Refund Policy

Marketplace Refund & Return Policy

Effective Date: June 10, 2025

1. Our Role as a Marketplace

Welcome to Homesteading Connection Marketplace! We are proud to connect you with passionate, small-batch homesteaders, makers, and artisans (“Sellers”). As a marketplace platform operated by Iowa Elite Productions LLC, we facilitate transactions but do not manufacture, stock, or ship any products ourselves.

This policy outlines the general standards for our marketplace, but the primary responsibility for returns, exchanges, and refunds lies with the individual Seller of the product. We take your satisfaction seriously and have created these guidelines to ensure a fair and trusted experience.

2. The Seller’s Responsibility

Each Seller on Homesteading Connection Marketplace is an independent business responsible for creating and managing their own refund, return, and exchange policies. We require all Sellers to clearly display these policies on their individual store page and product listings. We strongly encourage you to review the specific Seller’s policy before making a purchase.

3. Platform-Wide Minimum Standards

While policies may vary, we require all Sellers on our platform to uphold the following minimum standards to ensure a positive customer experience:

• Products must be accurately described and must arrive as described and in good condition.
• Sellers must respond to all issue-related messages from buyers within 3 business days.
• Refunds, replacements, or other appropriate resolutions must be honored for items that are confirmed to be damaged in transit, defective, or incorrect.

If a Seller does not adhere to their own stated policy or these minimum platform standards, Homesteading Connection Marketplace may intervene.

4. How to Request a Refund or Report an Issue

If you have an issue with your order, please follow these steps in order:

1. Step 1: Review the Seller’s Policy. Check the individual product or store page for the Seller’s specific return and refund policy to understand the terms and timeframes.
2. Step 2: Contact the Seller Directly. This is the fastest way to resolve an issue. Contact the Seller through the messaging system on your order page within 7 days of delivery for damaged/defective/incorrect items. Please include your order number and clear photos of the item and packaging to help expedite the process.
3. Step 3: Escalate to Marketplace Support. If you do not receive a response from the Seller within 3 business days, or if you are unable to reach a fair resolution that aligns with their stated policy and our platform standards, please contact our support team at marketplace@homesteadingconnection.com. Include your order number and all relevant details so we can assist.

5. Return & Refund Eligibility

A. For Physical Goods: While specific policies are set by each Seller, the following items are generally not eligible for returns or refunds unless they arrive damaged, defective, or are incorrect:

• Personalized, custom-made, or made-to-order items.
• Perishable goods (e.g., fresh food, live plants).
• Personal care items (for health/hygiene reasons).
• Items returned without prior authorization or sent beyond the Seller’s stated return window.
• Products damaged by customer misuse, neglect, or incorrect use after delivery.

B. For Digital Products, Online Courses, & Workshops:

• Downloadable Digital Products: Due to their nature, digital products (e.g., e-books, patterns, planners) are generally considered final sale and are not eligible for refunds once downloaded.
• Online Courses & Workshops: Refund policies for courses are set by the individual instructor (Seller). A common policy, which we encourage, may offer a refund within a specific timeframe (e.g., 7-14 days) only if the student has not consumed a significant portion of the course content (e.g., viewed less than 25% of lessons). Please check the specific course listing for the instructor’s policy.

6. Shipping-Related Issues

• Return Shipping Costs: Policies for return shipping costs are set by each Seller. Typically, buyers are responsible for return shipping costs on “change of mind” returns (if accepted by the seller), while Sellers are responsible for return shipping costs for damaged, defective, or incorrect items.
• Lost or Undelivered Packages: If your tracking information shows the package is lost or has not been delivered after a reasonable time, please contact the Seller. The Seller is responsible for initiating a trace or claim with the shipping carrier. Our support team can assist if you are unable to resolve the issue with the Seller directly.

7. Processing Refunds

Once a Seller approves a refund, it is typically processed within 5–10 business days, though the exact timing can depend on your payment method (PayPal, credit card) and financial institution. All refunds are issued to the original form of payment used at checkout.

8. Information For Sellers

All vendors on our platform are required to:

• Clearly and accurately post their own return/refund policies in their store settings.
• Respond to buyer inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally (within 3 business days).
• Honor their stated policies and our platform’s minimum standards.
• Follow through on any refunds or replacements promised to a customer in a timely manner. Failure to do so may result in order cancellation, withheld funds from payouts, or removal from the platform.

9. Need Help?

If you’ve followed the steps above and are still unable to resolve an issue with a Seller, our support team is here to help mediate and ensure fairness.

• Email: marketplace@homesteadingconnection.com
• Phone: 319-343-7001
• Mailing Address: Iowa Elite Productions LLC, 740 S. 10th Ave., Washington, IA 52353

By shopping on Homesteading Connection Marketplace, you agree to this policy and acknowledge that you will also adhere to the individual refund and return guidelines set by the Sellers from whom you purchase. Thank you for supporting small-batch, self-sufficient businesses!