Affiliate Disclosure

Drop Beacon (edc4me.com) is an independent EDC drop and pricing aggregator. To keep the site free to use, we participate in affiliate programs with select brands and retailers. This page explains what that means, how it works, and how we keep recommendations honest.

How affiliate links work here

Some outbound links on Drop Beacon — typically the "Buy" buttons on product pages and in our newsletter — route through affiliate tracking so that if you purchase from the destination retailer, Drop Beacon may earn a small commission. You pay the same price whether you click through our link or visit the retailer directly.

Networks and partners we use

We work with a mix of affiliate networks and direct brand partnerships. Active networks include:

• Awin — used for most of our brand partners (Nitecore, Wuben, Imalent, WE Knife, Xtar, Tsar Bomba, Thread Wallets, Nomatic, EcoGear FX, and others)
• Rakuten Advertising — used for select brand partners including Dango Products
• Direct affiliate programs — some brands (e.g., SRM Knives) operate their own affiliate tracking; we link through those where available
• Sovrn Commerce — used for select retailer coverage

What this does NOT change

• Editorial independence. Affiliate status does not determine which brands or products appear on Drop Beacon. Any maker or retailer whose products fit our EDC scope is eligible to be tracked; we track regardless of whether we earn a commission.
• Pricing. Prices shown on Drop Beacon reflect current retailer prices. Clicking through an affiliate link never increases your purchase price.
• Availability data. In-stock / out-of-stock indicators reflect what our scraper reads from the retailer. We do not manipulate availability to favor affiliate partners.
• Reviews. Creator video reviews embedded on Drop Beacon are the opinions of the individual creators, not Drop Beacon. We do not compensate creators to give favorable reviews. Creator partnerships, when they exist, are disclosed on the creator's profile page.

How to tell if a link is affiliate

Outbound purchase links from Drop Beacon go through our redirect handler (/go/…) which applies tracking parameters and logs the click for attribution. Links to non-commercial content (creator profiles, editorial guides, blog posts) are not affiliate-tracked.

Returns, refunds, and exchanges

Because Drop Beacon is a comparison and affiliate platform rather than a direct seller, returns, refunds, and exchanges are handled by the destination retailer where you completed your purchase — according to each retailer's individual return policy.

Typical return windows across retailers in our network:

• Most US retailers: 30-day return window for unused items in original packaging
• Direct-from-maker stores (e.g., Nitecore, Dango, Tsar Bomba): 14–30 days depending on product condition and policy
• Marketplace and secondary-market listings: return terms vary by seller and may not be offered at all

We recommend reviewing the destination retailer's return policy before completing your purchase. The retailer's policy link is typically available in their site footer or during checkout.

Having trouble with a return? If you purchased through a Drop Beacon affiliate link and the destination retailer is non-responsive or the return experience is poor, reach out via our contact page. We can't process refunds on the retailer's behalf, but we can help escalate through the affiliate network when warranted.

FTC compliance

This disclosure exists to comply with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. We believe transparency serves both our users and the brands we partner with.

Questions

If you have questions about how we handle affiliate relationships, reach out via our contact page. We're happy to explain any specific link, partnership, or editorial decision.