Does cosmetic damage also count as damage?

Whether cosmetic damage falls under an official damage claim at Celtic WebMerchant strongly depends on the nature of the product and the price range. In many cases, light cosmetic damage is not recognized as a defect but as a regular feature or a case for a normal return.

Below you can read how we assess this:

When is it not a damage claim?

Cosmetic issues that are treated as a regular return and therefore do not fall under a damage claim include:

• Light scratches or finish: When the product has light scratches or the finish does not meet your expectations.
• Minor visual deviations: Cases where the product looks slightly different than in the photo or where the lighting in the photo is different.
• Handmade variations: Because many of our products are handmade, small differences can occur. This is seen as a characteristic of the production process and not as damage.
• Light rust: Light rust on steel is not recognized as damage, as you can easily remedy this yourself with black sandpaper and possibly Ballistol.

Price range and expectation

It is important to have a realistic expectation that matches the price of the product:

• Under 150 euros: Products (such as swords) in this price range cannot be expected to have a perfect cosmetic finish or balance that belongs to a higher price range.
• Higher price range: For more expensive products, you can logically expect a higher degree of finish, but handmade details still apply here.

What if you are not satisfied?

If the cosmetic condition of the product does not meet your expectations, but it falls under the above points, you can return the product within the 30-day reflection period via the regular route (if residing in the EU).

Note: If you want to have the damage assessed, do not use the product and do not make any changes or repairs yourself, as this will void your right to a claim or full refund.