Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. Because Every Piece Is Unique

Most artwork on The Art Sutra is a one-of-a-kind, original piece. Our cancellation and refund policy reflects that — it is different from a typical retail return policy, and is designed to be fair to both Artists and Collectors.

2. Before Payment Is Completed

When you purchase a piece, or the artist accepts your offer, it is reserved for you for a limited window while payment is completed. If payment is not completed within that window, the reservation expires automatically and the piece becomes available again — no charge is made.

3. After Payment Is Completed

Once payment is confirmed, the sale is final and the order proceeds to shipping coordination. Because each piece is unique, we do not offer returns for change of mind after payment is confirmed.

4. Offers Are Binding

Placing an offer is a binding commitment to purchase if the artist accepts it. An accepted offer cannot be withdrawn or cancelled.

5. Damaged in Transit

If your piece arrives damaged, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the damage, the crate and the packaging. Please keep all of it until the claim is closed — a transit claim cannot be pursued without it. A confirmed transit-damage claim is resolved through repair, replacement where possible, or a full refund of the price of the work.

Damage in transit is the only circumstance in which we refund a completed sale. Every other case is covered by section 6 or is not eligible.

6. Authenticity Disputes

If you believe a delivered piece materially differs from its listed description or provided authenticity documentation, contact us within 14 days of delivery. Verified authenticity disputes are eligible for a full refund of the price of the work, subject to return of the piece in its original condition.

7. Returns, And What Is Never Refunded

We do not accept returns for a change of mind. A return is considered only where there is a genuine, stated reason — transit damage under section 5, or a verified authenticity or description dispute under section 6 — and it must be agreed with us in writing before the work is sent back. A piece returned without that agreement cannot be accepted or refunded.

Shipping charges are not refundable in any circumstance, including where the price of the work itself is refunded. Freight on a crated original is a cost already incurred with a third-party carrier and cannot be recovered. Where a return is agreed, return freight is arranged by us and its cost is deducted from the refund unless the return arises from transit damage, in which case we bear it.

7. High-Value, Manually Settled Orders

For orders settled through our manual, verified bank transfer process, cancellation before payment confirmation is free. Once payment is confirmed by our operations team, the standard policy above applies.

8. Fees Are Non-Refundable

Platform commission and any plan or promotional fees paid by Artists are non-refundable once a sale is completed or a paid plan period has begun.

9. How to Request a Refund

Email support@theartsutra.com with your order number and details. We aim to acknowledge every request within 3 business days. Acknowledging a request is not the same as accepting it; where a claim needs expert assessment we will tell you how long that will take.