Higher Grounds Coffee Limited Product Quality Warranty

Effective Date: August 6, 2026

Higher Grounds Trading Co. stands behind the quality, safety, and workmanship of the products we manufacture and sell under the Higher Grounds Coffee brand.

Our Warranty

Higher Grounds Trading Co. warrants that, when originally purchased from Higher Grounds or an authorized retailer, each Higher Grounds Coffee product will:

  1. Be manufactured, roasted, packaged, labeled, and handled in accordance with applicable quality and food-safety requirements;
  2. Be free from material defects in manufacturing, packaging, and workmanship at the time of sale;
  3. Substantially conform to the product description and net quantity stated on its packaging; and
  4. Remain suitable for its intended use through the printed “Best By” date, provided the product remains unopened and is stored according to the instructions on its packaging.

Products Covered

This warranty applies to consumable coffee products manufactured or packaged for Higher Grounds Trading Co., including:

  • Whole-bean coffee;
  • Ground coffee;
  • Single-serve coffee products;
  • Cold-brew or ready-to-drink coffee products, when applicable; and
  • Other packaged food or beverage products expressly bearing the Higher Grounds Coffee name.

Products manufactured by another company and merely resold by Higher Grounds may be covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty instead.

Warranty Period

For unopened products, this warranty continues through the “Best By” date printed on the package.

For products that have been opened, a quality-related claim must be submitted within 30 days after purchase and before the printed “Best By” date.

Available Remedy

When a covered product does not meet this warranty, Higher Grounds will, at its option and without charge to the customer:

  • Replace the affected product with the same or a reasonably comparable product;
  • Provide a refund of the verified purchase price; or
  • Provide another mutually acceptable remedy.

Replacement or refund is the customer’s exclusive remedy under this limited warranty, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

Purchases made through Costco or another authorized retailer may also qualify for that retailer’s return or satisfaction policy. Nothing in this warranty limits any rights provided by the retailer.

How to Make a Claim

To request assistance, contact:

Higher Grounds Trading Co.
806 Red Drive, Suite 150
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Email: hello@highergroundstrading.com
Telephone: (231) 922-9009
Website: www.highergroundstrading.com

Please provide, when reasonably available:

  • The product name and package size;
  • The lot code, production code, and “Best By” date;
  • The date and location of purchase;
  • A photograph showing the product and reported issue;
  • A copy or photograph of the purchase receipt; and
  • A brief description of the concern.

A receipt is preferred but will not be required when Higher Grounds can reasonably verify that the product is authentic, within the warranty period, and sold through an authorized channel.

Customers should retain the product and packaging until Higher Grounds confirms whether they are needed for quality review. Higher Grounds will not require the return of a product when doing so would be unsafe or unreasonable.

Retailer and Wholesale Claims

Authorized retailers, distributors, and food-service customers should promptly isolate affected inventory and contact their Higher Grounds sales representative or customer service.

Please provide the applicable:

  • Purchase-order or invoice number;
  • Product description and SKU or UPC;
  • Lot code and “Best By” date;
  • Quantity received and quantity affected;
  • Distribution location or store number;
  • Photographs of the product, case markings, and reported defect; and
  • Information regarding storage, handling, or transportation conditions.

Higher Grounds may inspect or request samples of affected product before issuing replacement inventory, credit, reimbursement, or other corrective action. Any product withdrawal, recall, destruction, public communication, or customer notification must be coordinated with Higher Grounds unless immediate action is legally required to protect health or safety.

Commercial remedies may also be governed by the applicable purchase order, supplier agreement, distribution agreement, or retailer terms. Where those written terms conflict with this warranty, the controlling commercial agreement will govern the business-to-business claim.

What Is Not Covered

This warranty does not cover a condition caused by:

  • Improper storage, including exposure to excessive heat, moisture, sunlight, odors, pests, or unsanitary conditions;
  • Damage occurring after delivery due to mishandling, puncture, crushing, tampering, or improper transportation;
  • Use after the printed “Best By” date;
  • Normal changes in aroma, flavor, or appearance after opening;
  • Preparation methods, water quality, brewing equipment, or personal taste preferences that do not result from a product defect;
  • Modification, repackaging, relabeling, blending, adulteration, or resale outside authorized channels;
  • Counterfeit, diverted, stolen, salvaged, or unauthorized products;
  • Failure to follow preparation, storage, allergen, or safety instructions; or
  • Events outside Higher Grounds’ reasonable control occurring after risk of loss has transferred to the purchaser.

Natural agricultural variation in coffee-bean size, color, appearance, roast expression, or flavor is not a defect when the product remains safe and substantially conforms to its description.

Food-Safety Concerns

A customer who believes a product may present a health or safety risk should stop using it and contact Higher Grounds promptly. In an emergency or suspected severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical assistance.

Nothing in this warranty limits Higher Grounds’ obligations under applicable food-safety, product-withdrawal, or recall laws.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Higher Grounds will not be responsible under this warranty for indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages arising from a defective product.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to every customer.

Other Legal Rights

This warranty gives customers specific legal rights. Customers may also have other rights that vary by state.

Higher Grounds does not exclude or limit any implied warranty or consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

No Unauthorized Changes

No retailer, distributor, employee, representative, or other person is authorized to alter or expand this warranty unless the change is made in a written agreement signed by an authorized representative of Higher Grounds Trading Co.