Return & Refund Policy

Return & Refund Policy

Effective date: 11 August 2026 Last updated: 11 August 2026

Elaine Claire Boutique is operated by Despecom Limited. We ship to customers in the United States and want you to be completely happy with what arrives. If something isn't right, this page explains exactly what you can do, what it costs and how long it takes.

At a glance
Return window 30 days from the day you receive your order
Who can return All customers, for any reason (no explanation needed)
Return method By mail, to our returns address in San Diego, CA
Return shipping cost Paid by the customer — except for faulty, damaged or incorrect items, which we pay for
Restocking fee None. We never charge a restocking fee
Refund method Back to your original payment method
Refund processing time Within 14 days of us receiving your return; usually 3–5 business days
Exchanges Yes — see "Exchanges" below

1. Our 30-day return window

We accept returns for up to 30 days from the day you receive your order, for any reason. You do not need to give us an explanation.

  • If your order arrives in several parcels, the 30 days start on the day you receive the last item.
  • To start a return, tell us in a clear statement before the 30 days are up — an email to info@elaineclaire-boutique.com is enough.
  • After we confirm your return, send the goods back to us within 14 days.
  • We refund all payments received from you for the returned items, including any delivery cost you paid (which for us is $0, as delivery is free), within 14 days of receiving the goods back.
  • You pay the cost of returning the goods, except in the cases set out in section 5.

This 30-day window is our own policy. Online purchases are not covered by the FTC's cooling-off rule, which applies only to certain sales made away from a seller's normal place of business. Nothing in this policy limits any rights you have under the consumer protection law of your state.

2. Condition of returned items

To be accepted, returned items must be:

  • unworn and unwashed, with no signs of use;
  • free from marks, make-up, deodorant, perfume, smoke or pet hair;
  • complete, with all original tags and any hygiene seals still attached;
  • packed in or with their original packaging.

Items that arrive back in a materially worse condition may be refused, or refunded in part to reflect the loss in value. If that happens we will always contact you first, explain why, and offer to send the item back to you at no charge.

Trying a garment on to check the fit is fine. Wearing it out for an evening is not.

3. Items we cannot accept back

For hygiene and safety reasons, the following are excluded from our 30-day return window:

  • underwear, swimwear and bodysuits where the hygiene seal has been removed or broken;
  • pierced jewelry, including earrings;
  • items made to your specification or clearly personalized;
  • gift cards.

Everything else in our range can be returned. If you are unsure, email us before you send anything back.

This exclusion does not apply to items that arrive faulty, damaged or incorrect — see section 7.

4. How to return an item

  1. Email us at info@elaineclaire-boutique.com within 30 days of delivery. Put your order number in the subject line and tell us which item(s) you want to return.

  2. We reply with a return authorization (RMA) number and the return address, normally within 24 hours (Monday to Friday).

  3. Pack the item securely, include a note with your order number and RMA number, and send it to our returns address:

    Elaine Claire Boutique Returns 400 Cuyamaca Ave San Diego, CA 92113 USA

  4. Use a tracked service. Until the parcel reaches us it remains your responsibility, and without tracking we cannot help if it goes missing.

  5. Send us the tracking number so we can watch for your parcel.

Please do not send anything back before you have your RMA number — parcels returned without one can be delayed or refused.

5. Who pays for return shipping

  • Change of mind, wrong size, doesn't suit you: you pay the return shipping. Tracked domestic shipping with USPS or UPS typically costs around $8–$15 depending on size and service; the exact price is set by the carrier, not by us.
  • Faulty, damaged, or not what you ordered: we pay. We will either send you a prepaid label or reimburse your shipping costs on production of a receipt. See section 7.

We do not charge restocking fees, handling fees or administration fees on any return.

6. Refunds

Once your parcel arrives with us we inspect it and email you the outcome.

  • Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method. We cannot refund to a different card or account.
  • We process refunds within 14 days of receiving your return, and in practice usually within 3–5 business days.
  • After we process it, your bank or card issuer may take a further 3–10 business days to show the money in your account. That part is outside our control.
  • If your order qualified for a multi-item discount and you return part of it, the discount is recalculated on what you keep, and the refund reflects the price you actually paid for the returned item.
  • Sales tax charged on a returned item is refunded together with the price of the item.

Haven't received a refund you were told was processed? Check your bank account again, then contact your card issuer, then email us at info@elaineclaire-boutique.com and we will send you the refund confirmation reference.

7. Faulty, damaged or incorrect items

Please check your order when it arrives. If something is defective, damaged in transit or simply not what you ordered, email info@elaineclaire-boutique.com within a reasonable time, ideally within 7 days, with your order number and a photo of the problem.

  • Goods we supply must be as described. Where implied warranties apply under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in your state, including the implied warranty of merchantability, those warranties are not excluded by this policy.
  • If an item arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, contact us within 30 days of delivery and we will send a replacement or refund you in full, whichever you prefer.
  • We pay the return shipping, and you are never charged for the replacement or the redelivery.
  • We do not offer a separate manufacturer's written warranty on our products.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties, so parts of this section may not apply to you.

8. Exchanges

The fastest way to get a different size or color is to return the original item for a refund and place a new order — that way your replacement ships immediately rather than waiting for your return to arrive.

If you would rather do a straight swap, email us and we will arrange it. The same 30-day window and conditions apply, and for change-of-mind exchanges you cover the shipping to send the original back; we cover the shipping to send the replacement out.

9. Cancelling before your order ships

If your order hasn't been dispatched yet, email us at info@elaineclaire-boutique.com as quickly as you can and we will cancel it and refund you in full. Once a parcel has left our warehouse we can no longer stop it, but you can of course return it under this policy.

10. Complaints and dispute resolution

If you are unhappy with how we have handled a return, email info@elaineclaire-boutique.com with "Complaint" in the subject line. We acknowledge complaints within 2 business days and aim to resolve them within 14 days.

If we cannot resolve it between us, you may seek free advice or refer the matter to:

  • The Federal Trade Commission — reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • The consumer protection division of your state attorney general's office
  • The Better Business Bureau — bbb.org

Nothing here prevents you from bringing a claim in small claims court.

11. Contact and business details

Store name: Elaine Claire Boutique
Company name: Despecom Limited
Registered address: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ, United Kingdom
Company registration number: 16697484
Warehouse & returns address: 400 Cuyamaca Ave, San Diego, CA 92113, USA Email: info@elaineclaire-boutique.com
Phone: +44 7882753947
Customer service hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Weekends 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (UTC-4)

We aim to reply to every message within 24 hours.