Refund policy

Return & Refund Policy

At Mega Hobby, we want our customers to shop with confidence. We understand that occasionally an item may need to be returned, and we strive to handle eligible returns and order concerns fairly and efficiently.

Please review the following policy before placing an order.

1. Return Eligibility

Mega Hobby accepts return requests for most eligible new, unopened, and unused merchandise within 7 calendar days of delivery.

To qualify for a return:

  • Merchandise must be in its original, unopened, unused, and resalable condition.

  • All original packaging, manufacturer seals, accessories, instructions, manuals, and included components must be present.

  • Items must not have been assembled, installed, painted, modified, operated, or otherwise used.

  • A valid Mega Hobby order number or proof of purchase is required.

  • A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) must be issued before merchandise is returned.

Return requests submitted outside the seven-day return period are generally not accepted.

Return authorization does not guarantee a refund. All returned merchandise is subject to inspection upon receipt.

2. Restocking Fees

Approved returns are subject to a restocking fee of 15% of the returned merchandise value or $2.95, whichever is greater, not to exceed the merchandise value.

Restocking fees help offset transaction fees, order processing, inventory handling, and other costs associated with returned merchandise.

Original shipping charges are nonrefundable for ordinary customer-requested returns.

Restocking fees generally do not apply when Mega Hobby ships the incorrect merchandise or when a return is required because of a verified error on our part.

3. How to Request a Return

Customers must contact Mega Hobby within the applicable return period to request authorization.

Please provide:

  • Your order number

  • The item or items you wish to return

  • The reason for the return

  • Photographs, when requested

If approved, we will provide a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and return shipping instructions.

Do not return merchandise without authorization.

Returns sent without an approved RMA may be refused or returned to the sender at the customer's expense.

Because Mega Hobby fulfills orders from multiple warehouse locations, the appropriate return destination may vary. Do not assume merchandise should be returned to the address shown on the original shipping label.

4. Return Shipping

Customers are responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping on ordinary returns, including purchases made in error, unwanted merchandise, or incorrect product selections.

Mega Hobby does not generally provide prepaid return labels for customer-requested returns.

We recommend using a trackable shipping service through USPS, UPS, or FedEx.

Returned merchandise must be securely packaged to prevent shipping damage. Whenever practical, use the original shipping carton and protective packing materials.

The approved RMA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the shipping carton.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that returned merchandise reaches the designated return location in acceptable condition.

If Mega Hobby determines that a return is necessary because of an error on our part, we will provide appropriate return instructions and arrange or reimburse reasonable return shipping when applicable.

5. Non-Returnable Merchandise

Certain products are final sale and are not eligible for ordinary returns or exchanges.

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Model paints, thinners, solvents, primers, pigments, adhesives, putties, paint strippers, and other consumable hobby supplies

  • Books, magazines, calendars, DVDs, and other printed or recorded media

  • Gift cards

  • Clearance, closeout, scratch-and-dent, and explicitly marked final-sale merchandise

  • Custom-made, personalized, or special-order products

  • Opened or used merchandise

  • Assembled, installed, modified, painted, or altered products

  • Airbrushes and compressors

  • Opened model rocket motors and other restricted or hazardous materials

  • Products subject to manufacturer-specific return restrictions

  • Merchandise damaged through improper use, handling, assembly, or installation

This list is not exhaustive. Additional return restrictions may be disclosed on individual product pages.

These exclusions do not limit applicable rights or remedies for merchandise received damaged, incorrect, or otherwise not as required by law.

6. Manufacturer Defects and Warranty Service

Mega Hobby is a retailer of products manufactured by numerous independent companies.

Manufacturer defects, missing factory components, operational failures, and warranty-related issues are generally handled through the applicable manufacturer's warranty or technical support program.

Examples include:

  • Missing factory-installed or packaged components

  • Defective motors, decoders, or electronics

  • Digital Command Control (DCC) equipment failures

  • Paint finish or manufacturing imperfections

  • Mechanical or electrical failures

  • Defective model kits or accessories

Products requiring manufacturer warranty service may need to be sent directly to the manufacturer for inspection, repair, or replacement.

Certain brands require customers to work directly with their warranty departments, including manufacturers such as Bachmann, Digitrax, ESU, SoundTraxx, Train Control Systems, and other hobby electronics or equipment manufacturers.

If you are unsure how to obtain warranty assistance, please contact Mega Hobby. We can help direct you to the appropriate manufacturer support resources when available.

This section does not exclude any rights or remedies applicable to merchandise that was incorrect, damaged in transit, or otherwise subject to legal consumer protections.

7. Damaged or Incorrect Merchandise

Please inspect your merchandise promptly upon delivery.

If an order arrives damaged, contains the wrong product, or is missing merchandise, contact Mega Hobby within 7 calendar days of delivery whenever possible.

Please include:

  • Your order number

  • A description of the problem

  • Photographs of damaged merchandise

  • Photographs of the shipping carton and packaging, when applicable

Do not discard damaged merchandise or its packaging until the issue has been reviewed.

Mega Hobby will evaluate the reported issue and determine an appropriate resolution, which may include a replacement, refund, or other remedy depending on the circumstances.

Customers should contact Mega Hobby directly regarding merchandise damaged during shipping rather than attempting to resolve the matter exclusively with the carrier.

Damage caused by improper assembly, installation, modification, operation, or misuse is not considered shipping damage.

8. Refunds

Once authorized returned merchandise is received, Mega Hobby will inspect the items to determine whether the return meets the conditions of this policy.

If the return is approved, a refund will generally be issued to the original payment method, less applicable restocking fees and nonrefundable shipping charges.

Please allow up to 14 days after receipt of the returned merchandise for inspection and refund processing.

Once a refund is issued, your bank, credit card provider, or payment processor may require additional time to post the credit to your account.

If a return is rejected because merchandise is opened, used, altered, incomplete, damaged, or otherwise ineligible, we will notify you when practical.

Rejected merchandise may be returned to the customer at their expense.

9. Damaged or Rejected Returns

Customers are responsible for securely packaging authorized returns.

If returned merchandise arrives damaged, incomplete, or in a condition that prevents resale, the return may be denied or the refund reduced as appropriate.

Customers may be responsible for the cost of shipping rejected merchandise back to them.

We will provide return-shipping instructions when applicable. Merchandise that remains unclaimed after reasonable notice may be handled in accordance with applicable law.

10. Refused Deliveries and Undeliverable Packages

Please do not refuse delivery of an order as a method of requesting a return or cancellation.

Packages refused by the recipient or returned due to an incorrect address, failure to collect the shipment, or other customer-related delivery issues may incur additional carrier and handling charges.

Any refund for an eligible returned shipment may be reduced by the original shipping cost, return transportation charges, carrier fees, and applicable restocking fees.

Refused shipments may be subject to a 25% restocking fee, where permitted by law.

We encourage customers to contact Mega Hobby before refusing a package so we can review the available options.

11. Order Changes and Cancellations

Mega Hobby begins processing orders as quickly as possible, sometimes through multiple warehouse locations and fulfillment partners.

As a result, orders cannot be guaranteed to be changed, combined, or canceled after they have been placed.

Please review your shopping cart carefully before completing checkout, including product scale, item number, quantity, and shipping address.

If you wish to request a cancellation, contact us immediately. We will attempt to accommodate the request when possible, but cancellation cannot be guaranteed once fulfillment processing has begun.

If a customer-requested cancellation is approved after processing or nonrecoverable transaction costs have been incurred, applicable cancellation charges may be disclosed before the cancellation is completed, where permitted by law.

Cancellations initiated by Mega Hobby because merchandise is unavailable or an order cannot be fulfilled will not be subject to customer cancellation fees.

12. Out-of-Stock and Unavailable Merchandise

Although we work to maintain accurate inventory records, inventory discrepancies or supplier availability issues may occasionally occur.

If an ordered item becomes unavailable, Mega Hobby may cancel and refund the affected merchandise.

Other available items in the order may continue through fulfillment and ship separately.

When an entire order cannot be fulfilled, a refund will be issued for the affected order, including applicable shipping charges.

13. Multiple Warehouse Orders

Mega Hobby fulfills merchandise from multiple warehouse locations and fulfillment partners.

Return requests involving items shipped from different locations may require separate return authorizations or different return destinations.

Customers must follow the return instructions provided for each authorized return.

Do not combine merchandise from multiple shipments into one return package unless specifically instructed to do so.

Original shipping charges for customer-requested returns are generally nonrefundable, including applicable charges associated with multiple fulfillment locations.

14. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks

If a customer initiates a payment dispute or chargeback through a bank, credit card issuer, or payment provider, the disputed funds may become subject to the payment provider's formal review process.

Mega Hobby may be unable to issue a separate refund for the disputed amount while the chargeback remains active.

Filing a payment dispute does not necessarily accelerate the refund process.

We encourage customers to contact Mega Hobby directly regarding order concerns before initiating a payment dispute whenever possible.

Nothing in this policy limits a customer's rights to dispute a transaction through their financial institution.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about a return, refund, damaged shipment, or manufacturer warranty, please contact Mega Hobby before sending merchandise back.

Include your order number and a brief explanation of your concern so we can assist you efficiently.

All returns require prior authorization and must be sent to the designated location provided with your RMA instructions.

This policy applies to orders placed through the current Mega Hobby storefront and is subject to applicable consumer protection laws.