Company Policies

Return Policy:

***ALL RETURNS MUST BE IN NEW UNUSED CONDITION. USED ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR RETURN.***

At AK Athletlic Equipment Inc, we specialize in custom-made products, which are crafted to your exact specifications. As a result, many of our items are not eligible for return. Below, you’ll find the details regarding the items that cannot be returned and the conditions for those that can.

Items Not Eligible for Return

Due to our made-to-order process and the specific nature of these products, we are unable to accept returns on items listed under any of the following categories:

Wall Padding
Pole and Column Pads
Outdoor Padding
Balance Beams
Goal Post Pads
Incline Mats
Skill Shape Mats
Soft Play
Landing Mats
Graphics and Logos
Clearance Items

Reason for Non-Return Eligibility
These items are manufactured to your exact order specifications, including size, color, and custom features. Given the custom nature of these products, it is highly unlikely that another customer will require the same configuration. Additionally, because of the large size and unique design of these items, they take up significant storage space in our facility. If returned, they could sit unused for extended periods, causing deterioration. This makes it unfeasible to accept returns on these products.

Exception
In certain cases, if we choose to allow a return for items that are in a common size or color, those items would be subject to the same conditions as the returnable items listed below.

Items Eligible for Return (With Conditions)

The following items are eligible for return, but only under the conditions outlined below:

Wrestling Mats
Gymnastics Mats
Ultra Shock Mats
Martial Arts Mats

Conditions for Return

Returns must be requested within 30 days of delivery.
You are responsible for 100% of the return shipping costs.
Each return is subject to a 25% cleaning/restocking fee.
The original shipping cost is non-refundable. If the item was shipped with free shipping, the actual shipping cost will be deducted from your refund.
Items with personalization, custom logos, custom lettering, or custom sizes are not eligible for returns or refunds.
Items must be returned in their original packaging or in packaging that is similar to ensure safe return shipping.

Final Sale Items

Clearance Items are marked as final sale and cannot be returned.

We hope this explanation helps clarify our return policy. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you’re unsure whether your order qualifies for return, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at sales@akathletics.com. We’re here to help!

Cancellation Policy

1. Cancellations Within 24 Hours

At AK Athletic Equipment Inc we begin production on most of our items shortly after your order is placed. To ensure a smooth process for both parties, we ask that cancellations be made within 24 hours of placing your order to guarantee full cancellation and refund. Orders that are cancelled within 24 hours of being placed will receive a full refund.

2. Cancellations After 24 Hours

• If the order has not yet been started, you will be allowed to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
• If the order has already been started, the eligibility for cancellation will depend on the specific progress of your order. In such cases, the cancellation may be subject to restocking fees based on the amount of work that has been completed.

3. Customization Items

Please note that any items with customization, including but not limited to personalized logos, custom sizes, and special requests, will not be eligible for cancellation after 24 hours. Once the customization process begins, these items are considered final sale.

4. Items That Have Been Shipped

If your order has already been shipped when you request cancellation, our Return Policy will apply, and the cancellation will not be possible. You will need to follow the return process as outlined in our return policy for any returns or refunds.

If you have any questions regarding the status of your order or wish to inquire about the possibility of a cancellation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@akathletics.com.

Shipping & Production Policy

1. Production Lead Times

Most of our products are made to order, and estimated production lead times are listed in the product description for each item.

• These lead times are estimates only and are subject to change due to material availability, production volume, or other unforeseen factors.
• We work hard to meet all estimated timelines, but production or shipping delays do not qualify for discounts or refunds.

Order Cancellations Due to Delays
Orders may only be canceled for a full refund if production has not yet started.
Once an order has entered production — whether it is a custom or standard item — it is too late to cancel. In most cases, production is nearly complete at that stage, and the order will be scheduled to ship within 1–2 business days.

2. Shipping Methods

We ship all orders from Columbus, Ohio using:

• FedEx Ground
• USPS
• Freight carriers (used for large or oversized orders)

The shipping method depends on the size, weight, and quantity of your order.

3. Transit Times

Shipping transit time is in addition to the production lead time.

• Transit times vary depending on location and carrier and typically range from 1–7 business days within the continental U.S.
• Delivery times are not guaranteed and may be impacted by carrier delays, weather conditions, or holidays.

4. Tracking Information

Tracking details will be emailed to you as soon as your order ships.
If you do not receive tracking information within 24 hours of the estimated ship date, please contact us.

5. Delivery & Liability

AK Athletic Equipment Inc. is not responsible for lost or stolen packages that have been marked as "Delivered" by the carrier.

To help protect against loss, theft, or damage, customers may opt to add Route Shipping Protection at checkout. This optional coverage provides added protection for your shipment once it leaves our facility.

Signature-required delivery is available by request at the time of purchase.

6. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Items

• All orders are carefully inspected before shipment. Customers are responsible for inspecting their items promptly upon delivery.
• For FedEx Ground and USPS shipments, any shipping damages must be reported to AK Athletic Equipment Inc. within 14 days of receipt. Reports must include clear photos of the product and packaging, along with the order number. Claims for shipping damage made after 14 days will not be eligible for replacement, repair, or refund.
• For defective products or incorrect items, regardless of shipping method, issues must be reported within 14 days of receipt. Reports must include photos and the order number. Claims made after 14 days will not be eligible for replacement, repair, or refund.
• For Freight shipments, please refer to Section 7 (Freight Shipments) for additional instructions and timelines.
• Items that are used, installed, or altered after delivery are not eligible for damage or defect claims.

7. Freight Shipments

For freight shipments, tracking information and carrier details will be sent by email from akathletics.shipping@gmail.com once your order leaves our facility.

Receiving Freight – Customer Responsibilities

The freight carrier will call at least 24 hours prior to delivery to confirm that someone will be available to sign.

1. Inspect for Damages

• Inspect all boxes carefully before signing the delivery receipt.
• If visible damage is present, write “damaged” and your name on the receipt (no other notes).
• Take clear photos of damaged packaging/products at delivery — these are required to file a freight claim.
• Concealed damage must be reported to AK Athletic Equipment Inc. within 3 days of receipt. Reports after this period cannot be claimed or refunded.
• Whoever signs is acting as your representative and must check for missing or damaged items. If the freight is signed without noting issues, carriers are rarely held accountable.

2. Confirm All Items Are Present

• Your freight confirmation email will include a photo of the packaged shipment. Compare this to the delivery before signing.
• If you sign for an incomplete shipment, recovery of missing items is at the carrier’s discretion.

3. Do Not Request Extra Services from the Carrier

• Services like inside delivery or special equipment are available for $150 each, but must be approved through our office in advance.
• Do not arrange directly with the carrier, as charges are often significantly higher.

4. Driver Detention Fees

• Drivers are allowed 15 minutes to unload.
• Delays beyond this result in detention fees of $25–$150 per hour, billed to the customer.
• Note the driver’s arrival and departure times on your copy of the paperwork.

5. Delivery Type & Oversized Pallets

• All freight deliveries are curbside only; customers must move items from curbside to final location.
• Liftgate service is scheduled whenever possible.
• Oversized pallets may exceed liftgate capacity. In these cases, customers must arrange manpower/equipment to unload, which may include opening boxes on the truck and removing items individually.
• Carriers will call at least 24 hours in advance to confirm someone will be available to sign.

6. Storage Fees for Delayed Delivery

• Once a shipment reaches the local terminal, delivery must occur within 3 business days.
• After that, carriers charge $63–$210 per day in storage, depending on carrier and shipment size.
• These fees are the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before release.
• To avoid charges, schedule promptly when the carrier calls, or contact us immediately if you anticipate a delay.

8. Shipment Hold & Storage Policy

To ensure efficient warehouse operations and prevent logistical delays, the following policy applies to all orders:

Default Shipping Timeline
Orders will ship immediately upon completion of production unless a specific ship/delivery date is provided in writing at the time of order placement.

Hold Requests
If a customer requests that an order be held after it is ready to ship — or if the customer is unable to accept the delivery — storage fees will apply.

Storage Fees
A fee of $125 per day will be charged for each day the shipment is held beyond the scheduled shipping date. These fees will begin on the date a hold is requested or a shipment is declined.

Payment of Fees
Any accrued storage fees must be paid in full before the order will be released for shipment.

Exceptions
Customers may avoid storage fees by providing a desired delivery date at the time the order is submitted. In these cases, production and shipping will be scheduled to align with that date.

9. International Shipping

We currently ship to the 48 continental United States only.
We do not offer international shipping at this time.

10. Customer Support

If you have any questions about your order, shipping, or delivery, please contact us:
📧 sales@akathletics.com
📞 800-431-4372

Guidelines for Custom Digitally Printed Padding Across Multiple Sections:

Given the nature of custom printing, it's challenging to achieve exact color matches when reprinting individual panels, especially after some time has passed since the original order. Due to this challenge please note that if a reprint is required due to a customer error, the following conditions will apply:

1. Complete Reprint Required for Color Match: If you need a reprint due to a customer error, we recommend reprinting the entire job to ensure consistent color and design. This option carries the full cost of reprinting all custom-printed panels.

2. Partial Reprints with Color Variations (available on wood backed wall padding only): If you opt to reprint only a portion of the job, we cannot guarantee that the color will match the original. Additionally, for partial reprints, we cannot align the design across different sections. Therefore, only the vinyl will be replaced, and it will be the customer's responsibility to restaple it to the original foam and wood and align the design themself. Please note that if there is a visible color discrepancy after a partial reprint, we will not reprint a third time, and there will be no refunds if the reprint does not match the original color.

3. Customer Responsibility for Costs: Any reprint costs, including shipping and handling, are the customer's responsibility unless the reprint is needed due to a fault on our part. If it's our error, we will cover all reprinting expenses.

Warranty information:

All products manufactured by AK Athletic Equipment has a 1 year warranty against defective materials when properly installed and used for the purpose of which the products are designed. The 1 year begins from the delivery date of the order. No product shall be returned without written permission from AK Athletic Equipment.

Warranty does not cover

AK Athletic Equipment has the option to repair or replace a product during the 1 year warranty period. AK Athletic Equipment reserves the exclusive right to consider all warranty claims submitted by the customer and to make warranty claim decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Submitting a claim

To enter a claim under the terms of the warranty, the customer’s must send a written statement of claim, a copy of the original invoice and supporting photographs must be submitted to sales@akathletics.com

Rights to Refuse Service

AK Athletic Equipment Inc. reserves the right to refuse service to customers that harass our employees via any form of communication.  Disrespectful, or unprofessional behavior will result in a cancellation of any open order and any possible future orders.

Manufacturing Tolerance Policy

At AK Athletic Equipment, we take pride in the precision and quality of our products. However, due to the nature of raw materials such as foam, vinyl, and adhesives — and the processes required to cut, shape, print, and weld them — a small degree of variation is unavoidable.

Our policy allows for up to a 1% margin of error on finished dimensions and logo placement. This tolerance applies to all products and customizations, including mats, wall padding, pole pads, and printed artwork. This level of tolerance is standard across the industry and does not affect the safety, performance, or longevity of our products. Slight variations are considered normal and are not treated as defects.

In addition, please note that wrestling mats may appear slightly shorter in length immediately after being rolled and unrolled. Each crease created during the rolling process results in a very small reduction in length; while minimal on its own, these differences can add up across hundreds of creases. Over time, these creases naturally relax and flatten out if the mat is not repeatedly rolled for storage. This is a normal characteristic of the product and should be taken into account when determining final dimensions.

If your project requires extremely exact measurements, we recommend ordering a slightly larger size and trimming it down on site to ensure the best fit. This approach allows us to keep production efficient and costs fair, while still meeting a wide range of customer needs.