Rare Microscopy Spores

Paying via Bank Transfer?

If you plan on selecting bank transfer at checkout, just remember the payment instructions email is super important to follow in full. Orders become delayed when Steps 1 and 2 are not followed and basically creates a totally avoidable pain in the butt for you.

Sending cash in the post?

When sending Cash in Post, please make sure to read the instructions email and include the order number inside the envelope... You wouldn't believe how many times a week we receive anonymous money envelopes that sit on a desk until a customer emails and has to identify it.

Paying via Crypto?

Crypto is our favourite way to get paid because it is fully automated and saves us a lot of time as we don't need to count cash envelopes and check our bank account... and because of this we include a generous 10% off at checkout for customers using Crypto. You will notice the Crypto checkout showing as communityspores.org - don't worry, we own that domain (in case you wonder).

Paying in person

We absolutely love meeting our customers and having a wee chat about mycology (and other random things of the day!), it always feels more personal. There is a train station just 5 mins walk from our unit, making it easy for anyone to get to - whether you are from Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. We will send instructions / directions by email - let us know how you prefer your tea or coffee :)

We don't wait around

Dispatch times have changed - they're simply better. The one key difference is that they're now based on method of payment..  For example, a customer choosing crypto at checkout saves us a lot of work due to it being fully automated in the back-end of our site - meaning those customers receive their parcels a bit quicker than others. Here are our dispatch times: Cryptocurrency 0 - 5 days Bank Transfer 1 - 7 days Cash by Post  1 - 7 days *Whenever we say days, we mean working days - Mon to Fri and not weekends or holidays

Dispatch Pledge

If we take longer to dispatch your parcel than the days stated above, then we will have broken our dispatch pledge (unless that delay was down to customer error, etc). Whenever we have broken this pledge, we have included extras in the parcel. And you won't even need to remind us as we know every parcel we're late with :) If it has been more than 7 working days since sending payment and you've still not had a dispatch email, please get in touch urgently using our contact form - and select 'High' priority please!

Common issues and misunderstandings affecting dispatch (in order of most common)

1. Important emails being missed by customers
2. Us being extremely busy or understaffed due to illness / injury, etc
3. Parcelforce Express 24 and Express AM at checkout does not mean same day dispatch for you to receive tomorrow - those are just their service names

Nosey delivery drivers, flatmates, neighbours or work colleagues?

All parcels are sent in high quality, nondescript packaging; our website name won't be mentioned and there's no tell-tale return address to worry about either.

Even for orders made from outside of the UK, customs declarations are barebones with descriptions such as 'Microscopy Kit' or 'Gardening Supplies', etc... We follow the rules whilst preserving your privacy as much as possible.