Terms and Conditions - Service Agreement

1. Introduction and Definitions

1.1 About These Terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of services provided by South Coast Investments Ltd trading as South Coast Jewellers ("we", "our", "us", or the "Company"). By using our services, visiting our website, or requesting a consultation, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1.2 Company Information

Company Name: South Coast Investments Ltd

Trading As: South Coast Jewellers

Company Registration: 14353365

1.3 Definitions

"Services" means any service provided by us including but not limited to home visits, valuations, purchasing, sourcing, and roadshow events
"Items" means precious metals, gemstones, jewellery, watches, antiques, collectibles, and related goods
"Valuation" means our professional assessment of an item's value, which may be for insurance, sale, or informational purposes
"Client/Customer" means any person who uses our services or engages with our company
"Home Visit" means a consultation conducted at a client's premises
"Sourcing Service" means our service to locate and acquire specific items on behalf of clients

2. Services Provided

2.1 Core Services

We provide the following services:

Professional valuations of precious metals, gemstones, jewellery, watches, and antiques
Purchase of items subject to satisfactory valuation and agreement
Home visit consultations and assessments
Sourcing services for specific luxury items
Valuation roadshow events
Market information and advisory services

2.2 Service Limitations

Our services are subject to the following limitations:

We reserve the right to decline any valuation or purchase request
Services are provided to UK residents only unless otherwise agreed
Minimum value thresholds may apply for certain services
Some items may require specialist external assessment
We do not purchase lab-grown diamonds, synthetic gemstones unless specifically stated

3. Valuation Services

3.1 Valuation Process

Our valuations are conducted by qualified professionals using industry-standard methods and equipment. Valuations may include visual inspection, testing, measurement, and research into provenance and market conditions.

3.2 Valuation Accuracy and Limitations

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

Valuations are opinions based on current market conditions and available information
Market values fluctuate constantly and valuations may become outdated
Insurance valuations typically differ from sale/purchase valuations
Final purchase offers may differ from initial valuations pending detailed examination
No guarantee is provided that items will achieve estimated values in the open market

3.3 Types of Valuations

Insurance Valuations: For insurance replacement purposes - typically higher than market value
Market Valuations: Current market sale value estimate
Purchase Valuations: Our buying price consideration - typically below market value
Probate Valuations: For estate administration purposes

4. Home Visit Services

4.1 Appointment Booking

Home visits are arranged by appointment only. We require reasonable notice and confirmation of the appointment. Emergency or same-day visits may incur additional charges.

4.2 Access and Safety Requirements

Safe and unobstructed access to the property must be provided
Adequate lighting and workspace for examination of items
Client or authorized representative must be present throughout the visit
We reserve the right to postpone or cancel visits if safety concerns arise
All COVID-19 or health guidelines in force at the time must be observed

4.3 Cancellation Policy

Clients may cancel appointments with 24 hours notice without charge
Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may incur a cancellation fee
We reserve the right to cancel appointments due to unforeseen circumstances
No-shows may be charged the full consultation fee (if charged)

4.4 Limitation of Liability During Home Visits

LIABILITY LIMITATION:

We maintain professional indemnity insurance but liability is limited to the value of items being examined
We are not liable for pre-existing damage to items or property
Clients must declare any known defects or damage before examination
We are not responsible for loss or damage to items not being examined
Maximum liability per visit is £10,000 unless higher coverage is specifically arranged

5. Purchase and Sale Terms

5.1 Purchase Process

When we make an offer to purchase items:

All offers are subject to final examination and testing
Offers are valid for 24 hours, unless otherwise stated
We require proof of ownership and identity before purchase
Items must be free from liens, charges, or third-party claims
We reserve the right to withdraw offers if circumstances change

5.2 Payment Terms

Payment is made by bank transfer or cash (subject to limits)
Large transactions may require additional verification time
We may withhold payment pending clearance of anti-money laundering checks
All payments are in British Pounds Sterling unless otherwise agreed

5.3 No Returns Policy - Items Processed Immediately

IMPORTANT: NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS

All sales are final. Once we purchase your items and payment is completed, we cannot offer returns, refunds, or cancellations for the following reasons:

Immediate Processing: Items are sent for melting, refining, or repurposing immediately after purchase
Third-Party Services: Items may be processed by external refining partners within hours of purchase
Irreversible Process: Once melted or processed, items cannot be returned to original condition
Commercial Nature: We purchase for commercial processing, not retail resale

Legal Basis: Consumer cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 do not apply as items are immediately processed and cannot be returned in their original condition.

5.4 Pre-Purchase Considerations

BEFORE YOU SELL - IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Consider the sentimental value - once sold, items cannot be recovered
Ensure you have the legal right to sell the items
Take photographs for your records if items have personal significance
Ask questions about valuation and pricing before agreeing to sell
Understand that our offers are based on metal content and current market prices
Consider getting multiple valuations for high-value or antique pieces

5.5 Title and Risk

Title and risk in purchased items pass to us upon payment completion and physical delivery. Until this point, items remain the seller's responsibility.

6. Sourcing Services

6.1 Sourcing Process

Our sourcing service helps clients locate specific items. This service is provided on a best-efforts basis with no guarantee of success.

6.2 Sourcing Terms

No guarantee that requested items will be located
Typical search period is 2-12 weeks depending on item rarity
Clients are not obligated to purchase located items
Sourcing fees may apply regardless of success
All located items subject to authentication and condition assessment
Prices depend on market conditions at time of location

6.3 Fees and Charges

Sourcing fees will be clearly communicated before service commencement. Fees may include:

Initial consultation fee
Search and location fee
Authentication and verification fees
Success fee (percentage of purchase price)

7. Valuation Roadshow Events

7.1 Event Terms

Roadshow events provide preliminary valuations only
Booking recommended but walk-ins welcome subject to capacity
Time slots may be limited during busy periods
Events may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances
No obligation to purchase items valued at events

7.2 Event Limitations

ROADSHOW LIMITATIONS:

Roadshow valuations are preliminary assessments only
Detailed examination may be required for final valuation
High-value items may require specialist assessment at our premises
No guarantee of purchase offers based on roadshow valuations

8. Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance

8.1 Legal Requirements

We are required to comply with UK anti-money laundering regulations. This includes:

Identity verification for all clients
Source of funds verification for high-value transactions
Record keeping of all transactions
Reporting suspicious activities to relevant authorities
Enhanced due diligence for politically exposed persons

8.2 Required Documentation

We may require the following documentation:

Valid photo identification (passport, driving licence)
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
Proof of ownership or provenance for valuable items
Source of funds documentation for large transactions

8.3 Transaction Limits

We reserve the right to impose transaction limits and may refuse transactions that we cannot verify or that raise compliance concerns.

9. Website Terms and Intellectual Property

9.1 Website Usage

Use of our website is subject to these terms:

Content is for informational purposes only
Prices and availability subject to change without notice
Images are representative and may not show exact items
We reserve the right to modify or discontinue the website

9.2 Prohibited Activities

You must not:

Use the website for any unlawful purpose
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
Reproduce content without permission
Transmit harmful code or malware
Engage in activities that could damage our reputation

9.3 Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including text, images, logos, and designs, is owned by us or our licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights.

10. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers

10.1 General Limitations

IMPORTANT LIABILITY LIMITATIONS:

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our liability is limited as follows:

Maximum liability per incident: £500,000 (covered by professional indemnity insurance)
No liability for indirect, consequential, or special damages
No liability for loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
No liability for market fluctuations or price changes
No liability for acts of third parties

10.2 Specific Disclaimers

Market Conditions: We are not liable for changes in market values or economic conditions
Third-Party Services: No liability for services provided by third parties
Force Majeure: No liability for events beyond our reasonable control
Authentication: While we use best practices, no guarantee against sophisticated forgeries

10.3 Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

Providing accurate information about items and ownership
Disclosing any known defects or issues
Ensuring items are genuine and legally owned
Maintaining appropriate insurance for valuable items

11. Data Protection and Privacy

Your personal information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By using our services, you consent to such processing and warrant that all data provided is accurate.

For detailed information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

12. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of our obligations under these Terms which is due to events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters, fires, floods, earthquakes
War, terrorism, civil unrest
Pandemic, epidemic, or government restrictions
Labour disputes, strikes
Failure of telecommunications or internet services
Acts of government or regulatory authorities

13. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

13.1 Complaints Procedure

If you have a complaint about our services:

Contact us immediately to discuss the issue
If unresolved, submit a formal written complaint
We will investigate and respond within 14 days
If still unresolved, you may refer to independent mediation

13.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution

For disputes that cannot be resolved through our complaints procedure, you may use:

The European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform (for EU consumers)
Industry trade association mediation services
Independent arbitration services

13.3 Jurisdiction and Governing Law

These Terms are governed by English law. Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts, unless you are a consumer with rights to bring proceedings in another jurisdiction.

14. Insurance and Professional Standards

14.1 Professional Indemnity Insurance

We maintain professional indemnity insurance with coverage of £500,000 per claim. Details of our insurance coverage are available upon request.

14.2 Professional Standards

We adhere to industry best practices and may be members of relevant trade associations. Our staff receive regular training in valuation techniques, market conditions, and regulatory requirements.

15. Modifications and Updates

15.1 Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated date.

15.2 Notification of Changes

For significant changes that affect your rights or obligations, we will provide reasonable notice via email or prominent website notification. Continued use of our services after changes constitute acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Severability and Entire Agreement

16.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Terms shall remain in full force and effect.

16.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any specific service agreements, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding our services.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or our services, contact us:

South Coast Investments Ltd

Trading as: South Coast Jewellers

Use our contact form or:

Phone: 07380428505

Consumer Rights Notice

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under UK law. If you are a consumer, you have legal rights in relation to services that are faulty or not as described. For advice about your consumer rights contact your local Authority Trading Standards office or Citizens Advice.