Skip to Content

Returns Policy

Don't be a dumb arse and simply order the right stuff from the start. Simple.

HOW WE DO IT

Returns are a bit different around here. mantis inceptions is not a massive corporation with a marketing department and a boardroom full of people named Dave.

I’m just a local Kiwi bloke having a crack with selling screws and stuff, building the range as I go and working hard to offer good products at fair prices. Because of that, I can’t simply take products back and hand out refunds every time someone changes their mind or orders the wrong thing. If I do that, I’m the one left sitting on the goods, and that quickly gets expensive for a small business.

I understand this may not be the news you wanted, but it is what it is. 


The easiest solution is to order the right thing the first time. Problem solved. That said, I’ll always deal with genuine problems fairly and I will honour your rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). The CGA provides protections where products are faulty, not of acceptable quality, not fit for a purpose you made known to us, or do not match their description.

Change of mind:

I do not normally accept returns simply because you have changed your mind. Under NZ consumer guidance, a retailer generally does not have to accept a return for a change-of-mind purchase.

Ordered the wrong product:

Please check the product size, type, material and application carefully before ordering. If you order the wrong thing, contact us and we may consider a return case by case, but acceptance is not guaranteed.

Case-by-case returns:

Where I agree to accept a change-of-mind or incorrect-order return, the product must be in a condition that we can reasonably resell. We reserve the right to decline returns where the circumstances or condition of the goods make a return unreasonable. 

Approved returns:

If the chance that I have a brain fart and agree to a return, it is 100% on you to get the goods back to me at your expense.

Approved returns:

If the chance that I have a brain fart and agree to a return, it is 100% on you to get the goods back to me at your expense.

Store credit:

Approved change-of-mind or incorrect-order returns are handled with store credit rather than a cash refund. This credit can be used towards a future purchase from mantis inceptions.

Repeat returns:

I am happy to work with reasonable customers, but repeated change-of-mind or incorrect-order returns may be declined. At some point the answer may simply be “yeah nah.”

Faulty or incorrect goods:

If there is a genuine problem with a product, or the goods do not meet the guarantees provided by the CGA, contact us before returning anything so we can work through the issue with you. Your statutory rights are not restricted by this returns policy.

Consumer Guarantees Act:

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict or override any rights you have under New Zealand consumer law. Where the CGA applies and a guarantee has not been met, the appropriate remedy may include repair, replacement or refund depending on the circumstances.

When the CGA applies*

The Consumer Guarantees Act applies to products and services:

  • bought or gifted to you from a business selling goods directly to persons in New Zealand, including online, for personal or household use
  • regardless of any store guarantees or warranties
  • including any rights, benefits or facilities provided by a supplier, even if they do so free of charge or you don’t have a contract with the supplier.

When the CGA does not apply*

The Consumer Guarantees Act does not apply if you:

  • got what you asked for but simply changed your mind
  • misused or altered a product in any way that caused the problem, for example, not following the manufacturer’s instructions for use
  • disposed of, lost, destroyed, or damaged products after delivery
  • were made aware of faults before you bought the product
  • bought it privately, including through Trade Me, Marketplace, eBay or at an auction, or through someone who isn’t a registered business
  • bought it for business use when the businesses have agreed in writing that the Consumer Guarantees Act doesn’t apply
  • relied on anyone else's advice or conduct that caused the problem other than the service provider or their agent, or
  • it was donated by a charity for your benefit
  • purchased the product for resale or to use in a manufacturing process.

Even if the Consumer Guarantees Act doesn’t apply, other laws protect consumers including the Fair Trading Act, the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act and the Privacy Act.

The above 'When the CGA applies' and 'When the CGA does not apply' information was stolen directly from https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/