Return & Refund Policy

Last updated: 11/18/25

We comply with New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) guidance. Alcoholic beverages cannot be returned for a refund or exchange due to change of mind, preference, or over‑purchasing. We will assist with defective or damaged items as outlined below.

What is NOT returnable

• Change of mind, preference, or over‑purchasing.
• Products opened/consumed beyond our defect evaluation rules (see below)
• Items stored improperly after delivery/pickup (e.g., heat/freezing exposure).
• Gift cards, event tickets, classes, tastings, and special orders marked Final Sale.
• “Allocated”/rare items, unless defective (then see “Defective/Corked” below).

Order issues we will fix:

• Damaged in transit (leakage, broken, severely pushed corks)
• Report within 48 hours of delivery/pickup.
• Keep all items and packaging as delivered.
• Provide clear photos of the damage and shipping label/receipt.

Resolution: replacement of the same item. If unavailable, equal-value store credit. Refund only if neither replacement nor credit is feasible.

Wrong item received (our fulfillment error)

Report within 7 days of delivery/pickup, unopened and in saleable condition.

Resolution: exchange for the correct item. If the correct item is unavailable, equal-value store credit or refund.

Defective/Corked wine

Qualifies when the wine is objectively flawed (e.g., cork taint/TCA, re-fermentation, oxidation not attributable to storage after purchase).

Report within 14 days of delivery/pickup.

Return at least 75% of the contents in the original bottle with cork/cap.

Bring a copy of your receipt or order number.

Resolution: replacement of the same item. If unavailable, equal-value store credit. Refund only if neither replacement nor credit is feasible.

Notes:

• Natural wine variation and normal bottle variation are not necessarily defects.
• Spirits are not typically eligible once opened unless there is a clear manufacturing defect (rare; evaluated case-by-case).

Important storage and timing notes

Heat/cold damage after successful delivery/pickup is not covered. Please do not leave alcohol in hot cars or outdoors; we recommend immediate receipt and cool storage.

For local delivery where you request “leave at door,” risk of loss or temperature damage transfers once delivered as instructed.

How to file a claim

Email: joseph@villagewinemerchant.com or call: (516) 200-9370

Subject: Return/Issue + Order #[number]

Include: photos (damage/label/closure), description of the issue, and whether the order was delivered or picked up.

Bring the item and your receipt to: Village Wine Merchant, 252A Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579 during business hours.

Refunds, credits, and replacements

Our default resolutions are replacement or store credit of equal value.

Refunds are issued only when replacement/credit is not possible.

Method: same as original payment (card refunds can take 3–10 business days to appear).

We reserve the right to deny a return if the product does not meet the above criteria.

Pickup/delivery issues and fees

If we attempt delivery and cannot complete it (no answer/ID), we will contact you to reschedule. A re‑delivery fee may apply.

Orders cancelled after dispatch may incur a restocking and/or re‑delivery fee.

ID and age requirement

You must be 21+ to purchase. ID required upon delivery/pickup.

We cannot deliver/hand over alcohol to anyone under 21 or to anyone without a valid ID.

Event tickets and classes

Non‑refundable but transferable. If we cancel an event, you’ll receive a full refund.

Final Sale items

Clearly marked “Final Sale,” “Allocated,” “Rare,” or “Limited Release” items are not returnable unless defective/damaged on receipt.

Posting & visibility

This policy is posted online and available in‑store. By purchasing, you acknowledge and accept this policy.

Questions

Contact: joseph@villagewinemerchant.com

516) 200-9370

252A Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579