Inventive Parent features Out of the Box Ideas from the Heart
Since 2000
Out-of-the-Box Ideas from the Heart
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Return Policy

We take great care selecting the items that we carry, and want you to be happy with your purchase. We know that sometimes you end up with too many of something, or you don't need something that you thought you would, or you decide to do something differently. Whatever the reason, returns happen.

At Inventive Parent we let you return items for a full 90 days from the date of your order. That is three times as long as our original return policy!

What can I return? Items that are new, with original packaging, tags attached, unassembled, unlaundered, etc. may be returned. Some examples of what is "new" follow below
What can't I return Wildlife Creations Tire Swings does not permit returns of their Wildlife Tire Swings unless the swing is defective. Like everyone else, we can not accept returns on media that have been opened -- cd's, dvd's and the like. The only other restrictions we place are for health and sanitary reasons. You can not return eating utensils, bottles and feeding equipment or accessories, personal care items, potty seats, mattresses. You may not return any items that have been laundered, assembled, or otherwise "prepared for use" but not "used." These items can not be resold, and can therefore not be refunded.
What about "Final Sales?" Final Sales can not be returned, as the name indicates. When we place items on sale, we give significant savings. These items may not be returned.
But it doesn't work! The items we carry are all warranteed by their manufacturers to work as designed. If for any reason your product fails, we will have it replaced for you. Please do not return a defective item to us. Generally the manufacturer will ship you a replacement. Often they will want to see your product to determine what went wrong to prevent such a problem from happening again. These details will be worked out with you specific to your case. Please contact us to report any defective items.
It was damaged in shipping, and arrived a wreck! I don't want this! Please let us know within 3 business days -- the sooner the better -- if your package was damaged in shipping. Do not dispose of the packaging. We will get you what you need, but will also need to file a claim with the shipper. We will likely have to pick up the package from you to file this claim.
How do I return something? You must first contact us for a Return Authorization number. We will give you the proper address to ship your product back to. Because we ship from more than one warehouse, and also ship directly from manufacturers, we do not have one location to accept returns.
What do I get back? We will refund the cost of the product you return to us. We can not refund shipping either way. Returns received within 30 days of purchase will be issued a credit to the credit card or pay pal account. Items received after 30 days from the date of your purchase will be issued store credit. Our store credits do not expire and may be combined with other coupons for future purchases. If, however, you return something without an Return Authorization, do not ship it to the proper address, you will be assessed a 25% restocking fee. Items that are returned against our policy may be donated to the charity of our choice or destroyed. No refund or credit will be given.
When do I get my refund? Your account will be refunded within 30 days of receipt of your return. We will credit the account through which you made your purchase. For example, if you purchased through PayPal the credit will be made to the same PayPal account. We can not credit a charge card connedted to a PayPal, Google or Amazon account.
How do I return Furniture? Furniture returns will go directly to the manufacturer. These items must be in their original shipping container and never have been assembled. Furniture returns must include a Return Authorization from the manufacturer, which Inventive Parent will arrange for you. The manufacturer will likely refuse delivery of returns without their RA number. Defective parts will be replaced by the manufacturer. Returns of furniture will be assessed a 25% restocking fee, passed on from the manufacturer. The actual shipping charge Inventive Parent was charged to ship your order will be deducted from your return. Inventive Parent pays all shipping charges for original delivery of these orders to our domestic customers, usually at a cost to us of $40 and more.
How do I return a gift? If we shipped the gift directly to you, you may contact us for a Return Authorization number. We will send you shipping instructions. You will receive a store credit for the amount paid for the item you are returning. If we did not ship the item directly to you, we will need the name of the person who gave you the item and their order number so that we may confirm that the item was purchased at Inventive Parent.
What if I refuse delivery? Refused, unclaimed, etc. shipments or deliveries will eventually be returned. You will be subject to a $10 fee and assessed an 15% restocking fee. Refused furniture will be assessed a 25% restocking fee by the manufacturer. If the carrier charges to return the package, that charge will also be deducted from your refund. Your refund will be for the cost of the product minus fees and the actual cost of shipping and handling. Your refund will be issued within 30 days following receipt, or notification of receipt, of the return.
So, What is "New?"

You might think that this is obvious. But not too long ago I stood patiently -- at first -- behind a customer returning lingerie at a department store. The lingerie was limp, worn and that dingy gray color that white can become after numerous launderings. The customer insisted that the pieces were new, that she had just misplaced her receipt. Maybe that was her idea of "new," but it sure wasn't mine. Would you have been happy taking those pieces off the rack, wrapping them up and bringing them home? Me neither.

One of the simplest ways to determine if something is "new" is if you would buy it as a new item. Here's some more ideas:

What is "New" and What is Not
I tried it on my baby without cutting the tags off or washing it, and it didn't fit, so took it right off, folded it and put it back in the package with all the tags, tissue paper and everything just as they were NEW
I washed it before trying it on my baby. It didn't fit, so I folded it up with the tags and put it back in the package. NOT
The rocking chair is still in the box, never even opened. NEW
We assembled the rocking chair and hid it away until my daughter's birthday. Then my in-laws bought us the same thing, so we're returning the one we put together. NOT
We're back from our trip and the equipment looks perfectly new. It was great, but we won't be traveling again soon, so don't need it anymore NOT
New is new. You know what new is. I can understand the temptation to try to return something you may not need again. Please understand that we keep our prices as low as possible. We charge as little for shipping as we can, usually less than we actually pay to ship your package to you. We don't ever try to cheat you, and hope that you will offer us, and the small businesses who invent and create the products that we carry, the same consideration.