**Terms and Conditions as of January 1, 2023**
**Grooming Salon À la Lon**, hereinafter referred to as ‘the entrepreneur,’ registered under Chamber of Commerce number 88760464.
**Office located at:** Lombardstraat 29, 3311VL Dordrecht.
**Visiting address:** Weeskinderendijk 85B, 3314 CM Dordrecht.
Grooming Salon À la Lon operates in Dordrecht and, upon request, provides mobile services in the Drechtsteden region and surrounding areas.
Article 1 – Definitions
In these terms and conditions, the following definitions apply:
– **Grooming salon/entrepreneur:** The natural or legal person and their employees, hereinafter referred to as the entrepreneur, who conducts a business specializing in the care and/or enhancement of animals, where this activity serves as the verifiable source of income for the entrepreneur or the business.
– **Consumer:** The natural person who is not acting in the exercise of a profession or business and who enters into or wishes to enter into an agreement for care/enhancement with the entrepreneur.
– **Guest animal:** The consumer’s pet for which an agreement for care/enhancement has been or will be made.
– **Agreement:** The care/enhancement agreement between the entrepreneur and the consumer, in which the entrepreneur agrees to house and care for the guest animal for a specified period in exchange for a price paid by the consumer.
– **Distance contract:** Any care/enhancement agreement concluded exclusively through one or more means of remote communication, for which the entrepreneur has organized the system.
– **Care/enhancement:** The services performed by the entrepreneur to improve the appearance of the guest animal. The entrepreneur reserves the right to provide care based on their own judgment and to refuse certain procedures if not in line with cat-friendly practices.
– **Reservation:** The appointment between the entrepreneur and the consumer for the time at which the entrepreneur will undertake the care/enhancement of the guest animal at the rate applicable at the time of receiving the animal.
– **Authorization:** A written power of attorney granted by the consumer to the entrepreneur, obligating the entrepreneur to seek professional (veterinary) assistance on behalf of the consumer when there are clear symptoms that the welfare of the guest animal is at risk.
Article 2 – Applicability
These terms and conditions apply to all agreements between the entrepreneur and the consumer concerning care/enhancement services, regardless of location. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following general terms and conditions apply to all services provided by Grooming Salon À la Lon.
Article 3 – The Offer
- The entrepreneur presents an offer orally, in writing, or electronically according to the rates listed on www.trimsalon-alalon.nl.
- The offer shall include at least the following: the time for which the requested reservation applies; the price and method of payment as indicated on the website www.trimsalon-alalon.nl; the circumstances under which the treatment/enhancement of the guest animal may be refused; the consumer’s responsibility to provide a contact person for emergency consultations under special circumstances; and a reference to the applicability of these terms and conditions to the agreement.
- A written/electronic offer shall be dated and is irrevocable for thirty days after the consumer receives the offer. An oral offer is confirmed in writing and thus becomes a written offer.
- These terms and conditions apply to the oral/written/electronic offer and are communicated via the website: www.trimsalon-alalon.nl.
Article 4 – The Agreement
- The agreement is established by the acceptance of the offer. Agreements are binding from the moment they are concluded orally, by telephone, or in writing (digitally).
- After the agreement is concluded, the consumer receives confirmation in writing or electronically.
Article 5 – The Working Method
- The entrepreneur works to preserve the coat. Only damaged fur (loose hair, tangles, and mats) will be removed.
- The entrepreneur employs cat-friendly methods. No unnecessary actions are taken, and efforts are made to keep the grooming as stress-free as possible for the cat. The cat is returned to its familiar environment as quickly as possible.
- For the groomer’s protection, nails are often trimmed.
- Cat-friendly methods take precedence over coat preservation. For example, if it is better for the cat to resolve coat issues by shaving rather than combing, this will be preferred.
- The entrepreneur decides (possibly in consultation with the customer) the best solution for a coat problem.
Article 6 – Price and Price Changes
- The price is determined according to the rates on www.trimsalon-alalon.nl and must be paid by the consumer. The price includes the cost of care/enhancement.
- Price increases occurring between the time the agreement is concluded and the time it is executed affect the agreement. The entrepreneur reserves the right to change the price. The rates communicated on the website www.trimsalon-alalon.nl are always applicable to the agreement.
- The entrepreneur reserves the right to charge applicable surcharges, which will be determined based on professional expertise.
- Price changes resulting from legal obligations, such as VAT increases, may also apply.
Article 7 – The Deposit
After the care/enhancement agreement is established, the entrepreneur may request a deposit of €50 in cases of previous payment issues or for travel costs exceeding 30 km (one way).
Article 8 – Payment
- Unless otherwise agreed, payment of the outstanding amount, after deducting any deposit made, shall be made via a digital payment request immediately upon the completion of the care/enhancement service. If this is not possible, it also includes the immediate transfer of the owed amount to a bank or giro account indicated by the entrepreneur. Only in extreme cases will cash payment be accepted.
- The consumer may request a payment receipt from the entrepreneur.
Article 9 – Late Payment
- If the consumer fails to pay in accordance with Article 7 of this agreement, an invoice will be sent as an exception, which must be paid within one week of the invoice date.
- If payment is not made after the invoice’s payment term expires, a reminder will be sent with additional administration costs of €25.
- If the payment term specified in Article 8.1 is still violated, judicial or extrajudicial collection procedures may be initiated. The reasonable costs incurred for this will be charged to the consumer. The entrepreneur is also entitled to charge interest from the expiry of the agreed payment date. This interest is equal to the statutory interest rate.
- If the customer fails to pay in accordance with Article 7 of this agreement, additional administration costs of €25 will be charged. If payment is not made after the reminder with administration costs has expired, judicial or extrajudicial collection procedures may be initiated. The reasonable costs incurred for this will be charged to the customer. Grooming Salon À la Lon is also entitled to charge interest from the expiry of the agreed payment date. This interest is equal to the statutory interest rate.
Article 10 – The Cancellation Policy
In case of cancellation by the consumer, the following payment obligations apply:
- Cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of the agreement: no payment obligation
- Cancellation less than 24 hours before the start of the agreement: 100% of the price
- In case of no-show, you will also be charged 100%
- If the cat is completely untreatable, you will pay 80% and we will look for a suitable alternative.
- Cancellations must always be communicated through one of the contact methods listed on the website. If a cancellation is within 24 hours, it must be communicated by phone or WhatsApp (not email). You will always receive a written confirmation (email or WhatsApp). If you do not receive a cancellation confirmation, please contact us again by phone; otherwise, the appointment will be considered ongoing, and the above terms will apply.
- Cancellation by the entrepreneur may occur in case of illness, extreme weather conditions (thunderstorms, extreme cold or heat, storms, icy conditions), or force majeure. The entrepreneur will then reschedule the appointment as soon as possible.
Article 11 – Rights and Obligations of the Entrepreneur
- The entrepreneur commits to providing the care and grooming service as agreed upon, in a manner befitting a skilled entrepreneur.
- The entrepreneur reserves the right to suspend the care/grooming service until further notice if they see reason to do so (e.g., increasing stress in the cat, aggressive behavior, etc.). The additional treatment will be charged to the consumer.
- The entrepreneur will take into account as much as possible the individual wishes of the consumer regarding the care and grooming of the guest animal. The entrepreneur reserves the right to refuse requests that do not align with a cat- and coat-friendly non-invasive method (see also ‘work method’ on the website). To the extent that wishes deviate from the usual practice, they will be carried out at the customer’s responsibility, based on verbal mutual agreement.
- The entrepreneur commits to treating/grooming the guest animal at the agreed-upon time unless there is a case of force majeure. This includes such facts that are beyond the control of the entrepreneur, making it reasonably impossible to fulfill the agreement.
Article 12 – Responsibilities and Obligations of the Consumer
- The consumer must, no later than 1 day prior to the start of the treatment, provide all requested information (at least verbally before the treatment) that is important for the proper and responsible care/grooming of the guest animal. This includes any abnormal behavior (aggression) of the guest animal, use of medication, medical issues, changes in household, etc.
- The consumer is liable for any consequences if the entrepreneur suffers damage due to the failure to mention information or the provision of incorrect information about the guest animal, unless this cannot be attributed to the consumer.
Article 13 – Liability
- The entrepreneur is liable to the consumer for damages resulting from a breach that is attributable to them or to persons in their service, or to persons performing incidental work on their behalf. This does not apply in cases of matted fur, as this is the consumer’s neglect to have the animal treated in time. In this case, there is a higher risk of shaving, and if shaving occurs, medical costs will fall under the consumer’s liability.
- In cases other than section 12.1, the liability is limited to a maximum of the invoice value of the service provided by the entrepreneur. Compensation for damage resulting from the breach by the grooming salon or persons in its service will be provided to the consumer, provided the consumer notifies the entrepreneur in writing within 30 days after the damage occurs and it is proven that the damage was caused by the entrepreneur.
- The entrepreneur will notify the consumer or any contact person designated by them as soon as possible in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- The consumer is liable to the entrepreneur for damage caused by the inappropriate or abnormal behavior of the guest animal, both material (e.g., a broken clipper) and physical damage that requires medical intervention. This includes lost income due to recovery after physical injury of the groomer, preventing them from performing their duties.
- In the event of irreparable damage or the death of the guest animal, the entrepreneur is liable for the proven purchase value of the guest animal.
- The entrepreneur will notify the consumer or any contact person designated by them as soon as possible in the event of unforeseen circumstances and provide advice on what to do.
- The entrepreneur is not liable to the consumer for damage caused by (other) guest animals to personal belongings handed over by the consumer due to the guest animal’s attachment to them.
- The consumer is liable to the entrepreneur if they or the guest animal damages something in or around the salon. This will need to be resolved according to the applicable liability coverage rules of the consumer’s insurance. If the consumer is not insured, a monetary sum proportional to the new value or repair costs (if possible) will be required.
- The entrepreneur is liable to the consumer if they accidentally damage an object in the house (during a mobile service). This will be resolved according to the applicable liability coverage rules of the entrepreneur’s insurance.
Article 14 – Force Majeure
In case of force majeure, the execution of the agreement is suspended as long as the force majeure prevents performance. If the force majeure lasts longer than fourteen days, there is a mutual right to terminate the agreement. In the event of termination, the consumer is required to pay for what has already been performed. Force majeure is understood to mean any fact or set of facts, beyond the control of the consumer or entrepreneur, of such severity or scope that it can no longer be reasonably expected to fulfill the agreement.
Article 15 – Complaints
Complaints about the execution of the agreement must be fully and clearly described, preferably in writing or electronically, within 48 hours after the expiration of the care and grooming agreement, and submitted to the entrepreneur. Failure to submit the complaint on time will result in the consumer losing their rights. A written or electronic response will be provided by the entrepreneur within three working days. This response will include an explanation and, if applicable, a compensation proposal.
Article 16 – Guarantee
The guarantee on the provided service is limited to the re-performance of what was improperly performed. The entrepreneur reserves the right to determine to what extent the service was improperly performed.
Article 17 – Disputes
- All legal relationships to which the entrepreneur is a party are exclusively governed by Dutch law, even if an obligation is wholly or partly performed abroad or if the consumer resides there. The applicability of the Vienna Sales Convention is excluded.
- The court in the entrepreneur’s place of business has exclusive jurisdiction to hear disputes, unless the law prescribes otherwise. Nevertheless, the entrepreneur has the right to submit the dispute to the competent court according to the law.
- Parties will only resort to the court after they have made every effort to resolve a dispute by mutual agreement.
Article 18 – Deviation from the General Terms and Conditions
Individual deviations must be recorded in writing or electronically between the entrepreneur and the consumer.
