1. All Sales Are Final
ALL MARKETPLACE SALES ARE FINAL.
This applies to:
- Auction purchases;
- Buy Now purchases;
- used merchandise;
- donated merchandise;
- vintage and antique merchandise;
- collectibles;
- open-box merchandise;
- untested merchandise;
- one-of-a-kind merchandise; and
- other Marketplace purchases.
Hope For Paws Foundation does not accept ordinary returns, exchanges, or cancellations because a buyer changes their mind.
A purchase may qualify for review only under the limited circumstances specifically described in this Policy or when a remedy is required by applicable law.
2. Review the Item Carefully Before Buying
Marketplace merchandise frequently consists of donated, pre-owned, used, vintage, antique, collectible, discontinued, open-box, handmade, untested, or one-of-a-kind goods.
Before placing a bid or completing a purchase, review:
- the entire description;
- all photographs;
- condition information;
- disclosed defects;
- measurements;
- dimensions;
- size;
- quantity;
- model information;
- included parts and accessories;
- testing information;
- shipping or pickup requirements; and
- any item-specific terms.
Photographs form part of the item description.
Ask questions before bidding or buying whenever possible.
Failure to read the listing or review the photographs does not create a right to return an item.
3. No Buyer-Remorse Returns
A return or refund will not ordinarily be provided because:
- you changed your mind;
- you no longer want or need the item;
- you found the item cheaper elsewhere;
- you purchased the wrong item;
- you purchased the wrong size when size information was accurately provided;
- an accurately described item does not fit;
- you misunderstood measurements that were accurately disclosed;
- you failed to read the description;
- you failed to examine the photographs;
- you failed to notice a disclosed defect;
- you expected an untested item to work;
- you do not like the color, style, appearance, or other accurately represented characteristic;
- your screen displayed the item's color differently;
- the item shows normal wear consistent with its stated age or condition;
- an imperfection was disclosed or reasonably visible in the listing photographs;
- vintage or antique merchandise shows ordinary age-related characteristics;
- packaging condition was shown or described accurately;
- the resale value is different from what you expected; or
- you simply regret the purchase.
BUYER'S REMORSE IS NOT A RETURN REASON.
4. Limited Reasons a Final Sale May Be Reviewed
A final-sale transaction may be reviewed only when one of the following applies:
Wrong Item
The merchandise delivered is different from the merchandise purchased.
Materially Not as Described
The merchandise differs materially from what was represented in the listing.
Examples may include:
- materially different merchandise;
- materially different model;
- materially incorrect quantity;
- a significant undisclosed defect;
- a material component represented as included but missing;
- material damage not disclosed or reasonably visible;
- materially incorrect measurements when precise measurements were expressly represented; or
- another substantial discrepancy between the listing and the item delivered.
Qualifying Shipping Damage
The merchandise suffered material physical damage during shipment that was not part of its pre-shipment condition.
Material Authenticity Problem
An item expressly represented in the Marketplace listing as authentic is supported by credible evidence showing that it is counterfeit or materially misattributed.
Confirmed Marketplace Error
A material administrative, technical, fulfillment, or shipping error by Hope For Paws Foundation affected the transaction.
Remedy Required by Law
Applicable law requires cancellation, return, refund, repair, replacement, or another remedy.
These are limited exceptions to the final-sale rule, not a general return policy.
5. What Is Not “Materially Not as Described”
A material-description claim does not ordinarily include:
- normal wear consistent with the item's stated condition;
- defects disclosed in the description;
- defects reasonably visible in photographs;
- minor cosmetic differences;
- ordinary manufacturing variations;
- insignificant measuring differences;
- screen-related color differences;
- packaging differences that do not materially affect the merchandise;
- age-related patina;
- fading;
- minor scratches;
- minor surface wear;
- crazing;
- oxidation;
- worn vintage packaging;
- characteristics reasonably expected from used, vintage, antique, handmade, or collectible merchandise; or
- a condition expressly identified in the listing.
A difference must be significant enough to materially affect what the buyer reasonably understood they were purchasing.
6. As Is, Untested, and For Parts or Repair
Some merchandise may be listed as:
AS IS
UNTESTED
FOR PARTS OR REPAIR
INCOMPLETE
or with another similar condition designation.
These descriptions matter.
An item listed UNTESTED is not represented as fully functional.
An item listed FOR PARTS OR REPAIR should be purchased with the expectation that it may not function and may require repair or be useful only for parts.
An item specifically described as nonworking cannot be returned merely because it does not work.
An AS IS, UNTESTED, FOR PARTS OR REPAIR, or similar designation does not authorize intentional misrepresentation and does not eliminate a consumer right that applicable law does not permit Hope For Paws Foundation to waive.
7. Strict Claim Reporting Requirements
A buyer requesting review under one of the limited exceptions above must contact Hope For Paws Foundation Marketplace Support promptly.
Marketplace Support: [email protected]
Shipping Damage
VISIBLE SHIPPING DAMAGE SHOULD BE REPORTED WITHIN THREE (3) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER DELIVERY.
Wrong Item or Material Listing Problem
A claim involving the wrong item, a material listing discrepancy, missing material components, or another reasonably discoverable merchandise problem should be reported within:
SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER CONFIRMED DELIVERY OR COMPLETED LOCAL PICKUP, AS APPLICABLE.
Authenticity Claims
A suspected authenticity problem should be reported promptly after discovery and supported by credible evidence when requested.
These Marketplace reporting periods are intended to allow timely investigation. They do not eliminate or shorten any period or remedy that applicable law does not permit Hope For Paws Foundation to waive.
Waiting to report a problem may make a claim more difficult to verify.
8. Documentation Is Required
A claim must include enough information for Hope For Paws Foundation to investigate it.
Depending on the issue, you may be required to provide:
- order number;
- item or listing number;
- clear description of the problem;
- photographs of the entire item;
- close-up photographs of the claimed problem;
- photographs of identifying markings;
- serial numbers;
- model numbers;
- labels;
- photographs of the shipping container;
- photographs of the shipping label;
- photographs of internal packing materials;
- carrier information;
- authentication documentation; or
- other information reasonably necessary to evaluate the claim.
Failure to provide reasonably available information may prevent the Marketplace from verifying the claim.
9. Shipping Damage — Keep Everything
If merchandise arrives damaged:
DO NOT DISCARD THE ITEM, SHIPPING BOX, SHIPPING LABEL, OR PACKING MATERIALS.
Keep all:
- merchandise;
- boxes;
- envelopes;
- exterior packaging;
- internal packaging;
- padding;
- bubble wrap;
- packing paper;
- inserts;
- labels; and
- other materials received with the shipment.
Take clear photographs before moving or discarding packaging whenever reasonably possible.
A carrier or insurer may require photographs or physical inspection.
Discarding evidence before the claim can be evaluated may prevent verification of the damage.
10. Do Not Repair, Clean, or Alter an Item Under Review
Do not:
- repair;
- disassemble;
- modify;
- restore;
- refinish;
- clean;
- replace components;
- remove identifying markings; or
- otherwise materially alter
an item that is the subject of a return, damage, condition, or authenticity claim before Marketplace Support completes its review.
Altering the item may make it impossible to determine its condition when delivered.
Reasonable emergency action necessary to prevent personal injury or further property damage is not prohibited.
11. Carrier and Insurance Cooperation
For shipping-damage claims, the carrier or insurer may require:
- photographs;
- documentation;
- inspection;
- pickup of the merchandise;
- inspection of the packaging; or
- other reasonable claim procedures.
The buyer must reasonably cooperate with legitimate carrier or insurance claim requirements.
Failure to cooperate may affect a claim when the requested cooperation is reasonably necessary to establish the loss.
12. Return Authorization Is Required
DO NOT SEND MERCHANDISE BACK WITHOUT WRITTEN RETURN AUTHORIZATION FROM MARKETPLACE SUPPORT.
An authorized return may include:
- return authorization number;
- prepaid shipping label;
- designated return address;
- return deadline;
- packing instructions; or
- other return requirements.
Sending an item back without authorization may delay the claim, interfere with a carrier or insurance investigation, result in shipment to the wrong location, or prevent proper identification of the merchandise.
An unauthorized return does not create a right to a refund.
13. Authorized Return Deadline
Unless Marketplace Support specifies a different deadline:
AN AUTHORIZED RETURN MUST BE TENDERED TO THE DESIGNATED CARRIER WITHIN SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE RETURN LABEL OR RETURN AUTHORIZATION IS ISSUED.
If additional time is needed, contact Marketplace Support before the deadline expires.
Failure to return merchandise within an authorized discretionary return period may cause the return authorization to expire, subject to applicable law.
14. Returned Merchandise Must Be the Same Item
Returned merchandise must be the exact merchandise originally purchased.
Hope For Paws Foundation may compare:
- serial numbers;
- model numbers;
- identifying marks;
- inventory identifiers;
- listing photographs;
- security markings;
- item condition; and
- other transaction information.
Returning a substituted item, different serial-numbered item, counterfeit item, altered item, or another person's merchandise is prohibited.
15. Condition of Returned Merchandise
Unless the nature of the approved claim makes it impossible, merchandise must be returned in substantially the same condition in which it was received.
The return must include all applicable:
- components;
- accessories;
- documentation;
- cases;
- packaging specifically required by the return authorization; and
- other items originally included in the sale.
Damage or alteration caused by the buyer after delivery may affect the available remedy to the extent permitted by law.
16. Return Shipping for an Approved Covered Claim
When Hope For Paws Foundation approves a return because of:
- the wrong item being shipped;
- a material listing discrepancy;
- qualifying shipping damage;
- a confirmed authenticity problem;
- a confirmed Marketplace error; or
- another circumstance for which the Foundation is responsible,
Hope For Paws Foundation will provide or pay for reasonable authorized return shipping when appropriate.
Do not purchase unusually expensive return shipping and expect reimbursement without prior authorization.
There are no buyer-remorse return shipping benefits because buyer-remorse returns are not accepted.
17. Review of Claims
Hope For Paws Foundation may review:
- the original listing;
- photographs;
- description;
- condition information;
- order records;
- payment records;
- shipping records;
- tracking;
- carrier information;
- customer communications;
- photographs supplied with the claim;
- serial numbers;
- authenticity information; and
- other relevant evidence.
A claim may be:
- approved;
- denied;
- returned for additional information;
- approved for return;
- resolved with a full refund;
- resolved with an agreed partial refund; or
- resolved through another appropriate remedy.
18. Partial Refunds
Hope For Paws Foundation may offer a partial refund when both the buyer and the Foundation agree that the buyer will keep the merchandise.
A partial refund may be considered when, for example:
- a minor undisclosed issue exists;
- an inexpensive component is missing;
- a minor repair would resolve the issue; or
- return shipping would be disproportionate to the problem.
A buyer is not required to accept a partial refund when applicable law requires another remedy.
A partial refund is not an automatic entitlement.
19. Refund Without Return
Hope For Paws Foundation may issue a refund without requiring the merchandise to be returned when it determines that return is unnecessary or inappropriate.
Examples may include:
- merchandise destroyed during shipping;
- carrier-authorized disposal;
- safety concerns;
- return cost materially exceeding the item's value; or
- another circumstance approved by Marketplace Support.
Do not discard merchandise unless Marketplace Support specifically authorizes you to do so.
20. Refund Amount
The amount refunded depends on the reason for the approved claim.
When a full refund is appropriate or legally required, it may include:
- purchase price or winning bid amount, as applicable;
- applicable original Shipping & Handling charges;
- applicable sales tax; and
- other amounts required to be refunded.
Hope For Paws Foundation will not substitute Marketplace credit for money that applicable law requires to be refunded.
21. Refund Method
Approved refunds will ordinarily be returned to the original payment method.
Hope For Paws Foundation generally will not issue refunds through:
- cash;
- personal payment applications;
- unrelated credit cards;
- cryptocurrency;
- gift cards; or
- another payment method selected solely for convenience.
A financial institution, card network, digital wallet, or payment processor may require additional time to post a refund after Hope For Paws Foundation submits it.
22. Original Shipping & Handling Charges
Original Shipping & Handling charges are not separately refundable merely because a buyer no longer wants an item.
When a covered claim results from a confirmed Marketplace error, material misdescription, qualifying shipping damage, inability to fulfill the order, or another circumstance requiring a full refund, original Shipping & Handling and other transaction charges will be refunded when appropriate or legally required.
23. Orders That Cannot Be Shipped
If Hope For Paws Foundation cannot ship paid merchandise within the promised or legally applicable shipping period, the transaction will be handled in accordance with the Shipping & Combined Shipping Policy and applicable law.
When cancellation and refund are required, Hope For Paws Foundation will refund the required amount rather than require the buyer to accept Marketplace credit.
24. Lost Packages
A package that appears lost in transit is handled under the Shipping & Combined Shipping Policy.
Hope For Paws Foundation may review:
- tracking;
- delivery address;
- carrier scans;
- delivery photographs;
- signature information;
- carrier investigation; and
- other relevant information.
If the investigation establishes that a refund or other remedy is required, Hope For Paws Foundation will provide the applicable remedy.
25. Packages Marked Delivered
A carrier record showing Delivered is relevant evidence that delivery occurred.
If a package is marked delivered but cannot be located, the buyer should promptly:
- verify the shipping address;
- check all likely delivery locations;
- check parcel lockers;
- ask household members or other authorized recipients;
- review available delivery photographs or notices;
- contact the carrier when appropriate; and
- contact Marketplace Support if the package remains missing.
A Delivered scan does not automatically prevent investigation of credible evidence of a delivery problem.
26. Refused or Unclaimed Packages
Refusing delivery does not create a buyer-remorse return.
A buyer who refuses or fails to retrieve a shipment without Marketplace authorization may remain responsible for shipping or other reasonable expenses caused by the refusal, to the extent permitted by law.
The transaction will be reviewed after the merchandise is returned to Hope For Paws Foundation.
27. Electronics
Electronic merchandise may be listed as:
TESTED
POWERS ON
PARTIALLY TESTED
UNTESTED
or
FOR PARTS OR REPAIR
These terms are not interchangeable.
POWERS ON means only that the item powered on when tested. It does not mean every feature or function was tested.
PARTIALLY TESTED means only the functions specifically identified in the listing were tested.
UNTESTED means Hope For Paws Foundation has not represented that the item works.
Customers should rely only on testing expressly described in the listing.
28. Vintage, Antique, and Collectible Merchandise
Normal age-related characteristics do not automatically create a right to return vintage, antique, or collectible merchandise.
Depending on the item and listing, these may include:
- patina;
- discoloration;
- minor scratches;
- surface wear;
- fading;
- crazing;
- oxidation;
- worn packaging;
- manufacturing variations; and
- other characteristics consistent with age.
Material conditions known to Hope For Paws Foundation will be described or photographed when reasonably practicable.
29. Clothing, Shoes, and Size-Based Merchandise
Review all available sizing and measurement information before purchasing.
Vintage sizing may differ substantially from modern sizing.
If the listing accurately provides the item's labeled size and available measurements, an item not fitting as expected does not qualify for return.
30. Counterfeit and Authenticity Claims
If merchandise was expressly represented in the Marketplace listing as authentic and the buyer has credible evidence that it is counterfeit or materially misattributed, contact Marketplace Support promptly.
The Foundation may require:
- detailed photographs;
- serial numbers;
- hallmarks;
- identifying marks;
- authentication reports;
- expert documentation; or
- other reasonably relevant evidence.
Hope For Paws Foundation may obtain an independent evaluation before determining the claim.
31. Return and Refund Fraud
Return and refund fraud is prohibited.
Examples include:
- returning different merchandise;
- switching serial numbers;
- removing or replacing components;
- returning counterfeit merchandise instead of the item purchased;
- intentionally damaging merchandise;
- falsely reporting shipping damage;
- submitting altered or misleading photographs;
- knowingly filing a false carrier claim;
- falsely claiming an item was not received;
- falsely claiming an authorized transaction was unauthorized; or
- manipulating the claims process to obtain merchandise without payment.
Suspected fraud may result in:
- denial of a claim when legally permitted;
- account review;
- suspension or termination of Marketplace privileges;
- preservation of relevant evidence;
- response to a payment dispute; or
- referral to appropriate authorities when warranted.
32. Excessive or Abusive Claims
Hope For Paws Foundation may review accounts showing unusual or repeated return, refund, nonreceipt, or damage claims.
Where reasonably necessary to prevent abuse, the Foundation may restrict discretionary Marketplace privileges or account activity.
No account restriction eliminates a consumer right that applicable law does not permit the Marketplace to waive.
33. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks
Customers are encouraged to contact Marketplace Support concerning legitimate transaction problems so that Hope For Paws Foundation has an opportunity to investigate them.
Nothing in this Policy prevents a customer from exercising a lawful right to dispute a transaction with a payment provider.
Knowingly filing a false chargeback or falsely claiming that an authorized transaction was unauthorized is prohibited.
Hope For Paws Foundation may provide relevant transaction, bid, payment, shipping, tracking, listing, communication, and return records when responding to a payment dispute.
34. Optional Donations
A voluntary charitable donation separately added to a Marketplace purchase is separate from the merchandise purchase price.
Refunding merchandise does not automatically determine the treatment of a separately designated voluntary charitable donation.
Any such donation will be handled according to the terms presented when the donation was made and applicable law.
35. Final-Sale Language and Legal Rights
FINAL SALE means that Hope For Paws Foundation does not voluntarily accept returns, exchanges, or refunds for buyer's remorse or other reasons outside the narrow exceptions stated in this Policy.
Final-sale, As-Is, Untested, For-Parts, or similar language does not authorize fraud or intentional misrepresentation and does not eliminate any consumer remedy that applicable law does not permit Hope For Paws Foundation to waive.
If a mandatory provision of applicable law conflicts with this Policy, the mandatory provision controls.
36. Policy Changes
Hope For Paws Foundation may update this Policy from time to time.
Material changes will apply prospectively as appropriate.
Unless a later change is required by law or affirmatively accepted by the customer, the Marketplace Terms and policies in effect when a customer places a bid or completes a purchase will generally govern that transaction.
37. Buyer Acknowledgment
By placing a bid or completing a purchase, you acknowledge that:
- all Marketplace sales are final;
- Hope For Paws Foundation does not offer buyer-remorse returns or exchanges;
- you are responsible for reviewing the entire listing and photographs before purchasing;
- used, donated, vintage, antique, collectible, untested, and one-of-a-kind merchandise may show age, wear, or imperfections consistent with its disclosed condition;
- only the limited circumstances stated in this Policy qualify for Marketplace review;
- visible shipping damage should be reported within three calendar days whenever reasonably possible;
- other reasonably discoverable covered merchandise claims should be reported within seven calendar days after confirmed delivery or completed local pickup, as applicable;
- damaged merchandise and all packaging must be retained during review;
- merchandise must not be repaired, altered, or returned without Marketplace authorization;
- an authorized return generally must be shipped within seven calendar days after authorization unless otherwise stated;
- buyer's remorse, fit, preference, failure to read the listing, and disclosed conditions are not return reasons;
- fraudulent return, damage, nonreceipt, or payment claims are prohibited; and
- final-sale language does not eliminate rights that applicable law does not permit the Marketplace to waive.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL
Returns are considered only for:
Wrong Item · Materially Not as Described · Qualifying Shipping Damage · Confirmed Authenticity Problem · Confirmed Marketplace Error · Remedy Required by Law
Changed your mind? Doesn't fit? Didn't read the listing? Don't like it? Found it cheaper elsewhere?
Those are not return reasons.