Refund & Return Policy
Last Updated: August 15, 2026
At The Cove, we understand that condition matters—especially when you’re buying collectibles. We carefully inspect and package orders before shipment and want you to be happy with your purchase.
Because many of the products we sell are collectibles, limited-production items, apparel, masks, and other specialty merchandise, certain restrictions apply to returns and refunds.
Please review this policy before making a purchase.
30-Day Return Policy
Eligible merchandise may be returned within 30 days of delivery.
To qualify for a return, merchandise must be:
- Unused and unworn;
- Unopened, where the product was originally sealed;
- In the same condition in which it was received;
- In its original manufacturer packaging;
- Complete with all accessories, inserts, tags, manuals, and components; and
- Accompanied by proof of purchase from The Cove.
A return must be requested within 30 days of the order’s confirmed delivery date.
Returns sent to The Cove without prior authorization may be refused or may experience significant processing delays.
Collectibles & Packaging Condition
The Cove specializes in collectibles, and we understand that many collectors value the condition of a product’s retail packaging.
We make reasonable efforts to inspect merchandise and package orders carefully before shipment. However, standard retail packaging is not guaranteed to be mint or collector-grade unless the product listing specifically states otherwise.
Minor packaging imperfections are not considered product defects.
Examples include:
- Minor corner wear;
- Small creases;
- Minor dents or impressions;
- Light surface scratches;
- Minor window scuffing;
- Slight box warping;
- Minor manufacturer packaging imperfections;
- Sticker placement or sticker variations;
- Small printing inconsistencies; and
- Other minor cosmetic imperfections that do not affect the actual product.
This is particularly important for boxed collectibles such as Funko Pop!, YouTooz, action figures, dolls, figures, statues, and similar merchandise.
We will never intentionally ship an item with significant packaging damage without disclosing it when we are aware of the damage.
However, unless specifically advertised as Mint Condition, Collector Grade, or with another specific condition guarantee, minor imperfections to retail packaging do not qualify an item as damaged or defective.
Opened Collectibles
Collectibles that were sold in sealed or unopened packaging generally cannot be returned after being opened.
This includes merchandise where:
- Factory seals have been broken;
- Tape or security seals have been removed;
- The item has been removed from its packaging;
- Packaging has been opened and resealed;
- Protective films have been removed;
- Tags have been removed;
- Accessories or inserts have been removed from their original packaging; or
- There are visible indications that the merchandise has been opened or used.
This policy helps protect our customers from receiving merchandise that has previously been opened, displayed, altered, or used.
Blind Boxes, Mystery Items & Random Assortments
Blind boxes, mystery items, mystery packs, random assortments, and similar products are final sale once opened.
Receiving a character, design, variation, or item that you did not want does not make a blind or randomly selected product defective.
Where duplicates are possible, receiving a duplicate does not qualify the product for a return or refund.
Masks & Wearable Face Items
For health and hygiene reasons, masks and merchandise worn on or immediately around the face cannot be returned once opened, tried on, or worn.
This includes, where applicable:
- Halloween and horror masks;
- Costume masks;
- Latex masks;
- Injection masks;
- Face coverings;
- Wigs;
- Artificial facial hair; and
- Similar wearable merchandise.
If one of these products arrives damaged or defective, please contact us under the Damaged, Defective or Incorrect Items section below.
Apparel
Unworn apparel may be eligible for return within 30 days of delivery provided that it:
- Has not been worn;
- Has not been washed;
- Has not been altered;
- Is free from stains, odors, pet hair, smoke, deodorant, makeup, or other signs of use; and
- Has all original tags attached where applicable.
Items showing evidence of wear or washing cannot be returned.
Customers are responsible for reviewing available sizing information before ordering.
Ordering an incorrect size does not make an item defective.
Print-On-Demand & Made-To-Order Merchandise
Certain apparel and merchandise offered by The Cove may be produced specifically for an order through one of our production partners.
Items identified as made-to-order, custom-produced, personalized, or print-on-demand may not be eligible for returns or exchanges for buyer’s remorse, incorrect size selection, or change of mind.
If a made-to-order item arrives misprinted, damaged, defective, or materially different from what was ordered, contact us and we will work to correct the problem.
Items That Cannot Be Returned
Unless the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect, the following are generally not eligible for return:
- Opened collectibles;
- Opened blind boxes or mystery products;
- Used merchandise;
- Worn or washed apparel;
- Opened or worn masks and face-worn merchandise;
- Personalized or custom merchandise;
- Certain made-to-order or print-on-demand products;
- Gift cards;
- Clearance merchandise specifically marked Final Sale;
- Products specifically identified as Final Sale on the product page; and
- Items returned outside the applicable return period.
Additional return restrictions may be disclosed on individual product pages.
Preorders
Unless otherwise specifically stated on the product listing, preorder deposits and payments are non-refundable once the preorder has been submitted to our supplier or allocated to the customer.
Release dates provided for preorder merchandise are estimates based on information supplied by manufacturers and distributors.
Manufacturers may delay, modify, allocate, or cancel products for reasons outside The Cove’s control.
A manufacturer or distributor delay does not automatically qualify a preorder for cancellation.
If a manufacturer or distributor permanently cancels a product and The Cove cannot fulfill the preorder, the affected customer will receive a refund for the canceled item.
Any preorder-specific terms displayed on the product page will also apply.
Damaged, Defective Or Incorrect Items
If you receive an item that is:
- Significantly damaged during shipment;
- Defective;
- Missing components;
- Materially different from what you ordered; or
- The wrong item,
please contact The Cove as soon as possible.
For shipping damage or an incorrect/defective product, we strongly recommend contacting us within 7 days of delivery so that we can document the issue and, where applicable, pursue a claim with the shipping carrier or supplier.
Please include:
- Your order number;
- A description of the problem;
- Photographs of the affected product;
- Photographs of the product packaging; and
- Photographs of the shipping box and shipping label if shipping damage occurred.
Do not discard the product, manufacturer packaging, shipping carton, or packing materials until the claim has been resolved.
The shipping carrier or The Cove may require these materials when evaluating a damage claim.
Depending on the circumstances and product availability, The Cove may offer:
- A replacement;
- A replacement component;
- An exchange;
- Store credit; or
- A refund.
If an identical replacement is unavailable, we may offer an appropriate alternative or refund.
What Is Not Considered A Defect
Because many collectibles are mass-produced, minor manufacturing variations can occur.
The following generally do not constitute defects:
- Minor paint variations;
- Slight differences in paint application;
- Minor molding variations;
- Small cosmetic manufacturing imperfections;
- Minor packaging imperfections;
- Sticker placement differences;
- Minor differences between promotional photography and production merchandise;
- Manufacturer packaging revisions; or
- Other minor variations that do not materially affect the product’s intended use or overall appearance.
Significant manufacturing defects will be evaluated individually.
Shipping Damage Vs. Product Packaging Condition
There is a difference between minor retail packaging imperfections and significant shipping damage.
A minor crease or small corner imperfection on a collectible box generally does not qualify as shipping damage.
Significant crushing, tearing, water damage, severe impact damage, or damage affecting the collectible itself may qualify.
Photographs will normally be required so we can evaluate the condition and determine the appropriate resolution.
How To Request A Return
Do not mail a return to The Cove without contacting us first.
To request a return, contact us through our Contact Us page or the customer-service contact information published on our website.
Please provide:
- Your order number;
- The item you would like to return;
- The reason for the return; and
- Photographs if the item is damaged or defective.
If your return is approved, we will provide return instructions.
Merchandise sent without authorization may be refused.
Return Shipping
If The Cove Made an Error
If we shipped the wrong product or an eligible product arrived significantly damaged or defective, The Cove will provide appropriate return instructions.
When we determine that the merchandise needs to be returned, we may provide a prepaid shipping label.
Customers should not independently purchase return postage for an error or damage claim unless instructed to do so by The Cove.
Unauthorized shipping expenses may not be reimbursed.
Customer-Initiated Returns
For eligible returns involving change of mind, incorrect size selection, or another reason that is not the result of an error by The Cove, the customer is responsible for return shipping costs.
Original shipping charges are generally non-refundable unless the return resulted from an error by The Cove or otherwise required by law.
Packaging Your Return
Returned merchandise must be packaged securely.
Do not attach shipping labels, tape, postage, or writing directly to collectible packaging or manufacturer retail packaging.
The manufacturer’s packaging must be placed inside an appropriate shipping box.
Use sufficient packing material to protect the product during return shipment.
If merchandise or its retail packaging is damaged because it was improperly packaged for return, the amount of the refund may be reduced or the return may be refused where permitted by law.
Return Condition Inspection
All returned merchandise is inspected before a refund is approved.
The Cove reserves the right, where permitted by law, to deny or reduce a refund when merchandise:
- Has been opened when it was required to remain sealed;
- Has been used or worn;
- Is missing parts or accessories;
- Has been damaged after delivery;
- Has had tags removed;
- Has been altered;
- Is returned in materially different condition from when it was shipped; or
- Was damaged because of inadequate return packaging.
We will contact you if there is a material issue with the condition of a return.
Refunds
Once an authorized return has been received and inspected, we will notify you regarding the status of the refund.
Approved refunds will generally be issued to the original payment method.
After The Cove issues a refund, your bank, credit-card issuer, or payment provider may require additional processing time before the credit appears on your account.
The Cove does not control processing times imposed by financial institutions or payment providers.
Shipping charges are generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated in this policy, required by law, or the refund results from an error by The Cove.
Exchanges
Because many products sold by The Cove have limited inventory, we cannot guarantee that another unit, size, style, or variation will be available for exchange.
When an exchange is approved but replacement inventory is unavailable, we may issue a refund or store credit as appropriate.
Refused & Undeliverable Packages
Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address when placing an order.
If an order is returned to The Cove because of:
- An incorrect or incomplete address supplied by the customer;
- Failure to accept delivery;
- Failure to retrieve a package;
- Refusal of delivery; or
- Another delivery issue attributable to the recipient,
the customer may be responsible for return shipping and any additional shipping charges required to resend the order.
If a refund is requested instead of reshipment, actual shipping and carrier return costs may be deducted from the refund where permitted by law.
Orders returned because of an error by The Cove will not be subject to these charges.
Lost Or Stolen Packages
A package marked delivered by the shipping carrier is not automatically considered lost.
If tracking shows delivery but you cannot locate your package, please check:
- Around the delivery location;
- With other members of your household;
- With neighbors where appropriate;
- With building management or a front desk where applicable; and
- Directly with the shipping carrier.
Contact The Cove if the package still cannot be located.
We will assist with available carrier procedures, but refunds or replacements for packages confirmed as delivered will be evaluated individually based on the circumstances and available carrier information.
Order Cancellations
Orders begin processing after they are submitted.
If you need to request a cancellation, contact us as soon as possible.
Cancellation requests are not guaranteed.
Once an order has entered fulfillment, been submitted for production, or shipped, it may no longer be eligible for cancellation.
Preorders and made-to-order merchandise are subject to the separate cancellation restrictions described in this policy.
Chargebacks & Payment Disputes
We encourage customers to contact The Cove first if there is a problem with an order.
Most shipping, damage, return, or billing issues can be resolved directly with us.
Filing a payment dispute or chargeback does not override the terms of this Refund & Return Policy. We reserve the right to provide order records, tracking information, delivery confirmation, customer communications, photographs, and other relevant transaction information to payment processors or financial institutions when responding to a payment dispute.
Nothing in this section limits any rights available to customers under applicable law or payment-network rules.
Contact Us
Questions about returns, refunds, damaged merchandise, or order problems may be submitted through The Cove’s Contact Us page or through the customer-service contact information published on our website.
The Cove Online Collectibles & Pop Culture Retailer Website: thecoveshop.com
The Cove reserves the right to update this Refund & Return Policy from time to time. The version in effect at the time of your purchase will apply except where applicable law requires otherwise.
Nothing in this policy limits any consumer right that cannot legally be waived.