General Terms and Conditions
Table of contents:
Article 1 – Definitions
Article 2 – Identity of the economic operator
Article 3 – Applicability
Article 4 – The offer
Article 5 – The Agreement
Article 6 – Right of withdrawal
Article 7 – Costs in case of revocation
Article 8 – Exclusion of right of withdrawal
Article 9 – The price
Article 10 – Conformity and warranty
Article 11 – Delivery and execution
Article 12 – Duration transactions: duration, termination and renewal
Article 13 – Payment
Article 14 – Complaints procedure
Article 15 – Disputes
Article 16 – Additional or different provisions
Article 1 – Definitions
For the purposes of these terms and conditions:
- Withdrawal period: the period within which the consumer can make use of his right of withdrawal;
- Consumer: the natural person who is not acting in the exercise of a profession or business and enters into a distance contract with the entrepreneur;
- Day: calendar day;
- Extended duration transaction: a distance contract relating to a series of products and/or services, the supply and/or purchase obligation of which is spread over time;
- Durable data carrier: any means that enables the consumer or entrepreneur to store information that is addressed to him personally in a way that enables future consultation and unaltered reproduction of the stored information.
- Right of withdrawal: the possibility for the consumer to withdraw from the distance contract within the cooling-off period;
- Model revocation form: the model revocation form made available by the entrepreneur that a consumer can fill in when he wants to make use of his right of revocation.
- Entrepreneur: the natural or legal person who offers products and/or services at a distance to consumers;
- Distance contract: an agreement whereby, within the framework of a system organized by the entrepreneur for distance selling of products and/or services, up to and including the conclusion of the agreement, exclusive use is made of one or more means of distance communication;
- Technique for distance communication: means that can be used for concluding an agreement, without the consumer and the entrepreneur coming together in the same room at the same time.
- General Terms and Conditions: these General Terms and Conditions of the Entrepreneur.
Article 2 – Identity of the entrepreneur
VOF Hydroponics Europe
Lijmbeekstraat 110
5612NG, Eindhoven
The Netherlands
E-mail address: info@hydroponicseurope.nl
Chamber of Commerce number: 74483765
VAT identification number: NL859919493B01
Article 3 – Applicability
- These general terms and conditions apply to every offer made by the entrepreneur and to every distance contract and orders placed between entrepreneur and consumer.
- Before the distance contract is concluded, the text of these general terms and conditions will be made available to the consumer. If this is not reasonably possible, before the distance contract is concluded, it will be indicated that the general terms and conditions can be viewed at the entrepreneur and they will be sent to the consumer as soon as possible free of charge at the consumer’s request.
- If the distance contract is concluded electronically, then, contrary to the previous paragraph and before the distance contract is concluded, the text of these general terms and conditions may be made available to the Consumer electronically in such a way that the Consumer can easily store them on a durable medium. If this is not reasonably possible, before the distance contract is concluded, it will be indicated where the general terms and conditions can be consulted electronically and that they will be sent electronically or otherwise free of charge at the consumer’s request.
- In the event that, in addition to these general terms and conditions, specific product or service conditions also apply, the second and third paragraphs apply by analogy and the consumer can always invoke the applicable provision that is most favourable to him in the event of conflicting general terms and conditions.
- If one or more provisions of these terms and conditions at any time in whole or in part are void or nullified, then the agreement and these terms and conditions for the rest remain in force and the provision in question in mutual consultation will immediately be replaced by a provision that approximates the purport of the original as closely as possible.
- Situations not regulated in these general terms and conditions should be assessed ‘in the spirit’ of these general terms and conditions.
- Uncertainties about the interpretation or content of one or more provisions of our terms and conditions must be interpreted ‘in the spirit’ of these general terms and conditions
Article 4 – The offer
- If an offer has a limited period of validity or is made subject to conditions, this will be explicitly stated in the offer.
- The offer is without obligation. The entrepreneur is entitled to change and amend the offer.
- The offer contains a complete and accurate description of the products and/or services offered. The description is sufficiently detailed to enable the consumer to make a proper assessment of the offer. If the Entrepreneur makes use of images, these are a true representation of the products and/or services on offer. Obvious mistakes or obvious errors in the offer do not bind the entrepreneur.
- All images, specifications and information in the offer are indicative and can not be a reason for compensation or dissolution of the agreement.
- Images of products are a true representation of the products offered. The Entrepreneur cannot guarantee that the colours shown correspond exactly with the real colours of the products.
- Each offer contains such information that it is clear to the consumer what rights and obligations are attached to the acceptance of the offer. This concerns in the special:
- the price including taxes;
- any shipping costs;
- the manner in which the agreement will be concluded and what actions are necessary for that purpose;
- whether or not the right of withdrawal applies;
- the method of payment, delivery and performance of the contract;
- the period for acceptance of the offer, or the period within which the underseller guarantees the price;
- the amount of the rate for distance communication if the costs of using the technology for distance communication are calculated on a basis other than the regular basic rate for the means of communication used;
- whether the contract will be archived after its conclusion, and if so, on which method it can be consulted by the consumer;
- the manner in which the consumer, before concluding the contract, the data provided by him in the context of the contract can be checked and if you wish to recover;
- any other languages in which, in addition to Dutch, the agreement may be concluded;
- the codes of conduct to which the trader is subject and the manner in which the consumer can consult these codes of conduct electronically; and
- the minimum duration of the distance contract in the case of an endurance transaction.
- Optional: available sizes, colours, type of materials.
Article 5 – The Agreement
- The agreement shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, be concluded when the consumer accepts the offer and meets the conditions set.
- If the consumer has accepted the offer by electronic means, the trader shall immediately confirm receipt of acceptance of the offer by electronic means. As long as the receipt of this acceptance has not been confirmed by the Entrepreneur, the Consumer may dissolve the contract.
- If the agreement is concluded electronically, the entrepreneur shall take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the electronic transmission of data and shall ensure a secure web environment. If the consumer can pay electronically, the entrepreneur will take appropriate security measures.
- The entrepreneur may – within the limits of the law – inform himself whether the consumer can meet his payment obligations, as well as all those facts and factors that are important for a responsible conclusion of the distance contract. If, on the basis of this investigation, the entrepreneur has good grounds not to enter into the agreement, he is entitled to refuse an order or request, stating reasons, or to attach special conditions to the implementation.
- The entrepreneur will provide the consumer with the product or service the following information, in writing or in such a way that the consumer in an accessible way can be stored on a durable data carrier:
a. the visiting address of the establishment of the entrepreneur to which the consumer can turn with complaints;
b. the conditions under which and the manner in which the Consumer can exercise the right of withdrawal, or a clear statement about being excluded from the right of withdrawal;
c. the information about guarantees and existing after-sales service;
d. the data included in article 4 paragraph 3 of these conditions, unless the entrepreneur has already provided the consumer with these data prior to the execution of the agreement;
e. the requirements for terminating the contract if the contract has a duration of more than one year or is of indefinite duration. - In the case of a long-term transaction, the provision in the previous paragraph only applies to the first delivery.
- Each agreement is entered into under the suspensive conditions of sufficient availability of the products concerned.
Article 6 – Right of withdrawal
On delivery of products:
- When purchasing products, the consumer has the option of dissolving the contract without giving any reason to dissolve for 14 days. This reflection period commences on the day after receipt of the product by the consumer or a representative designated by the consumer and announced to the entrepreneur.
- During the cooling-off period, the consumer will handle the product and packaging with care. He will only unpack or use the product to the extent necessary to assess whether he wishes to keep the product. If he exercises his right of withdrawal, he will return the product with all delivered accessories and – if reasonably possible – in its original condition and packaging to the Entrepreneur, in accordance with the Entrepreneur’s reasonable and clear instructions provided by the Entrepreneur.
- If the consumer wishes to exercise his right of withdrawal, he is obliged to inform the entrepreneur within 14 days after receipt of the product. The consumer must make this known by means of the model form. After the consumer has made known to want to make use of his right of withdrawal, the customer must return the product within 14 days to return. The consumer must prove that the delivered goods have been returned on time, for example by means of proof of dispatch.
- If, after the expiry of the periods specified in paragraphs 2 and 3, the customer has not made it known that he wishes to exercise his right of withdrawal or has not returned the product to the Entrepreneur, the purchase is a fact.
In the case of the provision of services: - Upon delivery of services, the consumer has the option of dissolving the contract without giving any reason to dissolve for at least 14 days, commencing on the day of entering into the contract.
- In order to exercise his right of withdrawal, the consumer will comply with the reasonable and clear instructions provided by the entrepreneur at the time of the offer and / or at the latest at the time of delivery.
Article 7 – Costs in case of revocation
- If the consumer exercises his right of withdrawal, he shall bear at most the costs of returning the goods.
- If the consumer has paid an amount, the entrepreneur will refund this amount as soon as possible, but at the latest within 14 days after withdrawal. This is subject to the condition that the product has already been received back by the merchant or conclusive proof of complete return can be submitted. Reimbursement will be made via the same payment method used by the consumer unless the consumer expressly consents to another payment method.
- If the product is damaged due to careless handling by the consumer, the consumer is liable for any reduction in value of the product.
- The consumer cannot be held liable for any reduction in the value of the product if not all legally required information about the right of withdrawal has been provided by the entrepreneur, this must be done before concluding the purchase agreement.
Article 8 – Exclusion of the right of withdrawal
- The trader may exclude the consumer’s right of withdrawal for products such as those referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3. The exclusion of the right of withdrawal only applies if the trader has clearly stated this in the offer, at least in good time before concluding the contract.
- Exclusion of the right of withdrawal is only possible for products:
a. that have been created by the Entrepreneur in accordance with the specifications of the Consu-ment;
b. that are clearly of a personal nature;
c. which cannot be returned due to their nature;
d. that can spoil or age quickly;
e. whose price is subject to fluctuations on the financial market over which the Entrepreneur has no influence;
f. for individual newspapers and magazines;
g. for audio and video recordings and computer software of which the consumer has broken the seal.
h. for hygienic products of which the consumer has broken the seal. - Exclusion of the right of withdrawal is only possible for services:
a. concerning accommodation, transport, catering or leisure activities to be carried out on a specific date or during a specific period;
b. of which the delivery has started with the Consumer’s explicit consent before the cooling-off period has expired;
c. concerning bets and lotteries.
Article 9 – The price
- During the period of validity stated in the offer, the prices of the products and/or services offered will not be increased, except for price changes due to changes in VAT rates.
- Contrary to the previous paragraph, the entrepreneur may offer products or services whose prices are subject to fluctuations in the financial market and on which the entrepreneur has no influence, with variable prices. This obligation to fluctuate and the fact that any prices quoted are target prices, will be stated in the offer.
- Price increases within 3 months after the conclusion of the agreement are only permitted if they are the result of statutory regulations or provisions.
- Price increases from 3 months after the conclusion of the contract are only permitted if the entrepreneur has stipulated this and:
a. they are the result of statutory regulations or provisions; or
b. the consumer has the power to terminate the contract as of the day on which the price increase takes effect. - The prices mentioned in the offer of products or services are inclusive of VAT.
- All prices are subject to printing and typographical errors. No liability is accepted for the consequences of printing and typesetting errors. In the event of printing and typesetting errors, the Entrepreneur is not obliged to deliver the product at the incorrect price.
Article 10 – Conformity and Warranty
- The entrepreneur guarantees that the products and / or services meet the agreement, the specifications stated in the offer, the reasonable requirements of reliability and / or usability and the existing legal provisions and / or government regulations on the date of the conclusion of the agreement. If agreed, the entrepreneur also guarantees that the product is suitable for other than normal use.
- A guarantee provided by the entrepreneur, manufacturer or importer does not affect the legal rights and claims that the consumer under the agreement can assert against the customer.
- Any defects or incorrectly delivered products must be reported to the entrepreneur in writing within 4 weeks after delivery. Products must be returned in their original packaging and in new condition.
- The entrepreneur’s warranty period corresponds to the manufacturer’s warranty period. However, the entrepreneur is never responsible for the ultimate suitability of the products for each individual application by the consumer, nor for any advice regarding the use or application of the products.
- The warranty does not apply if:
- The consumer has repaired and/or processed the delivered products himself or has had them repaired and/or processed by third parties;
- The delivered products have been exposed to abnormal conditions or have been treated carelessly or contrary to the instructions of the underseller and/or have been treated on the packaging;
- The defects are wholly or partly the result of regulations that the government has imposed or will impose with regard to the nature or the quality of the materials used.
Article 11 – Delivery and execution
- The entrepreneur will take the greatest possible care in receiving and in the execution of orders for products and in assessing applications for the provision of services.
- The place of delivery is the address that the consumer has made known to the company.
- Subject to what is stated in paragraph 4 of this article, the company will execute accepted orders expeditiously but at the latest within 30 days, unless consu-ment has agreed to a longer delivery period. If the delivery is delayed, or if an order is not or only partially carried out, the consumer receives them no later than 30 days after the order was placed. In that case, the consumer has the right to dissolve the contract free of charge. The consumer has no right to compensation.
- All delivery periods are indicative. The consumer may not derive any rights from any of these periods. Exceeding a term does not entitle the consumer to compensation.
- In case of dissolution in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article, the entrepreneur will refund the amount paid by the consumer as soon as possible, but at the latest within 14 days after dissolution.
- If delivery of an ordered product turns out to be impossible, the entrepreneur will make every effort to make a replacement article available. At the latest upon delivery, it will be clearly and comprehensibly stated that a replacement article will be delivered. In the case of replacement articles, the right of withdrawal cannot be excluded. The costs of any return shipment shall be borne by the entrepreneur.
- The risk of damage and / or loss of products rests with the entrepreneur up to the time of delivery to the consumer or a designated and approved representative, unless otherwise expressly agreed.
Article 12 – Duration transactions: duration, termination and renewal
Termination
- The consumer may contract for an indefinite period of time and that extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services, terminate at any time subject to agreed termination rules and a notice of up to one month.
- The consumer may contract for an indefinite period and that extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services, at any time at the end of the definite term, subject to the agreed termination rules and a notice of up to one month.
- The consumer may terminate the agreements referred to in the previous paragraphs:
- terminate at any time and not be limited to termination at a specific time or in a specific period;
- at least terminate them in the same way as they were entered into by the consumer;
- always terminate with the same notice as the entrepreneur has stipulated for himself.
Extension
- A fixed-term contract for the regular supply of products (including electricity) or services shall not be tacitly extended or renewed for a definite period.
- Contrary to the previous paragraph, a fixed-term contract that has been concluded for the regular supply of daily news and weekly newspapers and magazines may be tacitly renewed for a fixed period of up to three months, if the consumer can terminate this extended contract at the end of the renewal with a notice not exceeding one month.
- A fixed-term contract that has been concluded for the regular supply of products or services may only be tacitly extended for an indefinite period if the consumer may terminate at any time with a notice of up to one month and a notice of up to three months if the contract is for the regular, but less than once a month, supply of daily newspapers, news and weekly newspapers and magazines.
- An agreement with a limited duration for the regular supply of daily newspapers, news and weekly newspapers and magazines (trial or introductory subscription) shall not be tacitly continued and shall end automatically at the end of the trial or introductory period.
Duration - If a contract has a duration of more than one year, after one year the consumer may terminate the contract at any time with a notice of up to one month, unless the reasonableness and fairness opposes termination before the end of the agreed term.
Article 13 – Payment
- Unless otherwise agreed, the amounts owed by the consumer must be paid within 7 working days after the start of the cooling-off period as referred to in Article 6, paragraph 1. In the case of an agreement to provide a service, this period commences after the consumer has received confirmation of the agreement.
- The consumer has the duty to report any inaccuracies in the payment details provided or stated to the entrepreneur without delay.
- In the event of non-payment by the consumer, the entrepreneur has the right, subject to statutory limitations, to charge the consumer for the reasonable costs incurred in advance.
Article 14 – Complaints procedure
- The entrepreneur shall have a sufficiently publicised complaints procedure and shall deal with the complaint in accordance with this complaints procedure.
- Complaints about the implementation of the agreement must be submitted to the entrepreneur within 7 days completely and clearly described, after the consumer has dated the defects.
- Complaints submitted to the entrepreneur will be answered within a period of 14 days from the date of receipt. If a complaint requires a foreseeable longer processing time, the entrepreneur will answer within the period of 14 days with a message of receipt and an indication when the consumer can expect a more detailed answer.
- If the complaint cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, a dispute will arise that is subject to dispute resolution.
- In case of complaints, a consumer should first turn to the entrepreneur. It is also possible to submit complaints via the European ODR platform (http://ec.europa.eu/odr).
- A complaint does not suspend the obligations of the entrepreneur, unless the entrepreneur indicates otherwise in writing.
- If a complaint is found to be well-founded by the entrepreneur, the entrepreneur will, at its discretion, either replace or repair the delivered products free of charge.
Article 15 – Disputes
- Agreements between the entrepreneur and the consumer to which these general terms and conditions apply, are exclusively governed by Dutch law. Even if the consumer resides abroad.
- The Vienna Sales Convention does not apply.
Article 16 – Additional or different provisions
Additional provisions or provisions deviating from these general terms and conditions may not be to the consumer’s detriment and must be recorded in writing or in such a way that they can be stored by the consumer in an accessible manner on a durable medium.