Returns & Refunds Policy

Effective Date: 12 August 2025
📧 ail.admin@test.artislit.com • London, UK

1. Overview

Art is Lit is a marketplace where independent artists (“Sellers”) list, sell, and ship original artworks and handmade items. Each Seller is responsible for fulfilment, returns, and refunds. Art is Lit facilitates payments and communication but is not the seller of record.

This policy explains how returns and refunds work, including special rules for ceramics, sculpture, photographs, paintings, textile art, printmaking, art & craft, jewelry, and drawings.

By purchasing through Art is Lit, you agree to this policy and any return terms disclosed on the artwork’s listing page.

Our policy is valid for a period of 14 calendar days from the date of the purchase. If you would like to return the product for a refund during this period, you may do so provided the conditions below have been met. Please note that if the period of 14 days has lapsed, we can’t, unfortunately, offer you a refund.

 

Refund requirements overview

The following criteria must be met to qualify for a refund:

  • Product is defective
  • Product is not as described
  • Product must be in original packaging
  • Product must be unused
  • Product must not be damaged

In order to ensure the above criteria has been met, all returns will be inspected. If the product does not meet the listed criteria, we reserve the right not to issue a refund

 

2. Eligibility for Returns & Refunds — General Rules

Refunds or returns may be approved if:

  • Damaged in transit: Breaks, cracks, water damage, punctures, or tears that materially affect the artwork.

  • Defective or incomplete: Missing advertised components (e.g., certificate, clasp, hanging hardware) or otherwise defective.

  • Significantly not as described: Substantial discrepancy between listing and received item (e.g., size, medium, edition).

  • Non-delivery: The item does not arrive within the stated delivery window. If undelivered, this is considered a vendor responsibility, and a refund may be issued.

Refunds/returns are not normally granted if:

  • Buyer changes their mind (unless Seller’s listing allows it).

  • Minor natural variations (e.g., glaze differences in ceramics, gemstone inclusions in jewelry).

  • Damage after delivery caused by mishandling or improper care.

  • Digital files once downloaded (unless corrupt/unusable).

  • Custom/commissioned works (unless damaged or significantly not as described).

3. Category-Specific Rules

A. Ceramics

  • Qualifies: Cracks, breaks, chips, or glaze faults.

  • Proof: Photos of damage and packaging.

  • Note: Kiln marks or glaze variations are not defects unless severe.

B. Sculpture (all materials)

  • Qualifies: Structural damage, missing parts, or wrong scale/material.

  • Handling: Due to fragility, may require inspection before return approval.

  • Seller pays return shipping if at fault.

C. Photographs & Photographic Prints

  • Qualifies: Tears, stains, misnumbered editions, or incorrect format.

  • Unframed: Returns not accepted once protective wrapping is opened (except defects).

  • Framed: Report frame/glass damage within 14 days.

D. Paintings (originals)

  • Qualifies: Tears, punctures, major paint loss, or wrong medium/size.

  • Note: Screen colour variations alone do not qualify.

E. Textile Art

  • Qualifies: Tears, dye faults, or significant shrinkage.

  • Hygiene: Wearables may not be returnable unless faulty.

  • Buyers must follow care instructions.

F. Printmaking

  • Qualifies: Tears, cockling, misnumbered editions, missing certificates.

  • Limited editions: Certificate and edition must be returned.

  • Open editions: Once unwrapped, only defects are returnable.

G. Art & Craft

  • Qualifies: Missing parts, structural damage, or wrong material.

  • Normal handmade variations (wood grain, hand-tooling) are not defects.

H. Jewelry

  • Qualifies: Broken clasps, missing stones, or incorrect material.

  • Hygiene: Earrings/body jewelry returnable only if faulty.

  • Natural gemstone variations are not defects.

I. Drawings

  • Qualifies: Tears, stains, creases, or misdescription.

  • Note: Minor smudging or paper texture is expected.

4. Reporting Process & Time Limits

  • Report issues within 14 days of delivery with photos/videos.

  • For non-delivery, report within 30 days of expected delivery date.

  • If the Seller does not respond within 7 days, escalate to Art is Lit at 📧 ail.admin@test.artislit.com

5. Return Shipping & Costs

Shipping costs will only be refunded if the return results from a seller error or fault.

  • Seller at fault: Seller covers return shipping and provides a prepaid label or instructions.

  • Buyer-initiated returns (where accepted): Buyer covers shipping and insurance.

  • International returns: Customs charges are Buyer’s responsibility unless Seller agrees otherwise.

6. Inspection, Refunds & Alternatives

The buyer  must take care to ensure that the goods are properly packaged so that they will not be damaged while in transit. If the product is found damaged or used beyond what it takes for us to reasonably inspect it, then we may reject a refund.

  • Sellers inspect returned items within 5 business days.

  • Refunds issued to the original payment method, timing depends on the payment provider.

  • Sellers may offer repair, replacement, or partial refund as alternatives.

7. Special Considerations

  • Buyers: Inspect upon delivery, keep packaging, and document damage.

  • Sellers: Use protective packing, insure shipments, and document pre-dispatch packaging.

8. Chargebacks & Disputes

Chargebacks may delay resolution. Art is Lit will provide order evidence to the payment provider. The final outcome is determined by the provider.

9. Updates

We may amend this policy. Changes apply to future orders from the effective date.

Contact

For questions about these Returns & Refunds Policy, please contact:
📧 ail.admin@test.artislit.com
📍 London, UK