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# Buying genetics on the marketplace

Use the genetics marketplace to compare source animals, material details, price, and fulfillment before you pay. Your purchase stays connected to the seller's inventory and appears in your dashboard after checkout.

## 1. Find and review material

Open the [Genetics marketplace](https://creatures.com/marketplace/genetics). Search or filter by species, breed, material type, preservation, and distance.

![Genetics marketplace filters and focused listing cards](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/a91/537/b6a/8a5c4.png?width=1760)

Open a card and check the donor or parents, quantity, price, seller, location, pickup or shipping choices, cold-chain needs, and container. A fixed-price listing lets you select a quantity. An auction sells the available material as one lot.

![A genetics listing with donor details, per-straw price, and pickup requirements](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/4da/109/035/9e671.png?width=1760)

## 2. Choose what happens after purchase

Review the offered delivery or pickup method and provide the delivery address when asked. Shipping and container charges are coordinated with the seller separately, not added to the genetics checkout.

If the seller offers compatible storage, you may see **Keep it stored with** followed by their name. This starts a storage transfer instead of a physical shipment. Your choice is fixed after payment.

## 3. Pay for fixed-price items or auction wins

For a fixed-price listing, enter **Quantity**, review **After purchase**, and choose a fulfillment option if more than one is offered. Select **Buy now** to pay for that listing in Stripe Checkout. Review the item price and **Buyer Service Fee** there; the fee is 5% unless the seller covers it.

For an auction, place a 5% card hold (at least $5) before bidding. A maximum bid lets Creatures raise your bid only as needed up to your limit. A reserve must be met for the lot to sell. Winning does not immediately charge your card.

Open [My purchases](https://creatures.com/dashboard/purchases) and select **Pay genetic wins**. Choose one or more wins, review each fee and privacy choice, and pay the combined total. Credit or wallet balance can be applied before the remaining card charge. Complete payment within 72 hours of the auction closing. An unpaid win can be forfeited and your card hold captured as a **Bidder Default Fee**.

![Checkout summary for three selected genetics auction wins](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/8a1/f32/dba/41d8c.png?width=1760)

## 4. Follow the order

Open [My purchases](https://creatures.com/dashboard/purchases) for the fulfillment status, tracking, and seller updates.

![A genetics purchase with fulfillment and tracking details](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/e4f/6d1/02b/5ffff.png?width=1760)

**Confirm receipt** becomes available after the seller records delivery or handoff, or 72 hours after payment. Confirm only after checking the material. The [shipping guide](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/shipping-and-tracking-genetic-items-1x02ylw/) explains the seven-day delivery review window and 30-day payment backstop, after which the seller's payment can release automatically.

Use **Report a delivery problem** before release if the material, quantity, or delivery is wrong. A report pauses the seller's payout while Support reviews it. Storage transfers use provider receipt instead of your Confirm receipt button.

### Related information

- [Shipping and tracking genetic items](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/shipping-and-tracking-genetic-items-1x02ylw/)
- [Subscribing to genetic storage](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/subscribing-to-genetic-storage-16yrhwy/)
- [Genetics reference: material types, statuses, and shipping](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/genetics-reference-material-types-statuses-and-shipping-naf1ap/)