// Authorised Apparel Supplier
PAL Apparels
GST No: 03KTQPS3322Q1ZU
Ground Theory is a brand. All apparel sold on this platform is manufactured and supplied exclusively by PAL Apparels. Every payment processed through groundtheory.in — including orders, advance bookings, and wave drops — is collected by and remitted to PAL Apparels (GST: 03KTQPS3322Q1ZU). Your invoice and payment confirmation will reflect this entity. If you have any payment-related queries, please reference this GST number in your communication.
Data We Collect
When you interact with Ground Theory, we collect only what is necessary to fulfil your order and improve your experience.
- Name, email address, and phone number provided during checkout or account creation.
- Shipping and billing address for order fulfilment and invoice generation.
- Payment method type (we do not store card numbers — all transactions are processed through PCI-DSS-compliant gateways).
- Order history and product preferences.
- Device type, browser, and browsing behaviour on our site (via cookies — see Section 08).
- Communications you send us via email or the contact form.
We do not collect sensitive personal data such as national ID, biometrics, or health information.
How We Use Your Data
Your data is used strictly for the following purposes:
- Processing and dispatching your order.
- Generating GST-compliant tax invoices through PAL Apparels.
- Sending order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery notifications.
- Responding to customer service queries and return/refund requests.
- Notifying you about upcoming wave drops and restocks (only if you have opted in).
- Analysing site performance to improve browsing experience.
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Sharing
We share your information with the minimum set of parties required to complete your order:
- PAL Apparels — our manufacturing and supply partner, for order fulfilment and invoicing.
- Logistics partners — your name, address, and phone number are shared with courier services solely for delivery.
- Payment gateways — for secure transaction processing. They operate under their own privacy and security policies.
- Legal authorities — only when required by applicable Indian law or a valid court order.
All third parties we work with are bound by confidentiality obligations and are not permitted to use your data for any purpose other than the one specified.
Returns & Refunds
⟡ 3-Day Return Window
All return requests must be raised within 3 days of the delivery date. Requests submitted after this window will not be eligible for return or exchange under any circumstances.
We want you to love what you receive. If something is wrong, here is how returns work:
- Items must be unworn, unwashed, and unaltered, with all original tags intact.
- Returns are accepted for wrong size, manufacturing defects, or incorrect item shipped.
- Change-of-mind returns are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Contact us before raising a request.
- Sale items, limited-wave drops marked Final Sale, and customised pieces are not eligible for return.
- A reverse pickup will be arranged from the original delivery address at no charge for eligible returns.
Refunds: Once the returned item is received and inspected by PAL Apparels, a refund will be issued to the original payment method within 5–7 business days. Bank processing time may add 2–3 additional days depending on your bank.
Exchanges: If you wish to exchange for a different size (subject to availability), mention this when raising your return request and we will prioritise the exchange over a refund.
To initiate a return, email us at contact@thegroundtheory.com with your order number, a brief description of the issue, and photographs of the item.
Shipping Policy
We ship across India. All orders are dispatched from our fulfilment partner PAL Apparels.
- Processing time: 1–2 business days after payment confirmation.
- Standard delivery: 4–7 business days depending on your location.
- Expedited shipping: Available at checkout for select pin codes. 2–3 business days.
- Free shipping on all orders.
- Orders placed during a wave drop or flash release may experience a processing delay of up to 3 additional business days due to high volume.
- Once dispatched, a tracking link will be sent to your registered email and phone number.
Ground Theory is not responsible for delays caused by courier services, natural events, strikes, or factors outside our control once the parcel has been handed to the logistics partner.
Order Policy
- Orders are confirmed only after successful payment. A confirmation email is your proof of purchase.
- We reserve the right to cancel any order that appears fraudulent or in violation of our terms.
- Order cancellations by the customer are accepted within 12 hours of placing the order, provided it has not yet been dispatched.
- Pre-orders for upcoming wave drops are binding. Cancellations for pre-orders are not accepted unless the drop is delayed by more than 14 days on our end.
- In the event of a stock discrepancy post-order, you will be notified and offered a full refund or a substitution at the same or equivalent price.
- All prices on the site are inclusive of applicable GST. Your invoice will reflect the breakdown.
Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to understand how visitors use our site and to improve your shopping experience. Cookies help us:
- Remember your cart and preferences across sessions.
- Understand which drops and products attract the most interest.
- Deliver relevant content and, where applicable, targeted ads through third-party ad networks.
You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time. Note that some site features (such as maintaining a cart) may not function correctly without them.
Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Our site uses SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit. Payment information is processed exclusively through our payment gateway partner and is never stored on our servers.
However, no system is 100% secure. If you suspect any unauthorised activity on your account, please contact us immediately at contact@thegroundtheory.com.
Your Rights
As a customer, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Request deletion of your account and associated data (subject to legal retention requirements).
- Opt out of marketing communications at any time via the unsubscribe link in any email.
- Lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@thegroundtheory.com with the subject line "Data Request — [Your Name]". We will respond within 7 business days.
Policy Changes
We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. When we do, the "Last updated" date at the top of this page will change. We encourage you to review this page before making a purchase. Continued use of the site after any change constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
For significant changes, we will notify registered users via email.
Contact Us
For any questions about this policy, your order, or a return request — reach us through any of the channels below.