📦 Shipping, Returns & Everything In Between
Look, shipping collectibles isn't rocket science - it's actually more important than that. We've turned getting your grails to you safely into an art form, with same-day shipping that would make Superman jealous and packaging that could survive a Hulk smash. Here's everything you need to know about how we handle your collection with an obsessive level of care (because yes, we're collectors too).
📦 "How Quick Do We Ship? (Spoiler: REALLY Quick)"
Look, we're a little obsessed with shipping speed. Like, 'checking our warehouse stats multiple times a day' obsessed. Here's the deal:
- Most orders placed before 4 PM Central ship THE SAME DAY (yes, even during those crazy holiday rushes)
- Our warehouse team treats your order like it's their own grail piece - no assembly line vibes here
- We've got this whole process down to a science: Orders get picked, QC checked, and packed faster than you can say 'mint in box'
- Unlike the big retailers who might take days just to process your order, we're typically printing shipping labels within hours
The best part? We maintain this speed without sacrificing quality. Every figure gets checked, every box gets inspected, and every package gets packed like it's carrying the last mint condition figure on Earth.
Want some stats? Our average processing time is under 17 hours for in-stock items. We're not saying we're faster than The Flash, but... well, actually, that's exactly what we're saying.
📦 How Do We Pack Orders? (Like We're Sending Our Own Grails)
Look, we've seen those horror stories of collectibles arriving in envelopes (the audacity!) or loosely tossed in a box with a single air pillow. That's not us. Here's how we protect your precious cargo:
- Every figure gets individually bubble wrapped. Yes, even if it's already in a protective case. We don't play around.
- We use proper void fill - not just a sad handful of packing peanuts tossed in as an afterthought
- Fragile items get our special treatment (think foam corners, extra bubble wrap, and enough protection to survive a Hulk smash)
- Mint collectors, we see you: We treat every box like it's going to a MOC collector because, let's be honest, it probably is. And if it isn't - that's your choice on whether to display your figure out-of-box.
The result? Our damage rate is so low it's practically mythical - like my chances of finding a chase figure in the wild. We're talking less than 1% of orders reporting any issues. Why? Because we're collectors too, and we pack every order like it's going into our own display case.
🗺️ Where Do Orders Ship From? (And Why That's Actually Awesome)
Plot twist: Being in the heart of Iowa isn't just about corn and caucuses - it's one of our secret weapons for lightning-fast shipping. Here's why our location is your collection's best friend:
- We're literally in the middle of everything. Orders typically reach:
- East Coast: 2-4 business days
- West Coast: 3-6 business days
- Central US: 1-3 business days
- Southern states: 2-4 business days
- Our central location means your grails arrive faster than ordering from either coast (geography for the win!)
- We ship via USPS and UPS - choosing the fastest route based on your location
- All orders get tracking numbers faster than you can say 'where's my package?' (we know you're going to refresh it 37 times anyway)
Pro tip: Orders placed before 4 PM Central usually hit the road the same day. Because the only thing better than getting new figures is getting them quickly.
↩️ Returns & Refunds (Because Sometimes It Just Wasn't Meant To Be)
Look, we get it - sometimes things don't work out. Maybe that figure doesn't match your collection's vibe, or your wallet is giving you the silent treatment. Here's how we handle the breakup:
- 30-Day Return Window No pressure, no rush. You've got a full month to decide if it's true love.
- Must Be In Original Condition Like it never left the warehouse - mint in box collectors, we're speaking your language.
- The Money Stuff:
- Original shipping charges aren't refundable (they've already done their job)
- Return shipping is on you (unless we messed up, then it's totally on us)
- Your refund will be for the item cost only
- Here's How It Works:
- Contact us for a return authorization
- Ship it back (properly protected, please - we're still sensitive about packaging)
- Once we receive it, refund processed within 48 hours
- Special Cases:
- Damaged in transit or wrong item? We'll handle shipping both ways
- Opened but not quite right? Let's talk
- Pre-order change of heart? We get it (see our pre-order policy for details)
The bottom line: We keep returns simple and straightforward. No hidden fees, no surprise twists - just honest policies from one collector to another.
💫 Shipping Options (Because Getting There Is Half The Fun)
We offer multiple shipping speeds because we know sometimes you need your grail piece ASAP, and sometimes you're actually trying to be responsible with your collecting budget (we support both lifestyles):
- USPS Ground Advantage
- Our most popular option
- Usually 2-5 business days
- Most economical choice for orders that have a few figures
- Tracking included (because we know you'll check it hourly)
- UPS Ground
- Perfect for larger orders
- Typically 1-5 business days
- Great for when you went a little crazy during that sale
- USPS Priority Mail
- Faster than Ground
- 1-3 business days
- When you need it quicker but don't want to explain the shipping cost to your significant other
All options include detailed tracking because we know waiting for collectibles is like waiting for paint to dry - if paint could make you significantly more excited.
⚡ Need To Change Or Cancel Your Order? (Let's Talk About It)
Sometimes life happens fast - maybe you found that figure locally, your budget changed, or you accidentally ordered two (hey, we've all been there). Here's what you need to know:
- Order Changes
- Need to change shipping speed? Contact us ASAP
- Want to add items? Let's try to catch it before it ships
- Address updates? The sooner you tell us, the better
- We process orders quickly, so time is of the essence!
- Cancellations
- All cancellations have a 10% restocking fee (blame those pesky credit card processing fees - trust us, we don't love it either)
- In-stock orders: Contact us immediately
- Once an order ships, it can't be cancelled
- Pre-orders have their own cancellation policy (see our Pre-Order tab on the product page or our full pre order policy)
- The faster you let us know, the better we can help
The Real Talk: Look, we wish we could offer free cancellations, but between credit card fees, processing time, and other behind-the-scenes business stuff, we need to cover our costs with that 10% fee. We're keeping it transparent because that's how we roll.
📮 Damaged Packages & Signatures (The Not-So-Fun But Important Stuff)
Look, we pack orders like we're shipping the Holy Grail itself, but sometimes the shipping gods have other plans. Here's how we handle those situations:
- Damaged Package Protocol:
- Take photos BEFORE opening (seriously, this is crucial)
- Document any damage to both shipping box AND contents
- Contact us immediately, like 'stop-what-you're-doing' immediately
- Save all packaging materials (yes, even the squished ones)
- We'll guide you through the claim process
- When Signatures Are Required:
- Orders over $350 automatically need a signature
- High-value collectibles = mandatory signature
- No signature = no delivery (them's the rules)
- Can't be home? You can redirect to your local UPS/USPS location
Pro tip: If you know you won't be home during delivery, consider shipping to your workplace. Nothing brightens up the office like a lunch break toy delivery!
The Fine Print: For damage claims, time is critical. The sooner you report it, the faster we can make it right. And no, 'my dog ate the shipping box' isn't a valid reason to skip the photo documentation (though we'd love to see that photo anyway).
🏪 Local Pickup (Because Sometimes You Just Can't Wait For Shipping)
Good news for our local collectors - you can dodge those shipping fees entirely! We offer FREE local pickup at two of our locations:
- Two Convenient Spots:
- Southside Store (SE 14th - Des Moines)
- West Des Moines Store (22nd St - West Des Moines)
- The Timing Stuff:
- Our delivery route runs Tuesday and Thursday. Orders will be picked up from our Warehouse for transfer on those days.
- No weekend transfers (even our drivers need time to organize their collections)
- You'll get an email when your order is ready for grab-and-go
- The Pickup Process:
- Bring your photo ID (we need to make sure it's really you)
- Have your order confirmation email handy
- Quick signature, and you're good to go!
- Sending Someone Else?
- Let us know BEFORE the order is ready for pickup
- Once it's prepped for pickup, only you can claim it
- No last-minute switcheroos (we're strict about this one)