How refundable deposits work

A deposit is separate damage backing for a rental. The owner chooses the amount when they list, and you see it before sending a request. Cache securely saves your card with Stripe and, at pickup, may place a temporary authorization for the deposit amount. An authorization is not a completed charge, but it may reduce your available balance while it is active.

The owner picks the tier when they list the item:

• None - no deposit; damage claims are waived.
• Low - $25 flat, for durable or low-risk gear.
• Standard - 25% of replacement value (min $25, max $500).
• High - 2× standard, capped at $1,000, for fragile or valuable items.

Sending a request does not charge you. If the owner accepts, Cache charges the rental total and locks the dates. The separate deposit authorization is attempted at pickup. After a confirmed return, the owner has 12 hours to file a documented damage claim. If no claim is filed, Cache releases any active authorization; your bank controls how quickly the pending amount disappears from your account. Longer rentals may rely on the saved card instead of a continuous authorization.

If the item is returned damaged beyond normal wear, the owner has 12 hours after the return is confirmed to file a claim with:

• Photos showing the damage and the pickup/return condition record.
• A written description and the expected repair or replacement cost.
• Receipts or estimates, which may be added during review if they are not yet available.

Claims cannot exceed the deposit amount shown for the rental. Normal wear and pre-existing damage are not chargeable.

A filed claim goes to Cache for review with the condition photos and supporting documents. If the claim moves forward, the renter is notified and has 72 hours to accept it or contest it with their side of the story. A contested claim returns to Cache for a decision. No damage amount is charged during the response or review period. If compensation is approved, only the approved amount may be charged to the saved card, up to the stated deposit limit. Any unused authorization is released.

Items listed without a deposit cannot be damage-claimed. Owners waive Cache's damage-claim process for that rental. The renter still pays the accepted rental total and remains responsible for following the rental agreement and return process.

Renters can cancel within 2 hours of acceptance for a full, fee-free refund, as long as pickup is more than 24 hours away. Outside that grace window:

• Renter cancels > 48h before pickup — full rental refund minus the Stripe processing fee (~2.9% + $0.30), which Stripe does not return on refunds.
• Renter cancels 24–48h before pickup — 75% of the rental price is refunded. The Cache service fee is retained.
• Renter cancels inside 24h — 50% of the rental price is refunded. The Cache service fee is retained.
• Owner cancels at any time — the renter is refunded in full. The owner covers the Stripe processing fee, and inside 72 hours also covers the platform fee that Cache would have earned. A card on file is required to cancel when a fee is owed.

Cancellations after the pickup date are treated as no-shows and reviewed case-by-case. Documented emergencies on either side can be reviewed — email support@cachekits.com.