ANSWER: Buying wood could seem similar to buying a pet. If you have strong expectations of what you wanted and the character you get doesn’t immediately fit that bill you may initially be disappointed. However, once you’ve had a good look at your investment oiled you will get to like it. At time of writing we have not had one single wood back in over 12 years.
It is worth noting that neither online swatches nor actual samples are oiled and will differ significantly once several coats of oil is applied, particularly in the case of Iroko and African Walnut. You should also consider that it is highly unlikely that both your sample and your hardwood order will come from the same consignment. Wood from different parts of the tree can differ widely in character, more so hardwoods from different part of the forest or even different forests for that matter.
If in the very worst case you decide you do not wish to keep the wood it is returnable with a 25% restocking plus fragile goods reshipping charge which is carried out at your risk & expense. Unfortunately this would remain applicable even if returned it on the same wagon that delivered it. Return delivery would have to be charged at full fragile goods costs. Once the wood was received back in to stock and checked as resalable in its original packaging your account would be credited less the above charges. Wood is classed as unique & individual item and therefore sold as a specialist item that once bought is returned at the seller’s discretion.