Terms of service

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms,” “Agreement”) govern your access to and use of the American Ant Store website (the “Site”) and all purchases, deliveries, and interactions involving our products, live organisms, and accessories (“Products”). By visiting the Site, browsing its contents, or placing an order, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms in full.

These Terms are intended both to protect our business and to clearly communicate your responsibilities as a customer. Please read carefully.

Section 1: Acceptance of Terms

1.1 By using the Site or completing a purchase, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age, legally competent, and capable of entering binding contracts.

1.2 Use of the Site and placement of orders constitutes full and irrevocable acceptance of these Terms.

1.3 American Ant Store reserves the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. The version posted on the Site at the time of purchase governs.

1.4 Continued use of the Site following revisions constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Section 2: Products and Intended Use

2.1 Live Organisms

Colonies, queens, and live ants are fragile, living organisms that require attentive care.
All live organisms are sold for educational, research, and hobbyist purposes only.
Variability in size, brood count, or lifespan is natural.

2.2 What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG)

Many colonies are sold as WYSIWYG, with photos representing the actual colony offered.
Due to natural changes, the actual number of workers, brood, or size may be slightly larger or smaller than pictured.
Images are not updated daily and serve as accurate but not absolute representations.

2.3 Dry Goods and Accessories

Formicaria, feeders, hydration devices, and accessories are designed for safe use by hobbyists.
Misuse, alteration, or improper installation is the responsibility of the Buyer.

2.4 Restrictions on Use

Products are not intended for agricultural, industrial, or medical application.
Live organisms may not be released into the environment under any circumstances.

Section 3: Orders and Processing

3.1 All orders placed via the Site constitute offers to purchase. Acceptance occurs only upon shipment.

3.2 We reserve the right to cancel or reject any order in cases of suspected fraud, misuse, or risk.

3.3 Orders for live organisms typically process within 3 business days. Dry goods generally process within 1–3 business days.

3.4 Processing times may extend during holidays, carrier disruptions, or operational delays.

3.5 Customers are solely responsible for providing accurate shipping information at checkout.

Section 4: Shipping and Delivery

4.1 Method of Shipment

Live ants ship via UPS Next Day Air with insulated packaging.
Dry goods may ship by UPS, USPS, or other carriers at our discretion.

4.2 Delivery Responsibility

Customers must provide a valid physical address. We cannot ship live organisms to P.O. boxes.
Customers are expected to be present to receive live shipments and open them promptly.

4.3 Delays

Carrier delays, weather events, or unforeseen circumstances may occur.
Our Live Arrival Guarantee and One-Week Colony Guarantee remain valid even in cases of carrier delay.

Section 5: Live Arrival Guarantee

5.1 Customers must email support@americanantstore.com within 2 hours of delivery with the subject line “DOA – [Order Number]” and include clear photographic proof.

5.2 Verified DOA claims will be resolved by either:

Free reshipment of the colony; or
Store credit for a future order.

5.3 Guarantee applies even when carrier delays occur.

Section 6: One-Week Colony Guarantee

6.1 Colonies are guaranteed for 7 days after delivery if proper care is provided.

6.2 Guarantee is void if ants are housed in gel farms, dirt houses, or other unsuitable environments.

6.3 American Ant Store reserves the right to request proof of setup and care practices before honoring claims.

Section 7: Price Match Policy

7.1 American Ant Store strives to offer competitive pricing in the industry.

7.2 If a customer locates the same species and comparable colony size at a lower publicly advertised price from a reputable U.S. vendor, we may match or credit the difference at our discretion.

7.3 Price match requests must be submitted prior to purchase and include verifiable proof (e.g., live listing, screenshot, vendor URL).

7.4 This policy does not apply to auctions, private sales, international vendors, or limited “one-off” offers.

Section 8: Compliance, Legal Use, and Ownership

8.1 The Customer is solely responsible for ensuring that the acquisition, transport, possession, and use of Products complies with all applicable laws, standards, and requirements at the local, state, and federal level.

8.2 American Ant Store provides Products under the assumption that the Customer has confirmed their own eligibility to receive and keep them in accordance with applicable regulatory conditions.

8.3 The intentional or accidental release of live organisms into the environment is prohibited. Any resulting liability rests solely with the Customer.

8.4 By completing a purchase, the Customer affirms that they meet all conditions necessary for lawful receipt and possession of Products in their jurisdiction.

8.5 American Ant Store does not independently review or confirm such eligibility at checkout. Responsibility for compliance rests exclusively with the Customer.

Section 9: Care Standards and Facility Practices

9.1 All live organisms offered by American Ant Store are maintained in a state-of-the-art care facility, where they are housed in species-appropriate environments with careful climate control, feeding, and monitoring.

9.2 Colonies are carefully evaluated before shipment to ensure health, stability, and survivability in transit.

9.3 Packaging materials are designed to maintain temperature, ventilation, and hydration for the duration of delivery.

9.4 Customers acknowledge that biological outcomes remain variable and that American Ant Store cannot guarantee future growth, reproduction, or behavior beyond stated policies.

Section 10: Customer Responsibilities

10.1 After delivery, the Customer assumes full responsibility for care, feeding, hydration, and environmental stability.

10.2 Customers agree to maintain secure housing and prevent neglect, escape, or release of live organisms.

10.3 Customers indemnify American Ant Store against any claims, damages, or penalties arising from improper handling or misuse.

Section 11: Limitation of Liability

11.1 American Ant Store’s liability is capped at the purchase price of the order.

11.2 We disclaim responsibility for indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages.

11.3 Customers release American Ant Store from liability for outcomes beyond the express guarantees herein.

Section 12: Indemnification

12.1 The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless American Ant Store, its owners, employees, and affiliates against all claims, fines, damages, or costs arising from:

Breach of these Terms;
Failure to comply with applicable requirements;
Improper use, housing, or release of Products;
Regulatory or environmental consequences tied to ownership or handling.

Section 13: Accessibility and ADA Compliance

13.1 American Ant Store is committed to maintaining accessibility consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

13.2 Customers encountering accessibility barriers should contact support@americanantstore.com with “Accessibility Support” in the subject line.

13.3 While efforts are made toward full accessibility, technological limitations may occur.

Section 14: Governing Law and Jurisdiction

14.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

14.2 Any disputes will be resolved exclusively in the courts of Dallas County, Texas.

Section 15: Entire Agreement

15.1 These Terms, along with the Return & Guarantee Policy and Shipping Policy, constitute the full agreement between Customer and American Ant Store.

15.2 If any provision is deemed invalid, the remainder shall remain enforceable.

15.3 No failure to enforce a provision shall be considered a waiver of rights.

Section 16: Customer Acknowledgment

By completing a purchase, you expressly acknowledge that you:

Have read and understood these Terms;
Accept responsibility for all Products after delivery;
Understand that colony photos are representative and may vary slightly in size;
Recognize that American Ant Store does not independently confirm legal eligibility at checkout and that compliance rests with you;
Release American Ant Store from liability beyond express guarantees.