Returns & Refunds

Returns & Refunds Policy

Effective Date: May 1, 2025

Artificial Objects LLC designs and produces a curated line of physical accessories and objects. Due to the nature of our products — which are not articles of clothing and are evaluated for condition, integrity, and presentation — our return eligibility standards reflect the care and standard expected of tangible goods, collectibles, and accessory items. This policy governs all return, exchange, and refund requests for purchases made through the Artificial Objects LLC website.

4.1 Return Eligibility

We accept returns on eligible items within thirty (30) calendar days of the confirmed delivery date (as recorded by the carrier's tracking system). Because our products are physical objects and accessories — not garments — eligibility is assessed on the basis of physical condition, packaging integrity, and presentation. To qualify for a return, item(s) must satisfy ALL of the following conditions without exception:

  • Unused and unhandled beyond initial inspection: the item must show no evidence of use, handling beyond a single brief inspection, installation, assembly, display, or deployment of any kind.
  • No physical alteration or modification: the item must be free from any scratches, scuffs, dents, chips, cracks, discoloration, surface wear, patina development, adhesive residue, engravings, or any other physical change from its original manufactured state.
  • Original packaging intact and undamaged: the item must be returned in its original packaging in like-new condition — including all boxes, tissue, dust bags, sleeves, inserts, cards, and protective wrapping. Packaging that has been torn, crushed, written on, taped over, or otherwise compromised renders the item ineligible for return.
  • All original attachments and inclusions present: hang tags, authenticity cards, certificates, lanyards, hardware, accompanying accessories, documentation, and any other items included in the original shipment must be returned in their original, unaltered state.
  • Proof of purchase enclosed: the original order confirmation number or purchase receipt must accompany the return.
  • No evidence of exposure to external elements: items must be free from environmental exposure including but not limited to moisture, direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, smoke, chemical agents, or other conditions that could affect material integrity or appearance.

We conduct a thorough physical inspection of all returned items upon receipt. Any condition that was not present at the time of shipment — regardless of how minor — may, at our sole discretion, result in denial of the return, a partial refund, or a restocking fee. The standard of condition required is that the item be indistinguishable from new stock.

4.2 Non-Returnable Items

The following are expressly and unconditionally excluded from our return and refund policy:

  • Items designated as "Final Sale," "Non-Returnable," or equivalent at the time of purchase. All sales of such items are absolute and final with no exceptions.
  • Items showing any evidence of use, handling beyond initial inspection, wear, surface contact, installation, or display.
  • Items whose original packaging has been damaged, discarded, altered, or is otherwise not in like-new condition.
  • Items from which any hang tag, authenticity card, seal, or inclusion has been removed, detached, or tampered with.
  • Items that show any physical change from their original manufactured state, including but not limited to: scratching, scuffing, marring, denting, chipping, discoloration, fading, oxidation, patina, staining, adhesive marks, or structural damage.
  • Items returned without a valid, pre-approved Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.
  • Items returned outside the thirty (30)-calendar-day return window from confirmed delivery.
  • Items from limited, special, or collaboration releases that are designated as Final Sale at the time of purchase.
  • Gift cards, store credits, and complimentary or promotional items issued at no charge.

Our assessment of item condition is final. We do not accept disputes regarding condition determinations based on subjective assessment of acceptable wear or handling. The return eligibility standard is objective: the item must be in a condition indistinguishable from new, unused, unopened inventory.

4.3 Packaging Integrity Standard

Because the original packaging of Artificial Objects products is considered an integral component of the product's presentation, collectibility, and resale value, packaging condition is evaluated as a primary return eligibility criterion — not a secondary or procedural requirement. Specifically:

  • Boxes and outer packaging must show no signs of crushing, tearing, puncturing, wrinkling, moisture damage, or adhesive tape application.
  • Interior protective materials (tissue paper, foam inserts, dust bags, fill material) must be present and undisturbed.
  • Any sealed elements (shrink wrap, adhesive seals, protective film) must remain intact and unbroken, where applicable.

Returns where packaging has been opened in a manner that renders it non-resaleable, even if the product itself appears unused, may be subject to a restocking fee of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the purchase price, or may be denied entirely at our discretion.

4.4 Return Initiation Process

To initiate a return, submit a return request to legal@artificialobjects.com within thirty (30) calendar days of the confirmed delivery date. Your request must include: (1) your order number; (2) the specific item(s) you wish to return; (3) the reason for the return; and (4) clear photographic documentation of the item and all packaging in its current state, taken prior to re-packing for return shipment. We will review your submission and, if eligible, issue a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and written return instructions within five (5) business days.

Returns submitted without a valid, pre-issued RMA number will be refused at our receiving facility and returned to sender at the Customer's sole expense. Approved returns must be shipped within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the RMA number. Failure to ship within this window voids the authorization and the return will not be accepted. We strongly recommend shipping all returns via a carrier offering end-to-end tracking and full declared-value insurance. We are not responsible for return shipments lost, damaged, or delayed in transit; risk of loss during return transit remains with the Customer until the item is received and inspected at our facility.

4.5 Return Shipping Costs

  • Customer-initiated returns (e.g., change of preference, incorrect size or variant selected): the Customer bears all return shipping costs, including any carrier fees, insurance, and packaging materials.
  • Returns due to confirmed Company error (wrong item shipped or confirmed manufacturer defect): we will provide a prepaid return shipping label at no cost to the Customer.
  • International returns: the Customer is solely responsible for all return shipping costs, customs duties, import fees, and any other charges, regardless of the reason for return.

4.6 Refund Processing

Upon receipt of a return, our team will conduct a full physical inspection of the item and all packaging components within three (3) to five (5) business days. If the return satisfies all eligibility conditions in Sections 4.1 through 4.3, we will process a refund to the original payment method within seven (7) to ten (10) business days of approval. Please allow an additional three (3) to seven (7) business days for your financial institution to post the credit. Approved refunds will reflect the product purchase price less:

  • Original outbound shipping charges, which are non-refundable in all cases except returns due to confirmed Company error or manufacturer defect.
  • Any applicable restocking fee, which may be assessed at up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the item purchase price where the return does not fully satisfy all eligibility conditions but is accepted at our discretion.

If upon inspection the returned item is determined to be ineligible for a refund, we will notify the Customer within five (5) business days and arrange return shipment of the item to the Customer at their expense. We will not retain items to which we are not entitled to a refund without the Customer's written consent.

4.7 Exchanges

We do not facilitate direct exchanges. Customers wishing to receive a different item, variant, or size should: (1) initiate a return for the original item per Section 4.4, and (2) place a new, separate order for the desired item. Inventory cannot be held or reserved pending receipt of a return. Refunds for approved returns will be processed as described in Section 4.6.

4.8 Defective or Incorrect Items

If you receive an item that is confirmed to be materially defective due to a manufacturing fault, damaged in transit through no fault of the Customer, or substantially and materially different from the product ordered, you must notify us within forty-eight (48) hours of confirmed delivery at legal@artificialobjects.com. Your notification must include: (1) your order number; (2) a detailed written description of the defect, damage, or discrepancy; and (3) comprehensive photographic documentation clearly depicting the issue. Claims submitted after the forty-eight (48)-hour window will not be honored, as we are unable to distinguish post-delivery handling from manufacturing or transit defects beyond that period. Upon review and verification of a valid claim, we will, at our sole discretion: ship a direct replacement of the same product (subject to availability); issue a store credit equal to the full purchase price; or issue a full refund inclusive of verified return shipping costs. We reserve the right to request the return of the defective or incorrect item before issuing any remedy.

4.9 International Returns

International customers are eligible to submit return requests subject to the same eligibility conditions set forth in this policy. All return shipping costs, customs duties, import taxes, and associated fees are the exclusive financial responsibility of the international Customer, without exception. Refunds for approved international returns will be issued in U.S. Dollars (USD) to the original payment method. We are not responsible for currency conversion losses, foreign transaction fees, or other charges assessed by the Customer's financial institution.