How do I know that the product I purchase from you is authentic?
Who dictates what is "authentic"?
Why don't you offer a Certificate of Authenticity like other sites?
I found a lot that I like. How do I purchase products from different artisans?
Some items have an artisan name, but I cannot find the artisan's page on your site?
Can I contact an artisan about their product?
Do I have to purchase items from an artisan through I Buy Native?
What do I do if I think I may have bought a fraudulent "Native American" art piece?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Do you offer Gift Certificates?
When will my order be shipped and what are my options?
What about international customers?
What is your return policy?
What is your Privacy Policy?

How do I know that the product I purchase from you is authentic?

We have strict guidelines on the artisans, materials used, and methods applied to be featured on our site and sold. Artisans must be affiliated with a Native American tribe in the United States. Items sold on our site cannot be made from any plastics, alloys, faux stone, or laminations of any kind. The major method used to create any our products must be traditional in nature and involve a large amount of hand work. Items made by a machine or a mass production-like process are not allowed to be sold here.

Who dictates what is "authentic"?

We follow the laws of the U.S. Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 and the State of New Mexico's Indian Arts and Crafts Act when deciding what items and artisans to approve to be promoted on the site. New Mexico is known as having some of the most stringent and defined laws in the country when it comes to authentic Native American Art. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 is the only federal law that covers the sale, trade, and representation of Native American arts and crafts in the United States. We research every artisan, their relationship to a tribe, the methods and materials they use, and reference these laws to ensure we are offering arts and crafts you can be proud to own.

Why don't you offer a Certificate of Authenticity like other sites?

We don't offer them because there is no authority to issue one. Some state laws allow sellers to provide consumers with their own "certificate" but this by no means is certified except for by the seller. To us, a seller issuing a "Certificate of Authenticity" is no different than a seller being able to say something is made by Native American's when it may not be. We do, however, include a certificate of what materials an item is made of, the artisan who made it, and the tribe the artisan is affiliated with. If a state or federal government comes up with criteria and a governing body to issue a real one...we will definitely do so!

I found a lot that I like. How do I purchase products from different artisans?

Feel free to purchase any items you like. Your shopping cart account will hold any number of items from any artisan you wish. All items are shipped from a central location so your order will arrive in one shipment.

Some items have an artisan name, but I cannot find the artisan's page on your site?

While we do offer more exposure to artisans who sign up for a membership, our main goal is the advancement in authentic Native American artwork and crafts available worldwide on the internet. We procure items through two other means as well. The first is that we buy items we like at indian markets and from artisans we know personally and sell them on the site. Secondly, we work with special projects that bring sales to artisans who live in remote locations, mostly with the Navajo rugs offered. Materials are provided to weavers to weave a particular design or type of rug. We then sell the rugs, bringing in more income for those who otherwise have no steady stream of it. Regardless of whether the artisan is featured on the site or not, you can rely on our commitment to the items meeting our high standards of authenticity and that profits benefit a worthy cause.

Can I contact an artisan about their product?

We encourage our customers to contact our member artisans. Every artisan has a link to an email address that is on their main page. Even if an artisan does not have email access, we monitor it for them and will forward any email they get via the US Postal Service. For this reason, don't expect quick replies from an artisan. Be sure to direct any questions about our service (shipping, packaging, returns, etc.) to us and not to the artisan.

Do I have to purchase items from an artisan through your site?

Some of our artisans do have retail storefronts and we welcome you to visit them if you are in their geographic location. Our artisans do not advertise or sell on any other site on the internet and therefore any item you wish to purchase from them online must be done through this site or any retail location they may have. The artisans know that they support a good cause by selling here and that they are ensuring their legitimacy.

What do I do if I think I may have bought a fraudulent "Native American" art piece?

If you bought it from our site...no worry, it's real. If you bought something from another source claiming it to be authentic Native American and you have your doubts, call the seller. Legitimate sellers will gladly explain who made the item, what its made from, or at least get to you the information you desire. If they have trouble backing up their claims or you are not sure the information is true, request a refund and explain why. If you have trouble getting your refund, this is a good sign that the seller is hiding something. You should report your concerns to a local authority (District Attorney, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) and then contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at 1-800-ART-FAKE. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is the only federal agency that is consistently and exclusively concerned with the economic benefits of Native American cultural development. The IACB's policies are determined by five commissioners who are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and serve without compensation. We follow the guidelines of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 and the State of New Mexico's Indian Arts and Crafts Act. We also inform the Board of any fraudulent items or sellers we find and report them quickly. Click here for more information on the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Do you offer Gift Certificates?

When will my order be shipped and what are my options?

We compile shipping orders once every non-holiday business day and they will be packaged and shipped within Five to Seven (5-7) business days. If you paid for your order with the 'Mail Check' option, your order will be shipped once the check has been received and cleared. The 'Mail Check' option is ONLY available to customers in the United States. We currently use UPS and the United States Postal Service. You will see a list of available shipping options based on where your order is being shipped and it's weight during the checkout process. We look forward to adding FedEx shipping in the future.

What about international customers?

We welcome international shoppers to enjoy our offerings as much as everyone else. Please take note that international shipping takes a long time when it comes to certain countries, especially when using the US Postal Service Option. We are registered with UPS and are usually able to expedite the international shipping process. Any fees charged by customs, import taxes/tariffs, and export taxes/tariffs will be the responsibility of the customer. Any of these fees charged to us will be charged to the credit card on file for your account. If you are ordering a large item such as a carving or sculpture, please send us an email so we may arrange for shipping. *Due to Identity Theft issues, we reserve the right to hold onto shipping an international order to confirm card ownership and destination. Unless proven otherwise, we also reserve the right to cancel an international order and refund the full amount charged if we suspect a customer has broken any US or foreign laws or regulations, including fraud, or for any other reason we choose.

What is your return policy?

We have three main objectives: 1) To provide an inexpensive, qualified way for Native American artisans to sell their trade to a wide audience in order to sustain and protect their way of life, 2) Provide a service to the customer where they can be proud to own Native American arts because of Number 1, and 3) Through its online presence, keep an eye open for fraudulent services & sellers and report them to the proper authorities, including the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Feel free to return most* items you are not satisfied with within 10 days of purchase. Knowing that our products are 100% authentic, and that most Native American cultures see returning an item as offensive, we do have a 15% re-stocking/selling fee because the artist has already been paid for their item and the refund will be born completely by us and we will attempt to re-sell it, still giving profits to the artisan. As an alternative, and to support their culture, if you have an item that you are not satisfied with, or do not want anymore, try trading it for something you would like (even on our site) or giving it as a gift for someone.

*NOTE: Some of our products are made through one of our economic development programs. These programs provide the materials that artisans need and we guarantee to buy them once they are completed. These programs are normally carried out in certain remote geographical locations to provide income and spur local economies. Items that are made through this type of program and sold on I Buy Native are not eligible for return.

What is your Privacy Policy?

To see our Privacy Policy, Click here.