Privacy Policy & Terms

Cookie Policy — Sword Collectors Guild

Last updated:December 2025

The Sword Collectors Guild (“we”, “our”, “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our website, support secure membership functions, and facilitate online payments. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and how you can manage your preferences.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow websites to remember your actions and preferences, enabling key functions such as staying logged in, processing payments, and analysing website performance.

Cookies may be:

  • Essential/Strictly Necessary – required for the website to function.

  • Performance & Analytics – help us understand how visitors use the website.

  • Functional – enhance your experience (e.g., remembering preferences).

  • Advertising/Tracking – not used on our website.

2. How We Use Cookies

a) Essential Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to operate securely and correctly, including:

  • WordPress core functionality

  • User login, session handling, and membership access

  • Security features (e.g., preventing fraudulent login attempts)

Because these cookies are necessary, they cannot be disabled.

b) Payment Processing Cookies (Stripe)

We use Stripe to process membership payments securely. Stripe sets cookies to:

  • Detect and prevent fraud

  • Ensure secure payment sessions

  • Remember certain technical details needed to complete transactions

Stripe may also use local storage and similar technologies.
For more details, see Stripe’s own Cookie Policy: https://stripe.com/cookies-policy/legal

c) Performance & Analytics Cookies (WordPress & Plugins)

We may use analytics tools that help us understand:

  • How visitors use the site

  • Which pages are most popular

  • How members navigate through the checkout or login process

This information is anonymised and used only to improve the website’s performance and usability.

3. Third-Party Cookies

Apart from Stripe, some WordPress plugins may place cookies to:

  • Cache pages for faster loading

  • Improve security

  • Maintain session states

We do not display third-party advertising and do not knowingly allow third-party trackers for marketing.

4. Managing Cookies

You can manage or disable cookies by adjusting your browser settings. However, blocking essential cookies may prevent:

  • Logging into your member account

  • Completing purchases

  • Accessing protected content

Most browsers provide options to delete existing cookies or block future cookies.

5. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our website, technology, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

6. Contact Us

If you have any questions about how we use cookies, you can contact us at:

Sword Collectors Guild of Victoria
Email: info@swordcollectorsguild.org.au

Refund Policy — Sword Collectors Guild

The Sword Collectors Guild (“we”, “our”, “us”) aims to provide a clear and fair refund process for membership purchases. Please read this policy carefully before completing your membership payment.

1. Refund Eligibility

We offer refunds within 72 hours of the original membership purchase.

A refund may be issued only if:

  • The request is submitted within 72 hours of payment; and

  • The member has not used their membership to purchase, import, possess, or otherwise rely on the exemption for restricted weapons under Victorian law.

Because the exemption is active immediately upon membership approval, once it has been used or relied upon, refunds cannot be granted.

2. Non-Refundable Situations

We cannot offer refunds if:

  • The 72-hour period has passed

  • The member has already used the membership for any legal purpose (e.g., purchase, import, possession, transfer of a sword or other regulated item)

  • The member failed to read or comply with Victorian legislation

  • The membership was purchased in error but has already been activated

  • Access to the membership portal, documents, or identification has already occurred

  • The member chooses not to continue after benefiting from the exemption

3. How to Request a Refund

To request a refund within the eligible window, please email:

info@swordcollectorsguild.com.au
Subject: Refund Request

Include:

  • Full Name

  • Email used for the membership

  • Date of purchase

  • Reason for the request

We may ask for confirmation that the membership has not been used for any regulated activity.

4. How Refunds Are Processed

  • Refunds are issued back to the original payment method (Stripe).

  • Processing times may vary depending on your bank (typically 3–10 business days).

  • You will receive confirmation once the refund has been processed.

5. Membership Cancellation

If a refund is approved:

  • Membership access will be immediately revoked

  • Exemption documents and membership ID must no longer be used

  • Any attempt to rely on a cancelled membership is unlawful and may breach Victorian weapons legislation

6. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Refund Policy at any time to reflect changes in our operations or legal requirements. The updated version will always be available on this page.