Your complete satisfaction is more important to us than making a single sale.  We want you to be confident purchasing from us, and come back and buy from us again.

We try to provide complete, detailed descriptions of specimens, and note any damage or repairs that we see.  We try to provide representative and accurate photographs of specimens, without enhancement.  All photos are taking with daylight lamps.  However, we are aware that it may be difficult to determine specimen quality from a photograph.  Viewing a photo of a specimen does not replace looking at the actual specimen in person.  If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can return the specimen for a full refund, excluding shipping costs.

We have tried to make it as easy to ask questions or place an order as it would be in person.  Every specimen has buttons to send an inquiry about that particular specimen, or to add it to your Shopping Cart.  As a registered customer, you have the ability to Reserve your selections for later, so you can shop at your leisure.

Our Shopping Cart

• Use the "Add To Cart" button beneath the specimen photos to place items in the Shopping Cart.
• If you need more time to decide, you can Reserve your Cart and return to it later (up to 48 hours). While your Cart is Reserved, no one else can purchase the specimens in your Cart.  You must be logged in to Reserve your Cart.
• If you have any questions about your Cart, such as shipping, or would like to make an offer on specimens in your Cart, you can use the "E-Mail Inquiry" button on your Reserved Cart to send us a note. We will respond, and your Cart will remain Reserved beyond the normal 48-hour limit.
• You can view your Shopping Cart at any time by pressing the "View Cart" button.
• If you navigate away from the site, and haven't Reserved your Cart, the contents will be emptied.
• Once all specimens have been added, you can proceed though a secure checkout process.  We use PayPal as a third-party payment processor.  If you would rather not use PayPal, please send us a note using the "E-Mail Inquiry" button on your Cart to make other arrangements.
• On checkout, our Cart automatically calculates shipping and insurance using the US Postal Service's shipping estimator.
• International customers should ask about shipping before checkout, as it is difficult to calculate the correct and best shipping and insurance rates.
• Specimens will be shipped within 3 business days after payment is made.

E-Mail Inquiry

• To  ask a question about a specimen, click on the "E-Mail Inquiry" button.  You will be taken to our secure contact form, where you can send us a note about that particular specimen.
• You can send multiple e-mails in this manner, but its easier to add them to your Shopping Cart, Reserve them, and then ask about your Cart contents.
• We will usually respond in 24 hours unless we are traveling and don't have internet access.

We accept several methods of payment, as detailed below:

Personal Check,  Cashier's Check,  Money Order

• Please send us a note from your Cart to make arrangements.
• Make checks payable to Bob Griffis Minerals
• Specimens will be shipped within 3 business days after the check clears

PayPal

• Verified PayPal accounts (linked to your bank account) have no spending caps
• Unverified PayPal accounts can only make transactions valued up to $2000 per month
• Specimens will be shipped within 3 business days of payment

Credit Card Payments

• We accept payment via major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express), via our service provider, PayPal.
• You do not need to have an account with PayPal to purchase from us using your credit card. PayPal is merely the processing agent for the credit card transaction.
• This method is completely secure, and your credit card information is never seen by us or stored on our system at any time.

Other Arrangements

• Please send us a note.

The customer will pay all shipping costs incurred, including the required insurance.

WITHIN THE USA

• Specimens shipped within the United States will be sent using the U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail (2-3 days), unless a customer indicates an alternative shipping preference.
• All packages will be Insured for full value.

INTERNATIONAL

• Specimens will be sent via Express Mail International (3-5 days), unless a customer indicates an alternative shipping preference.
• All packages will be Insured for full value where possible, and the full value declared on the appropriate customs declaration forms.
• It is the customer's responsibility to pay all associated customs or duty fees when minerals are being shipped internationally.

Our return policy is simple.  If you don't like the specimen, we want you to return it.  The process for obtaining a refund is described below.  All monies paid for the specimen will be refunded within 10 days of our receipt of the returned specimen in the same condition as it was when sent to you. 

• To return a specimen, please notify us immediately via email prior to the return.  A reason for the return would be appreciated so we can improve our customer service.
• Within 15 days of your receipt of a specimen, you must send notice of the return shipping tracking number.
• Specimens must be repackaged in the same manner we packed and shipped it to you, and must be insured for the full amount.  You are responsible for any damage or loss that occurs to a specimen during return shipment, so insurance is required to protect you.  Please be sure to pack the specimen carefully.  If you need assistance, please contact us.
• Once we recieve the specimen in the same condition as we sent it, you will receive a full refund of the specimen price. 
• Payments made by PayPal or credit card will be returned by the same method.  Mailed payments will be returned by check.
• Please note that returns will not be accepted if you do not notify us of your intent to return it within the 15 day grace period.

Purchases billed to or shipped to a California address will be subject to California sales tax.

All shipments are sent insured for full value. If there is any damage, please contact us immediately, and we will process the claim. You are obviously not responsible for specimens that arrive damaged, and will have your money returned promptly.

• All items are sold on a first come - first served basis; if there is a conflict between customers on a specimen, the first person to Reserve the specimen in the Shopping Cart will have first rights to the specimen.
• Our Shopping Cart will let you automatically place a reserve on a specimen for up to 48 hours. If you are interested in a specimen, want a bit more time to decide, and want to prevent another person from buying it until you decide, please contact us.
• If you missed out on a specimen, or like one that is already sold, please contact us and let us know. We carry a large stock of specimens, many of which have not yet made it to the website, and we may have something similar in stock.
• You may also send us your want lists to receive email updates when minerals of a particular category or location become available for sale.
• All specimens are subject to prior sale.  So, you may see a previously sold specimen become available again on the website.  Sometimes sales fall through, and sometimes we repurchase specimens from our customers.
• Here's one of those legal disclaimers that our litigious society makes necessary.  Sorry, but please note that some minerals may be toxic and/or contain heavy metals, and so all minerals should be handled carefully.  Never inhale or ingest mineral dust, or lick specimens.  Always wash your hands after handling minerals.
• Please remember that the color of the specimen may not appear the same on your computer screen as the specimen in real life.  Although we calibrate the colors in the photo to match the specimen on a calibrated monitor, if your monitor is not calibrated it will not display the accurate colors.  Also, some specimens are extremely difficult to photograph, and may require other light sources to depict what your eye would see.  We will note to the best of our ability any such issues in the specimen description.