Refund and Dispute Policy
Effective from: 6 June 2026
1. Who is responsible for what
When you pay at a Mantis Checkout stall, you are buying from the Seller, not from Mantis Checkout. The Seller is responsible for the goods or services, and the first point of contact for any problem with your purchase.
Mantis Checkout is the platform that records the transaction and (for card payments) processes it through Stripe. We do not handle the goods, ship them, or guarantee them. We can sometimes help by facilitating communication if you are unable to reach the Seller, but we are not party to the underlying sale.
2. Customer recourse — what to do if something goes wrong
2.1 Step 1: Contact the Seller
If you have a problem — wrong item, item missing, faulty goods, incorrect price — contact the Seller first, using the contact details they have made available (for example on your receipt, in their stall listing, or on signage at the stall). Most issues are resolved quickly between Customer and Seller.
2.2 Step 2: Request a refund from the Seller
Refunds are issued by the Seller. For card transactions, the Seller issues the refund from their Stripe dashboard (which they open from Mantis Checkout); for cash and PayID transactions, the Seller returns the funds to you directly. Sellers are encouraged to handle refund requests promptly and in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law.
2.3 Step 3: Contact Mantis Checkout (if needed)
If you cannot reach the Seller, or if you believe the Seller has not handled your refund request reasonably, you may contact us at support@mantischeckout.com.au. We will:
- Try to facilitate communication between you and the Seller.
- Suspend further transactions from the Seller if there is a pattern of unresolved complaints.
- Provide you with information about your options under the card scheme rules (for card transactions) or your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
We are not a refund-issuing entity. We do not, in the ordinary course, issue refunds out of our own funds for purchases made between you and a Seller.
2.4 Step 4: Card chargeback
If you paid by card and remain unable to resolve the issue, you may have the right to dispute the charge with your card issuer (a chargeback). The card scheme rules and Stripe's processes will apply. Chargebacks should be a last resort after attempting to resolve directly with the Seller.
2.5 Step 5: External dispute resolution
You may also have access to:
- State-based fair trading authorities (e.g., Consumer and Business Services SA, Consumer Affairs Victoria, NSW Fair Trading), which can investigate consumer law breaches.
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) — for some payment-related disputes, depending on the circumstances.
3. Seller obligations on refunds
Sellers must comply with the Australian Consumer Law, which guarantees that goods will be of acceptable quality, match their description, and be fit for purpose. These guarantees cannot be excluded by contract.
Where a guarantee fails, the Seller must provide an appropriate remedy (repair, replacement, refund, or compensation), depending on the nature of the failure.
Sellers should clearly communicate their refund policy on their stall. If a Seller's policy is more generous than the ACL minimum, they must honour the more generous terms.
4. Cash and PayID refunds
Because Mantis Checkout does not handle cash or PayID funds, refunds for these payment types are arranged directly between the Customer and the Seller. The Seller may give cash back, issue a PayID transfer, or otherwise return the funds.
5. Card refunds
Card refunds are processed through Stripe. The Seller initiates the refund from their Stripe dashboard (which they can open from Mantis Checkout); Stripe processes the refund back to the original card. Refunds typically appear on the Customer's card within 5–10 business days, depending on the issuing bank.
Where a refund is issued, the platform fee and Stripe processing fee may be refunded to the Seller as well, in accordance with Stripe's refund rules.
6. Chargebacks (card disputes)
A chargeback occurs when a Customer disputes a card transaction with their bank. Stripe handles chargebacks in accordance with the card scheme rules. The Seller will be notified through Stripe and may be required to provide evidence (records of the sale, communications with the Customer, etc.). If the chargeback is upheld, the disputed amount is debited from the Seller's Stripe account; if it is reversed, the funds remain with the Seller.
A chargeback fee may apply, in accordance with the Stripe Connected Account Agreement.
7. Fraudulent transactions
If you (as a Customer) believe a transaction has been made on your card without your authority, contact your card issuer immediately. They can initiate a chargeback. You may also report the matter to us at support@mantischeckout.com.au so we can flag the relevant stall for investigation.
If you (as a Seller) suspect a transaction is fraudulent, do not provide the goods or services until you have verified the buyer. Stripe provides fraud-detection tools on card payments, but they are not perfect.
8. Contact
For any refund or dispute matter not resolved with the Seller, contact us:
- Email: support@mantischeckout.com.au
- Response time: we aim to respond as soon as we can, usually within a few business days.