Return & Refund Policy

WORN Refund & Dispute Resolution Policy

Effective Version – Curated Exchange Model

1. Purpose of This Policy

WORN operates as a curated, membership-based exchange connecting verified buyers and sellers for intimate, personal-use goods. Because WORN is structured as a high-intent, paid-access platform, disputes and refunds are handled through a formal, evidence-based process designed to protect:

  • • Buyer confidence

  • • Seller fairness

  • • Platform integrity

    • This policy replaces blanket "no refunds" practices with structured accountability while maintaining strict hygiene and abuse protections.

    2. Nature of Items Sold

    Due to the intimate and personal nature of items sold on WORN:

  • • Items are not returnable

  • • Items are not resellable

  • • Items cannot be physically inspected after delivery

    • Buyers acknowledge and agree that returns are not permitted under any circumstances, even in the event of a dispute. Refunds, if granted, are financial only and do not require item return.

    3. Non-Returnable Items (Absolute)

    The following items are never returnable:

  • • Worn intimate apparel or garments

  • • Custom, made-to-order, or buyer-requested items

  • • Items opened, worn, altered, or tampered with

  • • Items marked "final sale"

  • • Any item where return would violate hygiene or safety standards

    • This applies regardless of dispute outcome.

    4. Valid Reasons for Opening a Dispute

    Buyers may open a dispute only for the following reasons:

  • • Item significantly not as described — major discrepancies in condition, type, or material

  • • Authenticity concerns — reasonable evidence the item is not authentic

  • • Item not received — after carrier investigation or confirmed delivery failure

  • • Failure to ship within stated timeframe — seller exceeds their posted handling time without communication

  • • Seller non-responsiveness after payment

    • Invalid Dispute Reasons (Automatically Rejected)

    The following are not valid grounds for a dispute:

  • • Buyer changed their mind

  • • Buyer dissatisfaction with smell, style, or preference

  • • Buyer regret or personal circumstances

  • • Attempt to renegotiate price after delivery

  • • Buyer did not read listing details

  • • Buyer seeks refund without seller contact

  • • Buyer files chargeback without using WORN's dispute system

    • 5. Dispute Time Windows (Strict)

    Disputes must be opened within the following windows:

  • • Delivery-based disputes: Within 48 hours of confirmed delivery

  • • Non-delivery disputes: Within 7 days of expected delivery date

    • Disputes opened outside these windows may be automatically closed.

    6. Seller Obligations (Mandatory)

    All sellers on WORN are required to participate in dispute resolution.

    Sellers must:

  • • Respond to disputes within 48 hours

  • • Provide requested evidence (photos, tracking, communication logs)

  • • Engage in good-faith resolution

  • • Honor binding decisions issued through the dispute process

    • Failure to comply may result in:

  • • Loss of founding status

  • • Temporary access suspension

  • • Permanent removal from the platform

    • 7. Dispute Resolution Process (Dispute Center)

    WORN operates a formal Dispute Center with the following steps:

    Step 1: Buyer Submits Dispute

  • • Buyer submits dispute with explanation and evidence

  • • Seller is notified immediately

    • Step 2: Seller Response

  • • Seller has 48 hours to respond

  • • Seller may propose resolution: partial refund, full refund, replacement item, or mutual agreement

    • Step 3: Escalation to WORN (If Needed)

    If no agreement is reached:

  • • WORN reviews all evidence

  • • WORN may request additional information

  • • WORN issues a binding resolution

    • 8. Possible Dispute Outcomes

    WORN may decide one of the following:

  • • Dispute closed with no refund

  • • Seller-directed partial refund

  • • Seller-directed full refund

  • • Seller compliance warning

  • • Seller access paused for non-response or abuse

    • WORN does not guarantee refunds and does not act as a buyer insurer.

    9. Buyer Abuse & Enforcement

    Buyer abuse includes:

  • • False claims

  • • Repeated frivolous disputes

  • • Chargebacks without dispute usage

  • • Misrepresentation of evidence

  • • Harassment or coercion of sellers

    • Consequences may include:

  • • Loss of buyer access

  • • Admission fee forfeiture

  • • Account suspension

  • • Permanent ban

    • 10. Seller Abuse & Enforcement

    Seller abuse includes:

  • • Failure to ship

  • • Failure to respond to disputes

  • • Misrepresentation of items

  • • Repeated poor-faith behavior

  • • Attempting to bypass dispute resolution

    • Consequences may include:

  • • Loss of founding seller status

  • • Temporary suspension

  • • Permanent removal

  • • Forfeiture of platform privileges

    • 11. Chargebacks (Critical)

    Buyers agree that:

  • • Filing a chargeback without first using WORN's dispute system violates platform rules

  • • Chargeback abuse may result in permanent account termination

  • • WORN may submit dispute records, communications, and evidence to payment processors

    • This protects sellers and the platform from bad-faith claims.

    12. WORN's Role (Legal Clarity)

    WORN is not the seller of goods.

    WORN:

  • • Does not manufacture items

  • • Does not ship items

  • • Does not guarantee satisfaction

  • • Does not accept returns

  • • Does not issue automatic refunds

    • WORN acts solely as a platform, a moderator, a dispute arbiter, and an enforcement authority. All users agree to this role upon membership.

    13. Acknowledgement & Acceptance

    By using WORN, buyers and sellers acknowledge that:

  • • This is a paid, structured exchange

  • • Disputes are handled formally

  • • Abuse will result in loss of access

  • • Decisions issued through the dispute process are final