Payment Policy

Effective Date: November 11, 2024
Website: ShopLocalSnow.com
Contact: support@shoplocalsnow.com
Support Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EST)


1. Introduction

This Payment Policy explains how payments are accepted, processed, and secured when shopping at ShopLocalSnow.com.
By completing a purchase through our website, you agree to the terms outlined below, which are part of our broader Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Our store uses PayPal exclusively as the payment processor for all online transactions. This ensures that every transaction is encrypted, protected, and compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), as required by Shopify.


2. Accepted Payment Method

We currently accept PayPal as the only payment method for all purchases made through ShopLocalSnow.com.

Payment Type Provider Description
PayPal Account PayPal, Inc. Customers can pay securely using their PayPal balance or linked bank account.
PayPal Guest Checkout PayPal, Inc. Allows customers to pay using a credit or debit card without a PayPal account.

No other payment methods (such as direct credit card entry, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash on delivery) are supported at this time.


3. Why We Use PayPal

We’ve chosen PayPal as our sole payment processor for three key reasons:

  1. Security: PayPal uses advanced encryption, fraud prevention, and real-time monitoring to safeguard your financial data.

  2. Privacy: Your payment details are never shared with ShopLocalSnow.com — we receive only confirmation of payment and order information necessary for fulfillment.

  3. Convenience: PayPal supports multiple funding sources (balance, bank transfer, or card) and provides buyer protection for eligible purchases.

This single-payment approach ensures all transactions remain simple, secure, and traceable for both customers and our fulfillment system.


4. Currency and Pricing

All transactions on ShopLocalSnow.com are processed in United States Dollars (USD).

  • If you are located outside the United States, PayPal will automatically convert your payment into USD at the current exchange rate determined by PayPal.

  • ShopLocalSnow.com does not control or set PayPal’s conversion rates.

  • You are responsible for any foreign transaction or conversion fees charged by PayPal or your card issuer.

Prices displayed on the website are final and include applicable U.S. sales tax (if required), but exclude any international customs duties, VAT, or import taxes that may apply outside the United States.


5. Taxes and Duties

For U.S. Customers

Applicable state sales tax may be added to your total at checkout based on your shipping address and regional tax requirements.

For International Customers

  • Orders shipped internationally may be subject to import duties, customs fees, or VAT imposed by the destination country.

  • These charges are not included in our prices and must be paid by the customer upon delivery.

  • ShopLocalSnow.com does not collect or remit taxes outside of U.S. jurisdictions.

Please check with your local customs office for more details on potential import fees before placing your order.


6. Payment Process

All orders placed on ShopLocalSnow.com are processed securely through PayPal’s payment system.

Transaction Steps:

  1. Add desired items to your shopping cart.

  2. Proceed to checkout and select “Pay with PayPal.”

  3. You’ll be redirected to PayPal’s secure payment gateway.

  4. Log into your PayPal account, or choose “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” for guest checkout.

  5. Confirm your billing, shipping, and payment details.

  6. Submit payment — once successful, you’ll be redirected back to our order confirmation page.

A confirmation email with your order number and payment details will be automatically sent to your registered email address.


7. Payment Security

Your security is our highest priority. All transactions are processed on PayPal’s secure servers, ensuring your data remains encrypted and protected.

Key Security Features:

  • SSL encryption (HTTPS): All data transmitted between your browser and PayPal is encrypted.

  • PCI-DSS compliance: PayPal meets the strict Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

  • No card storage: ShopLocalSnow.com does not store or have access to your credit card or bank information.

  • Fraud monitoring: Every transaction is analyzed in real-time for potential risk or fraudulent activity.

You can learn more about PayPal’s Buyer Protection and security measures at:
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security


8. Order Confirmation

After completing your payment:

  • You will receive an Order Confirmation Email within minutes of purchase.

  • The confirmation will include your order number, item summary, and total amount charged.

  • Once the order enters the handling and processing stage (2–3 business days), a Shipping Confirmation Email with tracking information will follow.

If you do not receive your confirmation within one hour, please check your spam folder or contact us at support@shoplocalsnow.com.


9. Failed or Declined Transactions

Transactions may fail or be declined for several reasons:

  • Insufficient PayPal balance or linked card limit reached

  • Incorrect billing address or mismatched credentials

  • Technical errors or connectivity interruptions

  • PayPal’s fraud prevention systems temporarily holding payment

If your payment fails:

  1. Confirm your PayPal account is active and properly funded.

  2. Retry the transaction or use a different funding method within PayPal.

  3. Contact PayPal Support if the issue persists.

  4. If unresolved, email support@shoplocalsnow.com with your order details.

We cannot reserve items for unpaid or failed transactions.


10. Refunds and Cancellations

Refunds for eligible orders follow the process outlined in our Return & Refund Policy.

Key points:

  • Refunds are always issued to the same PayPal account used for the original transaction.

  • Refund processing typically takes 3–7 business days after approval.

  • Orders can only be canceled within 12 hours of purchase if not yet processed or shipped.

  • Once your order has shipped, cancellations are no longer possible.

For refund status updates, please allow up to 10 business days for PayPal or your bank to credit the funds back to your account.


11. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

We encourage customers to contact us directly before filing any PayPal dispute or chargeback.
Most issues, such as delayed shipments or damaged items, can be resolved quickly through our support team.

If a dispute is opened through PayPal:

  • We will provide proof of shipment, order confirmation, and communication records.

  • If the dispute is found valid, a full or partial refund will be issued in accordance with PayPal’s Buyer Protection rules.

Unauthorized or fraudulent chargebacks may result in suspension of future purchases from our store.


12. Fraud Prevention

ShopLocalSnow.com and PayPal actively monitor all transactions to prevent fraud.
Orders flagged as suspicious may be held temporarily for verification. In such cases, you may receive an email requesting confirmation of:

  • Your billing address

  • Proof of identity or ownership of the PayPal account

We reserve the right to cancel or refund any transaction suspected of fraud or misuse.


13. Customer Responsibility

When using PayPal for payment, you agree to:

  • Use a valid PayPal account in your own name

  • Ensure your account information is accurate and up to date

  • Maintain sufficient balance or linked funds before checkout

  • Resolve disputes in good faith before escalating to PayPal claims

We are not responsible for delays or errors caused by incorrect payment details or third-party system failures.


14. Contact Information

If you experience any payment-related issues, please contact:

ShopLocalSnow.com
Email: support@shoplocalsnow.com
Support Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EST)
Response Time: Within 24–48 business hours


15. Policy Updates

ShopLocalSnow.com reserves the right to update or modify this Payment Policy without prior notice.
All revisions will be published on this page with the updated Effective Date above.
We encourage customers to review this policy periodically for the latest version.


ShopLocalSnow.com
Trusted Payments • PayPal Secure Checkout • Transparent Transactions
support@shoplocalsnow.com | www.shoplocalsnow.com