Frequently Asked Questions
About Us
How can you reach one of our team members?
What are Lab Alley’s business hours?
What is our company’s story?
How do we give back?
We are partnered with Ecodrive to support a reforestation project in Kenya. As part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, we currently plant a tree in the Kwale County of Kenya for every order placed.
By partnering with this organization, we at Lab Alley can ensure that our contributions go directly toward supporting local communities and promoting the health of the planet. Through this project, we can stabilize coastlines to act as a line of defense against tropical storms, revitalize the local aquatic ecosystem, and provide multiple sources of income to the surrounding locals.
Check out our results HERE!
What makes Lab Alley stand out?
We are a certified woman owned small business with a few achievements on our roster. The certifications we currently hold are SBA | WOSB, WBENC, Women’s Business Council, and Statewide HUB.
In addition to these certifications, we have also made Inc. 5000 not just once or twice, but three times. We are looking forward to making our 4th year in 2024!
Where are we located?
Lab Alley is based in the heart of Central Texas, just outside of Austin.
Our physical and billing address is 12501 Pauls Valley Road, Suite A, Austin, Texas 78737
Shipping & Orders
How do I know that my order went through?
Every order placed online or through our customer care team will generate a confirmation email that includes the order number.
If you have not received your confirmation we request that you first check your spam folder and ensure that the correct email address was used at the time of placing your order. If you still can not locate the confirmation email please contact customer care.
Can I dropship products through Lab Alley?
Does Lab Alley produce any white-label products?
We are glad to hear that you and your company are interested in using our products to serve your customers. Unfortunately, we are not currently offering any white label or custom labeling services.
The good news is that we are growing very rapidly and encourage you to check back in from time to time to see if this policy has changed.
How can I get a Bill of Lading?
We understand that our customers will sometimes require a copy of the shipment’s bill of lading. We are more than happy to provide this documentation for you. Simply email us at customerservice@laballey.com to submit this request.
Please note that you will need to include your order number in this request to receive your bill of lading in a timely manner.
Why is my order on hold?
If you have received notice that your order has been placed on hold, please know that this could be for a number of reasons. Refer to the following and then reach out to our customer care team with the appropriate information.
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Our team may need additional information such as a complete address or phone number.
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The product ordered may require a commercial address for shipping.
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If the product ordered is a specially denatured alcohol/ethanol, we may be missing a copy of your TTB permit.
If you have questions please reach out to our customer care team.
Why has only part of my order shipped?
If you have received a shipping confirmation email for only part of your order, please know that this could be for a number of reasons. Here are a few common scenarios.
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Your products could be shipping out of two separate warehouses.
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Some products may take longer to fulfill and we do not want to hold up your entire order.
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The products in your order are required to be shipped separately, based on the nature of the chemicals.
If you have any questions regarding your order and the possible reasons for a partial shipment please reach out to our customer care team.
How do I report a damaged order?
If you have received your order and find that one or more of your products have arrived damaged please email our customer care team at customerservice@laballey.com immediately.
In the email, please include the following.
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Pictures of the package's condition
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Pictures of the damaged product.
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Order number
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Name/SKU of the damaged product
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Any additional details you feel are relevant
Once we receive your email, a dedicated team member will review the provided information and reach back to you as soon as possible.
How do I report a lost order?
Is it too late to change my order?
We understand that sometimes changes need to take place after an order has been processed. These changes may include removing products, replacing grades, or even just updating quantities. In most cases we are able to accommodate these changes as long as tracking information has not been assigned to your order. Please call our customer care team to expedite these changes for you.
If you have already received tracking information it means that your order is on its way and can not be changed.
I’ve placed my order, what kind of lead time can I expect?
Lab Alley takes pride in our ability to ship out our essential chemicals to our over 80,000 customers within 24 to 48 hours.*
*Oversize freight orders, specialty made to order and restricted products may take longer to prepare for shipping. These examples can require special packaging and handling as well as additional quality assurance.
Can I order internationally?
We are able to ship directly to Canada. As you know, when shipping an order from the USA to Canada, there are 3 different types of charges associated with your order – actual shipping charges, duties, and taxes. The good news is that our website will display all these charges in your shopping cart before you make the purchase!
If you are outside of the USA and Canada, we can ship to a freight forwarder within the USA. Please put the freight forwarder as the shipping address on your order. We will ship to them and then they can take care of the shipping to you. (Note: We do not provide international shipping documents).
Why am I unable to complete my checkout?
There are a few reasons that may be causing this.
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Your order is shipping to Alaska or Hawaii and will need a manual quote.
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There are restrictions on the products in your order regarding entering Canada.
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There was a problem processing your payment.
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We are unable to ship to a PO Box.
If you need a manual quote please request one here.
If you need assistance completing your order, please reach out to our dedicated team.
Can I expedite my order?
Where will my order be shipping from?
Why is my order shipping by freight carrier?
There are a few reasons to cause an order to ship via freight rather than UPS Ground. Lab Alley and our carriers have a weight limit of 150 lbs that will trigger freight shipping. Some products can legally and safely only be shipped by a freight carrier.
Please note that some specific products shipping to Canada may require delivery by a freight carrier to meet importing regulations.
What carrier will be shipping my product to me?
Can I use my own FedEx/UPS account to ship my order?
Lab Alley is happy to offer our customers this flexibility when it comes to shipping. To use your own shipping account please call our customer care team to place your order.
Information our customer care team will require
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Product name/SKU number
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Quantity
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Size of each product
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Shipping address (billing if different)
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Shipping account number
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Payment method
Can I pick up my product directly from the warehouse?
Most of our products are eligible for local pick-up from our Central Texas warehouse. Our customer care team is standing by to assist you with these orders.
Please give us a call to set up your appointment for pick-up. Our customer care team will need the following information.
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Product name/SKU number
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Quantity
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Size of each product
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Shipping address (billing if different)
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Shipping account number
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Payment method
Billing & Refunds
Is my order eligible for returns or a refund?
What if I do not accept my order?
How can I access my invoice?
For your convenience, order invoices are accessible through your customer dashboard. Please use this guide to access those.
If you are unable to locate the invoice for your order in your customer dashboard, please request a copy by emailing our customer care team.
Is it too late to cancel my order?
We understand situations arise and orders occasionally need to be canceled. A cancellation must be processed prior to tracking information being generated. If your order has not been assigned tracking, please call our customer care team immediately to confirm cancellation and stop the shipment.
Once canceled you will receive an email confirmation from one of our dedicated team members.
How can I buy my products using a purchase order?
Prior to submitting a purchase order your company needs to establish a credit line with us. You can complete our Credit Line Application for our team to review. Approval can take 1 to 2 business days, but please reach out if you wish to expedite this process to place an immediate order.
Once your application has been approved, you have the ability to submit purchase orders in a few different ways.
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Submit Purchase Order (located in our website footer)
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Email your purchase order to accounting@laballey.com
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“Pay” via purchase order at checkout
Does Lab Alley offer a credit line?
How do I place tax-exempt orders?
All eligible customers can complete our online exemption form. A member of our team will review and process your form within 2 business days. If you need to place an immediate order, please call our customer care team to expedite this process for you.
Please note, if you place an order prior to receiving your approval, taxes can not be refunded.
What additional fees can I expect?
What payment methods are accepted by Lab Alley?
For your convenience we are able to accept a number of payment methods. These include the following.
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Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover Card)
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PayPal
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ACH
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Wire (Fee applies)
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Check
How can I check my available credit balance?
Pricing
How can I request a quote?
We are happy to hear that you are interested in learning more about our quality products and competitive pricing. Our website displays all accurate pricing on our products, shipping rates, and taxes. Those will be displayed prior to payment.
If you are interested in our bulk pricing or require a formal quote we invite you to submit a quote request through our website. Our quotes are valid for 30 days.
Does Lab Alley offer any kind of promotions?
We have a number of ongoing promotions!
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SMS Signup
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Email Notification Signup
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Bulk Discounting
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Rotating Special Offers, Product Discounts, and Holiday Promos
Make sure you subscribe to our ongoing email newsletter to stay updated on current promotions.
Does Lab Alley offer samples?
Does Lab Alley price match?
We strive to preemptively provide the best possible pricing for our customers. However, we are always happy to take a look at a competitor offering a comparable product at a lower price. We are committed to earning and keeping your business!
Please feel free to reach out to our team if you have any questions.
Product Information & Safety
What if I have more technical questions about my product?
Please email our dedicated customer care team if you have any questions regarding your product. In your email, include as many details as you deem necessary so that we can provide you with the most accurate information.
Your inquiry will be reviewed by our on-staff chemist and we will reply with the appropriate response.
What does each chemical grade mean?
Different industries and applications have different requirements for chemical purity. As a result, chemicals can be classified under multiple grades.
Chemical Grade from Highest to Lowest Purity.
1. ACS: A chemical grade of highest purity and meets or exceeds purity standards set by American Chemical Society (ACS).
2. Reagent: High purity is generally equalled to ACS grade and suitable for use in many laboratory and analytical applications.
3. USP: A chemical grade of sufficient purity to meet or exceed requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP); acceptable for food, drug, or medicinal use; may be used for most laboratory Purposes. Commonly referred to as food grade. Must adhere to specific regulations and standards to ensure they do not pose a risk to human health when consumed.
4. NF: A grade of sufficient purity to meet or exceed requirements of the National Formulary (NF).
5. Lab: A chemical grade of relatively high quality with exact levels of impurities unknown; usually pure enough for educational applications. Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.
6. Purified: Also called pure or practical grade, and indicates good quality chemicals meeting no official standard; can be used in most cases for educational applications. Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.
7. Technical: Good quality chemical grade used for commercial and industrial purposes. Typically used when the level of purity required might be lower, as long as the impurities do not interfere with the intended industrial application. Not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.
Other commonly used grades
- Semiconductor/Electronic Grade: Electronic grade chemicals are used in the electronics industry. They need to have extremely low levels of impurities to prevent interference with electronic properties in semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing.
- Industrial Grade: Industrial grade chemicals are used in various industrial processes where high purity might not be essential. They are often selected for cost-effectiveness and suitability for specific industrial tasks.
Where can I find product certifications?
For your convenience, the majority of the certifications are located on the corresponding product page. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request.
Information to include in your request
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Product name
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Product SKU
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Certifications required (Organic, Kosher, Cruelty-Free, etc.)
Where can I find a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
For your convenience, the majority of the certificates (COAs) are located on the corresponding product page and can be conveniently downloaded. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request.
Information to include in your request
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Product name
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Product SKU
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Order number
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Lot number
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Where to send the COA
Where can I find a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
For your convenience, the majority of the product safety sheets (SDS) are located on the corresponding product page. If you have viewed the webpage and cannot locate the certification you are searching for, please feel free to reach out to us and a dedicated team member will process your request.
Information to include in your request
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Product name(s)
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Product SKU(s)
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Where to send the SDS
How do I know if a product has restrictions for purchasing?
How do I know if I am buying the right product for my intended use?
Does Lab Alley create custom formulas?
How do I dispose of my product?
Each product and city/county/state will have different processes and regulations in regards to disposal. We advise you to contact your local waste management expert or facility and consult with them.
311 is also a great resource to answer these questions.
Do I need a TTB Permit to purchase Specially Denatured Alcohol/Ethanol (SDA)?
In some cases we are able to supply SDA/Ethanol without a TTB permit as long as your order meets the legal criteria. “Any individual address can not receive more than 5 gallons of SDA/Ethanol within a calendar year without a TTB permit.”
You can look into applying for a permit on the TTB website. Please email your permit to customerservice@laballey.com and include your order number if applicable.
Why is my container bloated?
Although we have climate controlled warehouses and take extra precautions when it comes to packing our products for your order, our customers do occasionally still receive a container that shows signs of chemical bloating.
Here are some possible causes of chemical bloating
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Excessive heat during the summer
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Transportation
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Specific products are more prone to this
What to do if you receive a bloated container
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Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment
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Slowly release the pressure build up by twisting off the cap
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Reach out to our team if you need any guidance on safely handling the material
Rest assured that if your product arrives with a bloated container there is NO change in the quality of the material.