused.
7. What can be returned
Unopened, unused stock items in original, undamaged manufacturer packaging may be returned within 30 days of delivery. The following are not returnable: opened or partially used goods; sterile products whose packaging has been breached; refrigerated, frozen or short-dated items; hazardous materials; custom, special-order and manufacturer-direct items; and any product that has left a controlled storage environment in a way that compromises its integrity.
8. Restocking and refunds
Returns arising from our error — wrong item picked, incorrect quantity, damage in transit — are collected at our cost and refunded or replaced in full. Returns for customer convenience are subject to a 15% restocking fee, and outbound and return freight are the customer's responsibility. Refunds are issued to the original payment method, or as an account credit for purchase-order transactions, within ten business days of inspection.
9. Warranty claims
Instruments and equipment carry the manufacturer's warranty. Report a suspected defect with the model, serial number and a description of the fault; we open the claim with the manufacturer and coordinate repair, replacement or credit according to their determination. Loaner availability varies by manufacturer and is confirmed case by case.
10. Cancellations
Orders may be cancelled at no charge before the item is picked or released to the manufacturer. After release, cancellation is treated as a return for convenience. Special-order and custom items cannot be cancelled once production has begun.
11. How to reach us about a shipment
Email manager@vpscientific.com or call (614) 671-3008 Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM ET. Please have the order number and, where relevant, the tracking number to hand.
Questions about this document?
Write to VP Scientific, 132 Carlton Lane, Dover, DE 19904, USA, call (614) 671-3008 or email manager@vpscientific.com. We respond to written enquiries within five business days.