Terms of Service

DRAFT for lawyer review. Not legal advice and not in effect. Have a lawyer check it before launch. Highlighted items need Jenn's decision.

Effective date: [Jenn decides: launch date] · Last updated: October 31, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of shopalmostfiction.com (the "Site") and any purchase you make from us. The Site is operated by Jennifer Hightower, doing business as Almost Fiction, a sole proprietorship based in Texas ("Almost Fiction," "we," "us," or "our"). By using the Site, creating an account, or placing an order, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the Site.

1. Who can buy

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority where you live, to place an order or create an account. If you are younger, a parent or guardian must place the order and accept these Terms. The Site is intended for shoppers in the United States, and we currently ship only to US addresses.

2. Your account

You can check out as a guest. To see an order again or re-download a digital product, use Find my order with your email and order number. [Jenn decides: also offer password accounts (Netlify Identity), or keep guest checkout + Find my order only] If accounts are offered, they are managed through Netlify Identity, our account provider. You are responsible for keeping your password private and for activity under your account. Tell us right away at hello@shopalmostfiction.com if you think someone else has used it. We may suspend or close accounts that are used for fraud, abuse, or to break these Terms.

3. Products and descriptions

We sell physical goods (apparel, accessories, rings, printed cards and books) and digital goods (guides, journals, wallpapers and other downloads). We try to show colors, finishes, sizes and details accurately, but screens vary and handmade or small-batch items may differ slightly from photos. Ring sizes are listed in US sizes. [Jenn decides: add a ring-size guide link]

Items labeled pre-order are charged at checkout and ship by the date shown on the product page. If that date changes, we will email you before it passes, and you may cancel for a full refund.

4. Prices, taxes and payment

• Prices are in US dollars and can change at any time before you place an order.
• Texas sales tax, and any other sales tax we are required to collect, is calculated and added at checkout. Digital products are taxable in Texas.
• Shipping is shown at checkout before you pay (see our Shipping Policy).
• Payments are processed by Stripe on Stripe's secure hosted checkout page. We never see or store your full card number. Your payment is also subject to Stripe's terms and privacy policy.
• Placing an order is an offer to buy. Your order is accepted when we send an order confirmation or ship the item, whichever comes first. We may refuse or cancel an order (for example, a pricing error, suspected fraud, or an item that turns out to be out of stock). If we cancel after you have been charged, we will refund you in full.

5. Digital products and license

When you buy a digital product, you get a personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to download and use it for your own personal, non-commercial use. You may not resell, share, redistribute, post publicly, or use our digital products (including the Pretty Girl Policies text, designs and artwork) in anything you sell. Download links expire after 72 hours and can be re-sent from your account or by writing to us. Digital sales are final (see our Returns & Refunds Policy).

6. Returns and refunds

Returns, exchanges and refunds are covered by our Returns & Refunds Policy, which is part of these Terms.

7. Intellectual property

Everything on the Site, including the Almost Fiction name and logo, the Pretty Girl Policies, product designs, photos, text, and the Site's design and code, belongs to Jennifer Hightower dba Almost Fiction or our licensors and is protected by copyright and trademark law. You may not copy or use it for commercial purposes without our written permission.

8. Acceptable use

Please don't use the Site to break the law, attempt to access accounts or systems that aren't yours, interfere with the Site's operation, scrape it with automated tools, or submit false orders or chargebacks.

9. Reviews and messages you send

If you send us reviews, photos, comments or ideas, you give us permission to use them to run and promote the shop, with credit where practical. Don't send anything you don't have the right to share. [Jenn decides: are customer reviews or photo features planned at launch?]

10. Disclaimers

Products are provided "as is" except as stated in these Terms or required by law. Our Pretty Girl Policies, guides and journals are for personal encouragement and inspiration. They are not medical, mental-health, legal or financial advice. Jewelry may contain metals that can irritate sensitive skin. Check materials listed on each product page before buying.

11. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent the law allows, Almost Fiction is not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or our products. Our total liability for any claim related to an order will not be more than the amount you paid for that order. Some states don't allow these limits, so they may not fully apply to you. Nothing here limits rights you have under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act or other consumer protection laws that cannot be waived.

12. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Please write to us first at hello@shopalmostfiction.com so we can try to fix any problem informally. If we can't resolve it within 30 days, either of us may bring a claim in the state or federal courts located in Harris County, Texas, or in small claims court where you live if your claim qualifies. [Jenn decides: keep courts-only, or add an arbitration clause? Recommendation: courts-only for now; an attorney should draft any arbitration clause.]

13. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date shows when they last changed. Changes apply to orders placed after the update.

14. Contact

Jennifer Hightower dba Almost Fiction
Email: hello@shopalmostfiction.com
Mailing address: [Jenn decides: mailing address to publish, or email-only]

Questions: hello@shopalmostfiction.com