Refund policy

Return & Refund Policy

The Sub Space Boutique
Effective Date: September 8, 2026

The Sub Space Boutique creates heirloom-grade discipline tools, commissioned work, finished works, and related provisions for informed adult ownership and intentional use.

We are a maker-led workshop, not a mass-production retailer. Many SSB pieces are built specifically for an individual client using selected materials, custom configurations, engraving, leatherwork, finish selections, and other client-directed specifications.

For that reason, our return and refund policy is intentionally limited.

Once client-specific work begins, the order is final and non-refundable. Returns are accepted only for confirmed manufacturing defects, SSB fulfillment errors, or where applicable law requires otherwise.

1. Custom Commissions

A custom commission includes any item created, altered, configured, personalized, engraved, or otherwise produced specifically for an individual client.

This may include:

  • Full Paddles
  • Slim Paddles
  • Consequence Canes
  • Directive Canes
  • Rattan Canes
  • Wood selection
  • Handle profile selection
  • Leather wrapping
  • Body treatments
  • Hardware or studs
  • Scorched-edge treatments
  • Fractal work, when offered
  • Text engraving
  • Image engraving
  • Customer-supplied artwork
  • Finish selection
  • Custom sourcing
  • Other client-specific design or production instructions

Custom commissions require payment according to the terms shown at checkout or through the approved commission process.

Payment reserves the commission within the SSB production process and authorizes review and preparation of the Build Record.

2. House Review

All commissions are subject to House review.

SSB may review a commission for:

  • Specification clarity
  • Material compatibility
  • Structural suitability
  • Material availability
  • Engraving feasibility
  • Artwork quality
  • Production capability
  • Safety concerns
  • Bench capacity
  • Conflicts with SSB policies or terms
  • Requests that fall outside the standards of the Boutique
  • Unlawful, abusive, unsafe, or otherwise unacceptable requests

SSB may request clarification or modification before a commission enters production.

SSB reserves the right to decline a commission.

If SSB declines a paid commission before any client-specific work has begun, the amount paid for that commission will be refunded to the original payment method.

3. Cancellation Before Work Begins

A client may request cancellation only before client-specific work begins.

If SSB receives and approves the cancellation request before any client-specific work has started, the order may be cancelled and refunded.

For purposes of this policy, work begins when SSB performs any activity specifically for that commission, including:

  • Material sourcing
  • Material allocation
  • Wood selection
  • Purchasing commission-specific materials
  • Build layout
  • CAD preparation
  • CNC preparation
  • Laser preparation
  • Engraving preparation
  • Artwork processing
  • Cutting
  • Milling
  • Shaping
  • Drilling
  • Sanding
  • Fractal preparation
  • Leather preparation
  • Hardware preparation
  • Finishing
  • Custom documentation
  • Other client-specific production work

Once any client-specific work begins, the commission becomes non-refundable.

There is no partial-refund period after production begins.

A cancellation request is not effective until confirmed by SSB.

4. No Refunds After Work Begins

Once client-specific work begins, SSB does not provide refunds for:

  • Change of mind
  • Buyer’s remorse
  • Financial circumstances
  • Change in intended use
  • Preference changes
  • Selecting the wrong configuration
  • Selecting the wrong wood species
  • Selecting the wrong handle
  • Selecting the wrong engraving
  • Disliking natural wood grain
  • Disliking natural color variation
  • Disliking the weight or character of a properly produced tool
  • Failure to review the Build Record
  • Refusal of delivery
  • Failure to collect or accept delivery

Custom work is produced for a specific client and cannot reasonably be returned to ordinary inventory.

5. Changes to a Commission

Changes may be requested before the affected portion of production begins.

Changes are not guaranteed.

An approved change may require:

  • Additional payment
  • New materials
  • Revised build notes
  • Revised production timing
  • Revised engraving preparation
  • Revised design work
  • Updated material review
  • Updated Build Record information

Once the affected work has begun, SSB may refuse a requested change.

A request to alter a commission after production begins does not create a right to cancel the order or receive a refund.

If a requested change requires completed work to be replaced or rebuilt, SSB may charge for additional materials and labor or require the change to be handled as a new commission.

6. Customer-Supplied Engraving and Artwork

Clients are responsible for reviewing all text, artwork, logos, photographs, illustrations, and other materials submitted for engraving.

The client is responsible for confirming:

  • Correct spelling
  • Correct wording
  • Correct uploaded file
  • Requested orientation
  • Requested placement
  • Image quality
  • Ownership of or permission to use submitted material

SSB may refuse artwork that is:

  • Technically unsuitable
  • Unlawful
  • Infringing
  • Unsafe
  • Outside the standards of the Boutique

If SSB accurately reproduces text or artwork contained in the client-approved submission, an error contained in that submission is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Natural wood grain, density, color, and surface variation may affect engraving contrast and appearance.

Finished Work

7. Available Work

Available Work consists of completed pieces offered for purchase without requiring a new custom build.

All discipline implements purchased through Available Work are final sale except in the case of:

  • A confirmed manufacturing defect
  • An incorrect item sent by SSB
  • A material SSB fulfillment error
  • A remedy required by applicable law

Returns are not accepted for:

  • Change of mind
  • Appearance preference
  • Natural grain variation
  • Natural color variation
  • Weight preference
  • Material preference
  • Normal handmade variation
  • Expected characteristics of natural materials

Clients should review product photographs, dimensions, materials, descriptions, and included features before purchase.

8. The Ledger

The Ledger is SSB’s archive of completed and historical work.

A piece appearing in The Ledger should not be assumed to be available for purchase.

Archived work may serve as inspiration for a new commission, but SSB does not guarantee exact duplication of prior handmade work.

Natural materials, grain, figure, color, and handmade production ensure that every piece remains individual.

Natural Materials

9. Natural Variation Is Not a Defect

SSB works with real wood, leather, and other natural materials.

Natural variation is expected.

The following are not considered manufacturing defects when they do not compromise the structural integrity or agreed specification of the item:

  • Grain variation
  • Grain direction
  • Mineral streaks
  • Color variation
  • Heartwood and sapwood variation
  • Figure variation
  • Pore structure
  • Natural tonal differences
  • Small differences in engraving contrast
  • Leather grain variation
  • Leather color variation
  • Leather patina
  • Normal handmade finishing variation
  • Minor differences from photographs
  • Variation in scorched treatments
  • Variation in other hand-applied treatments

Product photography represents the character of a material or finished piece but does not guarantee identical grain, color, figure, or natural pattern.

No two pieces of natural material are identical.

Returns

10. No Returns Except for Defects or SSB Error

SSB does not accept general merchandise returns.

A return may only be authorized when:

  • The item has a confirmed manufacturing defect
  • SSB sent the wrong item
  • The completed commission materially differs from the approved Build Record because of an SSB production error
  • Applicable law requires a remedy

All returns require prior authorization from SSB.

Do not return or ship any item to SSB without authorization.

Unauthorized returns may be refused.

11. Manufacturing Defects

If you believe an item has a manufacturing defect, contact SSB promptly.

Provide:

  • Order number
  • Description of the issue
  • Clear photographs of the item
  • Clear photographs showing the claimed defect
  • Any additional documentation reasonably requested for review

Examples of possible manufacturing defects may include:

  • Structural failure caused by workmanship
  • Improperly secured hardware
  • Production error against the approved Build Record
  • Material failure that makes the implement structurally unsuitable
  • Engraving error caused by SSB rather than the customer-supplied file

Natural variation, normal wear, expected characteristics of wood or leather, and customer-caused damage are not manufacturing defects.

12. Remedy for a Confirmed Defect

A confirmed defect does not automatically result in a refund.

Depending on the nature of the defect, SSB may:

  1. Repair the item;
  2. Correct the affected work;
  3. Replace the item;
  4. Replace the affected component; or
  5. Provide another remedy required by applicable law.

A refund may be issued when SSB determines that repair, correction, or replacement is not appropriate, or when a refund is required by applicable law.

Shipping

13. Carrier-Controlled Events

Once an order has been completed, packaged, and physically accepted by the shipping carrier, the shipment has left SSB’s physical custody.

SSB does not control carrier operations.

Carrier-controlled events may include:

  • Transit delays
  • Routing delays
  • Weather delays
  • Carrier handling
  • Failed delivery attempts
  • Delivery scheduling
  • Package holds
  • Carrier scanning errors
  • Theft after confirmed delivery
  • Other events occurring during carrier possession

Where a carrier or shipping-insurance claim is available, SSB may provide reasonable documentation or assistance.

Carrier delay does not make a completed custom commission returnable or refundable.

Nothing in this section limits rights that cannot lawfully be waived.

14. Shipping Damage

Shipping damage is not the same as a manufacturing defect.

If a package arrives visibly damaged:

  • Photograph the exterior packaging before opening when possible
  • Photograph all damaged packaging
  • Photograph the item
  • Retain the shipping carton
  • Retain interior packing materials
  • Contact SSB promptly

Do not discard the packaging until the matter has been reviewed.

SSB may provide documentation or reasonable assistance with a carrier or shipping-insurance claim.

Damage occurring while a shipment is in carrier possession is handled according to the applicable carrier, insurance, and legal process.

15. Incorrect Shipping Addresses

Clients are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address.

If an order is:

  • Returned to sender
  • Undeliverable
  • Refused
  • Unclaimed
  • Misdelivered because of an incorrect address provided by the client

the client may be responsible for additional shipping charges required to resend the order.

A returned or refused custom commission does not become refundable.

16. Failed or Refused Delivery

Refusing delivery does not constitute an authorized return.

A custom commission remains final sale even if the recipient:

  • Refuses delivery
  • Fails to collect the shipment
  • Fails to respond to carrier notices
  • Allows the shipment to be returned to sender

Any additional shipping or handling required to resend the order may be charged to the client.

17. Production and Shipment Timing

Production time and carrier transit time are separate.

Build estimates are based on the information reasonably available when the commission is accepted.

Unexpected material availability, equipment issues, workload, weather, emergencies, or other circumstances may affect production schedules.

If applicable law requires SSB to provide a delay notice, cancellation option, refund, or other remedy because an order cannot be shipped within a promised period, SSB will comply with those requirements.

Personal-Use Implements

18. Used Discipline Tools

Once a discipline implement has been used, it cannot be returned for:

  • Preference
  • Fit
  • Appearance
  • Change of mind
  • Weight preference
  • Wood preference
  • Handle preference
  • Tool preference

Used discipline tools are personal-use implements and will not be returned to ordinary retail inventory.

This does not eliminate a legitimate claim involving a confirmed manufacturing defect or another remedy required by law.

19. Customer-Caused Damage

SSB is not responsible for damage resulting from:

  • Misuse
  • Neglect
  • Improper storage
  • Excessive moisture
  • Excessive heat
  • Environmental exposure
  • Unauthorized modification
  • Unauthorized engraving
  • Improper refinishing
  • Improper cleaning
  • Failure to maintain wood or leather
  • Accidental damage
  • Improper handling
  • Use inconsistent with applicable care guidance

Clients are responsible for following SSB Tool Care guidance and maintaining their implements appropriately.

Refunds

20. Approved Refunds

Refunds are available only when:

  • A commission is cancelled and approved before any client-specific work begins;
  • SSB declines a commission before work begins;
  • SSB determines a refund is the appropriate remedy for a confirmed defect or fulfillment error; or
  • Applicable law requires a refund.

Approved refunds are normally issued to the original payment method.

Once SSB submits the refund, processing time depends on the payment processor, financial institution, or card issuer.

SSB cannot control bank processing times after the refund has been issued.

21. Exchanges

Custom commissions are not eligible for ordinary exchanges.

Used discipline tools are not eligible for exchange.

Available Work is not exchangeable for preference or change of mind.

If SSB sends the wrong item or confirms a manufacturing defect, replacement may be offered as part of the resolution.

22. Proof of Purchase

SSB may require reasonable proof of purchase before processing:

  • Cancellation
  • Repair
  • Replacement
  • Refund
  • Defect claim
  • Fulfillment correction

Acceptable verification may include:

  • Shopify order number
  • Order confirmation
  • Customer account history
  • Receipt
  • SSB Build Record
  • Other purchase records maintained by the Boutique

Policy Summary

23. The SSB Standard

Before Work Begins

A cancellation request may be approved and refunded.

After Any Client-Specific Work Begins

No cancellation. No refund.

Completed Custom Commission

Final sale.

Available Work

Final sale.

Change of Mind

No return. No refund.

Used Tool

No return.

Confirmed Manufacturing Defect

SSB will review the issue and may repair, correct, replace, or provide another appropriate remedy.

SSB Fulfillment Error

SSB will correct the error.

Carrier Delay, Loss, or Damage

Handled through the applicable carrier, shipping-insurance, or legal process, with reasonable SSB assistance where appropriate.

24. Applicable Law

Nothing in this policy eliminates or restricts a consumer right that cannot legally be waived.

Where applicable law requires a cancellation, refund, repair, replacement, or other remedy, applicable law controls.

25. Contact

Questions concerning cancellations, manufacturing defects, shipping issues, or order errors should be directed through The Sub Space Boutique’s official contact channel.

Include your order number whenever possible.

The Sub Space Boutique

Heirloom-grade discipline tools. Crafted for those who live with intention.

NOT KINK. DISCIPLINE.