Synthesis scale and oligo length	Guaranteed minimum, non-modified, desalted oligos (no additional purification)	Guaranteed minimum, modified, desalted oligos (no additional purification)	Guaranteed minimum, non-modified, additionally purified oligos	Guaranteed minimum, modified, additionally purified oligos
25 nmol, 20 to 100 bases	2 OD or 10 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 2 OD or 10 nmol	1 OD or 5 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 1 OD or 5 nmol
25 nmol, 2 to 19 bases	1 OD or 5 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 1 OD or 5 nmol	0.5 OD or 2 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 0.5 OD or 1 nmol
100 nmol, 20 to 100 bases	5 OD or 25 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 5 OD or 25 nmol	2 OD or 10 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 2 OD or 10 nmol
100 nmol, 2 to 19 bases	2 OD or 10 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 2 OD or 10 nmol	1 OD or 5 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 1 OD or 5 nmol
200 nmol, 20 to 100 bases	12 OD or 50 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 12 OD or 50 nmol	4 OD or 20 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 4 OD or 20 nmol
200 nmol, 2 to 19 bases	5 OD or 20 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 5 OD or 20 nmol	2 OD or 10 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 2 OD or 10 nmol
1000 nmol, 20 to 100 bases	50 OD or 300 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 50 OD or 300 nmol	20 OD or 150 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 20 OD or 150 nmol
1000 nmol, 2 to 19 bases	20 OD or 150 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 20 OD or 150 nmol	10 OD or 50 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 10 OD or 50 nmol
15000 nmol, 20 to 100 bases	600 OD or 5000 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 600 OD or 5000 nmol	240 OD or 2000 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 240 OD or 2000 nmol
15000 nmol, 2 to 19 bases	300 OD or 1500 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 300 OD or 1500 nmol	120 OD or 1000 nmol (the lesser of the two)	Less than 120 OD or 1000 nmol

Shipping and handling

We charge shipping and handling per package (i.e. one package that contains all your oligos).  We ship by one of the following carriers: a) "Xpresspost" within Canada, delivered within 1 to 4 days, which costs CAN$12.10 (Quebec and Ontario) or CAN$17.13 (all other provinces); b) "Tracked Packet USA", delivered within 4 to 7 working days to the USA, at the cost of US$11.00; c) "registered mail", offered to customers outside USA/Canada.  It takes 4 to 15 days for delivery, US$23.00 for package containing one to 20 oligos, US$35.00 for package containing 20 to 100 oligos.  Registered mail packages cannot contain more than 100 oligos per package; d) FedEx, delivered to anywhere in the US or Canada the next day before 10:30 a.m., which costs CAN$34.25 (Canada) or US$40.65 (USA).  For countries outside the US and Canada, FedEx shipping is more expensive, approx. US$63 to $127 (rates vary by country; please inquire , in most cases International FedEx shipping is approx. $63-$110, and takes from 2 to 5 days, check your local FedEx or contact us for the exact commitment time).  Please note that the Xpresspost service has a tracking number and delivery confirmation, but not the name of the receiving person (unlike FedEx or TNT), and is slower.  For customers from downtown (or near downtown) Montreal shipping and handling is by local courier, $8 per order. 

Regardless of the selected shipping method, we give a $5 shipping discount for all orders totaling more than USD 150.00 (US dollars) or CAD 200.00 (Canadian dollars).  The shipping discount cannot be combined with any other pricing discount in the same order.

Customs

Our products are entirely of North American origin, our shipments within North America comply with the NAFTA agreements for free trade between the USA, Canada and Mexico.  The oligonucleotides are classified under a customs tariff that is duty-free.

Research purposes only

Our products are intended for research purposes only. See below "Terms under which Alpha ADN Sells Products".

Warranty, storage, terms and conditions

Alpha ADN custom primers are synthesized on automated computer-controlled synthesizers using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. Coupling efficiencies are monitored by trityl analyses of each coupling reaction throughout the synthesis. Oligonucleotides are available at several purity levels:  standard purity (includes free desalting), Sephadex G-25, OPC-, HPLC-, and PAGE-purified.

Standard purity oligos are desalted by ethanol precipitation, at no extra cost.  Alternative methods of purification include Sephadex G-25 column chromatography (starting from $7 per oligo), OPC (oligonucleotide purification cartridge, starting from $15 per oligo), HPLC (starting from $25 per oligo) or PAGE (starting from $35 per oligo).  Prices depend on the synthesis scale.  Volume discounts are available. 

The oligonucleotides are supplied to the customer in 2-ml microcentrifuge tubes or in 96-well plates.  A comprehensive certificate accompanies each oligonucleotide, indicating the amount (in units of OD260, micrograms and picomoles), molecular weight, sequence, base content and melting temperatures (three Tm are provided, calculated by three different widely known methods).

The oligonucleotides are shipped lyophilized (suitable for transportation at wide range of temperatures, from below zero to +70 Celsius and even higher). Dissolved oligos should be stored at -20 degrees Celsius. In general, we will honor free replacement of a defective product (only once, and this does not apply to oligonucleotides longer than 35 bases when they are purchased without additional purification). Customers are advised to address their requests for free replacement within 30 days upon receipt of goods (maximum warranty period 90 days).  Virtually any oligonucleotide may produce non-specific PCR products under some conditions. We cannot predict the suitability of any given oligonucleotide for the specific needs of the individual customer, and it is up to the customer to pay attention to the proper selection of oligonucleotide sequences. Some useful hints are included in "The right primer" section on this server. Oligonucleotides longer than 30-35 bases usually need to be additionally purified (see the section "special oligonucleotides").  We offer the following types of additional oligo purification:  OPC, HPLC and PAGE (see "special oligonucleotides"). We urge you to use PAGE or HPLC for all long oligos and we put a disclaimer here that we should not be held responsible in any way for your purchase and use of long non-purified oligos. "Normal" size oligonucleotides (less than 30-35 bases long) most often work well without special purification, especially if they are desalted (all our regular oligos are desalted). If you decide nevertheless to order very long oligos without additional purification, please read the corresponding section of our Web page here. If you are not confident that you could purify oligonucleotides by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or HPLC, we strongly encourage you to use our company, or an alternative source, for the additional purification of your very long oligonucleotides (see also the list of our colleagues and competitors in the "useful info" section).  Oligos for cloning purposes work better when ordered with additional purification, but regardless of the purity, selection of several independent clones for sequence verification is strongly advised, read also here.

TERMS and CONDITIONS under which Alpha ADN Sells Products

Acceptance Governing Provisions - Alpha ADN acknowledges receipt of Buyer's order, and has shipped these goods expressly conditional on Buyer's assent to the terms and conditions herein contained, as well as in Alpha ADN's catalogue, whether additional to or different from those contained in Buyer's purchase order, if any, or any other form or document heretofore or hereafter supplied by Buyer to Alpha ADN. Buyer will be deemed to have assented to these terms and conditions unless Buyer returns the product to Alpha ADN within 15 days after Buyer's receipt of the product and this form. Alpha ADN hereby objects to and rejects any different terms or terms additional to those incorporated herein, and any attempt by Buyer to vary in any degree any of the terms herein. Alpha ADN's failure to object to provisions contained in any purchase order or any other form or document from Buyer shall not be construed as a waiver of these terms and conditions nor an acceptance of any such provision.

Order Cancellation - The Buyer has 30 minutes from sending the original order to cancel it, or to change the sequences of the ordered oligonucleotides.  In order to stay competitive and ship merchandise within 24 hours (for regular items) or 48 hours (for most of the modified and additionally purified items), Alpha ADN and its competitors have to load the sequences to the DNA synthesizing machines within 1 hour from receipt of order.  Therefore, the time that the Buyer has to cancel or change sequences in an order, is about 30 to 60 minutes.  After that, the synthesis cannot be stopped without compromising a whole batch of synthesized oligonucleotides.  Therefore, an order that is not cancelled or sequence-modified within 30 minutes, will be completed and shipped, and the Accounts Payable department of the Buyer will receive the invoice, regardless of the usefulness (or the lack of it) of the delivered merchandise.

Complete Contract - The terms included hereto are the entire contract, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof. No change to any term or condition of this contract or any of Alpha ADN's rights or remedies hereunder shall be binding on Alpha ADN, nor shall the purchase order hereby acknowledged be canceled or changed by Buyer, unless Alpha ADN shall expressly consent thereto in writing by Alpha ADN's authorized officer. There are no representations, agreements, promises or understandings between Buyer and Alpha ADN that are not expressed herein. In the event that one or more of the terms herein shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms shall be unimpaired.

Delivery, Delays - Unless specified differently in writing, all sales are F.O.B. Alpha ADN's shipping point. Delivery of goods to the carrier at Alpha ADN's plant or other loading point, shall constitute delivery to Buyer and regardless of shipping terms, all risk of loss or damage in transit shall be borne by Buyer. Alpha ADN reserves the right to make delivery in installments, all such installments to be separately invoiced and paid for when due per invoice, without regard to subsequent deliveries. Delay in delivery of any installment shall not relieve Buyer of Buyer's obligations to accept remaining deliveries. In general, Alpha ADN will aim at 24-48 hours turnaround time (from receipt of order until shipping), although there are no implied guarantees as to this effect.

Inspection - Immediately upon Buyer's receipt of any goods shipped hereunder, Buyer shall inspect the same and shall notify Alpha ADN in writing of any claims for shortages, defects or damages and shall hold any such goods for Alpha ADN's written instructions concerning disposition. If Buyer shall fail to so notify Alpha ADN within five days after the goods have been received by Buyer at Buyer's premises, such goods shall conclusively be deemed to conform to the terms and conditions hereof and to have been irrevocably accepted by the Buyer.

Claims - Alpha ADN shall not be liable for any loss, damage or penalty as a result of any delay in or failure to manufacture, deliver or otherwise perform hereunder due to any cause beyond Alpha ADN's reasonable control, including, without limitation, act(s) of Buyer, embargo or other governmental act, regulation or request affecting the conduct of Alpha ADN's business, fire, explosion, accident, theft, vandalism, riot, acts of war, strikes or other labor difficulties, lightning, flood, windstorm or other acts of Nature, delay in transportation, or inability to obtain necessary labor, fuel, materials, supplies or power at current prices.

Allocation of Goods - If Alpha ADN is unable for any reason to supply the total demands for goods specified in Buyer's order, Alpha ADN may allocate its available supply among any or all buyers on such basis as Alpha ADN may deem fair and practical, without liability for any failure of performance which may result therefrom.

Payments - Terms of sale are net 30 days of date of invoice, unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change without notice. Products will be billed at the price in effect at the time shipment is made. If the financial condition of Buyer does not justify the terms of payment specified herein, Alpha ADN may demand full or partial payment in advance before proceeding with the contract. If Buyer defaults in any payment when due, under this or any other order, Alpha ADN, at its option without prejudice to its other lawful remedies, may defer delivery or cancel this contract. Payments will be made in US Dollars or in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise specified by Alpha ADN on the face of this document.

Taxes and Other Charges - Canadian buyers are required to pay GST.   Canadian GST is included in the price of the Alpha ADN products and shall be shown on the invoice. QST will be required to be paid on top of that price and included in the invoice only for buyers residing in the province of Quebec. For US and all other customers any use tax, sales tax, excise tax, duty, customs, inspection or testing fee, or any other tax, fee or charge of any nature whatsoever imposed by any governmental authority, on or measured by the transaction between Alpha ADN and Buyer shall be paid by Buyer in addition to the prices quoted or invoiced. In the event Alpha ADN is required to pay any such tax, fee or charge, Buyer shall reimburse Alpha ADN therefore; or in lieu of such payment, Buyer shall provide Alpha ADN at the time the order is submitted an exemption certificate or other document acceptable to the authority imposing the tax, fee or charge.

Warranties - Alpha ADN warrants that its products shall conform substantially to the description of such products in its catalogue or in the "Products and Prices" section on its Internet site. THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE, AND Alpha ADN MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Alpha ADN's warranties made in connection with this sale shall not be effective if Alpha ADN has determined, in its sole discretion, that Buyer has misused the products in any manner or has failed to use the products in accordance with instructions, if any, furnished by Alpha ADN. Alpha ADN's sole and exclusive liability and Buyer's exclusive remedy with respect to products proved to Alpha ADN's satisfaction to be defective or nonconforming shall be the replacement of such products without charge or refund of the purchase price, upon the return of such products in accordance with Alpha ADN's instructions. The stated express warranties, and the remedy provided for breach thereof, are in lieu of all other liability or obligations of Alpha ADN for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the delivery, use, or performance of the product. IN NO EVENT SHALL Alpha ADN BE LIABLE UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY IN TORT OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND) FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF BUYER HAD NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, Alpha ADN's maximum liability, if any, for damages ( including but not limited to liability arising out of contract, negligence, strict liability, in tort or warranty of any kind) shall not exceed the purchase price paid by Buyer for the product. Products could be re-synthesized and replaced under the above mentioned warranty only once.

OLIGONUCLEOTIDES LONGER THAN 35 BASES WHEN PURCHASED IN NON-PURIFIED FORM ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY EXPLICIT OR IMPLIED WARRANTY.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations - Alpha ADN certifies that to the best of its knowledge its products are produced in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and local statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, and orders. Alpha ADN also certifies that to the best of its knowledge it does not discriminate against any employee or prospective employee because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap, nor permit discrimination in any form nor maintain segregated facilities for its employees; that it actively pursues employment of minorities, females, handicapped, disabled veterans; and that it used its best efforts to award contracts to and place purchase orders with minority business enterprises and with labor surplus area concerns and small business concerns.

Buyer's Use of Products - Alpha ADN's products are intended primarily for laboratory research purposes and, unless otherwise indicated on the front of Alpha ADN's invoice or on product labels, are not to be used for any other purposes, including but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostic purposes, in foods, drugs or cosmetics for humans or animals or for commercial purposes. Buyer acknowledges that the products have not been tested by Alpha ADN for safety and efficacy in food, drug, device, cosmetic, commercial or any other use, unless otherwise stated in Alpha ADN's literature furnished to Buyer. Buyer expressly represents and warrants to Alpha ADN that Buyer will properly test, use, manufacture and market any products purchased from Alpha ADN and any final articles made from them in accordance with the practices of a reasonable person who is an expert in the field, including but not limited to a technically qualified individual, and in strict compliance with all applicable federal, provincial or international food, drug, device, and cosmetic and other relevant laws and regulations, now and hereinafter enacted. Buyer further warrants to Alpha ADN that any final articles manufactured from Alpha ADN's products shall not be adulterated or misbranded.

Buyer has the responsibility to verify the hazards and to conduct any further research necessary to learn the hazards involved in using products purchased from Alpha ADN. Buyer also has the duty to warn Buyer's customers and any auxiliary personnel (such as freight handlers, etc.) of any risks involved in using or handling the products. Buyer agrees to comply with instructions, if any, furnished by Alpha ADN relating to the use of the products and not misuse the products in any manner. If the products purchased from Alpha ADN are to be repackaged, re-labeled or used as starting materials or components of other products, Buyer will verify Alpha ADN's assay of the products. No products purchased from Alpha ADN shall be considered to be foods, drugs or cosmetics; nor, except if labeled "For In-Vitro Diagnostic Use", to be devices.

Indemnity - Buyer will, at its own cost and expense, indemnify and hold Alpha ADN harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and other costs of defending any action) that Alpha ADN may sustain or incur as a result of any claim of negligence, breach of implied warranty, strict liability in tort or other theory of law, by Buyer, its officers, agents or employees, its successors and assigns, and its customers, whether direct or indirect, in connection with the use or resale of Alpha ADN's products, or by reason of Buyer's failure to perform the obligations herein contained. Buyer shall notify Alpha ADN within 15 days of Buyer's receipt of knowledge of any accident involving Alpha ADN's products resulting in personal injury or damage to property, and Buyer shall fully cooperate with Alpha ADN in the investigation and determination of the cause of such accident and shall make available to Alpha ADN all statements, reports and tests made by Buyer or made available to Buyer by others. The furnishing of such information to Alpha ADN and any investigation by Alpha ADN shall not constitute an assumption of any liability by Alpha ADN.

Patent Disclaimer, Indemnity - Seller does not warrant that the use or resale of the products delivered hereunder will not infringe the claims of any Canadian, United States, WIPO or other patents, trademarks or copyright covering the product itself or the use thereof in combination with other products or in the operation of any process. Buyer will indemnify and hold Seller, its subsidiaries, affiliates, and distributors harmless from any and all liability for any such infringement by Buyer, including without limitation damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees), arising from any claim that the use or resale of any goods supplied hereunder infringe any patent, copyright, or trademark, and Buyer shall, when notified, defend any action or claim of such infringement at its own expense.

Technical Assistance - At Buyer's request, Alpha ADN may furnish technical assistance and information with respect to Alpha ADN's products. Unless otherwise agreed, all such technical assistance and information will be provided gratis, and Buyer assumes sole responsibility for results obtained in reliance thereon. Alpha ADN makes no warranties of any kind or nature with respect to technical assistance or information provided by it. Any suggestions by Alpha ADN regarding use, application or suitability of the products shall not be construed as an express warranty unless expressly designated as such in writing signed by Alpha ADN.

Waiver - Alpha ADN's exercise of any option, or its failure to exercise any rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of its rights to damages for breach of contract and shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent failure, delay, or breach by Buyer.

Assignment - Alpha ADN may assign in whole or in part, to any person, its rights or obligations under the terms and conditions contained herein.