Shipping & Delivery Policy

Thank you for choosing Ancestral Essence. We are dedicated to delivering our premium, gourmet pet nutrition products safely and efficiently to your doorstep. This Shipping & Delivery Policy outlines our shipping practices, delivery timelines, and logistics guidelines. Ancestral Essence is a brand owned and operated by Wild Gourmet, located at XII/91, Gurudeva Lane, Ochanthuruth, Puthuvype, Ernakulam, Kerala - 682508, India.

1. Shipping Rates

We believe in simple, transparent pricing for all our pet parents. We offer Free Shipping on all domestic orders across India. There are no hidden packaging, handling, or fuel surcharges at checkout.

2. Order Processing & Dispatch Timelines

Because we prioritize freshness and small-batch craftsmanship, orders are processed and prepared sequentially. Our standard dispatch timelines are as follows:

• Orders are processed and dispatched within 24 to 48 hours of order verification.
• Orders placed on Sundays or public holidays will be processed on the next business day.
• Once your package is hand-packed and leaves our facility, you will receive a confirmation message.

3. Estimated Delivery Times

We partner with leading, reliable courier networks (including Delhivery, Blue Dart, Xpressbees, and DTDC) to ensure your package arrives in optimal condition. Average transit timelines are:

• Metro Cities & Major Urban Hubs: 3 to 5 business days from the date of dispatch.
• Rest of India & Regional Areas: 5 to 7 business days from the date of dispatch.

Note: While we strive to meet these timelines, delivery times are estimates and may occasionally be impacted by factors beyond our control, such as extreme weather, logistics network strikes, festive seasons, or regional restrictions.

4. Order Tracking & WhatsApp Support

We keep you informed at every step of your order's journey. Once your package is dispatched:

• A tracking link and tracking ID will be sent directly to your registered mobile number via **WhatsApp** (+91 9633007591).
• You can use this link to check the live transit status of your package.
• For any shipping-related inquiries, delivery address modifications, or tracking assistance, you can message our dedicated support chat on WhatsApp (+91 9633007591) at any time.

5. Shipping Address Modifications

Please double-check your shipping address, city, state, pincode, and contact number when placing your order. If you need to make changes to your delivery address, please contact us on WhatsApp (+91 9633007591) within 2 hours of placing your order. We will do our best to update it before dispatch. Once an order is dispatched, we are unable to change the delivery address.

6. Damaged Shipments

We pack our treats securely to withstand transit. However, if your package arrives visibly damaged, tampered with, or leaking, please do not accept the delivery from the courier agent. Take a photograph of the damaged box, refuse delivery, and notify us immediately on WhatsApp (+91 9633007591). If you discover internal product damage after opening the package, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with supporting photos/videos so we can arrange a free replacement.

7. Delivery Failures & RTO (Return to Origin)

If the courier agent is unable to deliver the package due to an incorrect address, wrong phone number, or because the recipient was unavailable after multiple attempts, the package will be returned to our facility (RTO). In such cases:

• Our support team will contact you to confirm the correct shipping details.
• We can re-arrange delivery, but additional shipping charges may apply.
• If you prefer to cancel the order after an RTO, we will issue a refund (minus any return-to-origin fees incurred) to your original payment method within 5-7 business days.

8. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding shipping, delivery, or tracking, please reach out to us:

• Entity: Wild Gourmet
• Brand: Ancestral Essence
• Address: XII/91, Gurudeva Lane, Ochanthuruth, Puthuvype, Ernakulam, Kerala - 682508, India
• Contact Support: +91 9633007591 (WhatsApp)