Allenedmouds Refund Policy

At Allenedmouds, we take pride in every pair of hand-crafted men’s dress shoes, casual shoes, boots, and sneakers we create—and we want you to feel confident that your purchase meets the high standards of craftsmanship we stand for. If a pair doesn’t live up to your expectations, our refund policy is designed to be transparent, fair, and tailored to the unique nature of hand-made footwear. This policy outlines the eligibility requirements, process, and timeline for requesting a refund, so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Eligibility for Refunds

To qualify for a refund, your return must meet the following criteria—crafted to respect both the artistry of our shoes and your right to satisfaction:

Timeframe: You must initiate a refund request within 45 days of the delivery date. This extended window accounts for the break-in period of premium leather hand-crafted shoes, giving you time to ensure the fit and comfort align with your needs. Requests made after 45 days cannot be processed.
Item Condition: The shoes must be in their original, unworn, and unaltered state. This means:
Original tags and branding (e.g., Allenedmouds leather labels) remain intact.
No signs of wear on leather (scuffs, creases, or discoloration), soles (no tread marks or dirt), or linings (no stains from use).
No modifications (e.g., added insoles, trimmed heels, or resoling)—alterations compromise the integrity of our hand-crafted design and void eligibility.
The original packaging (shoe box, dust bags, or care cards) is included, unless the box was damaged during shipping (in which case, please note this in your request).
Exceptions: Final sale items (clearly marked on product pages with discounts of 40% or more) are non-refundable. Custom-made or personalized hand-crafted shoes (if offered) also cannot be refunded unless they arrive with a manufacturing defect (see Section 4 for defect handling).
Hand-Crafted Sizing Exception: For sizing discrepancies specific to our hand-crafted lasts (e.g., a boot labeled size 10D that fits more like a 9.5D, despite matching our size chart), we will honor a refund even if the tags were briefly removed—provided the shoes show no signs of wear. Simply include photos of the fit issue (e.g., gaping at the heel, tightness at the toe box) with your request for verification by our artisan team.

2. How to Request a Refund

Requesting a refund for your Allenedmouds hand-crafted shoes is a straightforward process—we’ve streamlined it to minimize hassle:

Submit a Refund Request: Email our customer service team at [email protected] with the subject line “Refund Request ”. Include the following details to speed up processing:

Your full name, order number (found in your order confirmation email), and shipping address.
The shoe style (e.g., “Full-Grain Leather Oxfords in Brown”) and size.
A clear reason for the refund (e.g., “size too small”, “craftsmanship not as expected”, “sizing discrepancy for hand-crafted last”).
For sizing or craftsmanship issues: Attach 2–3 clear photos (e.g., close-up of uneven stitching, side view of the shoe on your foot showing fit problems) to help our team verify the issue.

Receive Return Instructions: Our team will respond within 1 business day (Monday–Friday) with:

A unique Return Authorization (RA) number—this is required to track your return and process your refund. Write the RA number on the outside of your return package (do not place it on the original shoe box).
A pre-paid shipping label (for domestic and international orders). We cover return shipping costs for all eligible refunds, as a commitment to standing behind our hand-crafted products.

Ship the Shoes Back: Pack the shoes securely (use the original box if possible, or a sturdy alternative to prevent damage during transit). Attach the pre-paid label and drop off the package at the designated carrier (e.g., UPS, USPS). Keep the tracking number provided by the carrier—this lets you monitor delivery and helps us confirm receipt.

3. Refund Processing Timeline

We process refunds as quickly as possible, while ensuring we uphold the quality standards of our hand-crafted footwear:

Inspection Period: Once your return arrives at our workshop, our team will inspect the shoes within 2–3 business days to verify eligibility (condition, RA number, and alignment with your stated reason). We may contact you for additional information if there are questions about the shoes’ condition.
Refund Approval/Rejection: If approved, we will initiate the refund immediately. If the shoes do not meet eligibility criteria (e.g., signs of wear, missing tags), we will notify you via email and return the shoes to you at no cost—we’ll include a note explaining why the refund was denied.
Refund Disbursement: The time it takes for the refund to appear in your account depends on your original payment method:
Credit/Debit Cards: 5–7 business days. Most card issuers take this time to process the reversal; contact your bank if you don’t see the refund after 7 days.
PayPal/Venmo: 2–3 business days. The refund will be credited directly to your PayPal/Venmo balance.
Gift Cards: 1–2 business days. Refunds will be issued as store credit to the email address linked to the gift card (or your account email if the gift card was anonymous).

Note: Original shipping costs are non-refundable unless the refund is due to our error (e.g., shipping the wrong style, damaged item on arrival)—see Section 4 for details.

4. Refunds for Damaged or Defective Hand-Crafted Shoes

If your Allenedmouds shoes arrive damaged or with a manufacturing defect (a rare occurrence in our hand-crafted process), we prioritize a resolution:

What Qualifies as a Defect: Issues arising from craftsmanship or materials, such as loose stitching (unraveling threads), separated welts (the hand-stitched seam connecting upper to sole), cracked leather (not from wear), or defective hardware (broken eyelets or buckles). Damage from shipping (e.g., crushed shoe box, torn leather from transit) also falls under this category.
Action Steps: Contact us within 48 hours of delivery (do not wear the shoes) with your order number and photos of the damage/defect (e.g., close-up of loose stitching, photo of the shipping box damage). We will:
Option 1: Send a replacement pair (hand-crafted to your size) at no cost—we’ll cover expedited shipping to get it to you quickly.
Option 2: Issue a full refund (including original shipping costs) if you prefer not to receive a replacement.
No Return Required for Minor Defects: For small issues (e.g., a loose thread), we may process a refund or send a repair kit without requiring you to return the shoes—this saves you time and preserves the wearability of your hand-crafted pair.

5. Refund Exceptions & Limitations

Lost or Stolen Returns: Allenedmouds is not responsible for shoes lost or stolen during return shipping. We recommend using the pre-paid label we provide (which includes tracking) and keeping the tracking number until your refund is confirmed. If the carrier marks the package as “delivered” but we do not receive it, we will work with the carrier to investigate—but we cannot process a refund until the package is verified as lost.
Gift Returns: If you received the shoes as a gift, you may request a refund to the original purchaser’s payment method (with their consent) or a store credit to your email address. To do this, provide the order number (from the purchaser) or the gift giver’s name and email in your refund request.
Multiple Refunds: We reserve the right to limit or decline refunds for customers who make excessive requests (e.g., returning most pairs from multiple orders) to prevent abuse of our policy. This helps us maintain the quality and accessibility of our hand-crafted footwear for all customers.

6. Checking Refund Status

To stay updated on your refund:

Track Your Return: Use the carrier’s tracking number to monitor when your package is delivered to our workshop.
Contact Customer Service: If you haven’t received a refund update within 5 business days of delivery, email [email protected] with your order number and RA number—we’ll provide a status update (e.g., “inspected and approved, refund initiated”).

7. Contact Us for Refund Questions

If you have questions about eligibility, need help submitting a request, or have concerns about a pending refund, email our team at [email protected]. We’re available Monday–Friday and will respond within 24 business hours—our team includes members with expertise in hand-crafted shoemaking, so we can address even the most specific questions (e.g., “does creasing from trying on count as wear?”).

At Allenedmouds, a refund is more than a transaction—it’s a commitment to making things right. We stand behind the craftsmanship of every pair, and we want you to feel confident that your investment in our hand-crafted shoes is one you’ll be happy with.