Barbara, Sorry to hear about your experience. You didn't mention your purpose in ordering shells from Shell Horizons. Were they intended for a collection? If so, your problem wasn't so much in ordering from overseas, but rather ordering from a bulk commercial shell warehouse. I'm not berating Shell Horizons. They have been in business a long time, and what they do they do well. But what they do is supply shells for craftwork and for tourist shop bins, NOT specimen quality shells for collectors. Regards, Paul M.