Returns | Shipping Notes | Warranty Limitation | Out-of-Warranty Repairs

Returns:

All sales are final unless authorized in advance. Hydrophones are often needed for short-term applications, and once they are used, they are often encrusted with salt. Cables, when not cared for properly, become twisted and tangled. Due to the nature of this use, we strictly adhere to this policy. If you find that you have purchased a product that does not work well for you, we will make reasonable efforts to make exchanges or modifications when possible. Defective items claimed under warranty will be repaired and returned to the customer, or replaced at our discretion.

Shipping Notes:

Rate Calculation: Shipments by UPS, FedEx, and DHL are billed at our cost and include shipment value protection from the courier. Shipments by the US Postal Service are billed at our cost plus insurance. We self-insure USPS shipments at a rate of 1% of the shipment value for domestic shipments, and 1.5% for export shipments (see additional notes below). Shipments sent outside of the United States are also charged a $5.00 export handling fee. Priority Mail International shipments valued at over $200.00 are billed at our cost plus $8.00 (export fee) plus 3% of the shipment value.  It is not our intent to earn income on shipping.  Markups are only intended to compensate for shipping liabilities.

It is not possible to predict shipping costs accurately for every transaction made though AquarianAudio.com. Bulky items and packaging type may increase the dimensional weight (and cost) of a shipment. We can often save our customers money by using a flat-rate package, or by bulk-packaging multiple items. Shipping charges calculated by this web site are estimates only. It is our policy for orders originating from this web site to bill the shopping cart rate as quoted in the customer checkout process if that rate is within +/- $5.00 of our actual charges as calculated above. If your shipping rate exceeds $5.00 less than the cart rate, we will automatically revise your invoice and bill the correct amount. If your shipping rate exceeds $5.00 more the cart rate, we will, at our discretion, absorb the additional cost, or notify the customer of the increase and hold your order until we have approval of the additional charge.

Express Shipments: We strive to be the best in the industry when it comes to getting hydrophones to our customers quickly. However, we do not accept any liability for delays caused by temporary closures of shop, out-of-stock standard items, or shipment delays caused by the courier. We make every effort to satisfy our customers and may facilitate a refund due to a shipment error--especially if that error was a result of our actions. But these judgments are made case by case. Our official return policy (above) is still in effect. Shipment delays caused by the courier are settled through the courier. Shipment delays are very rare and we have had years of experience with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and the US Postal Service. We only ship by reliable means. Please note: Customers (especially with international shipments) should plan to be available to take delivery in person Monday through Friday, authorize another recipient, or plan to make other arrangements with the courier. Aquarian Audio will not be liable for delays caused my missed attempts for delivery.

US Postal Service notes: Aquarian Audio Products has found the US Postal Service and its foreign contractors to be very reliable. During the few losses that we have encountered, the USPS has been difficult in resolving problems and very slow to respond. We have also never made a successful insurance claim with them. Thus, our policy is to self-insure all of the packages sent through the USPS at a rate of 1% (domestic) or 1.5% (export) of the shipment value. We will not replace a lost shipment until 30 days after its last known position. Customers requiring faster replacement must purchase the replacement order. We would then refund the cost of that replacement order at the end of the 30-day term, or upon return of that shipment by the customer. If you are willing to accept these terms, the USPS can be a quick and economical shipping option.

Export Disclaimers: Aquarian Audio Products will always do its best to prepare export shipments with accurate shipping waybills and all necessary customs documents. Despite our best efforts, shipments are occasionally held in the customs clearance process for unpredictable periods of time. We make no guarantee that your package will be delivered within the expected transit time. All import taxes will be the responsibility of the buyer. These taxes vary, depending on shipment value, shipment method, and destination country. Aquarian Audio Products does not attempt to keep tariff and tax rates for any country of export; it is the sole responsibility of the buyer to investigate these charges if needed. For more detail and links to world customs agencies, please see our Export Tax Information page page. Due to the cost associated with export shipments, we highly recommend that you also read the warranty limitation below.

Warranty Limitation:

Aquarian Audio Products limits its shipping cost liability to one half of the item value during any warranty claim. Damaged cables and damage caused to the hydrophone by breach of the cable sheath is not covered under warranty. Major corrosion resulting from electrolysis, non-neutral PH, or similar factors under user control is not covered under warranty, nor is degradation of rubber compounds used in the hydrophone as a result of use in solvents. All products manufactured by Aquarian Audio Products are tested before they are packaged for shipment. Please read our general warranty statement here.

Out-of-Warranty Repairs:

We don't like it when our hydrophones break! Thus, it has been our policy to repair out-of-warranty items at discounted rates. If a customer's hydrophone has no obvious signs of misuse, and is less than five years old, we provide repair service free of charge and charge only the cost of parts plus return shipping for items that are currently in production. We will offer comparable replacements at prorated discounts for obsolete items--50% in the first year out of warranty, 40% the second year, and so on. We will offer this same discount for replacement of defective current-production items upon agreement only. Also, upon agreement, we will offer expedited replacements by selling new hydrophones at full cost, then reimbursing the customer for the discounted amount at the time the defective part is returned (30-day limitation on return from time of replacement sale). Please note: we do not guarantee this policy because we ultimately reserve the right to judge whether the product was cared for appropriately. We also reserve the right to change this policy at any time.