Payment and Billing Policy

Last updated: 27 July 2026

Little Ones Universe offers a range of secure and convenient payment methods to provide customers with a reliable checkout experience.

This Payment and Billing Policy explains the payment options available on our website, how payments are processed, and the responsibilities associated with billing information.

1. Accepted Payment Methods

Depending on your device, location, order value, and the payment services available during checkout, we may accept the following payment methods:

American Express
Apple Pay
Diners Club
Discover
Google Pay
Maestro
Mastercard
Shop Pay
UnionPay
Visa

The payment methods displayed at checkout are the methods currently available for your particular order.

We may add, remove, or temporarily suspend a payment method without prior notice where reasonably necessary.

2. Payment Currency

All prices and payments on our website are displayed and processed in pounds sterling (GBP) unless we clearly state otherwise.

Where your payment card or account uses another currency, your bank or payment provider may convert the transaction into your local currency.

Any exchange rate, currency-conversion charge, international transaction fee, or similar cost imposed by your payment provider is determined by that provider and is not controlled by Little Ones Universe.

3. Payment Authorisation

Payment must be completed using one of the methods offered during checkout.

By submitting payment information, you confirm that:

The information provided is accurate and complete.
You are authorised to use the selected payment method.
The billing information matches the details held by your payment provider.
Sufficient funds or credit are available.
The payment is not fraudulent or unauthorised.

Your payment provider may require additional authentication before approving the transaction.

This may include:

A password or security code.
Biometric authentication.
Verification through a banking application.
A one-time passcode.
Another security measure required by the provider.

4. Secure Payment Processing

Payments are processed through established third-party payment providers.

These providers use their own security systems and procedures to:

Authorise transactions.
Authenticate payment methods.
Protect payment information.
Detect suspected fraud.
Comply with applicable payment-security requirements.

Little Ones Universe does not normally collect, store, or have direct access to your complete payment-card number, card security code, or full digital-wallet credentials.

We may receive limited transaction information, such as:

The payment status.
Payment method type.
The final digits of a payment card.
The card brand.
The transaction reference.
Billing information.
Fraud or verification results.

We use this information to process orders, issue refunds, maintain transaction records, and provide customer support.

5. When Payment Is Taken

Depending on the payment method and provider, payment may be:

Authorised when you submit your order.
Collected immediately.
Collected when your order is accepted.
Collected when products are prepared for dispatch.

An authorisation may temporarily reserve funds without completing the final charge.

Where an order is declined, cancelled, or not accepted, an unused authorisation should normally be released by the payment provider. The time required for reserved funds to become available again is determined by your bank or payment provider.

6. Payment Verification

Orders may be subject to payment, identity, and fraud-prevention checks.

We may request additional information where reasonably necessary to:

Confirm your identity.
Verify your billing address.
Confirm that you are authorised to use the payment method.
Protect customers from unauthorised transactions.
Prevent fraud or payment abuse.
Comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

An order may be delayed while verification is completed.

We may decline or cancel an order where:

Payment is refused.
Payment information cannot be verified.
The transaction appears suspicious or unauthorised.
The payment provider identifies a security concern.
Required verification is not completed.
The selected payment method is unavailable.

If an order is cancelled after payment has been collected, the appropriate amount will be refunded.

7. Billing Information

You are responsible for providing accurate and complete billing information during checkout.

This may include:

Your full name.
Billing address.
Postcode.
Telephone number.
Email address.
Other information requested by the payment provider.

Incorrect or incomplete billing information may cause:

Payment failure.
Additional verification.
Order-processing delays.
Order cancellation.

We may be unable to amend certain payment details after a transaction has been authorised.

8. Digital Wallets and Express Checkout Services

Where available, you may be able to pay through a digital wallet or accelerated checkout service, including:

Apple Pay
Google Pay
Shop Pay

When using one of these services, the provider may supply us with information required to process and deliver your order.

This may include:

Your name.
Billing address.
Delivery address.
Email address.
Telephone number.
A payment token or transaction reference.

Your use of a digital wallet or express checkout service is also governed by that provider’s terms and privacy policy.

We are not responsible for errors in information stored in your third-party payment account. You should review all billing and delivery details before confirming payment.

9. Payment Declines

A payment may be declined for reasons including:

Insufficient funds.
Incorrect card or billing information.
An expired payment card.
Security restrictions.
Daily transaction limits.
International-payment restrictions.
Failed authentication.
Suspected fraud.
A technical issue involving the payment provider.

Little Ones Universe may not receive the specific reason for a decline.

If your payment is unsuccessful, you may:

Review and correct the payment information.
Contact your bank or payment provider.
Use another payment method displayed at checkout.
Attempt the transaction again after resolving the issue.

Do not repeatedly submit the same payment where you believe several charges may have been authorised. Contact us or your payment provider for assistance.

10. Duplicate or Pending Charges

A payment may sometimes appear as pending or duplicated while a bank or payment provider completes its processing.

A pending authorisation is not always a completed charge.

If you believe you have been charged more than once:

Review whether the transactions are pending or completed.
Allow the payment provider’s normal processing period.
Contact your bank or payment provider.
Contact Little Ones Universe with your order and transaction details.

Where we confirm that an incorrect duplicate payment was collected by us, we will arrange an appropriate refund.

11. Failed or Reversed Payments

If a payment is later reversed, cancelled, disputed, or rejected, we may:

Pause order processing.
Suspend dispatch.
Cancel the order.
Request another valid payment method.
Contact you to resolve the issue.

Where products have already been delivered, you remain responsible for paying the amount lawfully due under the order.

Nothing in this section limits your right to dispute an unauthorised or incorrect payment through the appropriate legal or payment-provider process.

12. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks

We will review the order and attempt to resolve the matter.

When raising a payment dispute, please provide:

Your name.
Order number.
Transaction date.
Amount charged.
Payment method.
Description of the issue.

Where a chargeback or payment dispute is submitted, we may provide the payment provider with relevant information, including:

Order records.
Delivery information.
Customer communications.
Refund records.
Evidence of transaction authorisation.

We will handle personal information connected with a payment dispute in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Submitting a chargeback does not remove any separate obligation to return products where a refund has also been requested, unless otherwise required by law or agreed with us.

13. Refunds

Approved refunds will normally be issued to the original payment method.

Refunds may relate to:

Cancelled orders.
Accepted returns.
Faulty or damaged products.
Incorrectly supplied products.
Lost orders.
Price adjustments approved by us.

Once we process a refund, your bank, card issuer, digital-wallet provider, or other payment service may require additional time to display the funds.

External processing times are determined by the payment provider and are outside our direct control.

Further information is available in our Returns, Refunds and Exchanges Policy.

14. Refunds to Expired or Replaced Cards

Where the original payment card has expired or been replaced, the payment provider will normally attempt to direct the refund to the associated account.

Contact your bank or card issuer if you have concerns about receiving a refund to an expired or replaced card.

We will not normally issue a refund to a different payment method unless:

The original method cannot accept the refund.
The payment provider confirms that an alternative is required.
Another arrangement is legally required or expressly approved by us.

15. Promotional Codes and Discounts

Promotional codes must be entered and successfully applied before payment is completed.

Unless otherwise stated:

Discounts cannot be applied after checkout.
Only one promotional code may be used per order.
Some products may be excluded.
Minimum-order requirements may apply.
Codes may expire.
Codes have no cash value.

Where part of a discounted order is returned, the refund may be recalculated based on the products retained and the conditions of the promotion.

16. Taxes and Charges

Prices displayed on our UK website will include applicable VAT where required, unless clearly stated otherwise.

Delivery charges and other applicable costs will be shown before you submit payment.

You will not be charged an additional amount by Little Ones Universe unless it was disclosed before checkout or subsequently agreed with you.

Your bank or payment provider may impose separate charges, including:

Currency-conversion fees.
International transaction fees.
Credit charges.
Account service fees.

These third-party charges are not collected or controlled by Little Ones Universe.

17. Payment Receipts and Records

After a successful order, you may receive an electronic order confirmation or payment receipt.

Please retain copies of:

Your order confirmation.
Payment confirmation.
Transaction reference.
Refund confirmation.
Relevant customer-service communications.

We retain transaction and billing records for the periods reasonably necessary to:

Complete orders.
Process refunds.
Resolve disputes.
Prevent fraud.
Maintain accounting records.
Comply with legal and tax obligations.

For more information about how personal information is handled, review our Privacy Policy.

18. Payment Security

We take reasonable measures to protect payment-related information handled through our website.

However, you are also responsible for protecting your payment accounts.

You should:

Keep payment credentials confidential.
Use secure devices and internet connections.
Avoid sharing passwords or verification codes.
Review payment details before checkout.
Monitor your bank or card statements.
Contact your payment provider promptly if you suspect unauthorised activity.

Little Ones Universe will never ask you to send a complete card number or card security code through ordinary email.

19. Suspected Fraud

We may suspend or cancel a transaction where we reasonably suspect:

Payment fraud.
Identity theft.
Unauthorised use of a card or account.
Abuse of discounts or promotions.
Unusual transaction activity.
Attempts to evade purchasing limits.

Where appropriate, we may share relevant information with:

Payment providers.
Banks.
Fraud-prevention services.
Law-enforcement agencies.
Regulatory authorities.

Any sharing of personal information will be carried out in accordance with applicable law and our Privacy Policy.

20. Changes to Payment Methods

Available payment methods may change because of:

Payment-provider availability.
Technical maintenance.
Security requirements.
Geographic restrictions.
Changes to our checkout services.
Legal or regulatory requirements.

A payment method displayed during a previous visit may not always be available for a future purchase.

The methods displayed at checkout at the time of ordering will determine which options are available.

21. Third-Party Payment Providers

Payment services are operated by independent third parties.

Your use of those services may also be governed by the provider’s:

Terms of service.
Privacy policy.
Cookie policy.
Security procedures.
Dispute and refund processes.

Little Ones Universe is not responsible for the independent operation of a third-party payment service, but we remain responsible for meeting our obligations relating to your order and your statutory consumer rights.