Pepper Joe's Shipping & Returns

Shipping Information

We ship within the United States and Canada using USPS and UPS. Our system automatically selects the carrier offering the lowest price based on package size, weight, and destination.

Please note: While we do ship to Canada, some product restrictions and vendor limitations apply. Certain items, such as consumable meats and select vendor products, are not eligible for Canadian delivery. Any exclusions will be noted during checkout.

We work hard to get your order out quickly!

  • Fast Processing: In-stock items are typically shipped the same business day if your order is placed by 11:00 AM CST.
  • Weekend Orders: Orders placed after 11:00 AM CST on Friday will ship the following Monday.
  • Next-Day Delivery: Orders placed after 11:00 AM CST cannot be guaranteed for next-day delivery. If you need urgent delivery, please contact our Customer Service team, we’ll be happy to review available options with you.
  • Drop-Shipped Products: Some items are shipped directly from our partner vendors. These may take longer to arrive, and you’ll receive tracking information as soon as it becomes available.

Our Customer Service team is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CST. Any order change requests made outside of that time cannot be guaranteed.

Additional Information

Shipping Policy

All orders ship via the most cost-effective carrier, which may include USPS, UPS, or FedEx. If you require a specific shipping provider for your location, please contact our customer service team at customerservice@pepperjoe.com before placing your order.

After placing your order, you will receive a confirmation email. Once your order ships, you will receive tracking information in a separate email. Please ensure your email address is correct at checkout, as we are unable to issue refunds for failure to receive tracking details due to an incorrect or non-functional email.

Freight Delivery

Any products where the weight exceeds 130lbs. are shipped via freight on wooden pallets. Due to their size and weight, it's crucial to understand the delivery process. Most pallets weigh between 200 lbs. and 1,500 lbs. Orders over 1,500 lbs. will also come on multiple pallets.

Delivery Notes

Every delivery requires:

Delivery Appointment: The freight carrier will call you to schedule a delivery appointment. Prompt scheduling is essential to avoid additional storage fees.  It's essential we have a good contact phone number for you to provide to the carrier.

Curbside Delivery Only: Trucks will remain curbside and will not drive down driveways.

Customer is Responsible for Unloading: Drivers are not permitted to assist with unloading due to liability issues.

No Forklifts or Lift-Gates Included: Free shipping covers delivery to your driveway only. Forklifts, lift-gates, and driver assistance are not included (with the exception of Automated Grow Racks and greenhouse plastic). 

Limited Access Locations: For very limited access locations, a terminal pickup may be required.

Driver Discretion: The driver will determine the safest drop-off point on your property, considering the safety of people, the load, their truck, and your property. They may not be able to deliver to your ideal location.

Provide Carrier Information: Please allow a delivery window and provide any additional location information to the carrier when they call.

Location Changes En Route: Changing delivery locations while your shipment is in transit will result in additional carrier fees.

Checking In Your Delivery: It is vital to thoroughly inspect your shipment upon arrival. Following these steps helps protect you and ensures a smooth resolution in case of issues:

  • Document Everything (Photos!): Before unloading, take pictures of the pallet from all angles.
  • Note Any Damage on Paperwork: Crucially, if there is any damage, you MUST clearly note it on the delivery paperwork BEFORE the driver leaves.
  • Immediate Contact for Concerns: If you have any concerns or issues (including damage or missing parts), email contact@bootstrapfarmer.com immediately.
  • Severe Damage/Mismatched Pallet: If the damage is severe, or the pallet does not match the pictures we sent to your email, contact us by phone at (888)-406-1982 or email at contact@bootstrapfarmer.com IMMEDIATELY. This allows us to determine the best course of action.
  • Replacement Parts: Bootstrap Farmer will promptly send out replacements for any missing or damaged parts.
  • Instruction Book & Pick List: Your Instruction Book and Pick List will be in a box near the top of the pallet. Use the pick list to verify your inventory.

Unloading Your Shipment

  • Your Responsibility: Unloading the pallet from the freight truck is solely your responsibility.
  • Unloading Methods: You can cut the strapping and shrink wrap and hand unload the items. You can rent an outdoor forklift for unloading.
  • Weight Awareness: Pallets can weigh up to 1500 pounds.
  • Safety First: You are solely responsible for your own safety, preventing damage to your load, and avoiding damage to the freight carrier’s property during unloading.
  • Heaviest Components (for hand unloading):Greenhouse film box: 70 lbs. to 280 lbs. Hardware box: Up to 60 lbs. Most other bulk items are easily handled.
  • Be Prepared with Help: The carrier will allow time for unloading, but be prepared with sufficient help. The driver is not paid or required to assist. Unload as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Lift Gate Availability (Optional/Extra Cost): In some cases, a lift gate may be available, but this is at the carrier's discretion and will incur additional fees up to $150, for which you will be responsible.  All greenhouse kits are ineligible for liftgates.  Carriers will not use a liftgate due to the size and weight of the kit.

Transit Times

  • Most shipments typically take between 5-10 business days.
  • Please note that freight transit times are estimates only, and delays of several days are not uncommon and are outside of our control.  More remote locations should expect longer delays.

Understanding the Freight Process & Our Commitment

Once your kit leaves our facility, it travels through various freight hubs before reaching the hub closest to you, then on to the final delivery truck.

In the event that damage occurs during transit, established procedures are in place to protect both you and Bootstrap Farmer from financial loss. The detailed check-in and picture-taking instructions above are crucial parts of these procedures, allowing us to recoup losses and continue offering competitive pricing.

We are committed to getting you back on track quickly. If issues arise, please contact us right away. We'll promptly send out replacement parts. Your cooperation in following our instructions and being prepared for unloading helps us keep costs down for everyone.

Returns Policy

At Pepper Joe’s, we want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you’re not completely happy with your order, please contact us at customerservice@pepperjoe.com, and we’ll work to make it right.

Return Eligibility & Process

  • Returns must be approved in advance and requested within 30 days of receiving your order. *Please see below for more specific information on your product type.
  • Items must be in like-new, unused condition to qualify for a refund.
  • Customers are responsible for arranging return shipping and covering any related costs. We strongly recommend using a carrier that provides a tracking number, as we cannot issue refunds for items that are not returned to us.
  • Please keep your tracking number until your return has been processed.
  • Some products are ineligible for return, including any custom-cut items such as Greenhouse Plastic and Shade Cloth.

Refunds & Replacements

  • Original shipping charges are non-refundable.
  • If an order is returned to us due to an insufficient address, a refund will be issued, minus the original shipping cost. This process can take up to 3-4 weeks to complete.
  • If desired, a replacement order can be sent at no additional charge upon customer request.

For any return-related inquiries, reach out to our team at customerservice@pepperjoe.com.

Package Theft Policy

At Pepper Joe’s, we are committed to ensuring a smooth ordering experience. To support our customers, we provide tracking details and relevant shipping information to help monitor the delivery of their packages.

Package Theft & Customer Responsibility

In the unfortunate event of package theft, Pepper Joe’s is unable to intervene or provide a final resolution. Package theft is a crime that must be addressed with law enforcement, as they are the appropriate authority to seek restitution for losses incurred.

How We Can Assist

While we cannot replace or refund stolen packages, we can provide key shipment details to support customers in filing a police report, if necessary. Upon request, we can supply:

  • Tracking number(s) and carrier details
  • Delivery date, time, and total package count
  • List of contents and product value

Preventative Measures

We encourage customers to take proactive steps to secure their deliveries, including:

  • Choosing a secure delivery location
  • Ensuring someone is available to receive the package during the estimated timeframe
  • Using delivery instructions or carrier-provided security options where available

For further assistance, please contact customerservice@pepperjoe.com.

Germination Policy

Germination Policy

We include easy-to-follow germination instructions with every seed order to help ensure the best possible results. Some seeds—especially super hot varieties—can be challenging to germinate.

While there are various methods for sprouting seeds, we recommend following our provided instructions for optimal success. If you choose to use a different germination method, please note that we cannot guarantee successful germination and will not be able to provide replacements for failed attempts.

Non-Isolated Seed Disclaimer

Some of our seed varieties are marked as non-isolated. While some of these were grown in controlled conditions, they are genetically unstable, meaning the resulting plants may vary in traits such as flavor, size, color, and heat level. These variations can lead to exciting and unique results, but they also make the plants less predictable from one generation to the next.

If you choose to plant non-isolated or unstable pepper seeds, please understand that variability is expected, and replacements will not be provided for differences in plant characteristics.

For any questions or concerns, please contact us at customerservice@pepperjoe.com.

Live Plant PRE-ORDERS

Pre-Order Information

Pre-orders for live plants open on January 5, 2026.

During checkout, customers may select a Preferred Delivery Week (a target arrival window) from the following options:

  • April 6–12
  • April 13–19
  • April 20–26
  • April 27–May 3

These delivery weeks allow us to ship plants at the appropriate time for planting while accounting for weather and growing conditions.

Payment for pre-orders is processed at checkout. Payment is captured immediately to reserve your plants and confirm your selected delivery week.

Pre-Order Deadline

The final week to place a pre-order is April 20–24. Orders placed during this time will still be treated as pre-orders and shipped according to the selected delivery week.

Orders Placed After Pre-Orders Close

Orders placed after April 24, 2026 will no longer be treated as pre-orders. These orders will ship as standard live plant orders and may require additional processing time due to seasonal demand.

While these orders may still ship during the April 27–May 3 timeframe, delivery timing may be extended and delivery dates are not guaranteed.

Can’t remember your delivery week?

Check your order confirmation email or sign in to your account at www.pepperjoe.com

Live Plants Shipping & Returns

Shipping Live Plants

Live plants are shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground to U.S. addresses only.

We cannot ship live plants to P.O. Boxes.

Pre-Orders & Delivery Timing

When you place a live plant pre-order, you’ll be asked at checkout to select a Preferred Delivery Week.

What is a Preferred Delivery Week?

This is the week you’d like your order to arrive (a target 7-day delivery window). We plan shipping so your order reaches you during that week whenever possible.

If you don’t select a week:

We’ll automatically assign the earliest available delivery week.

Important timing notes:

  • We aim for delivery within your selected week, weather permitting.
  • Delivery timing may vary by location, and some orders may arrive slightly earlier or later than expected.
  • Delivery dates are not guaranteed.
  • Once your order ships, you’ll receive a tracking number to follow its progress.

Can’t remember your delivery week?

Check your order confirmation email or sign in to your account at www.pepperjoe.com.

Live Plant Considerations

These are live plants. Extreme temperatures can affect plant health, so please consider your local weather conditions when ordering.

When your plants arrive:

  • Inspect plants and packaging right away and unbox them the same day they are delivered.
  • Some wilting or leaf drop is normal after shipping. If this occurs, water your plants and allow up to 24 hours for them to recover before contacting us.

If your plants arrive dead or continue to look unhealthy after this recovery period, please contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible. You may be asked to provide clear photos of the plant(s) and packaging to help us assess the issue.

Our team is happy to assist with shipping-related damage or plant health concerns within a reasonable timeframe and will do our best to provide care guidance, replacements, or refunds when appropriate.

For best results, please review the package insert for hardening-off and growing instructions, and check your order confirmation email for additional tips.

Refund & Replacement Policy

We offer a replacement or refund for live plants reported as damaged or unsatisfactory within a reasonable timeframe, typically 48–72 hours after delivery. Clear photos of the plant(s) and packaging may be required to process a claim.

Additional limits:

  • We can’t offer refunds or replacements for issues reported more than 7 days after transplanting, as plant health can be affected by factors outside our control.
  • No refunds or replacements will be issued for dead plants more than 30 days after delivery, under any circumstances.
  • We offer one replacement per order for all products, including seeds and live plants.
  • If a replacement is needed but the item is out of stock, we’ll provide a gift card or refund equal to the item value.

For more assistance, click here to contact us.

Consumables Shipping & Returns

For safety and quality reasons, we cannot accept returns of any consumable items that have been opened.

If your item arrives opened or damaged during transit, please contact us at customerservice@pepperjoe.com, and we will be happy to provide a replacement.

  • Billing

    We charge when we ship on all orders that are able to be fulfilled in 7 days or less. If an order takes longer than 7 days to ship, we capture payment after the order is placed.  If this happens, it will reflect on your receipt.  You will receive a separate payment receipt for each charge. If your order is split into more than one shipment you will receive an email with a receipt after each.

  • Order Confirmation & Tracking

    Once your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation email, and another email with tracking information once your shipment leaves our warehouse. If you do not receive an email or phone call from our staff within 48 hours of placing your order, please contact us at 888-660-2276.

  • Lost or Damaged Packages

    • Inspect every shipment for lost, missing, or damaged merchandise (be sure to count containers if your shipment came in multiple containers).
    • If possible, take pictures of the damage and email them to us at customerservice@pepperjoe.com.

Taxes

Items sold by Pepper Joe's and its affiliates that are shipped to destinations in the following states and US territories may be subject to tax:

    • ALABAMA
    • ALASKA
    • ARIZONA
    • ARKANSAS
    • CALIFORNIA
    • COLORADO
    • CONNECTICUT
    • DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
    • FLORIDA
    • GEORGIA
    • HAWAII
    • IDAHO
    • ILLINOIS
    • INDIANA
    • IOWA
    • KANSAS
    • KENTUCKY
    • LOUISIANA
    • MAINE
    • MARYLAND
    • MASSACHUSETTS
    • MICHIGAN
    • MINNESOTA
    • MISSISSIPPI
    • MISSOURI
    • NEBRASKA
    • NEVADA
    • NEW JERSEY
    • NEW MEXICO
    • NEW YORK
    • NORTH CAROLINA
    • NORTH DAKOTA
    • OHIO
    • OKLAHOMA
    • PENNSYLVANIA
    • PUERTO RICO
    • RHODE ISLAND
    • SOUTH CAROLINA
    • SOUTH DAKOTA
    • TENNESSEE
    • TEXAS
    • UTAH
    • VERMONT
    • VIRGINIA
    • WASHINGTON
    • WEST VIRGINIA
    • WISCONSIN
    • WYOMING