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Return & Exchange Policy

1. Our Promise

Every TasteLokal order is hand-checked and packaged before dispatch. If anything is wrong — broken seal, damaged packaging, wrong item, expired stock, or genuine quality concerns — we will replace it free of charge or refund you in full. We stand behind every product we ship.

2. Eligibility for Return

Because we sell consumable food products, return eligibility is limited and time-sensitive. The following are eligible for return:

  • Product received in damaged or tampered outer packaging (photograph required at time of delivery).
  • Product received past its expiry / best-before date.
  • Wrong product shipped (different from what you ordered).
  • Product received with visible quality defect on first opening (mould, foreign matter, off smell — supported by photograph).
  • Missing items in a multi-product order (verified against the packing slip).

3. Not Eligible for Return

  • Sealed food products that have been opened or partially consumed, except where a quality defect is reasonably evident.
  • Products returned after 48 hours of delivery for perishables or after 7 days for shelf-stable items.
  • Products damaged due to improper storage at the Customer’s end (e.g., melting due to heat exposure, infestation after extended unsealed storage).
  • Personalised or made-to-order items unless defective on arrival.
  • Subjective taste preferences — heritage and regional foods vary in flavour profile and what is authentic may not match an expectation set by commercial mass-produced equivalents.

4. How to Initiate a Return

  1. Within 48 hours of delivery for perishables or 7 days for shelf-stable products, message us on WhatsApp at +91-XXXXX-XXXXX or email hello@tastelokal.in with:
    • Order ID
    • Reason for return
    • 2–3 clear photographs of the issue (outer box, inner packaging, the product itself)
  2. Our quality team will review the request within 24 working hours and confirm whether it is eligible.
  3. If approved, we arrange a free reverse pickup through our logistics partner (1–3 business days depending on pincode). For pincodes where reverse pickup is unavailable, we will reimburse a self-shipping cost on submission of the courier receipt.
  4. Once the returned product reaches our warehouse and passes quality re-inspection, you may choose between:
    • Full refund to your original payment method (timelines per our Refund Policy), or
    • Free replacement dispatched the same or next working day.

5. Damaged-on-Arrival Process (Recommended)

For the fastest resolution of damaged-in-transit issues:

  1. Photograph the outer carton before opening it if you see any damage, leakage, or evidence of tampering.
  2. Note “Damaged on arrival” on the courier’s signature sheet if asked to sign.
  3. Send photos to us on WhatsApp within 24 hours.

This avoids ambiguity over whether damage happened in transit or post-delivery, and allows us to claim against the courier on your behalf while replacing your order immediately.

6. Exchange

If you received the wrong product, we will exchange it for the correct one at no additional cost. Please initiate via the same process as a return above and mention “Exchange” in your message. Exchanges are dispatched as soon as the original product reaches us and is verified.

7. Refund After Return

Refunds for returned products are issued to the original payment method within the timelines stated in the Cancellation & Refund Policy. Shipping charges on the original order are refunded only when the return is due to our error (wrong product, damaged, expired). For change-of-mind returns (where accepted), original shipping is non-refundable.

8. Quality Assurance Commitment

We work with FSSAI-licensed artisan makers and conduct random batch quality checks before dispatch. If you ever feel a product is below expectation, please reach out — heritage foods carry their own character, and we want to make sure you get the genuine experience.

Last updated: 14 June 2026