Refund Policy

At Starbird Chicken, we are committed to delivering fresh, high-quality food and an outstanding customer experience with every order. We understand that sometimes things do not go as expected, and we want to make sure you are treated fairly. This Refund Policy outlines your rights and our obligations when it comes to refunds, exchanges, cancellations, and disputes related to orders placed through our website at starbird-meals.click.

Please read this policy carefully before placing an order. By completing a purchase on our platform, you agree to the terms described herein. If you have any questions, you may contact us at [email protected].

1. Our Commitment to Customer Satisfaction

Starbird Chicken takes pride in providing fresh, made-to-order food that meets the highest standards of quality. Every order is prepared with care. However, we acknowledge that errors can occur — whether in preparation, packaging, delivery, or order accuracy. When a verifiable issue arises that is within our control, we are committed to resolving it promptly and fairly.

Our refund policy is designed in accordance with applicable consumer protection laws in the United States, including the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce. For customers located in California, your rights may also be governed by the California Consumer Protection Laws and applicable state regulations.

2. Eligibility Conditions for Refunds

Refund requests will be considered valid and eligible for processing when one or more of the following conditions are met:

• Incorrect Order: You received items that differ from what you ordered (wrong items, missing items, or wrong quantities).
• Food Quality Issue: The food received was undercooked, spoiled, contaminated, or otherwise unfit for consumption upon delivery or pickup.
• Allergic Ingredient Inclusion: An item contained an ingredient you explicitly requested to be excluded due to a dietary restriction or allergy, provided this request was clearly documented at the time of ordering.
• Order Not Delivered: Your order was never delivered, and our delivery partner confirms a failed delivery attempt with no successful resolution.
• Significant Delivery Delay: Your order arrived more than 60 minutes beyond the estimated delivery time, and the food quality was compromised as a result.
• Duplicate Charge: You were charged more than once for the same order due to a technical or payment processing error.
• Order Cancelled Before Preparation: You successfully cancelled your order before it entered the preparation stage (see Section 8 for cancellation details).

Refund requests that do not meet the above eligibility criteria may be denied. We reserve the right to request supporting evidence such as photographs, order confirmation numbers, or written descriptions before processing any refund.

3. Timeframes for Refund Requests

To ensure your refund request is handled effectively, it must be submitted within the timeframes listed below:

Requests submitted outside these timeframes may not be eligible for a refund. We strongly encourage customers to inspect their orders upon receipt and report any concerns immediately.

4. Non-Refundable Items and Services

Certain items and circumstances are not eligible for refunds. These include, but are not limited to:

• Orders that have been fully consumed or substantially eaten before a complaint is submitted.
• Dissatisfaction with taste or flavor preferences that do not constitute a food safety or quality defect.
• Orders where the customer provided an incorrect delivery address and the food was delivered to that address.
• Delivery fees and service charges, unless the order was never delivered or was cancelled before preparation began.
• Promotional, discounted, or free items that were included as part of a limited-time offer.
• Items customized specifically per detailed customer instructions where the preparation followed those instructions correctly.
• Orders cancelled after preparation has already commenced (see Section 8).
• Refund requests submitted beyond the applicable timeframes outlined in Section 3.

5. How to Request a Refund — Step-by-Step

To submit a refund request, please follow the steps below:

1. Step 1 — Gather Your Information: Locate your order confirmation number, the email address used to place the order, the date of the order, and the specific items in question.
2. Step 2 — Document the Issue: If applicable, take clear photographs of the incorrect, damaged, or substandard food. This documentation will significantly support your claim.
3. Step 3 — Contact Us: Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: "Refund Request — Order #[Your Order Number]". Include your full name, order number, contact phone number, a detailed description of the issue, and any photographs if applicable.
4. Step 4 — Await Acknowledgment: You will receive an acknowledgment of your request within 1–2 business days. Our customer support team will review your submission and may follow up with additional questions.
5. Step 5 — Review Decision: Our team will evaluate your request based on the eligibility criteria outlined in this policy and communicate a decision within 3–5 business days of receiving all required information.
6. Step 6 — Refund Issued: If your request is approved, the refund will be processed according to the payment method timelines detailed in Section 6.

6. Refund Processing Times by Payment Method

Once a refund has been approved, the time it takes for funds to appear in your account will depend on the original payment method used:

Please note that while Starbird Chicken processes refunds promptly upon approval, the final credit to your account is subject to the policies of your financial institution or payment provider. We are not responsible for delays caused by third-party processors or banks.

7. Partial Refunds

In some situations, a partial refund may be offered rather than a full refund. Partial refunds may be applicable in the following circumstances:

• Only a portion of the order was affected by an error or quality issue (e.g., one item out of several was missing or incorrect).
• The food was partially consumed before the quality issue was identified.
• A delivery delay affected only part of the order's quality.
• A promotional discount was applied to the original order, and the refund will reflect the discounted price paid rather than the full retail price.
• The customer accepts store credit in lieu of a monetary refund for a lesser total.

The amount of any partial refund will be calculated based on the value of the affected items in your order. Our customer service team will clearly communicate the amount and basis for any partial refund offered.

8. Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans can change. Below is our cancellation policy for orders placed through starbird-meals.click:

8.1 Cancellations Before Preparation Begins

If you need to cancel your order, please do so as quickly as possible. Orders cancelled before preparation has begun will be eligible for a full refund, including any delivery fees paid. You may request a cancellation by contacting us immediately at [email protected] or by using the cancellation function available on our website within the applicable window.

8.2 Cancellations After Preparation Has Begun

Once your order has entered the preparation stage, cancellation may not be possible, and a refund will generally not be issued. Food is prepared fresh to order, and once preparation has started, the ingredients are committed to your specific order. In exceptional circumstances, our team may offer store credit at our sole discretion.

8.3 Cancellations for Scheduled Orders

For orders scheduled for future delivery or pickup, cancellations must be submitted no later than 2 hours before the scheduled time to be eligible for a full refund. Cancellations within 2 hours of the scheduled time may be subject to a cancellation fee or may not be eligible for a refund.

9. Exchange Policy

Due to the perishable nature of food products, direct item exchanges are generally not available. However, in situations where an incorrect item was delivered, we will take the following corrective actions:

• Redelivery: Where operationally feasible and within a reasonable timeframe, we may arrange to deliver the correct item at no additional charge.
• Store Credit: In cases where redelivery is not possible, we may issue store credit equivalent to the value of the affected item, redeemable on your next order at starbird-meals.click.
• Monetary Refund: If neither redelivery nor store credit is an acceptable resolution, a monetary refund for the affected item(s) will be issued.

Exchanges or replacements for items that were prepared correctly but that you have changed your mind about ordering will not be accommodated once the order has been received.

10. Dispute Resolution Process

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your refund request or believe your concern has not been adequately addressed, the following dispute resolution process applies:

10.1 Internal Escalation

You may request that your case be escalated to a senior member of our customer support team by replying to the email correspondence regarding your original refund request and clearly stating that you wish to escalate the matter. Escalated cases will be reviewed within 5 business days.

10.2 Good Faith Negotiation

We encourage all disputes to be resolved through good faith communication. Both parties agree to make a genuine effort to resolve any disagreement amicably before pursuing formal legal remedies.

10.3 Chargeback Rights

Customers retain the right to file a chargeback with their credit or debit card issuer in accordance with the card network's rules and applicable U.S. law. However, we ask that customers first attempt to resolve the issue directly with Starbird Chicken before initiating a chargeback, as this allows us the opportunity to correct any error efficiently.

10.4 Consumer Protection Resources

Customers who believe they have been treated unfairly may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov, or contact their state's Attorney General office. California residents may additionally contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

10.5 Governing Law

This Refund Policy and any disputes arising from it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America. Any legal proceedings shall be conducted in the applicable jurisdiction where Starbird Chicken operates.

11. Store Credit Terms

Where store credit is offered as a resolution, the following terms apply:

• Store credit will be issued to the email address associated with your account or order.
• Store credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
• Store credit is non-transferable and has no cash value.
• Store credit cannot be combined with other promotional offers unless otherwise stated.
• Unused store credit after the expiration date will be forfeited.

12. Changes to This Refund Policy

Starbird Chicken reserves the right to update or modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website and services following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed of any updates.

13. Contact Information for Refund Requests

For all refund-related inquiries, cancellations, or disputes, please reach out to our customer support team using the details below:

Our customer support team is available to assist you and will respond to all refund inquiries within 1–2 business days. When contacting us, please have your order confirmation number, the email address used to place the order, and any relevant documentation ready to ensure a swift resolution.