Effective Date: August 1, 2025
Last Updated: August 1, 2025
1. Overview
Spirit Collective operates as a marketplace platform connecting buyers with independent vendors. This policy covers two distinct types of transactions:
- Premium Memberships sold directly by Spirit Collective
- Products, Services, and Courses sold by independent vendors through our platform
2. Premium Membership Refunds
2.1 Subscription Refunds
Premium memberships ($19.99/month) are billed monthly and can be cancelled at any time.
- Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period
- No partial month refunds are provided
- You retain Premium benefits until your billing period ends
2.2 Refund Eligibility
We may issue refunds for Premium memberships in the following cases:
- Technical errors resulting in duplicate charges
- Unable to access Premium features due to platform malfunction
- Account termination by Spirit Collective within first 7 days
2.3 Requesting a Membership Refund
Contact team@thespiritcollective.net with your account information and reason for refund request. We’ll respond within 3-5 business days.
3. Vendor Product & Service Returns
3.1 Independent Vendor Policies
All products, services, and courses are sold by independent vendors who set their own return and refund policies. These policies must be:
- Clearly displayed on vendor store pages
- Specified during checkout
- Honored by the vendor as stated
3.2 What Vendors Must Provide
Vendors are required to:
- Accept return requests through our platform’s return/refund system
- Respond to buyer inquiries within 48 hours
- Process approved returns within their stated timeframe
- Clearly state any restocking fees or conditions
3.3 Your Rights as a Buyer
- Review vendor return policies before purchasing
- Contact vendors directly through our messaging system
- Request returns within the vendor’s stated timeframe
- Escalate unresolved issues to Spirit Collective support
- Retain payment processor dispute rights (PayPal/Stripe)
4. Return Process for Vendor Products
4.1 Step 1: Contact the Vendor
- Use the platform’s messaging system or return/refund request feature
- Provide order details and reason for return
- Include photos for damaged/incorrect items
- Allow 48 hours for vendor response
4.2 Step 2: Follow Vendor Instructions
If approved, the vendor will provide:
- Return shipping instructions (for physical products)
- Refund timeline
- Any applicable restocking fees
4.3 Step 3: Escalation to Spirit Collective
If the vendor doesn’t respond within 48 hours or you cannot reach a resolution:
- Email team@thespiritcollective.net
- Include order number, vendor name, and communication history
- We’ll mediate between you and the vendor
- Resolution typically within 5-7 business days
5. Product-Specific Guidelines
5.1 Physical Products
- Must be returned in original condition unless defective
- Buyer typically pays return shipping unless item is defective
- Refund processed after vendor receives and inspects item
5.2 Digital Products
- Due to their nature, digital products may have limited return options
- Vendors must clearly state if digital products are non-refundable
- Technical issues preventing access may qualify for refunds
5.3 Services (Bookable)
- Cancellation policies vary by vendor
- Most require 24-48 hours notice for cancellation
- Completed services typically non-refundable
- Partial refunds may apply for incomplete services
5.4 Courses
- Access issues or technical problems may qualify for refunds
- Completed courses typically non-refundable
- Vendors may offer partial refunds within specified timeframes
6. Refund Processing
6.1 Payment Methods
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method
- Processing time: 5-10 business days depending on your bank
- Vendors process refunds directly through Stripe or PayPal
6.2 Split Payments
Since payments are split directly to vendors through our payment processors:
- Vendors issue refunds from their accounts
- Spirit Collective’s commission is also reversed
- You’ll see the refund from the vendor, not Spirit Collective
7. Dispute Resolution
If you cannot resolve an issue with a vendor:
- Document all communication
- Contact team@thespiritcollective.net
- We’ll investigate and mediate
- You retain rights to dispute with your payment provider
8. Prohibited Returns
The following cannot be returned:
- Items listed as final sale
- Custom or personalized items (unless defective)
- Perishable goods
- Items not purchased through Spirit Collective
- Purchases violating our Acceptable Use Policy
9. Vendor Non-Compliance
Vendors who repeatedly violate their stated return policies or fail to respond to legitimate return requests face:
- Warning notifications
- Account suspension
- Permanent termination
10. Contact Information
For Membership Refunds:
team@thespiritcollective.net
For Vendor Product Issues:
- Contact vendor directly first
- Escalate to: team@thespiritcollective.net
Response Times:
- Vendor response: 48 hours expected
- Spirit Collective support: 3-5 business days
- Escalated disputes: 5-7 business days
11. Policy Changes
We may update this policy periodically. Continued use of Spirit Collective after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
12. Legal Rights
This policy does not limit your statutory rights as a consumer. You may have additional rights under local consumer protection laws.