Refund & Returns Policy

Effective Date: July 2026

We want you to be completely happy with every purchase and every project we deliver. At SMB Robotics, we operate a hybrid business model that includes off-the-shelf hardware sales and custom engineering services. Because these two categories are fundamentally different, our return and refund guidelines are split accordingly. Please read through the relevant section carefully before placing your order.

1. Standard Hardware & Components (E-Commerce Orders)

If you've ordered standard off-the-shelf components from our online store such as Arduino boards, ESP32 modules, sensor kits, motor drivers, relay modules, or jumper wires, you have 7 calendar days from the date of delivery to request a return.

Eligibility Conditions

• The item must be completely unused, unopened, and in its original manufacturer packaging with all accessories, cables, and documentation intact.
• Once an electronic component has been powered on, soldered, tested on a breadboard, or modified in any way, it is classified as "used" and becomes strictly non-returnable. This is an industry-standard practice because powering on a microcontroller or motor driver carries the risk of static damage, reverse polarity burns, or short circuits, making it impossible for us to guarantee its functionality for the next customer.
• Items purchased during clearance sales, flash deals, or marked as "Final Sale" are not eligible for returns under any circumstances.

Restocking Fee

For approved returns of unopened items, a restocking fee of 10% of the item's purchase price will be deducted from your refund to cover inspection, repackaging, and handling costs. This is standard practice across the electronics industry.

Return Shipping

The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs. We strongly recommend using a trackable courier service (such as TCS or Leopard) when shipping items back to us. SMB Robotics is not responsible for items lost or damaged during return transit.

2. Custom Projects, FYP, & Engineering Services

This is where things work very differently. Building a custom robotic arm, writing a Python-based AI model, designing a custom PCB, or developing a Laravel dashboard is not like buying a sensor off a shelf. It requires days and sometimes weeks of dedicated engineering work, component procurement, circuit design, coding, assembly, and testing.

Because of the bespoke and labor-intensive nature of this work, all custom development orders including Final Year Projects (FYP), IoT systems, robotics hardware, and software applications are strictly NON-REFUNDABLE once any of the following milestones have been initiated:

• Procurement of project-specific hardware components.
• Commencement of circuit design, PCB layout, or 3D modeling.
• Initiation of software coding, AI model training, or database development.

We strongly encourage all clients to finalize every feature, sensor requirement, and software specification during our initial free consultation phase before development begins. Once the scope is locked and work starts, changes or cancellations cannot be refunded.

3. Defective Items & Our Remediation Promise

We stand firmly behind the quality of our work. If a standard hardware component arrives genuinely defective (Dead on Arrival), or if a custom project does not function according to the technical specifications we mutually agreed upon, we will make it right.

• For Hardware (DOA): Report the issue within 3 days of delivery with clear photographic or video evidence. We will replace the defective component at no additional cost.
• For Custom Projects: If you discover a genuine bug in our code or a hardware malfunction caused by our assembly error, we offer a 7-Day Free Remediation Period from the date of delivery. During this window, our engineers will debug, repair, or rework the issue at absolutely zero cost to you.

Please note: Issues caused by the client's own modifications, incorrect wiring, power surges, or environmental damage (water, heat) after delivery are not covered under remediation.

4. How to Request a Return or Refund

To initiate a return for a standard hardware item, please contact us through WhatsApp or Email (links below) with the following information:

• Your Order ID or Invoice Number.
• Clear photographs of the item showing its current condition and original packaging.
• A brief description of the reason for return.

Our team will review your request within 24-48 hours. If approved, we will provide you with the return shipping address and instructions. Once we receive and inspect the returned item, your refund (minus the restocking fee) will be processed back to your original payment method within 5-7 business days.