Our Payment Policy
Transparent, secure, and fully compliant — everything you need to know about how Audio Imperial processes your payment, protects your financial data, and charges your account.
12 Ways to Pay at Audio Imperial
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets to ensure every customer can complete their purchase conveniently and securely. All payment methods listed below are available at checkout on audioimperial.com. Every transaction is processed in United States Dollars (USD) through Shopify's PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment infrastructure.
Payment Methods Note: All 12 payment options above are available at checkout on audioimperial.com. Availability of specific methods may vary based on your device and browser. All transactions are charged exclusively in United States Dollars (USD). Audio Imperial does not accept checks, money orders, wire transfers, bank ACH transfers initiated directly by the customer, cash on delivery, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or store credit at this time. We do not offer layaway plans. All payment processing is handled through Shopify's secure platform or the relevant third-party digital wallet provider.
Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees
In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on deceptive pricing and the FTC Act (15 U.S.C. § 45), Audio Imperial commits to complete pricing transparency on every transaction. The price you see at checkout is the full amount you pay — no hidden fees, no surprise charges.
Currency — USD Only
All product prices, shipping charges, taxes, and fees on audioimperial.com are displayed and charged in United States Dollars (USD) only. We do not offer multi-currency checkout. If your card was issued in a foreign currency, your bank will apply its exchange rate and may add foreign transaction fees — these are your card issuer's charges and are not controlled by Audio Imperial.
No Surcharges or Processing Fees
Audio Imperial does not charge any surcharges, payment processing fees, credit card convenience fees, or checkout fees for using any of the 12 accepted payment methods. The final amount displayed on the checkout confirmation screen is the complete, all-inclusive amount that will be charged to your payment method. You will not be charged more than the amount you explicitly authorize.
Product Price Range
Audio Imperial sells premium hi-fi audio equipment including integrated amplifiers, music streamers, DACs, turntables, and floorstanding speakers from brands such as Audiolab, Cyrus, Dual, Mission, Q Acoustics, and Violectric. Current product prices range from approximately $399.99 to $3,400.00 USD. Prices may change without prior notice, but the confirmed price at checkout is the price honored for that order. View all products →
Price Accuracy & Errors
We make every effort to ensure all product prices listed on our website are accurate. In the rare event of a typographical or system-generated pricing error, Audio Imperial reserves the right to cancel any orders placed at an incorrect price. If a pricing error affects your order, we will notify you by email before cancelling. You will have the option to reorder at the corrected price or receive a full refund to your original payment method.
No Recurring Billing
Audio Imperial does not operate a subscription service and does not enroll any customer in recurring billing. Every purchase is a single, one-time transaction. After completing your order, you will not be charged again unless you separately place a new order on our website. We do not pre-authorize future charges without your explicit, individual consent at the time of each new transaction.
Shipping Charges
Shipping costs, if applicable, are calculated and displayed at checkout before you complete payment, based on your shipping address within the United States. Audio Imperial ships exclusively to the 50 United States — we do not ship internationally. The shipping charge displayed at the order confirmation screen is the final, locked-in amount; no additional shipping fees will be charged after your order is placed.
Sales Tax Collection Policy
Audio Imperial (NMG Express LLC) complies with all applicable US federal and state tax laws, including the economic nexus provisions created by the Supreme Court's landmark decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 585 U.S. 162 (2018), which permits states to require online retailers to collect sales tax regardless of physical presence.
| Primary Nexus State | Florida — Audio Imperial is a Florida-registered business (NMG Express LLC, Orlando, FL 32821). Florida state sales tax of 6% (plus applicable Orange County surtax) is collected on all taxable orders shipped to Florida addresses, per Florida Statutes §212. |
| Other US States | Sales tax may be collected in additional states where Audio Imperial has met the applicable economic nexus threshold. The tax rate is calculated automatically based on your ship-to address and will be clearly displayed before you submit payment. |
| Tax Calculation Method | Taxes are calculated in real time by Shopify's automated tax engine at checkout, using the ship-to ZIP code and current state and local tax rates. The tax amount is always shown on the order summary screen before you click "Place Order." |
| Shipping Taxability | Shipping charges may be subject to sales tax in certain states, as required by applicable state law. This is calculated and displayed at checkout. |
| Tax-Exempt Organizations | If your organization holds a valid sales tax exemption certificate, contact us at support@audioimperial.com before placing your order and provide your certificate for review. We cannot apply tax exemptions retroactively after an order is completed. |
| No International Taxes | Audio Imperial ships exclusively within the United States. We do not collect VAT, GST, HST, or any other international or foreign taxes. |
Consumer Transparency: The sales tax shown at checkout is always calculated and displayed before you submit payment. Audio Imperial does not profit from sales tax — 100% of collected sales tax is remitted directly and promptly to the appropriate state and local taxing authorities in compliance with all applicable tax laws. Our sales tax practices comply with South Dakota v. Wayfair (2018), Florida Statutes §212 (Florida Tax Code), and the applicable economic nexus laws of each state where we have a collection obligation.
No Hidden Tax Markup: The tax rate applied to your order is determined entirely by governing state and local law — not by Audio Imperial. We apply the exact statutory rate and collect no amount beyond what is legally required. If you believe the tax on your order was calculated in error, contact us at support@audioimperial.com and we will review it promptly.
Your Financial Data Is Fully Protected
Audio Imperial takes the security of your financial information with the utmost seriousness. All payments are processed through Shopify's secure, industry-certified payment infrastructure. We never see, store, or access your card number, CVV, or expiration date.
We Never Store Your Card Data
Audio Imperial never stores, views, or has access to your full credit or debit card number, CVV/CVC security code, or card expiration date at any point. All sensitive payment details are entered directly into Shopify's encrypted payment vault and are handled entirely by Shopify Payments or the relevant third-party processor (PayPal, Apple, Google). Your card information never touches our servers.
PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance
Our payment processing infrastructure is operated through Shopify, which is a certified PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider — the highest certification level under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS v4.0). This means every transaction on audioimperial.com benefits from rigorous security controls, regular independent audits, and real-time breach monitoring mandated by the global card network standards set by Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.
256-Bit SSL / TLS Encryption
Every page of audioimperial.com — including all product pages, the cart, and the checkout — operates exclusively over HTTPS using 256-bit TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption. Your browser displays a padlock icon confirming the secure connection. Any HTTP access attempts are automatically redirected to HTTPS. This ensures all data transmitted between your device and our website is encrypted and protected from interception.
3D Secure Authentication
For additional protection, our checkout supports 3D Secure 2 (3DS2) — also known as "Verified by Visa," "Mastercard Identity Check," or "American Express SafeKey." When required by your card issuer, you will be redirected to complete a verification step (such as a one-time code from your bank or biometric confirmation) before your payment is authorized. This ensures that only the authorized cardholder can complete a purchase.
How Your Payment Is Authorized, Captured & Confirmed
We want you to understand exactly when and how your payment is processed. Here is a clear, step-by-step breakdown of what happens from the moment you click "Place Order" to when your item ships.
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1
Checkout Submission
You enter your payment details on the secure checkout page (audioimperial.com/checkout). No charge is made at this point. Your payment data is transmitted directly to the payment processor via TLS-encrypted connection — it never passes through Audio Imperial's servers.
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2
Authorization Hold
Your bank or card issuer places a temporary authorization hold for the full order amount. This reserves the funds but does not immediately debit your account. You may see this as a "pending" transaction on your bank statement. This is normal and does not mean you have been charged yet.
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3
Order Confirmation Email
Once the authorization is approved, your order is created in our system and you receive an automated order confirmation email at the address you provided. This email contains your unique order number, an itemized list of products, and the confirmed total including shipping and tax.
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4
Order Review (High-Value Orders)
For orders exceeding $1,000 USD — which applies to many of our premium amplifiers, streamers, and turntables — our team performs an additional internal review to verify the shipping address and billing information. This typically takes 1 business day. We may contact you by email or phone for confirmation before processing.
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Payment Capture
Your payment is fully captured (your account is debited) when your order is confirmed for fulfillment and prepared for shipment. For most orders, this occurs within 1–3 business days of placing the order.
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Shipping Confirmation
Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with carrier tracking information. The payment is fully settled at this point. PayPal transactions are captured at checkout completion, which may differ slightly from this timeline.
| Payment Processors | Shopify Payments (primary), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay |
| Processing Currency | United States Dollars (USD) exclusively |
| Order Processing Time | 1–3 business days after authorization |
| Business Days | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST, excluding US federal public holidays |
| Confirmation Email | Sent immediately upon successful payment authorization to the email address entered at checkout |
| Charge Timing | Payment is captured at fulfillment confirmation, not at the time of the initial authorization hold (except PayPal) |
| PayPal Capture | PayPal payments are captured immediately upon checkout completion |
| Order Cancellation | Orders can be cancelled without penalty before shipment. Contact us immediately at +1 888-865-1086 or support@audioimperial.com |
| Authorization Hold Release | If your order is cancelled or your payment is declined, any authorization hold typically releases within 3–7 business days, depending on your bank's policies |
If Your Payment Is Declined
A declined payment does not result in a charge to your account. Any temporary authorization holds that were placed may take 3–7 business days to be released, depending on your bank or card issuer's policy. Below are the most common causes of declined payments and how to resolve each one.
Insufficient Funds
Your account or credit line does not have enough available balance to cover the full order amount. Resolution: Check your account balance or available credit, then retry the order. Alternatively, use a different card or payment method available at checkout.
Incorrect Card Information
The card number, expiration date, CVV/CVC, or billing address entered does not match your card records. Resolution: Double-check all card details and ensure the billing address exactly matches what your bank has on file (including ZIP code), then retry.
Bank-Side Fraud Block
Your bank's automated fraud detection flagged the transaction. This is common for large purchases on cards not frequently used for online retail, or for purchases from a new merchant. Resolution: Call the number on the back of your card, inform your bank you are authorizing the charge from audioimperial.com, then retry.
Expired Card
Your card's expiration date has passed and the card is no longer valid. Resolution: Use a new, current card or a different payment method. If you have received a renewed card from your bank, try again with the updated expiration date and new card number.
Daily or Purchase Limit
Your bank may enforce a daily spending limit or a single-transaction limit. Given that Audio Imperial's products range up to $3,400 USD, this limit may be reached. Resolution: Contact your bank or card issuer to request a temporary increase to your spending limit, then retry the transaction.
Need Assistance?
If your payment is declined and you cannot identify the cause, please contact our team before attempting multiple retries — repeated failed attempts can cause additional temporary holds on your account. Reach us at +1 888-865-1086 or support@audioimperial.com during business hours (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–6 PM EST).
Protecting You From Unauthorized Transactions
Audio Imperial employs multiple layers of fraud prevention to protect our customers and our business. These measures ensure that only authorized individuals can complete purchases — particularly important given the premium value of our hi-fi audio equipment.
Address Verification Service (AVS)
We use the Address Verification Service (AVS) to compare the billing address entered at checkout against the billing address registered with your card issuer. Orders with a billing address mismatch may be flagged for additional review or declined, in order to protect against unauthorized use of your payment details.
CVV / CVC Verification
All card transactions require the Card Verification Value (CVV) or Card Verification Code (CVC) printed on your card. This security code is never stored by Audio Imperial or Shopify after the transaction is processed and is required at every new checkout to confirm physical possession of the card, in compliance with PCI DSS requirements.
Automated Risk Analysis
Every order placed on audioimperial.com is analyzed automatically by Shopify's fraud detection algorithms. These algorithms assess risk signals including billing/shipping address mismatch, order velocity, IP address consistency, card BIN location, and proxy detection. Orders flagged as elevated risk are held for manual review before any fulfillment activity begins.
Manual Order Review
For orders exceeding $1,000 USD or any order flagged by our automated system, a member of our team will manually verify the order before fulfillment. We may contact you by email or phone to confirm your identity or the shipping address. If you do not respond within 48 hours of our verification request, the order may be cancelled and a full refund issued.
Order Cancellation Rights
Audio Imperial reserves the right to cancel any order that fails our fraud prevention checks or cannot be adequately verified. In all such cases, we will issue a full refund to the original payment method within 5–7 business days and notify you by email explaining the reason. We act in good faith and will always provide a clear explanation for any cancellation.
Reporting Suspected Fraud
If you believe your payment information has been used without your authorization on audioimperial.com, or if you notice an unrecognized charge, contact us immediately at +1 888-865-1086 or support@audioimperial.com. Also contact your card issuer directly to dispute any unauthorized charges under the protections afforded by the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA).
Shop Pay Installments — Flexible Payment Plans
We understand that premium hi-fi audio equipment is a significant investment. Audio Imperial supports Shop Pay Installments, which allows eligible customers to split their purchase into manageable payments — subject to third-party lender approval.
How It Works: Shop Pay Installments is a buy-now, pay-later product provided and administered by Affirm, Inc. — an independent, federally regulated consumer lender — operating through Shopify's platform. When you select Shop Pay at checkout and are eligible, you may be offered the option to split your purchase into interest-free bi-weekly installments or monthly payment plans. Audio Imperial does not issue these plans, does not act as a lender, and does not receive any of the interest or fees associated with installment plans.
| Installment Provider | Affirm, Inc. (through Shop Pay / Shopify Payments) |
| Eligibility | Subject to Affirm's approval process. Not all customers will qualify. A soft or hard credit check may apply, depending on the plan selected. |
| Typical Order Range | Usually available for orders between $50 and $17,500 USD |
| Payment Options | 4 interest-free bi-weekly payments, or monthly plans of 3, 6, or 12 months |
| APR | 4-payment option: 0% APR. Monthly plans: 10–36% APR, disclosed before you accept the plan |
| Late Fees | Affirm does not charge late fees on standard installment plans |
| Refunds on Installment Orders | If you return an item purchased via installments, your refund is issued to Affirm/Shop Pay, who will adjust your repayment schedule accordingly. Paid installments may be refunded depending on the return timeline and Affirm's terms. |
Third-Party Credit Disclosure: Shop Pay Installments is a financial product offered by Affirm, Inc. — not by Audio Imperial or NMG Express LLC. Eligibility, interest rates, payment schedules, and total cost of credit are determined entirely by Affirm. By selecting an installment plan at checkout, you are entering into a credit agreement with Affirm, not with Audio Imperial. Please read Affirm's Terms of Service and the disclosed loan agreement carefully before accepting any installment plan.
Regulatory Compliance: Affirm, Inc. and Shop Pay Installments comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA — Regulation Z), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and all applicable federal and state consumer lending laws. All APR rates, total finance charges, and repayment schedules are disclosed to you at the time of checkout — before you accept any plan — in compliance with TILA's disclosure requirements.
How Discount Codes and Promotions Work
Audio Imperial periodically offers promotional discount codes to new and returning customers. The following rules govern the use of discount and promotional codes on audioimperial.com.
One Code Per Order
Only one discount or promotional code may be applied per order at checkout. Multiple codes cannot be stacked or combined on a single transaction. Shopify-automatic promotions (e.g., automatic percentage discounts applied to all orders) may run simultaneously with one manually entered code at our discretion.
Expiry & Eligibility Conditions
All discount codes carry an expiry date and specific eligibility conditions (e.g., minimum order value, eligible product categories), which are communicated when the code is issued. Codes cannot be applied retroactively to orders that have already been submitted. Expired codes will not be reactivated, replaced, or extended under any circumstance.
No Cash Value
Discount codes and promotional credits carry no monetary value and cannot be redeemed for cash, transferred to another person, or used outside of audioimperial.com. Codes issued via email to a specific customer are non-transferable and are linked to the recipient's account.
Refunds on Discounted Orders
If you return a product that was purchased with a discount code, your refund will reflect the net discounted amount you actually paid — not the original retail price. The promotional code is not reinstated or reusable after a return is processed. Partial refunds on orders with discounts are calculated proportionally based on the items returned.
Payment Reversals, Refunds & Dispute Resolution
The complete conditions for returns and refunds are detailed in our dedicated Return & Refund Policy. This section specifically covers how refunds are processed back to your payment method and how payment disputes are handled.
Refund Processing & Timeline
| Refund Method | All refunds are issued exclusively to the original payment method used to complete the purchase. We cannot redirect refunds to a different card, bank account, PayPal account, or payment method — this is a regulatory requirement. |
| Credit/Debit Card Refunds | Once initiated by Audio Imperial, credit and debit card refunds typically take 5–10 business days to appear on your statement, depending on your bank's processing time. |
| PayPal Refunds | PayPal refunds are typically reflected in your PayPal balance within 3–5 business days. |
| Digital Wallet Refunds (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay) | Refunds are returned to the original payment card linked to the digital wallet, typically within 5–7 business days. |
| Partial Refunds | Partial refunds may be issued for returns of individual items from a multi-item order, or in cases of partial return approval per our Return & Refund Policy. |
| Full Refunds | Full refunds include the original purchase price of the returned item(s), plus any original shipping charges paid, where applicable under our return policy. |
| Return & Refund Policy | For full eligibility criteria, return windows, and item condition requirements, please review our Return & Refund Policy. |
Chargebacks & Payment Disputes
A chargeback is a reversal of a payment initiated through your bank or card issuer when you dispute a charge. While you have the right to initiate a chargeback for unresolved billing issues, we strongly urge you to contact Audio Imperial directly first. Most disputes — including non-receipt, shipping delays, incorrect items, and billing errors — can be resolved quickly and amicably without involving your bank or card issuer.
Step 1 — Contact Us: Email support@audioimperial.com or call +1 888-865-1086 (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–6 PM EST) with your order number and a description of the issue. We commit to acknowledging all payment dispute inquiries within 1 business day.
Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Under 15 U.S.C. § 1666, credit card holders have the right to dispute billing errors with their card issuer within 60 days of the billing statement date. Audio Imperial cooperates fully and in good faith with all FCBA dispute investigations and will respond to all requests for documentation promptly.
Fraudulent Chargebacks: Chargebacks filed dishonestly — where the product was delivered as described and the transaction was authorized — are considered fraudulent disputes. Audio Imperial will challenge all such chargebacks with the appropriate card network and provides all transaction evidence, including delivery confirmation. Verified fraudulent chargebacks may be referred to law enforcement.
US Laws Governing Your Payment & Consumer Rights
Audio Imperial (NMG Express LLC) operates in full compliance with all applicable United States federal and Florida state laws governing online payments, consumer protection, and electronic commerce. The following laws protect your rights as a customer.
Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)
The FCBA (15 U.S.C. § 1666) protects credit card holders against unauthorized charges and billing errors. You have the right to dispute a charge with your card issuer within 60 days of the billing statement. Audio Imperial cooperates fully with all FCBA investigations and will provide all documentation requested by your card issuer or bank.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA)
The EFTA (15 U.S.C. § 1693) provides consumer protections for electronic fund transfers, including debit card transactions and digital wallet payments (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay). If an unauthorized electronic transfer is connected to a transaction on our website, you have statutory rights to notify your bank and dispute the transfer.
FTC Act — Unfair or Deceptive Practices
Under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 45), Audio Imperial is prohibited from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices in connection with commerce. All product prices shown on audioimperial.com are the genuine, complete selling prices. We do not engage in drip pricing, phantom pricing, false "was/now" pricing, or reference price deception.
Florida Consumer Protection (FDUTPA)
As a Florida-registered business (NMG Express LLC), Audio Imperial complies with the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), Fla. Stat. § 501.201 et seq. Florida consumers have the right to bring a civil action under FDUTPA for any deceptive, unfair, or unconscionable acts or practices connected to transactions with our store.
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
When Shop Pay Installments or any other buy-now-pay-later option is offered at checkout, all required cost-of-credit disclosures — including APR, total finance charges, payment schedule, and total amount of payments — are provided to you before you accept the plan, in compliance with TILA (Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. Part 1026).
Payment Data Privacy
The handling of all payment-related personal data collected during your transaction on audioimperial.com is governed by our Privacy Policy. We do not sell, share, or license your payment information to third parties for marketing purposes. Payment data is used solely for transaction processing, fraud prevention, tax compliance, and legal obligations, in accordance with applicable state and federal privacy regulations.
Reach Our Payment Support Team
If you have any questions about a charge, your order total, a declined payment, a refund status, or any aspect of this Payment Policy, our team is available to assist you directly through multiple channels.
Legal Business Information: Audio Imperial is a brand of NMG Express LLC, a Florida limited liability company. Florida Business Registration Number: L22000078949. Employer Identification Number (EIN): 88-0909093. All transactions on audioimperial.com are made with NMG Express LLC. Our registered address is 4809 Laddie Ct, Orlando, Florida 32821, USA. This is a business registration address and not a customer-facing retail store. All customer inquiries should be directed to our phone, email, or live chat channels above.
Map Note: The pin above shows Audio Imperial's registered business location at 4809 Laddie Ct, Orlando, Florida 32821, USA. Audio Imperial ships exclusively to all 50 US states. We do not operate a walk-in retail showroom. All customer support is provided by phone, email, and live chat during business hours.
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