Return & Exchange Policy

Garage Farmers is a marketplace and community platform, not a store. Each listing is offered by an independent seller — a hobbyist, farmer, or business — who sets their own prices, payment methods, shipping options, and exchange terms.

Garage Farmers does not process buyer payments, hold funds in escrow, remit seller proceeds, guarantee delivery, inspect livestock, issue refunds, or become a party to any transaction. Garage Farmers does not accept returns: items are not shipped back to Garage Farmers or refunded by Garage Farmers under any circumstance.

Before paying, read the listing and ask the seller to confirm their exchange and live-arrival terms in a message. Keep that agreement — it is your record if something goes wrong. If a seller has not published their own terms, the Default Seller Policy applies automatically.

Because coral and other livestock are live, perishable goods, most sellers offer a limited live-arrival guarantee rather than a standard return. Confirm the guarantee window, what proof is required, and whether the seller offers a replacement (exchange) for a qualifying issue.

If there is a problem with your order, contact the seller promptly through Garage Farmers messages — ideally within 48 hours of receiving the item, or within the shorter window the seller stated. Explain the issue clearly and keep the conversation on the platform so there is a record.

Provide supporting evidence such as clear photos, a video of unboxing or acclimation, the condition on arrival, shipping and tracking details, and the original order record. Sellers are expected to respond in good faith and work toward a fair resolution. There are no returns or refunds through Garage Farmers — a seller-arranged exchange (replacement) is the only remedy path.

For livestock, many sellers require proof of dead-on-arrival (DOA) or damage within a stated window — often 1 to 4 hours of delivery — with the animal in its original sealed bag, unacclimated, and photographed clearly. Live goods that have been acclimated to your tank are generally not eligible for exchange.

A qualifying DOA or damage claim is typically resolved with a replacement item at the seller’s discretion and according to the terms you agreed to before purchase — not a return or a refund. Heat, cold, weather delays, carrier mishandling, and your local acclimation practices can all affect a claim.

Shipping for a replacement item, if an exchange is granted, is determined by the seller’s stated terms. For perishable live goods, the original item is typically not shipped back; instead the seller resolves the issue based on the evidence you provide.

Original outbound shipping is non-refundable once an animal has shipped. Garage Farmers does not cover or reimburse shipping costs under any circumstance.

Garage Farmers does not accept returns and does not issue refunds for livestock, under any circumstance. Payments are made directly between buyer and seller through the third-party payment method they chose (for example PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or a card processor), and Garage Farmers does not hold or move those funds.

The only remedy path offered on this marketplace is a seller-arranged exchange (replacement) for a qualifying DOA, damage, or misidentification claim, per the terms above.

Some sales are final with no exchange available unless the seller states otherwise, including custom or made-to-order items, clearance or “final sale” listings, and livestock that has been acclimated.

If you are unsure whether an item is eligible for exchange, ask the seller before you pay and save their answer.

We provide messaging, transaction records, listing history, and reporting and moderation tools so buyers and sellers can resolve issues with evidence. If you cannot reach a resolution, you can report the transaction and the other party to Garage Farmers for review.

Garage Farmers is not an escrow service, payment processor, insurer, or legal representative, does not accept returns, and does not issue refunds. We may limit, suspend, or remove accounts and listings when activity appears fraudulent, dishonest, or harmful to the community.

Fees for Garage Farmers paid memberships and subscriptions are separate from marketplace purchases. Membership fees are not refundable for a billing period that has already completed, and you can cancel future renewals at any time from your account.

We may update this Return & Exchange Policy as the marketplace or legal requirements change. The “Last updated” date on this page identifies the current version.

Continuing to use Garage Farmers after a change takes effect means the updated policy applies to your use of the marketplace.