Shipping & Returns

Shipping


Below you will find maps showing the estimated time in transit for orders placed with Back River Gifts (BRG) and shipped via USPS First Class/Retail Ground, UPS Ground, or FedEx Ground/Home Delivery. Please note, the estimates shown DO NOT include processing time. Orders with backordered items should add an additional 5-10 days for processing. Pre-Ordered items will be shipped on their release date unless we have permission from the manufacturer/publisher/distributor to ship them earlier. If you purchase a pre-ordered item and a non-pre-ordered item in the same order, you may select to have the non-pre-ordered item shipped separately as soon as it's available or you may select to have it shipped with your pre-ordered item once that has become available. Please indicate your preference in the comments when placing your order. Please note that selecting to have pre-ordered and non-pre-ordered items shipped separately will incur an additional shipping charge.

UPS Ground, USPS First Class/Retail Ground, & FedEx Ground Map





 

  • At BRG, we offer most available shipping methods through UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Additional shipping methods may be available by contacting us. We also have a special flat rate overnight delivery service for orders shipping within a 30 mile radius of BRG. In addition, free shipping is available on ALL orders over $50.00 that are being shipped within the United States (including Alaska, Hawaii, APO/FPO addresses, & territories). If you wish to use free shipping, please select the FREE Shipping option during checkout. No coupon code is required.
  • If you select free shipping, your order will be shipped using the cheapest method available, which can take anywhere from 5 to 10 business days. If you need your order sooner, please select one of our expedited shipping methods.
  • If you don't wish to use free shipping, then the shipping charges for your order (that is shipped to a U.S. address) are based on a combination of average rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx, as well as miscellaneous related expenses (i.e. packing, printing, etc.). Rates for these orders vary based on the total weight of your order. Click here to view the shopping cart to find our shipping calculator and you can see the available methods and rates for your selected items before checkout.
  • For our international customers, please note that international shipping times vary from country to country and may be impacted by customs delays (which BRG is not responsible for). International shipping typically takes anywhere from 7-28 days (about 1-4 weeks), depending on the exact location your order is being shipped to. It may take longer if there are customs delays or other shipping related delays beyond our control. International shipping charges are based on weight and location.

    If you need your order sooner, please select one of the expedited methods.
  • Please Note: Orders shipped via international services may not have tracking updated that frequently, sometimes only weekly or bi-weekly updates will be available.
  • If you live in a 30 mile radius from Hampton/Newport News, VA, you're also eligible to have your order shipped by our flat rate Rapid River Local Overnight delivery service. For a flat fee of just $3.00-$10.00 per order (based on weight and which is about what you would pay for Ground), a BRG employee will deliver your order overnight to a shipping address of your choice. Please note that in the event of inclement weather, your order may be delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. In other words, if we get a bad Winter storm, hurricane, flood, etc., we may not be able to deliver your order overnight, but otherwise it will be. If you live within 30 miles of BRG, Rapid River Local Overnight will be an available shipping option for you when you check out. Simply select it like you would any other shipping option and a BRG employee will deliver your order to the shipping address you provided (as long as it's within the 30 mile radius) within 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please Note: If your order contains backordered or pre-ordered items, the order will be delayed until these items are available for delivery.
  • Don't know what shipping method to pick to get your order in the time you wanted? Give us a call at 948-205-0328.
  • Shipping costs are calculated during the checkout process. You can also view shipping costs before you check out by viewing your shopping cart and using the shipping estimator.
  • BRG requires signatures for orders containing expensive items or a combination of items over $100.00. Why? Because this helps protects both you, the customer, and us, the retailer. Requiring a signature means that the shipping carrier will not leave your package unattended on your porch, in your mailbox, etc. This added service is only $4.50 per box. If your order contains multiple items that can be sent in one box, BRG will refund you for the unnecessary added signature fees (once your order has been shipped). Otherwise, you will be charged $4.50 per box for the signature as sometimes carriers will deliver multiple boxes at different times. In the event 2 or more of your boxes are delivered at the same time, BRG will refund you for the unnecessary added signature fees (once your order has been confirmed as being delivered).

    So for example if you had ordered four items priced $100.00 or more, but they can fit in two boxes, you'll only have to pay the $4.50 for a signature twice, not four times. In this example, your initial signature fees would be $18.00, but once your order has been shipped, BRG would refund you the $9.00 extra since your order only required two boxes, not four.

    Please be sure to have these items shipped to an address where someone will be available to sign.
  • We also require package insurance for expensive items over $100.00. As with signatures, insurance helps protect us both. In the event your package goes missing or is damaged, insurance allows us to replace your missing or damaged items at no additional cost to you (beyond the initial cost of your order and the insurance). The amount for this service varies based on the item cost. You can see the insurance price on each item's page that insurance is required for. If your package goes missing or is damaged, you will need to contact us and we will file a claim with the shipping carrier.

    Once the claim has been processed and approved for reimbursement, we will either ship you replacement items, or refund your order, whichever you prefer. If the carrier denies the claim, we will be unable to ship you a replacement or offer you a full refund for your order, as we are a small business and cannot afford to send replacements for expensive items without reimbursement from the carrier.

    However, even if the carrier denies the claim, we may still be able to help you. Please visit our FAQ page for more info.
  • At BRG, we want you to get the best products and services available. We also want you to get your order as quickly as possible. Orders are shipped out in the order in which they are received and within 24-48 hours unless your order contains backordered or pre-ordered merchandise or it's a major holiday. Orders with an overnight shipping method (i.e. Rapid River, Next Day Air, etc.) are bumped up to the top of the list and take priority over other orders. Transit Times are calculated in business days and as such, weekends and holidays are not included in these estimates. Please allow an additional 1-2 business days of shipping time on major holidays (i.e. New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.), as most carriers are closed on these days.
  • When an order is returned to BRG as undeliverable (i.e. wrong house number, wrong or missing apartment/suite number, or any other undeliverable reason), we will cancel your order and refund you the cost of your item(s), shipping charges, and any applicable sales tax. If you still wish to purchase the item(s) on this order, you will need to place a new order with us as we cannot re-ship an undeliverable package. If for some reason you haven't received your refund and/or an e-mail confirmation that your package has been returned to us successfully within 4 weeks, please e-mail us or give us a call at 948-205-0328.
  • All prices on the BRG website are shown in US dollars.
  • Please note, for international orders, BRG is not responsible for delays due to customs related issues. In addition, we are not responsible for any tariffs, taxes, or fees imposed by customs. Additionally, we cannot ship your items as gifts or documents, because it is illegal for a business to ship merchandise to customers with these declarations.
  • If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our Shipping Policy, please contact us.


Returns


  • BRG offers completely free returns for most items. If you wish to return all or part of your order and not have to pay to return it, simply fill out our returns merchandise authorization (RMA) form on our website. Certain large or heavy items may not eligible for a free return label. Back River Gifts holds the final say on what is or is not eligible for a free return.

    If an item is not eligible for a free return label, you may still return it to us, but you will responsible for paying the return shipping charges. If you have questions or concerns regarding our free returns policy, please contact us.

    Please note, some items are non-returnable and non-refundable (see list below).
  • Non-returnable items include:
  • Any item that was shipped with a serial number or UPC that is no longer with the item
  • Downloadable/digital items
  • Online subscriptions after they have been used/activated
  • Gift cards (except as required by local, state, or federal laws)
  • Apparel, stickers, mugs, and other items we do not sell as used that you return in non-new condition
  • Once you receive your label, simply pack up your return along with your receipt/packing slip and your returns merchandise authorization (RMA) number/form, attach the label to your package, and take it to your local post office, UPS Store, or FedEx (depending on which carrier your label is valid for). Upon receiving and verifying your return, we will refund you for the purchase price, any applicable sales tax, and shipping costs.
  • Please Note: Some items may be subject to restocking fees or other similar fees, please read on for more information.

As Back River Gifts sells both new releases and retro/vintage items, we have a few different return policies. Why? Because if a new release is returned months after it's original release, it will be less popular and we may not be able to return it to our supplier(s) for a full refund. As such, please read on for our return policies.

New & Used New Releases Return Policy

If you're not satisfied with your purchase of a new release for any reason, you may return all or part of your new release order to us if you are within our 30 day return window.

BRG holds the final say on what is or isn't a new release. We consider new releases to be items that have been released within the past 30 days. You will have 30 days from your purchase date to return any new release item to us for a refund, exchange, or Store Credit.

So for example, let's say hypothetically speaking that a new item were to release on December 31, 2020 and you decided to purchase it through us. In this example, you would have until January 31st, 2021 to return this item to us for a refund, exchange, or Store Credit.

To be eligible for a full refund to your method of payment (i.e. PayPal, Check, Money Order, etc.), new items must be returned in their original packaging, original condition (i.e. new items must still be sealed), and must be accompanied by the original receipt/packing slip. Returns/exchanges without a receipt/packing slip will not be accepted and will be forfeited to BRG. Items forfeited in this manner can be returned to you, provided you are willing to pay the additional shipping fees.

Opened new items may be returned, but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your refund. This is because we can't sell these items as new once they have been opened.

If you'd rather exchange your new release for another item of equal or lesser value or receive Store Credit, you may do so, but it must still be returned within 30 days. The same condition rules stated above also apply for exchanges and Store Credits. Opened new releases may be exchanged/receive Store Credit, but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your Store Credit/exchange balance. Like with regular refunds, this is because we can't sell opened items as new.

So for example, if you were to purchase an item that was priced at $59.99, opened it, and then decided later that you wanted to return it for a refund to your PayPal account/credit card, $12.00 would be deducted from your refund to cover the 20% restocking fee.

Please Note: All new release returns/exchanges must be shipped by the 30th day of your return window. Any new releases returned to BRG after your 30 day return window is over will be subject to a 50% restocking fee, as the value of new releases goes down over time. This restocking fee will be deducted from your refund/exchange/Store Credit.

So for example, if you returned a new release to us after 30 days that was priced at $59.99 and wanted a refund, you would only receive a $30.00 refund because you returned to us it after the 30 day return window for new releases.

Please be sure that if you wish to return a new release, you do so within 30 days, as we don't want you to have to pay the 50% restocking fee.

New & Used Retro Releases Return Policy

Unlike new releases, retro releases have a much larger return window. Retro releases may be returned or exchanged for an item of equal or lesser value or for Store Credit within 180 days of your purchase. That means you have about 6 months from your purchase date in order to return your retro release for a refund, exchange, or Store Credit. This 180 day window for exchanges and Store Credit is valid on all retro & vintage items sold by BRG.

To be eligible for a full refund to your method of payment (i.e. PayPal, Check, Money Order, etc.), retro releases must be returned in their original condition (i.e. if your item contained a box, the box must be included, if it contained instructions, the instructions must be included, etc.), and must be accompanied by the original receipt/packing slip. Returns/exchanges without a receipt/packing slip will not be accepted. These items may be returned to you, but you will need to pay the return shipping fee for these items, or if you don't wish to pay that fee, you may elect to forfeit these items to BRG. Retro releases not returned in their original condition will be subject to a 20% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your refund/exchange/Store Credit.

As with our new releases, BRG holds the final say on what is or isn't a retro release. We currently consider retro releases to be items that were released in the 1990s or earlier. Basically any item you'd find in the Retro section of our website. You will have 180 days from your purchase date to return any retro release items to us for a refund, exchange, or Store Credit.

New & Used Non-New Releases/Non-Retro Releases Return Policy

We've covered new releases and retro releases, but what about items that aren't considered a new release (released within the past 30 days), and aren't considered a retro release (in the retro section of our website)? Well, these items are eligible to be returned or exchanged within 180 days of your purchase. Eligible items for this policy include any/all items that were not released within the past 30 days and that are not in our retro section

To be eligible for a full refund to your method of payment (i.e. PayPal, Check, Money Order, etc.), non-new releases/non-retro releases must be returned in their original packaging, original condition (i.e. brand new/sealed items must still be sealed, used items sold with boxes must include their box, etc.), and must be accompanied by the original receipt/packing slip. Returns/exchanges without a receipt/packing slip will not be accepted. These items may be returned to you, but you will need to pay the return shipping fee for these items, or if you don't wish to pay that fee, you may elect to forfeit these items to BRG.

Items that were sealed when purchased and were later opened, may be returned for a refund to your payment method, but they will be subject to a 20% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your refund. This is because we can't sell these items as new once they have been opened.

If you'd rather exchange your item for another item of equal or lesser value or receive Store Credit, you may do so, but it must still be returned within 180 days. The same condition rules stated above also apply for exchanges and Store Credits. Opened new items may be exchanged/receive Store Credit, but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your Store Credit/exchange balance.

So for example, if you were to purchase a non-new release/non-retro release item that was priced at $59.99, opened it, and then decided later that you wanted to return it for a refund to your PayPal account/credit card, $12.00 would be deducted from your refund to cover the 20% restocking fee. 


New & Used Collectibles, Apparel, Gifts, and Other Items Return Policy

For all purchases of collectibles, apparel, gifts, and other items, you will have 30 days from the date of your purchase to return these items to us for a refund or exchange. Exchanges will be valid for items of equal or lesser value or Store Credit.

As with our new and retro releases, to be eligible for a full refund to your method of payment (i.e. PayPal, Check, Money Order, etc.), collectibles, apparel, gifts, and other items must be returned in their original condition (i.e. new items must be sealed and/or include any tags, if your item contained a box, the box must be included, etc.), and must be accompanied by the original receipt/packing slip. Returns/exchanges without a receipt/packing slip will not be accepted. These items may be returned to you, but you will need to pay the return shipping fee for these items, or if you don't wish to pay that fee, you may elect to forfeit these items to BRG.

Please Note: Refunds or exchanges for apparel, stickers, mugs, and other items we do not sell as used will only be accepted if they are still in brand new condition. Any tags that were on the item must still be attached. Any signs of use of these items (i.e. tags missing, holes, tears, cracks, stains, etc.), will cause your refund/exchange of these items to be denied. Any such items returned to us in non-new condition will be forfeited/surrendered to BRG and you will not receive a refund, exchange, or Store Credit for any such items.

This policy is in place to help protect everyone from any health related issues that sometimes arise with used apparel, drinkware, etc. and also because certain items are single-use only (such as stickers).

Services Return/Refund Policy

BRG also offers several services in addition to selling Christmas ornaments, decorations, collectibles, gifts, and related items. Our services return/refund policy works a bit differently than our policies for products.

If you purchase a cleaning service, repair service, or a decoration service from BRG, you may request a refund within 30 days of your purchase. Unfortunately, other services such as optional package services (insurance, signature, etc.), are non-refundable.

Please Note: If you wish to cancel a scheduled decoration service after purchasing one, you may do so, but only until a week before your scheduled appointment. If you cancel with less than a week before your appointment, we will charge you a 50% cancellation fee which will be deducted from your refund.

Other Returns Information

Items which have been broken or damaged during shipping, and/or ones that arrive defective, are not subject to restocking fees. However, you must contact us to file a claim with the shipping carrier in order to receive a refund or a replacement item.

Please Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your returned items arrive safely back to BRG. If your items are damaged in transit during your return, we will assess a 50% repair and replace fee that will be deducted from your refund.

So for example, if you were to purchase an item priced $399.99 and wanted to return it but it was damaged when it arrived back to BRG, we will deduct $200.00 from your refund. This allows us to either have the item repaired or to replace it. Please be sure to pack your items carefully when returning them to BRG as we do not want you to have to pay this fee.

If you have paid for insurance with the shipping carrier for your return, you will not be assessed this fee, provided you assist us in filing a claim with the carrier and the carrier approves the claim. Return insurance is not provided by BRG and is your responsibility to purchase when you go to ship your return, should you choose to do so. Unfortunately, if the shipping carrier denies your damage claim, you will have to pay the repair and replace fee stated above.

If you wish to purchase return insurance through a shipping carrier, you will also have to pay for the return shipping as our pre-paid labels do not include insurance. If you provide us with your shipping receipt, then upon receiving and verifying your return, we will refund your shipping cost and the insurance fee. Please note that this refund only applies for items which qualify for free returns.

Once we have received and verified your return, we will send you a refund for the applicable amount, less any associated fees (see above).

If you chose to receive Store Credit for your return, it may be used in whole or in part on our website for future purchases. Store Credits are valid until they are used. Store Credits are issued as coupon codes and are unique to your account.  

If you wish to use only part of your Store Credit for an order, please contact us prior to placing your order and we will split your Store Credit into two coupon codes so you'll be able to use part of your credit on the first order and save the rest for later.

Store Credits are non-transferable and may only be used by the account to which it was issued. Store Credits have no equivalent cash value and may not be redeemed for cash.

Please DO NOT return merchandise to BRG AFTER your return window has elapsed. We will not be able to return these items to you if you return them to us after the return window has closed. And you will not be refunded for these items. In addition, restocking fees may apply (see above).

If you wish to return some or all of your order, please request a RMA number from our RMA request page or give us a call at 
948-205-0328. A pre-paid label will be provided for most orders, though some items may be ineligible for a pre-paid label, which will be determined at BRG's discretion.

If you'd rather pay for return shipping yourself, please request a RMA number and send your return to:

Back River Gifts
c/o Returns

PO Box 7092

Hampton, VA 23666


Please note, BRG will not accept ANY return that does not include BOTH the receipt/packing slip AND your returns merchandise authorization (RMA) number/form. Once generated, your RMA number is valid for the return window specified in our policies above for the item(s) you wish to return.

If your return is not received within your return window, you may be subject to restocking fees and we may deny your return (see above for more info). As mentioned above, please don't try to make a return after your window has elapsed, as BRG is unable to return your items to you without having to charge you a return shipping fee.

BRG reserves the right to change, modify, alter any/all of these return/refund policies as the need arises. The latest information about our returns/refunds policies can be found right here on this page.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our Return Policy, please contact us