GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Article 1 – Definitions
In these terms and conditions, the following definitions apply:
Cooling-off period: The period within which the consumer can exercise their 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 transaction: A distance contract relating to a series of products and/or services, the delivery and/or purchase obligation of which is spread over time.
Durable data carrier: Any means that enables the consumer or entrepreneur to store information addressed personally to them in a way that allows future consultation and unchanged reproduction of the stored information.
Right of withdrawal: The possibility for the consumer to withdraw from the distance contract within the cooling-off period.
Entrepreneur: The natural or legal person who offers products and/or services to consumers at a distance.
Distance contract: A contract concluded within the framework of a system organized by the entrepreneur for distance selling of products and/or services, whereby exclusive use is made of one or more means of distance communication up to and including the conclusion of the contract.
Means of distance communication: Means that can be used for concluding a contract, without the consumer and entrepreneur being in the same room at the same time.
General Terms and Conditions: These General Terms and Conditions of the entrepreneur.
Article 2 – Right of Withdrawal
The consumer has the right to withdraw from the agreement within a cooling-off period of 30 days without giving any reason. During the cooling-off period, the consumer shall handle the product and the packaging with care.
If the consumer exercises their right of withdrawal, they shall return the product with all delivered accessories and, if reasonably possible, in the original condition, in accordance with reasonable instructions from the entrepreneur.
Article 3 – Applicability
These general terms and conditions apply to every offer made by the entrepreneur and to every distance contract and orders concluded between entrepreneur and consumer.
Before the distance contract is concluded, the text of these general terms and conditions shall be made available to the consumer. If this is not reasonably possible, it shall be stated before the distance contract is concluded that the general terms and conditions can be inspected at the entrepreneur’s premises and that they will be sent free of charge to the consumer as soon as possible upon request.
If the distance contract is concluded electronically, then, in deviation from 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 data carrier. If this is not reasonably possible, then before the distance contract is concluded, it shall be stated where the general terms and conditions can be accessed electronically and that they will be sent to the consumer electronically or otherwise free of charge upon request.
In the event that specific product or service conditions also apply in addition to these general terms and conditions, the second and third paragraphs apply accordingly and the consumer may, in the event of conflicting general terms and conditions, always invoke the applicable provision that is most favorable to them.
If one or more provisions in these general terms and conditions are wholly or partially void or annulled at any time, the agreement and these terms and conditions shall otherwise remain in force and the provision in question shall be replaced without delay by mutual agreement with a provision that approximates the intent of the original as closely as possible.
Situations not covered by these general terms and conditions must be assessed in the spirit of these general terms and conditions. Uncertainties regarding 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 shall be explicitly stated in the offer. The offer is non-binding. The entrepreneur is entitled to change and adjust the offer.
The offer contains a complete and accurate description of the products and/or services offered. The description is sufficiently detailed to allow a proper assessment of the offer by the consumer.
If the entrepreneur uses images, these shall be a truthful representation of the products and/or services offered. Obvious mistakes or obvious errors in the offer are not binding on the entrepreneur.
All images and specifications in the offer are indicative and cannot give rise to compensation or dissolution of the agreement.
Images accompanying products are a truthful representation of the products offered. The entrepreneur cannot guarantee that the displayed colors exactly match the real colors of the products.
Each offer contains such information that it is clear to the consumer what rights and obligations are attached to accepting the offer. This concerns in particular:
- Any shipping costs.
- The manner in which the agreement will be concluded and what actions are required for this.
- Whether or not the right of withdrawal applies.
- The method of payment, delivery and performance of the agreement.
- The period for acceptance of the offer, or the period within which the entrepreneur guarantees the price.
- The amount of the rate for distance communication if the costs of using the means of distance communication are calculated on a basis other than the regular basic rate for the means of communication used.
- Whether the agreement is archived after conclusion, and if so, how it can be consulted by the consumer.
- The way in which the consumer, before concluding the agreement, can check and, if desired, correct the information they have provided in the context of the agreement.
- Any languages other than Dutch in which the agreement may be concluded.
- The codes of conduct to which the entrepreneur has submitted and the way in which the consumer can consult these codes of conduct electronically.
- The minimum duration of the distance contract in the case of an extended transaction.
- Optional: available sizes, colors, type of materials.
Article 5 – The Agreement
The agreement is concluded, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, at the moment the consumer accepts the offer and complies with the conditions set therein.
If the consumer has accepted the offer electronically, the entrepreneur shall immediately confirm receipt of acceptance of the offer electronically. As long as the receipt of this acceptance has not been confirmed by the entrepreneur, the consumer may dissolve the agreement.
If the agreement is concluded electronically, the entrepreneur shall take appropriate technical and organizational measures to secure the electronic transfer of data and ensure a secure web environment. If the consumer can pay electronically, the entrepreneur shall observe appropriate security measures.
Within legal frameworks, the entrepreneur may inform themselves whether the consumer can meet their payment obligations, as well as all facts and factors that are important for responsibly entering into the distance contract. If, on the basis of this investigation, the entrepreneur has good grounds not to enter into the agreement, they are entitled to refuse an order or request with reasons or to attach special conditions to the implementation.
The entrepreneur shall send the following information to the consumer with the product or service, in writing or in such a way that the consumer can store it in an accessible manner on a durable data carrier:
- The visiting address of the entrepreneur’s establishment where the consumer can lodge complaints.
- The conditions under which and the way in which the consumer may exercise the right of withdrawal, or a clear statement regarding the exclusion of the right of withdrawal.
- Information about guarantees and existing post-purchase service.
- The data included in Article 4 paragraph 3 of these terms and conditions, unless the entrepreneur has already provided these data to the consumer before performance of the agreement.
- The requirements for terminating the agreement if the agreement has a duration of more than one year or is of indefinite duration.
In the case of an extended transaction, the provision in the previous paragraph applies only to the first delivery. Every agreement is entered into under the suspensive condition of sufficient availability of the products concerned.
Article 6 – Right of Withdrawal
When purchasing products, the consumer has the option of dissolving the agreement without giving any reason within 30 days.
This cooling-off period starts on the day after the product has been received by the consumer or a representative designated in advance by the consumer and made known to the entrepreneur.
During the cooling-off period, the consumer shall handle the product and packaging with care. They shall only unpack or use the product to the extent necessary to determine whether they wish to keep the product.
If they exercise their right of withdrawal, they shall return the product with all delivered accessories and – if reasonably possible – in the original condition and packaging to the entrepreneur, in accordance with the reasonable and clear instructions provided by the entrepreneur.
When the consumer wishes to exercise their right of withdrawal, they are obliged to notify the entrepreneur of this within 30 days after receipt of the product. The consumer must do this by means of a written message or email.
After the consumer has notified that they wish to exercise their right of withdrawal, the customer must return the product within 30 days. The consumer must prove that the delivered goods were returned in time, for example by means of proof of shipment.
If, after the expiry of the periods mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3, the customer has not indicated that they wish to exercise their right of withdrawal and/or has not returned the product to the entrepreneur, the purchase is final.
Article 7 – Costs in Case of Withdrawal
If the consumer exercises their right of withdrawal, the costs of returning the products shall be borne by the consumer.
If the consumer has paid an amount, the entrepreneur shall refund this amount as soon as possible, but no later than within 30 days after withdrawal, provided that the product has already been received back by the entrepreneur or conclusive proof of complete return shipment can be presented.
Article 8 – Exclusion of the Right of Withdrawal
The entrepreneur may exclude the consumer’s right of withdrawal for certain products as described in paragraphs 2 and 3. The exclusion of the right of withdrawal only applies if the entrepreneur has clearly stated this in the offer, at least in time before concluding the agreement.
Exclusion of the right of withdrawal is only possible for products:
- That have been created by the entrepreneur in accordance with the consumer’s specifications.
- That are clearly personal in nature.
- That cannot be returned due to their nature.
- That can spoil or age quickly.
- Whose price is subject to fluctuations on the financial market over which the entrepreneur has no influence.
- For individual newspapers and magazines.
- For audio and video recordings and computer software of which the consumer has broken the seal.
- For hygienic products of which the consumer has broken the seal.
Article 9 – The Price
During the validity period stated in the offer, the prices of the products and/or services offered shall not be increased, except for price changes due to changes in VAT rates.
In deviation from the previous paragraph, the entrepreneur may offer products or services whose prices are subject to fluctuations in the financial market over which the entrepreneur has no influence, at variable prices. This dependence on fluctuations and the fact that any prices stated are target prices shall be stated in the offer.
Price increases within three months after the conclusion of the agreement are only permitted if they are the result of statutory regulations or provisions.
Price increases from three months after the conclusion of the agreement are only permitted if the entrepreneur has stipulated this and:
- They are the result of statutory regulations or provisions; or
- The consumer has the authority to terminate the agreement from the day on which the price increase takes effect.
All prices are subject to printing and typographical errors. No liability is accepted for the consequences of printing and typographical errors. In the event of printing and typographical errors, the entrepreneur is not obliged to deliver the product at the incorrect price.
Article 10 – Conformity and Guarantee
The entrepreneur guarantees that the products and/or services comply with the agreement, the specifications stated in the offer, the reasonable requirements of soundness and/or usability, and the statutory provisions and/or government regulations existing on the date the agreement was concluded. If agreed, the entrepreneur also guarantees that the product is suitable for use other than normal use.
A guarantee provided by the entrepreneur, manufacturer or importer does not affect the statutory rights and claims that the consumer may assert against the entrepreneur under the agreement.
Any defects or incorrectly delivered products must be reported to the entrepreneur in writing within 30 days after delivery. Products must be returned in the 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 every individual application by the consumer, nor for any advice regarding the use or application of the products.
The guarantee does not apply if:
- The consumer has repaired and/or modified the delivered products themselves or has had them repaired and/or modified by third parties.
- The delivered products have been exposed to abnormal conditions or have otherwise been treated carelessly or contrary to the instructions of the entrepreneur and/or have been treated contrary to the instructions on the packaging.
- The defectiveness is wholly or partly the result of regulations that the government has set or will set regarding the nature or quality of the materials used.
Article 11 – Delivery and Performance
The entrepreneur shall observe the greatest possible care when receiving and performing orders for products.
With due observance of what is stated in Article 4 of these general terms and conditions, the company shall execute accepted orders with due speed but no later than within 30 days, unless the consumer has agreed to a longer delivery period.
If delivery is delayed, or if an order cannot or can only partially be carried out, the consumer shall be informed of this no later than 30 days after placing the order. In that case, the consumer has the right to dissolve the agreement free of charge and the right to possible compensation.
In case of dissolution in accordance with the previous paragraph, the entrepreneur shall refund the amount paid by the consumer as soon as possible, but no later than within 30 days after dissolution.
If delivery of an ordered product proves impossible, the entrepreneur shall make every effort to provide a replacement item. At the latest upon delivery, it shall be stated clearly and understandably that a replacement item is being delivered.
For replacement items, 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 until the moment of delivery to the consumer or a representative designated in advance and made known to the entrepreneur, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
Article 12 – Extended Transactions: Duration, Termination and Renewal
Termination
The consumer may terminate an agreement entered into for an indefinite period and which extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services at any time, subject to agreed termination rules and a notice period of no more than one month.
The consumer may terminate an agreement entered into for a fixed period and which extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services at any time towards the end of the fixed duration, subject to agreed termination rules and a notice period of no more than one month.
The consumer may terminate the agreements referred to in the previous paragraphs:
- At any time and shall not be limited to termination at a specific time or in a specific period.
- At least in the same manner as they were entered into by them.
- Always with the same notice period as the entrepreneur has stipulated for themselves.
Renewal
An agreement entered into for a fixed period and which extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services may not be tacitly renewed or extended for a fixed period.
In deviation from the previous paragraph, an agreement entered into for a fixed period and which extends to the regular delivery of daily newspapers, weekly newspapers and magazines may be tacitly renewed for a fixed period of no more than three months, if the consumer can terminate this renewed agreement towards the end of the renewal with a notice period of no more than one month.
An agreement entered into for a fixed period and which extends to the regular delivery of products or services may only be tacitly renewed for an indefinite period if the consumer may terminate it at any time with a notice period of no more than one month and a notice period of no more than three months in the event that the agreement extends to the regular, but less than once a month, delivery of daily newspapers, weekly newspapers and magazines.
An agreement of limited duration for the regular delivery of daily newspapers, weekly newspapers and magazines by way of introduction (trial or introductory subscription) shall not be tacitly continued and shall end automatically after the trial or introductory period.
Duration
If an agreement has a duration of more than one year, the consumer may terminate the agreement at any time after one year with a notice period of no more than one month, unless reasonableness and fairness oppose termination before the end of the agreed duration.
Article 13 – Payment
Unless otherwise agreed, the amounts owed by the consumer must be paid within seven working days after the commencement 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 starts after the consumer has received confirmation of the agreement.
The consumer has the duty to report inaccuracies in provided or stated payment details to the entrepreneur without delay.
In the event of non-payment by the consumer, the entrepreneur has, subject to statutory limitations, the right to charge the reasonable costs made known to the consumer in advance.
Article 14 – Complaints Procedure
Complaints regarding the performance of the agreement must be submitted to the entrepreneur fully and clearly described within seven days after the consumer has identified the defects.
Complaints submitted to the entrepreneur shall be answered within a period of 14 days, calculated from the date of receipt.
If a complaint requires a foreseeably longer processing time, the entrepreneur shall respond within the 14-day period with an acknowledgment of receipt and an indication of when the consumer can expect a more detailed response.
If the complaint cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, a dispute arises that is subject to the dispute settlement procedure.
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 shall, at their 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 relate shall be governed exclusively by Dutch law.
Even if the consumer resides abroad.