Refund policy

Effective date: 28 October 2026

Every order from Indian Hobby Center is checked before it is packed. If something still goes wrong, such as damage in transit, a wrong item, a missing part or a product that does not work out of the box, we will make it right with a free replacement or a full refund. This policy explains how, in line with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020.

1. At a glance

Situation	Report within	What we do
Parcel damaged in transit	48 hours of delivery, with unboxing video	Free replacement, or full refund if out of stock
Wrong item delivered	48 hours of delivery, with unboxing video	Free replacement with the correct item, or full refund
Item or part missing from the parcel	48 hours of delivery, with unboxing video	We send the missing item free, or refund it
Product defective on arrival (does not work when first used correctly)	7 days of delivery	Free replacement after verification, or full refund
Parcel lost in transit	As soon as tracking stops or shows lost	Free re-shipment or full refund
Item out of stock after you ordered	No action needed	Full refund of that item, automatically
Cancellation before dispatch	Before the order is packed	Refund of the amount paid, less payment gateway and checkout fees (Section 4)
Cancellation after dispatch (delivery refused, parcel unopened)	Before accepting delivery	Refund less payment fees and forward and return shipping (Section 4)
Change of mind after delivery	Not eligible	See Section 5

2. How to raise a request

1. Contact us within the time shown above by WhatsApp at +91 82499 31161 or email at info@indianhobbycenter.com (Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM). Please include your order number.
2. Share evidence. For any claim of transit damage, a wrong item or missing items, an unboxing video with a visible date and time stamp is required. The video must:

    

   • be one continuous, unedited recording that starts with the parcel still sealed;

   • clearly show the shipping label with the order number or AWB number;
   • show the date and time of recording, either as a timestamp on the video or with a phone or clock screen in view at the start;
   • show every item being taken out of the packing. For defects, please share clear photos and a short video showing the problem and how the product is connected.
3. Technical check: our technical team reviews your request, usually within 1 business day, and may suggest simple troubleshooting steps first. Many "defects" in electronics are wiring or setting issues that we can help you fix in minutes.
4. Return authorisation: if a return is needed, we give you a return authorisation and instructions. Please do not send items back without one, as unannounced parcels may be delayed or lost.
5. Inspection: once the item reaches us, we inspect it, usually within 2 business days, and tell you the outcome.
6. Resolution: we ship the replacement, or initiate your refund, as described below.

For approved claims, we bear the cost of return shipping and of shipping the replacement to you.

3. Refunds: method and timeline

• Refunds are initiated within 2 business days of approval (or of the returned item passing inspection).
• Refunds go to the original payment method. Cards, UPI, net banking and wallets are usually credited within 5 to 7 business days, depending on your bank or payment provider.
• For payments made by direct UPI or bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS), we refund to the same account, or to an account you confirm in writing.
• For Partial Cash on Delivery orders, the advance is refunded to the original payment method, and any amount paid in cash to the courier is refunded by UPI or bank transfer to an account you provide.
• For approved claims (damaged, wrong, missing, defective on arrival or lost parcels) the refund covers the product price and the shipping charge you paid for that item, with no deductions of any kind.
• We will share a refund reference (UTR or transaction ID) on request so that you can follow up with your bank.

4. Order cancellation

Changes before dispatch. You can change an order, for example update the delivery address, free of charge until it is packed. Message us on WhatsApp or by email with your order number, and we will confirm within one business day. Because most orders are packed and dispatched within 24 hours, please contact us as early as possible. Once an order is dispatched, a change may be chargeable (see our Shipping Policy).

Cancellation before dispatch. You can cancel an order until it is packed. When an order is cancelled at your request, we refund the amount paid less the payment gateway fee, checkout fee and any other transaction charges levied on us for that payment. Payment providers charge these fees on every transaction and do not return them when an order is cancelled. The exact deduction is shown in your refund confirmation.

After dispatch. Once an order has left our premises, we cannot cancel it. If you no longer want it, you may refuse delivery without opening the parcel and ask the courier to return it to us. When the unopened parcel reaches us, we refund the order value less the payment gateway and checkout fees and the actual forward and return shipping charges, within 2 business days. If the parcel was opened, the refund is made after inspection, subject to Section 5.

Cancellation by us. We may cancel an order if the product is out of stock, the price or listing contained an obvious error, the delivery address is not serviceable, or we have reasonable grounds to suspect fraud. In that case we refund the full amount, including shipping, with no deduction of any fee, and tell you why.

5. What is not eligible for return or refund

Because many of our products are electronic components, modules and hobby parts that can be damaged by handling or installation, the following are not eligible, except where the product was damaged, wrong, missing or defective on arrival:

• change of mind, ordering the wrong item, or a product found unsuitable for your project after purchase;
• products that have been soldered, wired, programmed, flashed, modified, cut or assembled;
• damage caused by static discharge, wrong wiring, reverse polarity, over-voltage, over-current, short circuit, water, crash or accident;
• batteries that are swollen, punctured, over-discharged or damaged after use, or charged with an unsuitable charger;
• consumables once opened or used, such as 3D printer filament, resin, solder, flux, glue, tapes and paint;
• items sold by length or cut to order, such as wires and cables;
• software, licences, digital products and gift cards;
• products without their original packaging, accessories, manuals or protective films, when these were supplied;
• claims reported after the time limits in Section 1, or claims of transit damage, wrong or missing items without the unboxing video described in Section 2.

This does not limit any right you have under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, or under a manufacturer's warranty.

6. Warranty

Branded products. Products from recognised brands carry the manufacturer's warranty, for the period and on the terms set by the manufacturer, as stated on the product page or packaging. Contact us with your order number and invoice, and we will guide you through the claim or forward it to the brand or its authorised service centre on your behalf.

Generic products. Generic and unbranded modules, components and parts are not covered by a manufacturer's warranty. Instead, they carry our Tested-on-Delivery warranty: each product is checked before dispatch, and if it does not work when first used correctly, you can report it within 2 days of delivery for a free replacement, or a full refund if a replacement is not available, after verification by our technical team. This warranty ends once the 3 days have passed, or once the product has been soldered, installed, modified or used outside its rated specifications.

Not covered by any warranty: physical or liquid damage, misuse, normal wear and tear, consumables, and the conditions listed in Section 5.

7. Partial orders

If part of your order cannot be supplied, we will ship the available items and refund the unavailable items in full, or, if you prefer, cancel and refund the whole order before dispatch.

8. Our final review and your rights

Every request is decided fairly, on the evidence and inspection, and we will always explain the reason for our decision in writing. If you disagree, you can escalate to our Grievance Officer (Section 9). You also remain free to approach the National Consumer Helpline (call 1915 or visit consumerhelpline.gov.in) or file a complaint with the Consumer Commission through e-Daakhil.

9. Contact and grievance redressal

• Customer support: WhatsApp +91 82499 31161 · Phone +91 77498 50441 · info@indianhobbycenter.com · Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM
• Grievance Officer: Manas Joshi · ihcbbsr@gmail.com · +91 77498 50441
• Address: The Hobby Shop, Plot No. 2296, Naibedya Complex, Jayadev Vihar Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751013

Complaints are acknowledged within 48 hours and resolved within one month of receipt.