Shipping Policy

Marketplace Shipping Policy

Effective Date: June 9, 2025

Marketplace Operator: Iowa Elite Productions LLC DBA: Homesteading Connection Marketplace

Support Email: marketplace@iowaeliteproductions.com

Support Phone: 319-343-7001

1. Our Role as a Marketplace

Homesteading Connection Marketplace is a platform that connects you with independent homesteaders, makers, and small-scale producers (“Sellers”) across the country.

Each Seller in our community manages their own storefront, inventory, and ships their products directly to you from their location. This means that shipping methods, costs, processing times, and policies can vary from Seller to Seller. When you purchase items from multiple Sellers in a single order, you will receive separate packages from each Seller.

2. Processing Time vs. Shipping Time

To provide clarity on when to expect your order, please note the two parts of the fulfillment timeline:

• Processing Time: This is the time it takes the Seller to prepare, pack, and hand off your order to a shipping carrier. Each Seller sets their own processing time, which is typically displayed on the product page.
• Shipping Time: This is the time your package is in transit with the shipping carrier (e.g., USPS, UPS, FedEx). This depends on the shipping method you select at checkout and your location.

3. Tracking and Order Fulfillment

• Trackable Shipping is Required: For the security and peace of mind of both buyers and sellers, and to facilitate our secure payout system, we require our Sellers to use a trackable shipping method for all physical orders.
• Shipping Confirmation: Once a Seller ships your order, they will mark it as complete and add the tracking number to the order details. You will receive an email notification with this tracking number. You can also find this information in your account’s order history.

4. Shipping Costs

Shipping fees are set by each individual Seller and are calculated at checkout based on factors such as:

• The Seller’s chosen shipping rates and carriers.
• The weight and dimensions of the product(s).
• Your delivery location.

Some Sellers may offer options like flat-rate shipping, free shipping on orders over a certain amount, or local pickup. Please review these options in your cart at checkout.

5. Shipping Locations & International Orders

• Most Sellers on our platform ship to all 50 U.S. states. Some may also ship to U.S. territories or APO/FPO addresses at their discretion.
• International Shipping: This is offered on a seller-by-seller basis. Please check the individual product listing for international availability. Buyers are responsible for all customs fees, import duties, and taxes that may be levied by their country.

6. Local Pickup

If a Seller offers local pickup, this is a special arrangement made directly between you (the buyer) and the Seller. Homesteading Connection Marketplace is not involved in the physical exchange of goods and is not liable for any issues that may arise from in-person pickups.

7. Digital Products, Courses & Services

This shipping policy applies only to physical goods. Digital products, online courses, and bookable services are delivered electronically via download links, email, or by gaining access through your user account on our site. They are not subject to shipping fees or timelines.

8. Delays or Shipping Issues

If you encounter an issue with your shipment:

1. First, check your tracking number for the latest updates from the carrier.
2. If tracking hasn’t updated or the delivery is significantly delayed past its estimated window, please contact the Seller directly through the messaging system on your order page. They are in the best position to initiate a trace with the shipping carrier.
3. If you do not receive a response from the Seller within 3 business days, please contact our marketplace support team at marketplace@iowaeliteproductions.com with your order number, and we will assist.

9. Lost or Stolen Packages

Homesteading Connection Marketplace and its Sellers are not responsible for packages that are lost or stolen after the shipping carrier has marked them as “Delivered” to the correct address. If your tracking shows “Delivered” but you have not received your package, we recommend you check with neighbors, check around your property, and contact the shipping carrier directly to report the issue.

10. Information for Sellers

All Sellers are required to:

• Clearly state their estimated processing times on their product listings or store policy page.
• Ship orders within their stated processing timeframes.
• Use a trackable shipping method and provide the tracking number to the buyer when marking an order as complete.
• Respond to buyer inquiries about shipping promptly and professionally (within 3 business days). Failure to meet these shipping expectations may result in action from our support team, including order cancellations or account review.