General Terms and Conditions
Home Shopping Terms and Conditions
These General Terms and Conditions of the Dutch Thuiswinkel Organization (hereinafter referred to as Thuiswinkel.org) were drawn up in consultation with the Consumers' Association within the framework of the Self-Regulation Co-ordination Group (CZ) of the Social and Economic Council and will become effective as of 1 June 2014.
Table of contents:
Article 1 - Definitions
Article 2 - Identity of the entrepreneur
Article 3 - Applicability.
Article 4 - The offer
Article 5 - The Agreement
Article 6 - Right of withdrawal
Article 7 - Obligations of the consumer during the reflection period
Article 8 - Exercise of the right of withdrawal by the consumer and costs thereof
Article 9 - Obligations of the entrepreneur in the event of withdrawal
Article 10 - Exclusion of the right of withdrawal
Article 11 - The price
Article 12 - Fulfilment and additional guarantee
Article 13 - Delivery and execution
Article 14 - Continuing transactions: duration, termination and renewal
Article 15 - Payment
Article 16 - Complaints procedure
Article 17 - Disputes
Article 18 - Industry guarantee
Article 19 - Additional or different provisions
Article 20 - Amendments to the General Terms and Conditions of Thuiswinkel
Article 1 - Definitions
In these terms and conditions, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. Ancillary contract: a contract in which the consumer acquires products, digital content and/or services in connection with a distance contract and these items, digital content and/or services are provided by the entrepreneur or by a third party on the basis of an agreement between that third party and the entrepreneur;
2. Reflection period: the period within which the consumer can exercise his right of withdrawal;
3. Consumer: the natural person who is not acting for purposes related to his trade, business, craft or profession;
4. Day: calendar day;
5. Digital content: data produced and delivered in digital form;
6. Continuous contract: a contract for the regular supply of goods, services and/or digital content for a specified period;
7. Durable medium: any device - including e-mail - that enables the consumer or entrepreneur to store information addressed to him personally in a way that allows future consultation or use for a period of time appropriate to the purpose for which the information is intended, and that allows unaltered reproduction of the stored information;
8. Right of withdrawal: the consumer's option to waive the distance contract within the withdrawal period;
9. Trader: the natural or legal person who is a member of Thuiswinkel.org and offers products, (access to) digital content and/or services at a distance to consumers;
10. Distance contract: a contract concluded between the trader and the consumer under an organized system for distance selling of products, digital content and / or services, where up to and including the conclusion of the contract exclusive or joint use is made of one or more techniques for distance communication;
11. Model withdrawal form: the European model withdrawal form set out in Annex I to these terms and conditions; Annex I need not be made available if the consumer does not have a right of withdrawal in respect of his order;
12. Technology for distance communication: means that can be used to conclude an agreement, without the consumer and entrepreneur having to be together in the same room at the same time.
Article 2 - Identity of the entrepreneur
Name of Entrepreneur: Brain Balance B.V.
Acting under the name(s):
Brain Balance, Charlotte Labee
Branch address:
Theodoor Colenbranderhof 3
3059 LS Rotterdam
Netherlands
Phone number: +31107470160
Accessibility:
From Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00
Email address: info@charlottelabee.com
Chamber of Commerce number: 80973469
VAT number: NL861873701B01
Article 3 - Applicability
1. These general terms and conditions apply to every offer made by the entrepreneur and to every distance contract concluded between entrepreneur and consumer.
2. 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, the entrepreneur will indicate in what way the general terms and conditions can be inspected at the entrepreneur and that they will be sent free of charge as soon as possible at the consumer's request.
3. If the distance contract is concluded electronically, notwithstanding 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 it can be easily stored by the consumer on a durable data carrier. If this is not reasonably possible, before the distance contract is concluded, it will be indicated where the general conditions can be inspected electronically and that, at the consumer's request, they will be sent electronically or otherwise free of charge.
4. In the event that specific product or service conditions apply in addition to these general conditions, the second and third paragraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis and in the event of conflicting conditions, the consumer may always rely on the applicable provision that is most favorable to him.
Article 4 - The offer
1. If an offer has a limited period of validity or is made subject to conditions, this shall be expressly stated in the offer.
2. The offer contains a complete and accurate description of the products, digital content and/or services offered. The description is sufficiently detailed to enable a proper assessment of the offer by the consumer. If the trader uses images, these are a true representation of the products, services and/or digital content on offer. Obvious mistakes or obvious errors in the offer do not bind the entrepreneur.
3. Each offer contains such information that it is clear to the consumer what the rights and obligations are, which are attached to the acceptance of the offer.
Article 5 - The Agreement
1. The agreement is concluded, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, at the time of acceptance by the consumer of the offer and the fulfillment of the conditions set forth therein.
2. If the consumer has accepted the offer electronically, the entrepreneur shall immediately confirm electronically the receipt of the acceptance of the offer. As long as the receipt of this acceptance has not been confirmed by the entrepreneur, the consumer can dissolve the agreement.
3. If the agreement is concluded electronically, the entrepreneur will take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the electronic transfer of data and ensure a secure web environment. If the consumer can pay electronically, the entrepreneur will observe appropriate security measures.
4. The entrepreneur may within legal frameworks - 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 application or to attach special conditions to the implementation, while giving reasons.
5. The entrepreneur will, at the latest upon delivery of the product, service or digital content, send the consumer the following information, in writing or in such a way that it can be stored by the consumer in an accessible way on a durable data carrier:
a. the visiting address of the trader's branch where the consumer can address complaints;
b. the conditions under which and the manner in which the consumer can use the right of withdrawal, or a clear indication of the exclusion of the right of withdrawal;
c. the information about warranties and existing service after purchase;
d. the price including all taxes of the product, service or digital content; where applicable, the cost of delivery; and the method of payment, delivery or performance of the distance contract;
e. the requirements for terminating the agreement if the agreement has a duration of more than one year or is of indefinite duration;
f. if the consumer has a right of withdrawal, the model withdrawal form.
Article 6 - Right of Withdrawal
For products:
1. The consumer may dissolve an agreement relating to the purchase of a product during a 14-day cooling-off period without giving reasons. The entrepreneur may ask the consumer about the reason for withdrawal, but may not oblige the consumer to give his reason(s).
2. The cooling-off period referred to in paragraph 1 begins on the day after the consumer, or a third party designated in advance by the consumer, who is not the carrier, received the product, or:
a. if the consumer has ordered multiple products in the same order: the day on which the consumer, or a third party designated by him, has received the last product. The trader may, provided he has clearly informed the consumer of this prior to the ordering process, refuse an order of multiple products with different delivery times.
b. if the delivery of a product consists of several shipments or parts: the day on which the consumer, or a third party designated by him, received the last shipment or part;
c. for contracts for regular delivery of products during a specified period: the day on which the consumer, or a third party designated by him, received the first product.
In the case of services and digital content not supplied on a tangible medium:
3. The consumer may cancel a service contract and a contract for the supply of digital content not supplied on a tangible medium for 14 days without giving any reason. The trader may ask the consumer about the reason for withdrawal, but may not oblige the consumer to state his reason(s).
4. The cooling-off period referred to in paragraph 3 starts on the day following the conclusion of the agreement.
Extended cooling-off period for products, services and digital content not supplied on a tangible medium in the absence of information on the right of withdrawal
5. If the entrepreneur has not provided the consumer with the legally required information about the right of withdrawal or the model withdrawal form, the cooling-off period expires 12 months after the end of the original cooling-off period determined in accordance with the previous paragraphs of this article.
6. If the entrepreneur has provided the consumer with the information referred to in the preceding paragraph within 12 months after the effective date of the original cooling-off period, the cooling-off period expires 14 days after the day on which the consumer received that information.
Article 7 - Obligations of the consumer during the cooling-off period
1. During the reflection period, the consumer will handle the product and its packaging with care. He will only unpack or use the product to the extent necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and operation of the product. The basic principle here is that the consumer may only handle and inspect the product as he would be allowed to do in a store.
2. The consumer is only liable for depreciation of the product resulting from handling the product beyond what is permitted in paragraph 1.
3. The consumer is not liable for depreciation of the product if the entrepreneur has not provided him with all legally required information on the right of withdrawal before or at the conclusion of the contract.
Article 8 - Exercise of the right of withdrawal by the consumer and costs thereof
1. If the consumer exercises his right of withdrawal, he shall notify the entrepreneur within the withdrawal period by means of the model withdrawal form or in another unambiguous manner.
2. As soon as possible, but within 14 days from the day following the notification referred to in paragraph 1, the consumer returns the product, or hands it to (an authorized representative of) the entrepreneur. This is not required if the entrepreneur has offered to pick up the product himself. The consumer has observed the return period in any case if he returns the product before the cooling-off period has expired.
3. The consumer returns the product with all delivered accessories, if reasonably possible in its original condition and packaging, and in accordance with the reasonable and clear instructions provided by the entrepreneur.
4. The risk and burden of proof for the correct and timely exercise of the right of withdrawal lies with the consumer.
5. The consumer bears the direct costs of returning the product. If the trader has not notified the consumer that the consumer must bear these costs or if the trader indicates that the consumer will bear the costs himself, the consumer does not have to bear the costs of return shipment.
6. If the consumer withdraws after having first expressly requested that the performance of the service or the supply of gas, water or electricity not made ready for sale in a limited volume or certain quantity begin during the withdrawal period, the consumer shall owe the entrepreneur an amount proportional to that part of the commitment fulfilled by the entrepreneur at the time of withdrawal, compared to the full fulfillment of the commitment.
7. The consumer shall not bear any costs for the performance of services or the supply of water, gas or electricity, not made ready for sale in a limited volume or quantity, or to supply district heating, if:
a. the trader has not provided the consumer with the legally required information on the right of withdrawal, the cost reimbursement upon withdrawal or the model withdrawal form, or;
b. the consumer has not expressly requested the commencement of the performance of the service or supply of gas, water, electricity or district heating during the reflection period.
8. The consumer bears no cost for the full or partial delivery of digital content not delivered on a tangible medium if:
a. prior to its delivery, he has not expressly consented to the commencement of the performance of the contract before the end of the cooling-off period;
b. he has not acknowledged losing his right of withdrawal when giving his consent; or
c. the entrepreneur has failed to confirm this statement by the consumer.
9. If the consumer makes use of his right of withdrawal, all additional contracts are dissolved by operation of law.
Article 9 - Obligations of the trader in the event of withdrawal
1. If the trader enables the consumer's notification of withdrawal by electronic means, he shall send a confirmation of receipt without delay after receiving this notification.
2. The entrepreneur reimburses all payments of the consumer, including any delivery costs charged by the entrepreneur for the returned product, without delay but within 14 days following the day on which the consumer notifies him of the withdrawal. Unless the entrepreneur offers to pick up the product himself, he may wait with refunding until he has received the product or until the consumer proves that he has returned the product, whichever is earlier.
3. For reimbursement, the entrepreneur uses the same means of payment that the consumer has used, unless the consumer agrees to another method. The refund is free of charge for the consumer.
4. If the consumer has chosen a more expensive method of delivery than the least expensive standard delivery, the entrepreneur does not have to refund the additional costs for the more expensive method.
Article 10 - Exclusion of the right of withdrawal
The Entrepreneur can exclude the following products and services from the right of withdrawal only if the Entrepreneur indicated this clearly in the offer or at least in good time before concluding the contract:
1. Products or services whose price is subject to fluctuations in the financial market over which the entrepreneur has no influence and which may occur within the withdrawal period
2. Contracts concluded during a public auction. A public auction means a method of sale in which products, digital content and/or services are offered by the entrepreneur to consumers who attend or are given the opportunity to attend the auction in person, under the direction of an auctioneer, and in which the successful bidder is obliged to purchase the products, digital content and/or services;
3. Service agreements, after full performance of the service, but only if:
a. performance has begun with the express prior consent of the consumer; and
b. the consumer has declared that he loses his right of withdrawal once the entrepreneur has fully performed the contract;
4. Package tours as referred to in Article 7:500 BW and contracts of passenger transport;
5. Service contracts for provision of accommodation, if the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance and other than for residential purposes, transportation of goods, car rental services and catering;
6. Contracts related to leisure activities, if the contract provides for a specific date or period of its performance;
7. Products manufactured according to consumer specifications, which are not prefabricated and are manufactured on the basis of an individual choice or decision by the consumer, or are clearly intended for a specific person;
8. Products that spoil quickly or have a limited shelf life;
9. Sealed products that are not suitable to be returned for reasons of health protection or hygiene and whose seal has been broken after delivery;
10. Products that after delivery are by their nature irrevocably mixed with other products;
11. Alcoholic beverages whose price was agreed upon at the conclusion of the contract, but whose delivery can only take place after 30 days, and whose actual value depends on fluctuations in the market over which the entrepreneur has no influence;
12. Sealed audio, video recordings and computer software, the seal of which is broken after delivery;
13. Newspapers, periodicals or magazines, excluding subscriptions thereto;
14. The provision of digital content other than on a tangible medium, but only if:
a. performance has begun with the express prior consent of the consumer; and
b. the consumer has declared that he thereby forfeits his right of withdrawal.
Article 11 - The price
1. During the validity period 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.
2. Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, the Entrepreneur may offer products or services whose prices are subject to fluctuations in the financial market that are beyond the Entrepreneur's control, with variable prices. This link to fluctuations and the fact that any prices mentioned are target prices will be mentioned in the offer.
3. Price increases within 3 months of the conclusion of the agreement are only allowed if they result from legal regulations or provisions.
4. Price increases from 3 months after the conclusion of the contract are only allowed if the entrepreneur has stipulated it and:
a. these are the result of statutory regulations or provisions; or
b. the consumer is authorized to terminate the agreement as of the day on which the price increase takes effect.
5. The prices mentioned in the offer of products or services include VAT.
Article 12 - Fulfilment of agreement and additional guarantee
1. The trader guarantees that the products and/or services comply with the contract, the specifications stated in the offer, the reasonable requirements of soundness and/or usability and the legal provisions and/or government regulations that existed on the date the contract was concluded. If agreed, the entrepreneur also guarantees that the product is suitable for other than normal use.
2. An additional guarantee provided by the entrepreneur, his supplier, manufacturer or importer never limits the legal rights and claims that the consumer can assert against the entrepreneur on the basis of the agreement if the entrepreneur has failed to fulfill his part of the agreement.
3. Additional guarantee means any commitment by the entrepreneur, his supplier, importer or producer in which he grants the consumer certain rights or claims beyond what he is legally obliged to do in case he has failed to fulfill his part of the agreement.
Article 13 - Delivery and execution
1. The entrepreneur will take the greatest possible care when receiving and executing orders for products and when assessing applications for the provision of services.
2. The place of delivery is the address that the consumer has made known to the entrepreneur.
3. Subject to what is stated in article 4 of these general terms and conditions, the entrepreneur will execute accepted orders expeditiously but at the latest within 30 days, unless another delivery period has been agreed. If delivery is delayed, or if an order cannot or can only partially be fulfilled, the consumer will be informed about this within 30 days after the order was placed. The consumer in that case has the right to dissolve the agreement without cost and the right to possible compensation.
4. After dissolution in accordance with the previous paragraph, the entrepreneur will refund the amount paid by the consumer without delay.
5. 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 otherwise expressly agreed.
Article 14 - Continuing transactions: duration, termination and renewal
Termination:
1. The consumer may at any time terminate a contract entered into for an indefinite period and which extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services, subject to agreed termination rules and a notice period not exceeding one month.
2. The consumer may terminate a fixed-term contract that has been concluded for the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services at any time towards the end of the fixed term, subject to agreed termination rules and a notice period not exceeding one month.
3. The consumer may the agreements mentioned in the previous paragraphs:
a. terminate at any time and not be limited to termination at a particular time or period;
b. terminate at least in the same manner as they were entered into by him;
c. always cancel with the same notice period as the entrepreneur has stipulated for himself.
Extension:
4. An agreement entered into for a definite period of time, which extends to the regular delivery of products (including electricity) or services, may not be tacitly extended or renewed for a definite period of time.
5. Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, a fixed-term contract that has been concluded for the regular delivery of daily news and weekly newspapers and magazines may be tacitly renewed for a fixed term not exceeding three months, if the consumer can terminate this extended contract by the end of the extension with a notice period not exceeding one month.
6. A fixed-term contract that has been concluded for the regular delivery of products or services may only be tacitly renewed for an indefinite period of time if the consumer may terminate the contract at any time with a period of notice that does not exceed one month. The notice period shall not exceed three months in case the contract extends to the regular, but less than once a month, delivery of daily, news and weekly newspapers and magazines.
7. A limited duration agreement to regularly deliver daily, news and weekly newspapers and magazines for introductory purposes (trial or introductory subscription) is not tacitly continued and ends automatically at the end of the trial or introductory period.
Duration:
8. 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 period not exceeding one month, unless reasonableness and fairness oppose termination before the end of the agreed duration.
Article 15 - Payment
1. Unless otherwise provided in the agreement or additional conditions, the amounts owed by the consumer should be paid within 14 days after the start of the reflection period, or in the absence of a reflection period within 14 days after the conclusion of the agreement. In the case of an agreement to provide a service, this period begins on the day after the consumer receives the confirmation of the agreement.
2. When selling products to consumers, general terms and conditions may never oblige the consumer to make an advance payment of more than 50%. Where advance payment is stipulated, the consumer may not assert any rights regarding the execution of the order or service(s) in question before the stipulated advance payment has been made.
3. The consumer has the duty to immediately report inaccuracies in payment information provided or stated to the entrepreneur.
4. If the consumer does not timely fulfill his payment obligation(s), he is, after he has been informed by the entrepreneur of the late payment and the entrepreneur has granted the consumer a period of 14 days to still fulfill his payment obligations, after the non-payment within this 14-day period, due the statutory interest on the amount due and the entrepreneur has the right to charge the extrajudicial collection costs he has incurred. These collection costs amount to a maximum of: 15% over outstanding amounts up to € 2,500; 10% over the next € 2,500 and 5% over the next € 5,000, with a minimum of € 40. The entrepreneur can deviate from the mentioned amounts and percentages for the benefit of the consumer.
Article 16 - Complaints procedure
1. The entrepreneur has a sufficiently publicized complaint procedure and handles the complaint in accordance with this complaint procedure.
2. Complaints about the performance of the agreement must be submitted to the entrepreneur within a reasonable time after the consumer has found the defects, fully and clearly described.
3. Complaints submitted to the entrepreneur will be answered within a period of 14 days from the date of receipt. If a complaint requires a foreseeably longer processing time, the entrepreneur will respond within the 14-day period with a notice of receipt and an indication of when the consumer can expect a more detailed answer.
4. A complaint about a product, service or the trader's service can also be submitted via a complaints form on the consumer page of the Thuiswinkel.org website www.thuiswinkel.org. The complaint is then sent both to the trader in question and to Thuiswinkel.org.
5. The consumer must give the entrepreneur at least 4 weeks to resolve the complaint by mutual agreement. After this period a dispute arises that is susceptible to the dispute settlement.
Article 17 - Disputes
1. Contracts between the entrepreneur and the consumer to which these general terms and conditions relate are exclusively governed by Dutch law.
2. Disputes between the consumer and the trader over the conclusion or execution of contracts relating to products and services to be supplied or delivered by this trader can, with due observance of the following stipulations, be submitted by either the consumer or the trader to the Thuiswinkel Disputes Committee, PO Box 90600, 2509 LP in The Hague (www.sgc.nl).
3. A dispute will only be considered by the Disputes Committee if the consumer has first submitted his complaint to the entrepreneur within a reasonable time.
4. If the complaint does not lead to a solution, the dispute must be submitted to the Disputes Committee in writing or in another form to be determined by the Committee no later than 12 months after the date on which the consumer submitted the complaint to the entrepreneur.
5. If the consumer wishes to submit a dispute to the Disputes Committee, the entrepreneur is bound by this choice. Preferably, the consumer first reports this to the entrepreneur.
6. When the entrepreneur wishes to submit a dispute to the Disputes Committee, the consumer will have to express in writing within five weeks after a written request made by the entrepreneur whether he so desires or wants the dispute to be dealt with by the competent court. If the entrepreneur does not hear the choice of the consumer within the period of five weeks, then the entrepreneur is entitled to submit the dispute to the competent court.
7. The Disputes Committee shall rule under the conditions as laid down in the regulations of the Disputes Committee (www.degeschillencommissie.nl/over-ons/de-commissies/2404/thuiswinkel). The decisions of the Disputes Committee are made by way of binding advice.
8. The Disputes Committee will not deal with a dispute or will cease to deal with it if the entrepreneur has been granted a suspension of payments, has become bankrupt or has actually terminated his business activities, before a dispute has been dealt with by the committee at the session and a final ruling has been issued.
9. If, in addition to the Thuiswinkel Disputes Committee, another disputes committee recognized by or affiliated with the Stichting Geschillencommissions voor Consumentenzaken (SGC) or the Klachteninstituut Financiële Dienstverlening (Kifid) (Financial Services Complaints Institute) is competent, the Thuiswinkel Disputes Committee will have preference over the Thuiswinkel Disputes Committee for disputes primarily concerning the method of distance selling or provision of services. For all other disputes, the other recognized dispute committee affiliated with SGC or Kifid.
Article 18 - Industry guarantee
1. Thuiswinkel.org guarantees the fulfilment of the binding advice given by the Thuiswinkel Disputes Committee by its members, unless the member decides to submit the binding advice to the court for review within two months after it has been sent. This guarantee revives, if the binding advice is upheld after review by the court and the judgement that proves this has become final. Up to a maximum amount of €10.000,- per binding advice, this amount will be paid to the consumer by Thuiswinkel.org. For amounts greater than €10.000,- per binding advice, €10.000,- will be paid out. For the excess amount Thuiswinkel.org has a best-efforts obligation to ensure that the member complies with the binding advice.
2. The application of this guarantee requires that the consumer makes a written appeal to Thuiswinkel.org and that he transfers his claim on the trader to Thuiswinkel.org. If the claim on the trader is more than €10,000,-, the consumer will be offered to transfer his claim, as far as it exceeds the amount of €10,000,-, to Thuiswinkel.org, after which this organization will, in its own name and costs, seek payment of this claim in court to satisfy the consumer.
Article 19 - Additional or different provisions
Additional provisions or provisions that deviate from these general terms and conditions may not be to the detriment of the consumer and must be recorded in writing or in such a way that the consumer can store them in an accessible manner on a long-term data carrier.
Article 20 - Amendments to the General Terms and Conditions of Thuiswinkel
1. Thuiswinkel.org will not change these general conditions except in consultation with the Consumers' Association.
2. Amendments to these terms and conditions are only effective after they have been published in an appropriate manner, on the understanding that in the event of applicable amendments during the term of an offer, the provision most favorable to the consumer will prevail.
Thuiswinkel.org
www.thuiswinkel.org
Horaplantsoen 20, 6717 LT Ede
Annex I: Model withdrawal form
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
a. To: [ name of entrepreneur]
[ geographic address of operator]
[ fax number of the operator, if available].
[ email address or electronic address of the trader]
b. I/We* hereby inform/share* you, that I/We* have accepted our agreement regarding
the sale of the following products: [product designation]*.
the supply of the following digital content: [designation of digital content]*
the provision of the following service: [service description]*,
repealed/revoked*.
c. Ordered on*/received on* [date of order for services or receipt for products].
d. [Name of consumer(s)]
e. [Address consumer(s)]
f. [Signature of consumer(s)] (only if this form is submitted on paper)
g. [Date]
Delete or fill in what is not applicable.