F.A.Q.
Will Variant purchase my toy collection?
Yes, just remember we are resellers so we will not offer retail or online store prices. However, we are very fair. We always ask what you want first and work with you from there
• Customer Support
• Please email us at cs@variantuniverse.com. Currently we do not offer phone support. However, we do have chat support when we are open.
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• Please email us at cs@variantuniverse.com. Currently we do not offer phone support. However, we do have chat support when we are open.
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• When is Variant open?
• Our hours of operations (CST) are:
• Monday – Friday • 9am – 5pm
• Saturday • 10am-3pm
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• Our hours of operations (CST) are:
• Monday – Friday • 9am – 5pm
• Saturday • 10am-3pm
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• When will Variant reply to my email?
• Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority. During normal business hours, we will try to respond within an hour or two. However, if we are experiencing high email volume, your email will be addressed within 24 hours.
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• Do you offer International Shipping? – (Coming Soon)
• Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority. During normal business hours, we will try to respond within an hour or two. However, if we are experiencing high email volume, your email will be addressed within 24 hours.
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• Do you offer International Shipping? – (Coming Soon)
• Does Variant have a retail store I can visit?
• Currently, our items are only available online or at Comic and Toy Conventions.
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• Currently, our items are only available online or at Comic and Toy Conventions.
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• Where do Variant orders ship from?
• Variant is located in Chicago, IL.
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• Variant is located in Chicago, IL.
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• How do I login to my account?
• You can access your account by clicking the person icon on any page in the upper right corner.
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• You can access your account by clicking the person icon on any page in the upper right corner.
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• How do I create an account?
• When you purchase an item in the checkout, an account will be created once you enter your shipping information.
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• When you purchase an item in the checkout, an account will be created once you enter your shipping information.
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• Why can’t I sign into my Variant account?
• If you have account issues, please contact support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• If you have account issues, please contact support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• I forgot my password. What do I do?
• Click on “Lost your password” when you try to login and the system will walk you through setting up a new one.
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• Click on “Lost your password” when you try to login and the system will walk you through setting up a new one.
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• What is my preferred shipping address?
•Once logged into your Account, you can set up your preferred shipping address.
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•Once logged into your Account, you can set up your preferred shipping address.
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• How do I update my preferred shipping address?
• You can change preferred shipping address by clicking edit after you have logged into your Account.
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• You can change preferred shipping address by clicking edit after you have logged into your Account.
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• How do I update the shipping address for an order?
• In the checkout portion of your order you may change your shipping address
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• In the checkout portion of your order you may change your shipping address
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• What is a preferred payment method?
• Variant accepts all major credit cards / Paypal / Zelle
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• Variant accepts all major credit cards / Paypal / Zelle
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• How do I change my preferred payment method?
• In the checkout portion of your order, you may change your payment method
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• In the checkout portion of your order, you may change your payment method
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• How do I remove my credit/debit card?
• You can remove any saved credit or debit card by clicking edit once you are logged into your account.
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• You can remove any saved credit or debit card by clicking edit once you are logged into your account.
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• My account has been deactivated. Why?
• Your account could be deactivated if the login information was improperly inputted multiple times or if your account has an issue. If so, please contact Customer Support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• Your account could be deactivated if the login information was improperly inputted multiple times or if your account has an issue. If so, please contact Customer Support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• How do I close my Variant account?
• Please contact Support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• Please contact Support at cs@variantuniverse.com
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• How do I place an order with Variant?
• Just click on “Add to Cart” and follow the instructions.
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• Just click on “Add to Cart” and follow the instructions.
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• Do I need a Variant account to place an order?
• Yes, by creating an account, you allow us to ensure you receive the best customer experience.
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• Yes, by creating an account, you allow us to ensure you receive the best customer experience.
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• Do you offer a guest checkout?
• No, customers must have a valid Variant Account in order to place orders.
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• No, customers must have a valid Variant Account in order to place orders.
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• Can Variant send me photos of the actual items I will receive in my order?
• No. The photos displayed via the online store are true representations of the items in stock.
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• No. The photos displayed via the online store are true representations of the items in stock.
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• Can I place an e-mail, fax, or social media order?
• We do not accept email orders. However we are on various Marketplaces (Facebook, Google. eBay, etc..) and more social media sites to purchase products.
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• We do not accept email orders. However we are on various Marketplaces (Facebook, Google. eBay, etc..) and more social media sites to purchase products.
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• How long does it take Variant to process and ship my order?
• In most cases, orders are processed within minutes of receiving payments for all orders during normal business hours. Also, local orders are usually shipped to customer on the same day.
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• In most cases, orders are processed within minutes of receiving payments for all orders during normal business hours. Also, local orders are usually shipped to customer on the same day.
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• How does Variant pack their orders prior to shipping them?
• We use various means to secure items in our boxes. Variant believes in recycling so we may use newspaper, plastic bags, peanuts, or shredded paper to secure items.
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• We use various means to secure items in our boxes. Variant believes in recycling so we may use newspaper, plastic bags, peanuts, or shredded paper to secure items.
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• What is Variant’s pricing structure?
• Variant tries to give customers the best prices possible for items. However, if an item is very rare or very hard to find the price may increase or decrease depending on the market.
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• Variant tries to give customers the best prices possible for items. However, if an item is very rare or very hard to find the price may increase or decrease depending on the market.
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• Does Variant offer clearance sales or other discounts?
• Variant does offer “Hot Deals” monthly for popular items. However, as stated above, prices change based on market value. We recommend you check back frequently.
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• Variant does offer “Hot Deals” monthly for popular items. However, as stated above, prices change based on market value. We recommend you check back frequently.
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• Does Variant price match other websites or retail stores?
• Variant does not price match due to the rarity of our items. Some new items may be priced near retail cost depending on the demand for item or may be less than retail.
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• Variant does not price match due to the rarity of our items. Some new items may be priced near retail cost depending on the demand for item or may be less than retail.
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• I bought an item that now has a lower price, can I receive a refund?
• We do not offer refunds in this case, but we will offer a store credit of the price difference within two weeks from the date the item was purchased.
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• We do not offer refunds in this case, but we will offer a store credit of the price difference within two weeks from the date the item was purchased.
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• Does adding an item to a shopping cart guarantee the price I will pay?
• Yes, if you place an item in your cart and the price changes while you are shopping, the system will honor the price.
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• Yes, if you place an item in your cart and the price changes while you are shopping, the system will honor the price.
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• I want to order more than 1 of a particular item; is there a discount?
• Variant does not offer multiple purchase discounts.
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• Variant does not offer multiple purchase discounts.
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• There was an error in pricing on your website and I purchased an item for a ridiculously low price. Will you honor this price?
• Yes, Variant will honor the price that it was checked out for.
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• Yes, Variant will honor the price that it was checked out for.
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• Is your site secure?
• Yes, variantuniverse.com has the latest SSL protocols. We work diligently to protect your data and keep it confidential. To ensure the utmost security, our servers never store or transmit any credit card data. When you enter a credit card on our website, it is encrypted and sent directly from your browser to our payment processor, who then sends us a token which we reference for future transactions. The token is meaningless to any outside party. We partner with a large, well-respected payment processor which is fully PCI compliant.
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• Yes, variantuniverse.com has the latest SSL protocols. We work diligently to protect your data and keep it confidential. To ensure the utmost security, our servers never store or transmit any credit card data. When you enter a credit card on our website, it is encrypted and sent directly from your browser to our payment processor, who then sends us a token which we reference for future transactions. The token is meaningless to any outside party. We partner with a large, well-respected payment processor which is fully PCI compliant.
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• Will you share my personal information?
• No! please see our Privacy Policy Page for full details.
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• No! please see our Privacy Policy Page for full details.
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• A brand-new product was just announced, when will it be offered by Variant?
• Variant is very selective on products that we purchase. We do not carry all the manufacturer’s selection. We tend to choose exclusive or hard to find items. However, you can check our New Products Category to see the latest items we have in stock.
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• Variant is very selective on products that we purchase. We do not carry all the manufacturer’s selection. We tend to choose exclusive or hard to find items. However, you can check our New Products Category to see the latest items we have in stock.
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• Does Variant offer any unlicensed or counterfeit products?
• Because we purchase private collections, it is possible that fake product enters our inventory. We do our best to evaluate private collections prior to purchasing. However, some things are out of our control. For example, knockoffs from China have infiltrated the NECA brand. These fake NECA products are very well done and hard to recognize.
• Because we purchase private collections, it is possible that fake product enters our inventory. We do our best to evaluate private collections prior to purchasing. However, some things are out of our control. For example, knockoffs from China have infiltrated the NECA brand. These fake NECA products are very well done and hard to recognize.
To ensure the integrity of our inventory, we have created a “Replica Figures” category and will list items we suspect as knockoffs in this category at a deeply discounted price.
• I am a manufacturer of a new toy or figure. How do I contact Variant about offering my products?
• Variant will be very open to offer new and exciting products, please contact cs@variantuniverse.com and put “New Product” in the subject line and our marketing team will respond to you.
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• Variant will be very open to offer new and exciting products, please contact cs@variantuniverse.com and put “New Product” in the subject line and our marketing team will respond to you.
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• What is your Return and Exchange Policy?
• As hard as we try, things may not always arrive as expected. Unopened and unused items can be returned within 14 days from date of purchase unless specifically stated on the product details page. The packaging must be intact. Opened items are NOT eligible for returns. This includes: items that have been opened or removed from the packaging; items that have visible indications that the package has been opened or tampered with; and opened cases that are no longer factory sealed.
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• As hard as we try, things may not always arrive as expected. Unopened and unused items can be returned within 14 days from date of purchase unless specifically stated on the product details page. The packaging must be intact. Opened items are NOT eligible for returns. This includes: items that have been opened or removed from the packaging; items that have visible indications that the package has been opened or tampered with; and opened cases that are no longer factory sealed.
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• How do I return an item?
• Please contact Customer Service at cs@variantuniverse.com to receive authorization for your return. Any returns without authorization will be delayed and possibly ineligible for a refund.
• Returned items within our local delivery zone can be picked up by our delivery service. For returns outside our local delivery zone, the customer will have to pay to have the items shipped to us. Once item is returned and inspected, Variant will add the $5.00 shipping cost to the refund. ITEM MUST BE UNOPENED AND SEALED BEFORE A REFUND IS ISSUED. OPENED ITEMS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED AND CUSTOMER FORFEITS SHIPPING CREDIT OF $5.00.
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• Please contact Customer Service at cs@variantuniverse.com to receive authorization for your return. Any returns without authorization will be delayed and possibly ineligible for a refund.
• Returned items within our local delivery zone can be picked up by our delivery service. For returns outside our local delivery zone, the customer will have to pay to have the items shipped to us. Once item is returned and inspected, Variant will add the $5.00 shipping cost to the refund. ITEM MUST BE UNOPENED AND SEALED BEFORE A REFUND IS ISSUED. OPENED ITEMS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED AND CUSTOMER FORFEITS SHIPPING CREDIT OF $5.00.
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• Why don’t you charge sales tax?
• Currently there is no Variant sales tax due to the fact that there no is physical presence in Illinois for customers to interact https://www.fundera.com/blog/sales-tax#:~:text=If%20you%20sell%20a%20taxable,sales%20volume%20in%20a%20state. (According to state law)
• When you are obligated to collect sales tax online
• The basic rule for collecting sales tax from online sales is:
• If your business has a physical presence, or “nexus”, in a state, you must collect applicable sales taxes from online customers in that state.
• If you do not have a physical presence, you generally do not have to collect sales tax for online sales. However, in June of 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that will likely change this exemption to collecting sales tax. States are expected to begin collecting sales taxes regardless of having a physical presence in the state.
• A physical presence means that you have some business facility in that state. It could be any type of business operation, such as:
• A storefront
• An office
• A warehouse
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• Currently there is no Variant sales tax due to the fact that there no is physical presence in Illinois for customers to interact https://www.fundera.com/blog/sales-tax#:~:text=If%20you%20sell%20a%20taxable,sales%20volume%20in%20a%20state. (According to state law)
• When you are obligated to collect sales tax online
• The basic rule for collecting sales tax from online sales is:
• If your business has a physical presence, or “nexus”, in a state, you must collect applicable sales taxes from online customers in that state.
• If you do not have a physical presence, you generally do not have to collect sales tax for online sales. However, in June of 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that will likely change this exemption to collecting sales tax. States are expected to begin collecting sales taxes regardless of having a physical presence in the state.
• A physical presence means that you have some business facility in that state. It could be any type of business operation, such as:
• A storefront
• An office
• A warehouse
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• When will my item arrive?
• For local (Chicagoland Area) deliveries, we use a courier service. If you purchase by 3:00 p.m. CT, you will receive your item the Same Day. Items purchased after 3 p.m. CT will be delivered the next business day. You may track your item on our website.
• All orders outside of the local delivery area will be deliver via UPS, US Post Office, or FedEx.
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• For local (Chicagoland Area) deliveries, we use a courier service. If you purchase by 3:00 p.m. CT, you will receive your item the Same Day. Items purchased after 3 p.m. CT will be delivered the next business day. You may track your item on our website.
• All orders outside of the local delivery area will be deliver via UPS, US Post Office, or FedEx.
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• Is Variant on Facebook?
• Yes, Variant has a Facebook page and you can follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/variantuniverse
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• Yes, Variant has a Facebook page and you can follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/variantuniverse
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• Is Variant on Twitter?
• (Coming Soon)
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• (Coming Soon)
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• Is Variant on Instagram?
• Yes, Variant has a Instagram Page and you can follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/variantuniverse
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• Yes, Variant has a Instagram Page and you can follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/variantuniverse
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• Is Variant on Craigslist?
• Yes, Variant has Craigslist Ads and look for us in the For Sale Area.
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• Yes, Variant has Craigslist Ads and look for us in the For Sale Area.
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• Will Variant respond to my feedback on social media?
• Yes, Variant will respond to your comments.
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• Yes, Variant will respond to your comments.
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• Tracking shows my package was delivered but I don’t have it. What now?
• For deliveries within our local delivery zone, our couriers will take a photo of the deliveries left at your location. For all other orders, we use FedEx, USPS and UPS; they only provide us with a delivered notice. Please note: VARIANT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN DELIVERIES. You may contact customer support to see if we can assist you, but we cannot take responsibility for the unknown.
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• For deliveries within our local delivery zone, our couriers will take a photo of the deliveries left at your location. For all other orders, we use FedEx, USPS and UPS; they only provide us with a delivered notice. Please note: VARIANT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN DELIVERIES. You may contact customer support to see if we can assist you, but we cannot take responsibility for the unknown.
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• My tracking number has not updated every day, is something wrong?
• Depending on the courier, they may not scan the boxes at every point so you may get a “received” and “delivered” notice only.
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• Depending on the courier, they may not scan the boxes at every point so you may get a “received” and “delivered” notice only.
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• What does ‘Return to Sender’ mean?
• “ Return to Sender” means that the package was undeliverable because an unknown factor or wrong address.
• “ Return to Sender” means that the package was undeliverable because an unknown factor or wrong address.