Shipping policy

Thank you for supporting Expose The Gap. Every order you place directly supports a one-woman, mission-driven business. Stephanie currently runs operations, fulfillment, packaging, marketing, customer service, and occasional existential spiraling, so we appreciate your patience while Stephanie packs each order with care.

1. Processing Times

Expose The Gap is proudly a one-woman show, which means every package is prepped by the same two hands that also manage job sites, content creation, advocacy work, and remembering where Stephanie left her Red Bull (not a sponsor, but totally open to their sponsorship)

Processing times:

  • 3–7 business days for in-stock items

  • 7–10 business days during advocacy events, post pre-order launches, holidays, or when Florida weather acts up

Processing time = time to prepare your order, not carrier delivery speed.

If additional time is needed, (inventory delays, backorders, verification issues, or advocacy-related travel) you’ll get an email update from Stephanie (a real human - not a warehouse robot)

2. Shipping Rates & Delivery Estimates

Shipping costs are automatically calculated at checkout based on:

  • your shipping address
  • package weight
  • real-time carrier rates provided through Shopify Shipping

Delivery estimates shown at checkout are generated by the carriers and are not guaranteed.

Typical estimates (U.S.):

  • Standard Shipping: 3–7 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 2–3 business days
  • Priority Shipping: 1–2 business days

Your carrier may be faster, slower, or on break. We can’t control that part -- we promise we would if we could.

3. Order Tracking

Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number via email or SMS.

Tracking updates may take 24–48 hours to update after the label is created.

If tracking has not updated after 3 business days, feel free to email Stephanie at info@exposethegap.com and we can check in on it.

4. Address Accuracy

Please double-check your shipping address at checkout.
I am not responsible for orders shipped to:

  • incorrect or incomplete addresses
  • addresses with missing apartment/unit numbers
  • outdated addresses saved in your account
  • typos (we all make them, but USPS doesn’t forgive them)

If you need to update your address, contact us immediately.
Once a package has shipped, we cannot reroute it.

5. Lost, Stolen, or Misdelivered Packages

When the carrier marks a package as “Delivered,” it is considered delivered.

If your package is playing hide-and-seek, please check:

  • your mailbox

  • the porch

  • behind the plant you keep forgetting to water

  • your neighbors (the ones who treat mail as a community sport)

  • your leasing office, if applicable

If it still hasn’t turned up, you may file a claim with the carrier.
We'll assist, when possible, but we cannot refund or replace orders confirmed as delivered.

6. Damaged Shipments

(With Your Donation-Friendly Policy)

If your item arrives damaged in transit:

  1. Take clear photos of the damage and shipping package
  2. Email info@exposethegap.com within 7 days
  3. Include your order number

If approved, We may offer:

  • a free replacement after the item is responsibly donated or recycled, OR
  • store credit

Proof of donation (photo of item and donation receipt or drop-off photo) is required if requesting a replacement.

We don’t require defective items to be sent back, they can’t be resold, and shipping trash around the country isn’t good for anyone

7. Pre-Orders & Limited Drops

For Pre-orders, advocacy campaigns, limited runs, or event releases:

  • shipping and delivery dates are estimates
  • pre-order items will be special orders on our end, and will be place with our supplier once the preorder window is closed. This could affect your delivery time significantly. 
  • production timelines may shift
  • updates will be emailed if significant delays occur

Orders containing both pre-order and in-stock items may ship together or separately depending on logistics.

8. Split Shipments

To prevent delays, items in the same order may ship separately.
You will receive tracking for each shipment if that happens.

9. International Shipping

International customers are responsible for:

  • customs fees
  • import taxes
  • VAT
  • handling fees

Expose The Gap cannot control or remove these charges.

Packages returned due to unpaid customs fees are not eligible for refund.

Delays due to customs processing are normal and outside our control.

10. Sustainability in Packaging

We aim for minimal-waste, planet-friendly packaging. As Expose The Gap grows, these sustainability features will expand. Early orders may arrive in simpler packaging while we scale, but always with purpose, care, and as little waste as possible.

Your order won’t arrive wrapped like a Fabergé egg, less plastic, more purpose.

In the future this could include:

  • recyclable poly mailers
  • biodegradable or reusable packaging
  • minimal inserts or plastics
  • printed neck labels instead of traditional hangtags

Packaging may vary depending on availability and sustainability improvements.

11. Delivery Confirmation

Orders marked “Delivered” by the carrier are considered delivered.

If you believe your package was misdelivered:

  • Check your mailbox, porch, and alternate delivery areas
  • Ask neighbors or building staff
  • Allow 24 hours for a delayed scan
  • Contact the carrier directly

We cannot override official carrier delivery scans.

12. Contact

If you have any questions regarding shipping:

📧 info@exposethegap.com

📍 Expose The Gap
1 South Blvd East, Suite 394 Davenport, FL 33836
📞 407-770-9539