Refund Policy

Classifieds purchases

The Waikato Advocate sells the advertising service and uses Stripe to process payments. If a paid advertisement is rejected, we issue a full refund. For cancellations, accidental or duplicate payments, or another concern about a purchase, contact us so we can review your request. Your applicable consumer-law rights remain protected.

How to request a refund

Email news@waikatoadvocate.co.nz with your advertisement or order reference, purchase email, payment date and reason for the request. We handle refund enquiries directly and return approved refunds through the original payment method where possible. Refunds may take several days to appear, depending on the payment provider and your bank. Never email card numbers or banking passwords.

If your advertisement is declined

Every advertisement is reviewed before publication. If we reject a paid advertisement, your payment is refunded. The seven-day advertising period begins only when an administrator approves it. Payment alone never guarantees publication.

Paid memorials and voluntary koha

External Stripe links and direct bank transfers are separate from built-in classifieds checkout. If a paid memorial is declined, its payment is refunded. For a memorial refund, an accidental or duplicate koha payment, or another refund enquiry about a Stripe payment or bank transfer, email news@waikatoadvocate.co.nz with the date, amount and reference so we can review and arrange the appropriate response.

Your legal rights

This policy does not limit any rights or remedies you have under applicable consumer law. For the service terms see our Terms & Conditions; for the classifieds packages see Pricing.