Tilekind compares sample, delivery and returns terms across nine Australian tile shops

Tilekind has published an updated side-by-side review of sample, delivery and returns policies at nine Australian online tile shops, showing wide cost differences for buyers. The comparison highlights how hidden costs can shift the total price of a tile order in Australia.

Why it matters: - Australian tile buyers can face very different costs before a tile order even arrives. - The comparison shows how sample fees, delivery charges and return rules can materially change the real price of a purchase. - Tilekind says the review is meant to make those costs easier to compare before an order is placed.

What happened: - Tilekind published an updated comparison of the sample, delivery and returns terms used by nine Australian online tile shops, including Tilekind. - The figures were taken from each shop’s public web pages and rechecked on 9 October 2026. - The release does not name the other shops, but Tilekind says the full comparison on its website does. - The comparison covers samples, delivery pricing and returns terms only.

The details: - All nine shops publish a sample price, and all nine allow five samples in a single order. - Five samples delivered to a metropolitan address cost between A$9.95 and A$44.95 using each shop’s cheapest published option. - Five of the nine shops priced five samples at A$15. - None of the nine shops offers both the sample pieces and their postage free. - Four of the eight other shops say they return some or all of the sample cost against a later tile order, with each shop setting its own time limit or minimum spend. - Tile delivery is priced in four ways across the group: flat rate by area, rate by weight, charge per pallet or quote at checkout. - Excluding parcel rates for 15 kg or less, published starting delivery rates range from A$25 to A$144.95. - The lowest starting rate covers up to 35 kg, while the highest covers a full pallet. - Two shops show no delivery figure until checkout. - Only one of the nine offers free delivery above a set order value, and only to certain areas, with a set amount off delivery elsewhere. - None of the nine carries tiles inside as a standard service. - Five of the nine accept change-of-mind returns after delivery. - Where a return window is stated, it runs from 7 to 30 days. - Restocking fees range from 5% to at least 30%. - Eight of the nine ask the customer to pay return freight. - Seven of the nine set a deadline for reporting transit damage, ranging from 48 hours to seven business days. - Australian Consumer Law rights for damaged, faulty or incorrect goods apply regardless of a shop’s returns policy.

Between the lines: - The comparison shows that low advertised tile prices do not tell the full cost story. - Delivery and returns terms can be as important as product price, especially for heavy goods like tiles. - Tilekind’s decision to publish its own terms in the same tables puts its offer in direct context with competitors. - The release is a policy snapshot, not a checkout test or a delivery-time study, so the published figures may not capture every cost at purchase.

What Tilekind charges: - Tilekind lists samples at A$3 each with free delivery on sample orders. - Tilekind prices tile delivery by order weight and destination state. - Tilekind’s delivery rates run from A$25 to A$59 for up to 35 kg, or one or two boxes. - Tilekind’s pallet delivery rates run from A$95 to A$199 for a single pallet. - Tilekind offers A$100 off when the products in an order total A$1,500 or more. - Tilekind applies that discount to the order, not to delivery. - Tilekind offers a 14-day change-of-mind return with a 20% restocking fee. - Tilekind’s delivery rates took effect on 10 October 2026, the day after the other shops’ terms were rechecked.

What's next: - Tilekind says shops can change their terms at any time. - Buyers will still need to check checkout pages, delivery limits and return conditions before ordering. - Tilekind’s published comparison gives shoppers a benchmark they can use as terms change.

The bottom line: - For Australian tile buyers, the cheapest headline price is not always the cheapest order.