TERMS & CONDITIONS
Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Conditions

• To secure your order, a 50% materials deposit is required. Once your bow’s materials have been allocated, or work on your bow has commenced your deposit will be non-refundable.
• The balance of your order plus shipping costs is payable on completion of your order.
• Shipping costs can only be calculated prior to shipment at pricing in effect at the time prior to shipment.
• Payments within South African borders are accepted via electronic bank transfer.
• International Payments are accepted via PayPal or Payoneer.
• PayPal transfer fees are calculated online and are payable to your account.
• Domestic Shipments: Dispatched via courier and have a 1 to 3 day transit time.
• International Shipments: Dispatched by courier and have a 6 to 10 working days transit time, excluding customs delays.

Waiting Period

Heartwood Bows is a one man operation, my custom bows are handmade one at a time.
I pay specific attention to detail according to each customer’s specifications with an artistic approach.
At times I need to attend archery exhibitions or shoots, or at short notice my expertise may be required on film productions.  Throughout the year I am also actively involved with conservation authorities on invasive fish species control programs. I bowfish invasive fish species on a weekly basis. Some of these exciting activities may take me away from home and work for several weeks at a time. You can expect a waiting period of approximately 6-8 months on a fully customized bow, and approximately 4-6 weeks for non-customized bows. 

Craftsmanship Warranty 

• Your bow is warranted against any defects in craftsmanship and materials for a period of 12 months. Your warranty is effective from the date of shipment or collection of your bow.
• Your bow has been crafted with the utmost care and dedication. The best quality epoxy resins, unidirectional fiberglass backing and facing, combined with the best hand selected hardwoods, stabilized woods, and bamboo cores have been utilized to build your bow.
• If properly taken care of, you can expect a lifetime of service from your bow. Should your bow however develop any material or craftsmanship defects within your bow's warranty period, I will at my discretion repair or replace your bow at no labor or materials charge. Shipping costs towards warranty claims or returns will be to your account.
• Damages due to negligence or misuse, or if your bow is used by another person, will void your bow warranty. If your bow is in a repairable state, the labor and materials, or the replacement cost of your bow will be to your account.
• Your bow’s warranty does not apply to any wear and tear subjected during normal use, which includes your bow’s final finish, leather coverings of the arrow shelf, strike plate, leather handle coverings, string silencers, string servings and bowstrings.
• Handling and shipping costs of returns or replacements related to any warranty claims will be to your account. 

Conditions That Will Void Your Bow’s Warranty

• In the event of change of ownership or damage caused as a result of usage by another person.
• Damage caused as a result of dry-firing. 
• Damage caused as a result of incorrect storage.
• Damage caused as a result of bowstring failure.
• Damage caused as a result of excessive low or high brace heights or incorrect string lengths.
• When any bowstring material other than supplied with your bow, or specified in your bow's care instructions is used.
• The use of continuous (endless) loop bowstrings which string loops are not double served.
• When arrows with a mass lighter than the pound to draw weight ratio as specified in your bow's care instructions are used.
• When your bow is shot using another release method than what its limbs have been tillered for. 
• Damages caused due to incorrect stringing techniques.
• Prolonged stringing times.
• Misuse of the bow, alterations made to the bow handle, arrow shelf, limbs, tips and finish.
• Damage caused by excessive over-drawing.
• Delamination or damage caused by exposure to heat or moisture conditions, or damage caused by neglected end finish maintenance.

Disclaimer

After shipping or collection of any bow model purchased from Heartwood Bows, responsible and safe use, and the ethical application thereof is beyond my control. 
Heartwood Bows thereby indemnifies itself against any liabilities, and shall not be held responsible or accountable for any damages, personal loss, loss of property, injuries caused to persons, animals and wildlife, and any resulting expenses incurred.

Shipping  Damages

The secure packaging of your shipment is vital to your peace of mind. It's of great importance to me that you receive your investment in my work safely. Prior to shipment your custom order is carefully packaged and clearly labeled with appropriate stickers.
Unless otherwise requested, I make use of Aramex Couriers, a global courier service who has been efficiently handling all my shipping requirements since 2006. A damage and loss insurance option is available with Aramex and is calculated by Aramex at a small percentage of the shipment’s actual value. Although I have never experienced any incidents of damage or loss, the onus rests on you to insure your shipment and I will gladly arrange for it when requested.
Upon receiving your shipment, please visually inspect the parcel before signing for the delivery thereof.
In the event of your parcel being damaged, please ensure to add a hand written comment on the waybill before signing and receiving your copy. Take ample photographs of the shipment and please don't hesitate to get in contact with me. I undertake to pursue and resolve damage disputes on your behalf to the best of my ability, but cannot be held liable for any losses incurred in the event of your shipment not being insured.

Certification

Where applicable, and inclusive to the shipping cost of International shipments, are the fees payable towards the required Taxidermy Attestation certificate to accompany your shipment documentation. The certification requires declaring animal products such as bone and horn to be chemically treated against insect infestation and ectoparasites.

Ethical Payments & Invoicing

Honest work goes hand in hand with the rewards of being paid. I greatly value your business and I place high value on healthy business ethics.
I therefore cannot comply with any requests of the devaluation of actual shipment values on commercial invoices for reduced customs tax purposes.  


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