Refund policy

SHIPPING, RETURNS & PRODUCT POLICY

At Apothème, every candle is individually prepared, inspected, and packaged with care before leaving our studio. Because our products are handcrafted and made in small batches, we ask that you carefully review the following policies before placing your order.

By completing a purchase through http://apotheme.com you acknowledge and agree to the policies outlined below.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL

All Apothème purchases are non-refundable.

We do not offer refunds, including for change of mind, fragrance preference, accidental purchases, or orders that are no longer wanted.

We encourage customers to carefully review their order, selected fragrance, candle size, quantity, and shipping information before completing checkout.

Exceptions will only be made where required by applicable law.

CANDLE EXCHANGES

Although we do not offer refunds, an eligible candle may be exchanged for another candle of the same size and retail price.

To qualify for an exchange:

The candle must be completely unburned and unused.

The candle vessel must be in perfect, undamaged condition.

The candle must remain in its original packaging.

The original box and packaging must be clean, intact, and undamaged.

All original labels, inserts, protective materials, and components must be included.

The exchange request must be submitted to Apothème within 7 calendar days of confirmed delivery.

Proof of purchase is required.

Candles that have been lit, burned, tested, trimmed, scratched, chipped, stained, altered, or removed from their original condition are not eligible for exchange.

Packaging that has been torn, crushed, written on, stained, heavily damaged, or otherwise rendered unsuitable for resale may also make the product ineligible for exchange.

Apothème reserves the right to inspect all returned merchandise and determine whether it meets our exchange requirements.

If an item is returned and does not meet the above conditions, the exchange may be declined.

EXCHANGE SHIPPING

Customers are responsible for all shipping costs associated with an exchange, including the cost of returning the original candle to Apothème and shipping the replacement candle.

Original shipping charges are non-refundable.

We strongly recommend using a trackable shipping service and adequately protecting the candle during return shipment.

Apothème is not responsible for exchange packages that are lost, stolen, damaged, or misdirected while being returned to us.

Replacement candles will not be shipped until the original candle has been received and approved for exchange.

HAND-POURED & SMALL-BATCH CRAFTSMANSHIP

Apothème is an independently produced luxury candle house—not a mass-production factory.

Our candles are hand-poured in Los Angeles in small batches using natural coconut-apricot wax and carefully selected, high-quality luxury fragrance oils.

The handmade nature of our candles is part of what makes each Apothème piece unique.

Because our candles are individually poured and our wax is made from natural ingredients, subtle variations may occasionally occur from candle to candle. These can include slight differences in:

Wax appearance or texture

Surface finish

Color or shade

Wax adhesion to the vessel

Small air pockets

Minor frosting or crystallization

Slight unevenness after curing

Fragrance coloration

Wick positioning

Appearance after burning

Some candles may display these characteristics while others may not.

These natural variations are not considered defects and do not affect the quality, fragrance experience, or performance of the candle.

Temperature changes during shipping may also temporarily affect the appearance of natural wax.

Because coconut-apricot wax is a natural wax blend, its appearance will not always resemble the perfectly uniform surface associated with mass-produced petroleum-based wax candles.

Each candle is inspected before leaving our studio.

SCULPTURAL VESSELS

Many Apothème candles are housed in distinctive sculptural vessels that are part of the design identity of the brand.

Minor variations between vessels may occur as a normal result of manufacturing and finishing.

Subtle differences in texture, finish, shade, surface details, or other cosmetic characteristics that do not affect the candle’s functionality are not considered damage or manufacturing defects.

FRAGRANCE

Fragrance is subjective.

Individual perception of scent strength, fragrance notes, cold throw, and hot throw can differ based on personal sensitivity, room size, airflow, temperature, candle care, and other environmental factors.

A customer’s personal fragrance preference or perception of a fragrance is not considered a product defect and does not qualify for a refund.

Unburned candles that otherwise meet our exchange requirements may be exchanged according to the exchange policy above.

DAMAGED ITEMS

Every Apothème order is carefully inspected and packaged before shipment.

If your candle arrives physically damaged during transit, please contact us within 3 calendar days of confirmed delivery.

Your message must include:

Your order number

Photographs of the damaged candle

Photographs of the interior packaging

Photographs of the exterior shipping box

A clear photograph of the shipping label

Please retain the candle, packaging, and shipping box until your claim has been reviewed.

Claims submitted without sufficient photographic documentation may not be eligible for replacement.

Claims submitted more than 3 calendar days after confirmed delivery may be declined.

If we determine that an item was damaged during transit, Apothème may, at its discretion, provide a replacement of the same item or another appropriate resolution.

Shipping damage does not automatically qualify an order for a monetary refund.

SHIPPING DAMAGE VS. HANDMADE CHARACTERISTICS

Please note that normal characteristics of hand-poured natural wax candles are different from shipping damage.

Minor wax discoloration, frosting, surface texture, wax separation from the glass or vessel, slight surface imperfections, or other characteristics associated with natural wax and temperature changes are generally not considered shipping damage.

LOST, MISSING OR STOLEN PACKAGES

Once an order has been transferred to the shipping carrier, tracking information will be provided when available.

Customers are responsible for monitoring their tracking information and ensuring that someone can safely receive the package.

Apothème is not responsible for packages that are stolen after confirmed delivery.

If tracking shows that a package was delivered but you cannot locate it, we recommend checking:

Around the delivery location

With household members

With neighbors

With your building’s concierge, leasing office, mailroom, or security desk

Directly with the shipping carrier

A package marked Delivered by the carrier is considered fulfilled by Apothème unless there is evidence of a carrier delivery error.

We strongly recommend selecting signature confirmation when available for locations where package theft may be a concern.

Replacement or refund requests involving packages confirmed as delivered may be declined.

PACKAGES LOST IN TRANSIT

If tracking indicates that your package may have been lost before delivery, please contact us so that we can assist with initiating an investigation with the shipping carrier.

Carrier investigations may require additional time to complete.

A replacement will not necessarily be issued while an active carrier investigation is still pending.

INCORRECT OR INCOMPLETE SHIPPING ADDRESS

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout.

Please carefully verify:

Recipient name

Street address

Apartment or unit number

City

State

ZIP code

Once an order has entered fulfillment or has been shipped, we cannot guarantee that an address can be changed or corrected.

Apothème is not responsible for packages that are delayed, returned, lost, or delivered incorrectly because the customer provided an incorrect or incomplete shipping address.

If an order is returned to Apothème because of an incorrect address, missing apartment number, unsuccessful delivery, refusal, or another customer-related delivery issue, the customer may be responsible for additional shipping charges before the order can be reshipped.

ORDER CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS

Because Apothème operates in small batches and orders may begin processing shortly after they are placed, orders cannot be guaranteed to be changed or canceled once submitted.

If you notice an error immediately after placing your order, contact us as soon as possible.

We will make a reasonable effort to assist when possible, but changes are not guaranteed.

Once an order has been processed, packed, or shipped, it cannot be canceled.

REFUSED & UNCLAIMED PACKAGES

Packages that are refused, abandoned, or left unclaimed by the recipient are not automatically eligible for refund.

If the package is returned to Apothème in acceptable condition, we will contact the purchaser regarding available options.

Additional shipping charges may apply if the customer requests reshipment.

SHIPPING DELAYS

Delivery estimates provided at checkout or by shipping carriers are estimates and are not guaranteed arrival dates unless expressly stated otherwise.

Apothème is not responsible for carrier delays caused by weather, transportation interruptions, holidays, high-volume shipping periods, natural disasters, incorrect addresses, or circumstances outside of our reasonable control.

HEAT & TEMPERATURE

Natural wax products may be sensitive to extreme temperatures.

During warmer months, we recommend retrieving your package promptly after delivery and avoiding leaving candles outdoors, in direct sunlight, inside vehicles, or in other extremely warm environments.

Changes to the appearance of natural wax caused by prolonged exposure to heat after delivery are not considered manufacturing defects.

CANDLE CARE & CUSTOMER USE

Candles must be used according to the safety and care instructions provided with the product.

Customers are responsible for proper candle use and maintenance, including appropriate wick trimming, burn times, placement, and supervision.

Damage resulting from improper candle care, excessive burn periods, failure to trim the wick, burning near drafts, failure to discontinue use when instructed, or other misuse is not considered a product defect.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

VARIATION BETWEEN BATCHES

Because Apothème fragrances are produced in small batches, slight variations may occasionally occur between production runs.

Natural wax, fragrance materials, manufacturing conditions, and curing environments can create subtle differences from one batch to another.

This is an inherent characteristic of handcrafted products and is not considered a defect.

PROMOTIONAL & DISCOUNTED ITEMS

Unless otherwise expressly stated, promotional, discounted, sale, limited-edition, complimentary, gifted, PR, or promotional products are final sale and not eligible for refund or exchange.

Discount codes cannot be retroactively applied to previously completed purchases.

LIMITED-EDITION & SEASONAL PRODUCTS

Due to limited production quantities, replacements or exchanges for seasonal, limited-edition, discontinued, or sold-out candles are subject to availability.

If the same product is unavailable, Apothème may offer another eligible candle of equivalent size and retail value when appropriate.

GIFT ORDERS

The same policies apply to candles purchased as gifts.

Gift recipients requesting an exchange must provide sufficient information for us to verify the original purchase.

Refunds will not be issued to gift recipients.

RESALE

Products purchased directly from Apothème are intended for personal use unless purchased pursuant to an approved wholesale or retail partnership.

Unauthorized resale, modification, relabeling, repackaging, or commercial distribution of Apothème products is prohibited.

POLICY ABUSE

Apothème reserves the right to decline exchanges, replacements, claims, or future transactions where there is evidence of fraud, abuse of our policies, excessive claims, intentional product damage, misrepresentation, or other suspicious activity.

CONTACT US

If there is an issue with your order, please contact us promptly and include your full name, order number, and photographs when applicable.

We genuinely care about the experience our customers have with Apothème and will always review legitimate concerns carefully.

At the same time, because we are a small, independently operated, hand-poured candle house, our policies allow us to protect the considerable time, craftsmanship, materials, and care that go into every candle we produce.