Understanding merchant policies.
Every shop on Inkress is its own small business, so each one sets its own shipping, return and refund policies. Here is a plain guide to what those usually cover and what to look for before you buy.
What to check on a shop's page
Shipping
- How long the shop takes to pack and send your order
- Roughly how long delivery takes in your area
- Whether delivery is added at checkout or built into the price
- Which parishes or islands the shop ships to
Returns & refunds
- Whether returns are accepted, and for how long after delivery
- What condition an item needs to be in to come back
- Who covers the cost of sending it back
- How a refund is paid and roughly how long it takes
Reaching the shop
- How to message the shop with a question
- When you can expect a reply
- The shop's hours and busy days
- The best way to follow up on an order
About the goods
- Clear descriptions of what you are buying
- Sizes, measurements or quantities where they matter
- Care, ingredients or material notes if relevant
- Any guarantee the shop offers
The exact timeframes, costs and rules are set by each shop, so they vary from one store to the next. Always go by what the shop itself states on its page.
What helps as a buyer
Read the policies first
Open the shop's page and look over its shipping, return and refund notes before you order, so there are no surprises later.
Ask before you buy
If anything is unclear, message the shop. A quick question up front saves a lot of back-and-forth after the order is placed.
Follow the return steps
If you need to send something back, follow the shop's process as written. Each shop handles returns its own way.
Speak up early
If something arrives wrong or damaged, let the shop know as soon as you can. The sooner they hear, the sooner it gets sorted.
Who handles what
Inkress runs the marketplace and handles secure payments. Each shop is an independent business that runs its own store. Here is the split.
Inkress handles
- Secure, encrypted checkout
- Paying the merchant directly
- Keeping your card details off the shop's side
- Connecting you with real, listed shops
Each shop handles
- The quality and accuracy of their goods
- Packing, shipping and delivery
- Answering questions and customer service
- Their own returns and refunds
Questions buyers ask
Where do I find a shop's policies?
On the shop's page. Each merchant runs their own storefront, so their shipping, return and refund notes live there. Have a read before you place an order.
What if a shop doesn't stick to its policy?
Start by reaching out to the shop and keeping a record of your messages. Most issues get sorted directly. If you believe a shop is acting in bad faith, you can report it to our team to look into.
Can Inkress force a shop to give a refund?
No. Inkress runs the marketplace and handles secure payments, but each shop decides refunds based on its own stated policy. We encourage buyers and sellers to settle things between them.
How do I know a shop is trustworthy?
Look at its reviews and ratings from real shoppers, read its policies, see how quickly it tends to reply, and message it with any questions before you buy.
Ready to shop local?
Browse the shops near you, read their policies, and order from the people behind them.