Terms & Refund Policy
Last updated: August 2026. Plain terms for buying a piece or commissioning work. If anything here is unclear, call and ask before you order.
Who you're buying from
Merlin Metals LLC, Nevada City, California. (530) 362-8804 · info@merlinmetalsllc.com
Pickup and delivery
Items bought through this site are currently local pickup in Nevada City. We'll call to arrange a time once your order comes through. If you need something shipped or delivered, get in touch before ordering and we'll quote it — freight on larger pieces is priced per destination.
Payment
Card payments are handled by Stripe. Card details go directly to Stripe and are never stored on our server. Prices shown are in US dollars and exclude sales tax, which is calculated at checkout.
Returns on in-stock items
If you buy a ready-made piece and change your mind, you can return it within 14 days of pickup for a full refund, provided it's in the condition you received it. Contact us first to arrange it. Return shipping, if applicable, is the buyer's responsibility.
Custom and commissioned work is not returnable
Anything made to your dimensions, your drawing, or your specification cannot be returned or refunded once work has begun. This is the nature of custom fabrication — a gate cut to your opening has no other buyer. We will always confirm design and dimensions with you in writing before starting.
Commission deposits and lead times
Custom work generally starts with a deposit, with the balance due on completion. The deposit covers materials and shop time already committed and is non-refundable once fabrication has started. Lead times are quoted per project and depend on size, complexity, and current workload — we'll give you an honest estimate rather than an optimistic one.
If something arrives damaged or wrong
If a piece is damaged, defective, or isn't what was agreed, contact us within 7 days and we'll repair it, replace it, or refund it. This applies to custom work too — the no-returns term above covers changes of mind, not our mistakes.
About raw steel finishes
Most pieces are finished in raw steel with a clear sealer. Raw steel is a living finish: it varies piece to piece, and it will develop patina over time, faster outdoors or in damp conditions. That variation is a property of the material, not a defect. If you want a more stable finish, ask about powder coating before ordering.
Photographs of your project
We may photograph completed work for our portfolio, website, and social media. We won't identify you or your address without asking first. If you'd rather your piece wasn't photographed at all, just say so — it's no problem.
Quotes and estimates
Quotes are valid for 30 days unless stated otherwise. If a job turns out to involve materially more work than what was quoted — hidden damage, different material, changed scope — we'll stop and talk to you before continuing rather than surprising you with a larger invoice.
Limits
Our responsibility for any order is limited to the amount you paid for it. We stand behind our welding, but we can't be responsible for how a piece is installed by someone else, for structural loads beyond what a piece was designed for, or for normal wear over time.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.