Payment Policy

This Payment Policy outlines the terms, accepted methods, and security procedures for financial transactions conducted on the AUSTER e-commerce platform, using Stripe as our payment gateway, in compliance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Payment Services Regulations 2017, and PCI DSS standards.

1. Scope

This policy applies to all monetary transactions made by individual customers on the AUSTER website for the purchase of products and services offered.

2. Payment Method

• We use Stripe as a secure and PCI DSS-certified payment gateway.

• The following payment methods are accepted via Stripe:

  • Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

  • Compatible debit cards

  • Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

  • Open Banking payments (when available)

3. Payment Processing and Security

• All sensitive information (full card number, CVV) is collected directly by Stripe and does not pass through our servers.

• Transactions are encrypted using SSL/TLS standards and comply with PCI DSS Level 1.

• We do not store full credit card details on our systems.

4. Currency and Conversion

• All transactions are charged in British Pounds (GBP).

• For international payments, conversion rates are determined by the card issuer or Stripe and may include a conversion fee.

5. Authorization and Capture

• Upon completing a purchase, the customer authorizes the total amount immediately.

• The payment is captured when the order is dispatched.

• In cases of pre-orders or unavailable products, the authorization will not be captured until the shipping confirmation.

6. Refunds and Chargebacks

• Customer-initiated refunds: Returns and cancellations follow our Return & Refund Policy (Policy 4). Refunds are processed by Stripe within 14 calendar days.

• Chargebacks: If a charge is disputed with the card provider, we assess each case using evidence of shipment, communication, and compliance. We reserve the right to challenge unjustified chargebacks.

7. Fees and Taxes

• All displayed prices include VAT (Value Added Tax) applicable in the UK.

• Any additional fees imposed by Stripe (e.g., currency conversion) are the customer's responsibility and will appear on the bank statement.

8. Additional Security and Fraud Prevention

• We implement transaction monitoring and risk analysis using Stripe Radar.

• In cases of suspected fraud, we may request additional documentation (e.g., ID, proof of address) before processing the payment.

• We reserve the right to refuse or cancel orders deemed high risk.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Payment Policy to reflect legal changes, Stripe's conditions, or the inclusion of new payment methods. Updates will be posted on our website.

10. Contact

For questions or concerns related to payments, please contact:

• Email: support@austerandco.com

• Stripe Dashboard: Direct support via the Stripe platform

• Response time: Up to 2 business days

Effective Date of This Policy: 30 July 2025