If A Lovely Everyday has confirmed that your refund was issued but you don't see it yet, the refund may still be moving through your bank or card provider. This guide explains the typical timing, what an Acquirer Reference Number (ARN) is, and how to use one when following up.
How long can a refund take?
Refunds are returned to the original payment method used for the order.
For refunds processed through Shopify Payments, the refund can remain Pending in Shopify for up to 2 business days while it is being processed. After the refund is processed, it can take up to 10 business days for the funds to appear, depending on your bank or card provider.
If fewer than 10 business days have passed since the refund was processed, your bank may still be completing its normal processing.
What if I paid with Shop Pay?
Shop Pay is Shopify's accelerated checkout and wallet experience. If you paid with a card through Shop Pay, the transaction is still finalized through Shopify Payments, so the same general refund timing applies.
If your refund is eligible for an Acquirer Reference Number, A Lovely Everyday can provide that number so your bank or card provider can trace the refund. The ARN is tied to the underlying card transaction, not to the Shop Pay checkout experience itself.
What is an Acquirer Reference Number (ARN)?
An Acquirer Reference Number, or ARN, is a unique reference number that banks and card providers can use to trace a card refund through the payment network.
For eligible refunds processed through Shopify Payments, ARNs are assigned to Visa and Mastercard transactions. Not every payment method or refund will have an ARN.
How do I use an ARN to follow up on my refund?
If your refund has not appeared after the expected processing time and A Lovely Everyday has provided you with an ARN, contact the bank or card provider connected to the original payment method.
- Tell them you are trying to locate a card refund.
- Provide the ARN exactly as it was given to you.
- Ask them to trace the refund using the Acquirer Reference Number and confirm its current status.
You can say:
I'm following up on a card refund that the merchant has confirmed was processed. The Acquirer Reference Number is [ARN]. Can you trace this refund and tell me its status?
What if the original card expired or was canceled?
Refunds are still sent back to the original payment method. If the original card has expired or been canceled, the bank or card provider is responsible for routing the refund according to its own process. Contact them directly and provide the ARN, if one is available.
A Lovely Everyday cannot redirect a processed refund to a different card or bank account.
What can A Lovely Everyday check?
We can review the order and confirm details such as:
- the date the refund was issued;
- the refund amount;
- the refund status shown in Shopify; and
- the ARN, when one is available.
Once a refund has been processed, the receiving bank or card provider controls when the funds are posted to the account.
Still can't locate the refund?
If your bank or card provider cannot locate the refund using the ARN, or tells you that the refund was rejected or returned, please contact A Lovely Everyday Customer Care again. Include your order number and let us know what your bank told you so we can determine the next step.
Please do not send your full card number, banking credentials, or other sensitive financial information.