Terms of Service
By placing an order with Secret Alice Shop, you agree to these Terms of Service. Please read carefully before purchasing.
📌 Questions? Reach us on IG: @secretalicess
Index
1. Nature of Service & Item Availability
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Secret Alice Shop is a personal shopping service based in Japan. We purchase items on your behalf from Japanese stores, online shops, auction sites, and apps.
Most items are order-to-purchase unless stated otherwise.
Please read each product description carefully before requesting a purchase.
It is strongly recommended that you message us on IG (@secretalicess) prior to placing any order.
2. Customer Eligibility & Responsibility
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By using our service, you confirm that:
- You are of legal age in your country to receive the items you order (e.g., adult items, sharp objects, etc.).
- You are familiar with the import laws, customs restrictions, and prohibited items of your country.
- You accept full responsibility if your package is seized, delayed, or destroyed by customs due to your failure to know or follow your local laws.
⚠️ We will not refund or replace items lost to customs enforcement unless we made an error in declaration (and you requested accurate declaration in advance).
3. Fees (Complete Breakdown)
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A. Commission Fee (non-refundable)
- In-store shopping: 15% of item price (min 700 yen)
- Online / auction / app shopping: 10% of item price (min 500 yen)
B. PayPal Fee
- Flat 6% of total cost (covers cross-currency and processing fees)
C. International Shipping
- Calculated after all items arrive at our Japan address and are packed.
- Default method: Registered Airmail. Express available upon request.
D. In-Store Shopping Fee
- Transportation fee: 500-1000 yen depending on which store I go
E. Online / App / Auction Shopping Fees
- Domestic shipping (seller → us): Usually 300–1,700 yen (varies by seller)
- Bank transfer fee (if applicable): 200–500 yen
💡 Most shops accept credit cards, so bank fee usually do NOT apply. They apply only when a shop doesn't take credit cards.
F. Marketplace-Specific Fees
- For listing labelled 着払い (cash on delivery): shipping starts around 750 yen.
If you are unsure whether a store/seller will trigger extra fees, ask on your request form.
4. Pre-Order Items
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Pre-orders (e.g., Shimamura, made-to-order items) may take up to 3 months to reach us.
Delays are rare but possible (production/supplier issues). We will keep you updated.
5. Payment Terms
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A. Accepted payment methods:
- PayPal (invoice sent to you)
- Wise (lower fees – DM us on IG)
- Japanese domestic bank transfer (for customers with a JP bank account)
- All prices are in JPY (Japanese yen).
B. Payment deadline:
- Full or partial payment (deposit) due within 48 hours of order confirmation.
- For pre-orders: payment due before the item's cutoff date.
- Unpaid orders are automatically canceled after the deadline.
C. Deposit policy:
- A partial deposit may be required before purchases are made.
- Deposits are refundable only if we cannot fulfill your request (refund will be full).
- No layaway, payment plans, or similar loans. Funds should be ready when you submit your request.
- Late payment may result in refusal of future service.
- PayPal Friends & Family is accepted only for regular customers (at our discretion).
- International bank transfers are not accepted.
6. No Cancellations, Exchanges, or Refunds
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All sales are final. Once an order is placed, it cannot be canceled, exchanged, or refunded.
We are a shopping service acting on your behalf. No returns are accepted. Please double-check measurements, descriptions, and listing details before buying.
7. Defects, Errors & Problem Resolution
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A. Orders from Professional Stores (Physical or Online)
When you ask us to purchase from a professional store (e.g., brand website, department store, official shop)
- We assume the store provides the correct items, correct quantity, and defect-free / as-described merchandise.
- If something is wrong after your package arrives:
- Contact us first (never the shop directly).
- We will review the issue and, if the store is at fault, try to facilitate an exchange or repair.
However:
- Success depends on the store's return/exchange policy.
- All postage fees (domestic Japan + international) for returns or repairs are your responsibility.
- We cannot guarantee a resolution.
B. Orders from Private Individuals (Auctions & Apps)
When you ask us to buy from private sellers (e.g., Mercari, Rakuma, PayPay flea market, Yahoo Auctions):
- You accept the inherent risk of buying second-hand or private-sale items.
- We do NOT inspect items closely upon arrival unless you pay for a separate inspection service (not offered by default).
- We cannot help with:
- Defects the seller did not describe
- Missing damage, stains, smells, or sizing discrepancies
- Seller misrepresentation or fraud
📌 For auction/app purchases, strongly review seller photos and descriptions before requesting an order.
C. If the Mistake Is on Our Side
We strive to process all orders correctly, but mistakes can happen.
If we accidentally order or send you the wrong item (not the one you requested): Please message us immediately.
- We will work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible at our own cost (return shipping + correct item, where feasible).
8. Shipping Policy
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- All orders ship with tracking.
- Default method: Registered Airmail (Japan Post).
- Express shipping (EMS, DHL, etc.) available – ask us before shipping.
Proof of Shipment (Upon Request)
We can provide photos of your packed item(s) before shipping – request via DM/contact form before shipment.
Lost / Damaged Packages
- We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged packages after shipment.
- However, we will assist by: Filing claims with the courier (requires prompt notice from you), providing shipment proof for insurance.
- You must contact us within 7 days of delivery (or estimated delivery date for lost packages).
9. Customs Declaration
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- By default, we declare a lower value on customs forms to reduce fees/duties.
- If you need full value declared + insurance, notify us before shipping.
10. Direct Contact with Shops / Sellers (Strict Prohibition)
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Never contact a shop or seller directly if you intend to use our service – even after an order arrives.
This includes: Placing items on hold, requesting custom orders, asking sizing or stock questions, filing complaints, returns or exchanges, requesting repairs or replacements.
Why? Direct contact confuses sellers, damages our business relationship with them, and may result in your order being canceled without refund.
If you contact a seller directly regarding an order placed through us, we reserve the right to: Refuse future service, close your active requests without refund of deposits/fees already incurred (e.g., commission, domestic shipping paid on your behalf).
✅ Always message us first. We are your only representative in Japan.
11. Response Time & Communication
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- If a response is required from you, please reply promptly.
- If you will be unable to respond within 24–48 hours, mention this in your request form.
- We reserve the right to cancel orders due to unresponsiveness.
12. International Shipping Restrictions
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If you receive an error stating we "cannot ship to your country," in our store, contact us – we will check alternatives.
13. Customer Feedback & Trust
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Verified customer reviews are available on our Lace Market account for reference.
14. Amendments & Acknowledgment
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We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of our service constitutes acceptance of the current Terms.
By placing an order with Secret Alice Shop, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all of the above Terms of Service.
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