Refund policy
Refund and Return Policy
Overview
At Sadplants.fun, we stand behind the quality of our plants. This policy outlines your rights regarding returns, refunds, and our Dead-on-Arrival (DOA) guarantee. German consumer law provides additional protections that complement this policy.
Dead-on-Arrival (DOA) Guarantee
If your plant arrives dead or in severely compromised condition (showing clear signs of advanced decline, root rot, or severe physical damage), notify us within 48 hours of delivery with clear photographs and your order number. This allows us to investigate and respond quickly.
Upon verification, we will offer one of the following:
• Free replacement (if available in stock)
• Full refund including your original shipping costs
• TREE credit equivalent to your order value (to plant a tree through our Plant Afterlife Program)
Sadplants.fun absorbs all costs associated with verified DOA claims. No shipping charges are passed to you.
Plant Quality Standards
All plants are visually inspected before shipment for significant pest infestation, advanced disease, or physical damage. However, because plants are living organisms, we cannot guarantee pest-free status. Minor pest activity or fungal spores may occasionally occur despite grower best practices.
We guarantee to inspect for visible pests and disease before shipment.
You are responsible for quarantining new plants upon arrival and monitoring for pests.
Upon delivery, inspect your plant immediately. If significant, visible pest infestation or advanced disease is evident, contact us within 48 hours with photos for a replacement or refund.
Return Eligibility
Live Plants
Live plants can be returned under the following circumstances:
1. Dead-on-Arrival (DOA) Claims: Within 48 hours of delivery, if the plant is dead or in terminal condition with photographic evidence.
2. Significant Defects at Delivery: Within 14 days if the plant shows clear signs of disease (fungal infection, pest infestation, root rot) or severe transport damage visible upon unboxing.
3. 14-Day Withdrawal Right (German Consumer Law): As a consumer, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of delivery for any reason, provided the plant is in its original packaging and unused. Return shipping costs are your responsibility for standard withdrawals (not defect claims).
Plants returned as defect claims must be in original packaging and accompanied by photographic proof of the defect.
Artificial "Black Thumb" Plants
Artificial plants may be returned within 14 days if unopened and in resaleable condition, as part of your statutory 14-day withdrawal right. Original packaging is preferred.
Accessories and Digital Products
Accessories and digital products (plant care guides, cosmetics, personality packs) may be returned within 14 days if unused and in resaleable condition. Original packaging is preferred but not required.
Final Sale Items
The following items cannot be returned and are final sale:
• Clearance/discounted items marked "Final Sale" at checkout
• Custom-made or personalized orders
You will be informed of final sale status before purchase and must acknowledge understanding at checkout.
Return Shipping Responsibility
For DOA Claims and Defect Returns:
Sadplants.fun provides a free return shipping label. You bear no shipping costs for verified DOA or defect claims.
For Standard 14-Day Withdrawal (No Defect):
You are responsible for return shipping costs as a consumer, in accordance with German consumer law (§357(6) BGB). Your original shipping fee is non-refundable for standard withdrawals.
For Items Shipped in Error:
If we made an error in your order (wrong item shipped, duplicate shipment), Sadplants.fun covers all return shipping costs and provides a prepaid return label.
Refund Processing
For Verified DOA/Defect Claims:
Refunds are issued within 2–3 working days to your original payment method after we receive and inspect the returned plant. Original shipping costs are reimbursed.
For Standard Withdrawals:
Refunds are issued within 2–3 working days to your original payment method, minus your original shipping fee. Return shipping is your cost.
Processing Time:
Your bank may require an additional 2–5 business days to credit your account, depending on your financial institution.
Climate Holds and Seasonal Shipping Delays
To protect plants from temperature extremes, Sadplants.fun implements climate-aware shipping holds:
Winter Hold (December–February): Orders may be delayed if extreme cold (below 0°C) threatens plant safety during transit.
Summer Hold (July–August): Orders may be delayed if extreme heat (above 35°C) threatens plant safety during transit.
If your order falls under a climate hold, you will be notified immediately with a revised shipping estimate. You may:
• Proceed with the delayed shipment
• Wait for safer shipping conditions
• Request a full refund
Climate-related delays are not grounds for rejecting delivery once your plant arrives safely. Your 14-day withdrawal right begins upon delivery, regardless of any climate-related delays.
Plant Care is Customer Responsibility
We do not guarantee that your plant will survive indefinitely after delivery. Plant health depends on proper post-delivery care, including:
• Appropriate watering and humidity levels
• Adequate light for the plant species
• Room temperature within the plant's tolerance range
• Regular monitoring for pests and diseases
If your plant dies after 48 hours due to inadequate care, environmental stress, or customer neglect, this is not a warranty defect and is not eligible for return or refund.
We provide SMS care reminders, detailed care guides, and community support to help you succeed. Use these resources to monitor your plant's health and catch issues early.
Statutory Warranty Rights (German Law)
Important: This return policy does not replace your rights under German consumer law. German law provides additional protections for defects present at delivery:
What Qualifies as a Defect (covered under warranty):
• Disease or infection present at delivery (fungal, bacterial, viral)
• Pest infestation visible at delivery
• Significant physical damage from transport or handling
• Plant already in advanced state of decline at delivery
• Incorrect plant species delivered
What Does NOT Qualify as a Defect (your responsibility):
• Plant death or decline after 48 hours due to customer care failure
• Environmental stress (temperature, humidity, light) in your home
• Watering mistakes, overwatering, or neglect
• Natural senescence or aging of the plant
• Minor pest activity appearing weeks after delivery
For defects present at delivery, your rights under German law (§437, 475 BGB) remain applicable for claims within a reasonable timeframe, typically up to 14 days of inspection. We recommend inspecting your plant immediately upon arrival.
How to Claim a Return or Refund
Step 1: Contact Us Promptly
Email info@sadplants.fun within 48 hours (for DOA) or within 14 days (for other claims) with:
• Your order number
• Clear photographs of the plant showing the defect or damage
• A brief description of the issue
Step 2: Wait for Verification
Our team will review your claim and contact you within 2–3 business days. We may ask follow-up questions to verify the issue.
Step 3: Receive Return Instructions
If your claim is approved:
• For DOA/defect claims: We will email a prepaid return label
• For standard withdrawals: Return instructions will be provided; return shipping is your cost
Step 4: Return the Plant
Use the provided return label (if applicable) or your own shipping method. Ship within 14 days of receiving return instructions. Keep proof of tracking for your records.
Step 5: Refund Processing
Once we receive and inspect the returned plant, your refund will be processed within 2–3 working days to your original payment method.
Exceptions and Limitations
No Return of:
• Clearance items marked "Final Sale"
• Custom or personalized orders
• Plant material in advanced state of decomposition (unable to inspect for defects)
Limitations on Claims:
• DOA claims must be filed within 48 hours with photographic proof
• Defect claims must be filed within 14 days with photographic proof
• Withdrawal requests must be made within 14 days of delivery
• We do not accept claims for plants that have been significantly altered or repotted
Quality Assurance and Logging
All verified DOA claims and defect reports are logged for quality improvement purposes. This data helps us identify patterns with specific suppliers or plant species and work to improve overall quality. Your feedback directly improves our sourcing decisions.
Plant Afterlife Program
When a plant doesn't make it, don't feel guilty—feel impactful. Choose the TREE credit option, and we'll plant a tree in your name through our Plant Afterlife Program. Every plant loss becomes a gain for the environment.
Questions?
Contact us at info@sadplants.fun or +491712084868 for questions about returns, refunds, or your statutory rights. We're here to help.