Refunds & Returns
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a refund on Mallnline â from eligibility and timelines to how the process works behind the scenes.
Refund Eligibility
Refund policies are set by individual Malet Owners and may vary between storefronts. However, Mallnline enforces several platform-wide protections:
Platform-Wide Guarantees
| Guarantee | Details |
|---|---|
| Item never delivered | Full refund if the Malet Owner cannot provide proof of fulfillment within the promised timeframe |
| Significantly not as described | Full or partial refund if the product materially differs from the listing description |
| Duplicate charge | Automatic full refund via Stripe's idempotency protection |
| Technical failure | Full reversal if a payment was captured but order creation failed |
Malet-Specific Policies
Each Malet Owner can configure their own refund terms, which may include:
- A return window (e.g., 30 days from delivery)
- Restocking fees for physical goods
- Non-refundable categories (e.g., digital downloads after delivery, perishable goods)
- Service cancellation deadlines (e.g., 24 hours before a booking)
TIP
Check the Malet's storefront for their specific refund policy before purchasing. Look for the Returns or Policies link in the storefront footer.
How to Request a Refund
Step 1: Contact the Malet Owner
The fastest route to a refund is to contact the Malet Owner directly:
- Navigate to the Malet's storefront
- Open uChat (the messaging icon) or use the Contact form
- Explain your situation and request a refund
- The Malet Owner can process a full or partial refund directly from their Deck
Step 2: Open a Support Ticket (if unresolved)
If the Malet Owner is unresponsive or declines your refund request:
- Go to the Support Center
- Select "Issue with a Murchase"
- Provide your Murchase ID and details
- The Mallnline Trust & Safety team will review the case
IMPORTANT
Support tickets are processed within 48 business hours. Your identity is protected by a pseudo-anonymous alias â the Malet Owner cannot see your personal contact details unless you choose to share them.
Refund Processing
Full Refunds
When a full refund is authorized:
- The Malet Owner or platform admin triggers the refund via Stripe
- The refund is submitted to your payment provider
- Your payment method is credited within 5â10 business days (depending on your bank)
- Your Murchase status updates to REFUNDED
Partial Refunds
Partial refunds are supported for situations like:
- Returning some (but not all) items in an order
- Receiving a discount after a quality issue
- Service credits for booking modifications
The partial refund amount is tracked incrementally:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
refundedAmount |
Running total of all refunds issued for this Murchase |
totalAmount |
Original transaction amount |
| Status | PARTIALLY_REFUNDED while partial; REFUNDED when refundedAmount == totalAmount |
NOTE
Over-refunding is prevented by the platform. If a Malet Owner attempts to refund more than the original charge, the system will reject the request.
Refund Timelines
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Malet Owner approves refund | Immediate processing via Stripe |
| Stripe processes the reversal | 1â3 business days |
| Funds appear in your account | 3â10 business days (varies by bank and card network) |
| Pending authorizations released | 24â48 hours (if payment was authorized but not captured) |
Subscription Refunds
For subscription purchases (e.g., news subscriptions, magazine tiers):
- Cancellation stops future charges but does not automatically refund the current billing period
- Pro-rated refunds may be available depending on the Malet Owner's policy
- Contact the Malet Owner directly to discuss subscription refund options
For platform subscriptions (Starter, Pro, Enterprise plans):
- Cancellation is immediate and takes effect at the end of your billing period
- No automatic refund for unused time
- Contact support@mallnline.com for exceptional refund requests
Returns & Exchanges
Physical Products
For physical goods, the return process is:
- Initiate a return by contacting the Malet Owner via uChat
- Ship the item back using the return address provided by the Malet Owner
- Once received and inspected, the Malet Owner processes your refund or exchange
WARNING
Return shipping costs are typically the buyer's responsibility unless the Malet Owner's policy states otherwise. Always confirm return logistics before shipping.
Digital Products
Digital goods (downloads, licenses, digital keys) are generally non-refundable once delivered, as the content has been accessed. Exceptions include:
- The product was defective or non-functional
- The product was significantly different from its description
- The delivery failed (file could not be downloaded)
Services & Bookings
Service refunds follow the Malet Owner's cancellation policy:
- Most services allow free cancellation 24â48 hours in advance
- Late cancellations may incur a partial charge
- No-shows are typically non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the status of my refund?
Visit My Murchases and look for the status badge. Refunded orders show REFUNDED or PARTIALLY_REFUNDED.
Can I get a refund on a guest purchase? Yes. Use the Guest Murchase Lookup with your email address and OTP verification to access your order, then contact the Malet Owner.
What if the Malet has been deleted? If a Malet has been shut down, contact Mallnline support directly. We retain transaction records and can process refunds for orders from deleted Malets.
Are there any fees for refunds? Mallnline does not charge buyers for refund processing. Payment processor fees may apply to the Malet Owner.
Related
- Buyer Safety & Transaction Guarantees â How Mallnline protects your payments
- Murchasing and Tracking â Checkout flow and order tracking
- Tracking Your Murchase â Delivery status and guest lookup
- Managing Your Subscription â Subscription billing and cancellation
- Accepting Crypto Payments â Enabling USDC stablecoin checkouts and managing crypto payouts