Refund Policy
Effective Date: June 25, 2026 | Last Updated: June 25, 2026
Please read this policy carefully before placing an order. By completing a purchase with us — whether online or in person — you agree to the terms described below. If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help.
1. General Refund Philosophy
Tatte Bakery & Cafe is committed to delivering fresh, high-quality baked goods and café items to every guest. Because we deal in perishable food products made fresh daily, our refund policy is tailored to reflect the nature of food service while still protecting our customers' interests and complying with applicable consumer protection laws under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act and relevant state regulations.
We evaluate every refund and complaint request on a case-by-case basis and always aim to find the fairest and most reasonable solution. We do not want any customer to leave Tatte unsatisfied.
2. Eligibility Conditions for Refunds
You may be eligible for a refund or replacement under the following circumstances:
- Your order contained an item that was incorrect (wrong item delivered or prepared).
- Your food item was spoiled, inedible, or of clearly substandard quality at the time of receipt.
- Your order was significantly incomplete (missing items you paid for).
- You experienced a billing error or duplicate charge on your payment method.
- An online order was confirmed but never fulfilled or delivered through no fault of your own.
- A catering or pre-order was cancelled by Tatte Bakery & Cafe due to unforeseen operational circumstances.
2.1 Conditions That Must Be Met
To be eligible for a refund, the following conditions generally apply:
- The refund request must be made within the applicable timeframe (see Section 3).
- You must provide proof of purchase (receipt, order confirmation email, or transaction ID).
- For quality-related complaints, photographic evidence of the issue is strongly encouraged.
- The item in question must not have been substantially consumed before the complaint is raised (unless the issue was discovered upon consumption, such as foreign matter in food).
3. Timeframes for Refund Requests
All refund requests must be submitted within the timeframes outlined below. Requests submitted outside of these windows may not be honored, except where required by law.
| Type of Purchase | Refund Request Window |
|---|---|
| In-store food and beverage purchases | Same day of purchase, before leaving the premises or within 2 hours of pickup |
| Online orders (standard pickup/delivery) | Within 24 hours of order receipt |
| Catering and large group pre-orders | Within 48 hours of the event or scheduled delivery date |
| Billing errors and duplicate charges | Within 30 days of the transaction date |
| Gift cards and merchandise | Within 14 days of purchase, unopened and unused |
4. Non-Refundable Items and Services
The following items and circumstances are generally not eligible for refunds:
- Consumed food and beverages: Items that have been substantially eaten or drunk before a complaint is raised (unless a genuine quality issue is found upon consumption).
- Change of mind: Orders cancelled or returned solely because of a change in preference, dietary choice, or personal taste.
- Customized or special-order items: Specialty cakes, custom pastries, or other items made to a specific customer request cannot be refunded unless they are defective or incorrect.
- Promotional or discounted items: Items purchased as part of a limited-time promotional offer or at a heavily discounted price are final sale unless there is a quality defect.
- Completed catering services: Once a catering event has been fully executed and food has been served, refunds are not available unless a documented quality issue is reported within 48 hours.
- Gift cards: Activated gift cards are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash, except as required by law.
- Digital downloads or subscriptions (if applicable): Any digital content or subscription services sold through our website are non-refundable once accessed.
5. How to Request a Refund — Step-by-Step
Requesting a refund from Tatte Bakery & Cafe is a straightforward process. Please follow these steps:
-
Contact Us Promptly: Reach out to our customer service team as soon as you identify the issue, within the applicable timeframe listed in Section 3. You can contact us via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: tattebakerycafe.rest
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Provide Your Order Details: Include the following information in your message:
- Your full name
- Order number or transaction ID
- Date of purchase
- Description of the issue
- Photos of the item, if applicable (especially for quality complaints)
- Wait for Acknowledgment: Our team will acknowledge your request within 1–2 business days via email or phone.
- Review and Decision: Our team will review the details of your complaint and, if necessary, escalate it to a manager. We will provide a resolution decision within 3–5 business days of receiving your complete information.
- Refund or Replacement Issued: If your refund is approved, we will process it using the original payment method (or offer a store credit or replacement, as applicable).
6. Refund Processing Times by Payment Method
Once a refund has been approved, please allow the following processing times depending on your original payment method:
| Payment Method | Estimated Refund Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) | 5–10 business days after approval |
| Debit Card | 3–7 business days after approval |
| PayPal or Digital Wallets | 3–5 business days after approval |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | 3–7 business days after approval |
| Tatte Gift Card or Store Credit | Within 1–2 business days (credited back to card) |
| Cash (in-store purchases) | Cash refund issued on the spot (same-day) or store credit within 1 business day |
7. Partial Refunds
In certain situations, only a partial refund may be granted. These circumstances include:
- Only a portion of your order was affected by a quality issue or error (e.g., one item out of a multi-item order was incorrect).
- A significant portion of the food item had already been consumed before the complaint was submitted.
- A catering order was partially fulfilled satisfactorily and only specific components were deficient.
- An order was partially cancelled prior to preparation (when some items had already been made).
The amount of a partial refund will be calculated based on the fair value of the affected items, minus any items or services that were delivered correctly and satisfactorily.
8. Exchange Policy
We are happy to offer exchanges or replacements in lieu of a monetary refund in many situations. If a food item is found to be incorrect or defective, our first priority will typically be to offer a fresh replacement.
8.1 In-Store Exchanges
If you are at one of our café locations and you have an issue with an item, please speak with a team member or manager immediately. In most cases, we will prepare a fresh replacement for you right away at no additional charge.
8.2 Online Order Exchanges
For online orders where an exchange is preferred over a refund, please contact us at [email protected] and indicate your preference. We will arrange a replacement pickup or delivery at the earliest available opportunity.
8.3 Merchandise and Gift Items
Non-food merchandise (such as branded items, mugs, or tote bags) may be exchanged for the same item within 14 days of purchase, provided the item is unused, in its original packaging, and accompanied by proof of purchase.
9. Cancellation Policy
9.1 Standard Online Orders
Standard online pickup and delivery orders can be cancelled free of charge if cancelled within 30 minutes of placing the order, provided the order has not yet entered preparation. After this window, cancellations may not be possible as orders are promptly prepared fresh.
9.2 Pre-Orders and Catering Orders
For large pre-orders, specialty items, and catering orders, the following cancellation terms apply:
| Cancellation Timing | Refund Eligibility |
|---|---|
| More than 72 hours before the scheduled order date | Full refund |
| Between 24 and 72 hours before the scheduled order date | 50% refund or full store credit |
| Less than 24 hours before the scheduled order date | No refund (store credit may be offered at our discretion) |
| Cancellation by Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Full refund within 5–7 business days |
If you need to cancel or modify a pre-order or catering order, please contact us as early as possible at [email protected] to discuss your options.
10. Dispute Resolution Process
We sincerely hope that any concern you have can be resolved quickly and amicably through direct communication with our team. However, if you feel your refund request has not been handled fairly, you have the following options:
10.1 Internal Escalation
If you are unsatisfied with the initial response from our customer service team, you may request escalation to a senior manager by replying to your original email thread or by stating in your message that you would like a manager review. We commit to responding to escalated complaints within 5 business days.
10.2 Chargeback Rights
As a consumer, you retain the right to dispute charges with your bank or credit card issuer. We encourage you to contact us first to resolve the issue, as chargebacks can be a lengthy process. However, we fully respect your legal rights in this regard.
10.3 Consumer Protection Resources
If you believe your consumer rights have been violated, you may also file a complaint with the following agencies:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.ftc.gov — for consumer protection concerns and deceptive trade practices.
- Your State Attorney General's Office — for state-level consumer protection complaints.
- If you are a California resident, you may also have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA).
10.4 Informal Resolution
Before pursuing formal legal action, we request that you allow us a reasonable opportunity (at least 30 days) to resolve your complaint directly. Most issues can be resolved quickly and to your full satisfaction through direct communication.
11. Food Safety and Quality Concerns
If you believe a food item from Tatte Bakery & Cafe has caused a food safety issue, illness, or adverse reaction, please:
- Seek appropriate medical attention if necessary.
- Preserve the item or packaging if possible.
- Contact us immediately at [email protected] with full details.
- You may also report food safety concerns to your local health department or the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) at www.fda.gov.
We take all food safety reports extremely seriously and will investigate promptly and thoroughly.
12. Policy Updates
Tatte Bakery & Cafe reserves the right to update or modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on our website at tattebakerycafe.rest with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Contact Information for Refund Requests
For all refund requests, questions about this policy, or any customer service concerns, please contact us using the information below:
Tatte Bakery & Cafe — Customer Service
| Company | Tatte Bakery & Cafe |
|---|---|
| [email protected] | |
| Website | tattebakerycafe.rest |
Customer Service Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time). We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1–2 business days.