These terms and conditions apply to all online transactions made with London School of Economics and Political Science (Company registration number 70527)

The Terms and Conditions of use are outlined in 10 sections below, please ensure that you have fully read and understood this policy prior to using.

1.    Introduction

The term “Online Store or Store” refers to an online solution offered by the School in order to facilitate the purchase of products, book attendance at conferences, events or seminars, or pay in advance for a service provided by the School where this method of sale can be offered.

2.    Background

This document sets out the School’s policy for dealing with customers who use the Store, confirms areas of responsibility for the School and the School’s customers and clarifies the terms and conditions relevant to all Store areas.

3.    General Principles

3.1 The term “customer” includes a student, individual, company, partnership or organisation that uses the Store.

3.2 The term “debt(s)” refers to unpaid fees or charges in respect of product(s) or service(s) provided by the School, its subsidiaries, staff, approved representatives or agents where full payment in respect of the provision is not made in advance or where there remains charges or additional charges incurred as a result of a Store supply. All customers who remain in default of payment will be pursued in accordance with the School’s Credit Management Policy 2015/16. << TBC>>

3.3 The term “Refund” applies to the return of payment made where the payment is no longer required or where the School choose to waive fees due in accordance with this policy.

3.4 The term “Return(s)” applies to products or services that are found to be unsuitable or no longer required. Customers are required to follow the instructions supplied by the School in order to ensure that Returns are considered for a charge waiver or refund.

3.5 The term “Product” within this policy is used to summarise any item, service, event or booking purchased or processed through the Store as detailed in full in item 4.

4.    Store Categories
 

This policy provides guidance in the following areas; clarifying the School’s position for sales related activities, provision of sales and booking of the following items when processed through the Store: 

4.1 Non Chargeable Products, Services or Events

Where item(s) are requested, supplied or booked and there is no financial cost to the customer.

4.2 Chargeable Products or Services

Where item(s) are requested, supplied or booked and the provision of such requires payment by the customer.

4.3 Chargeable Events, Conferences, Seminars

Where attendance for a conference, event, seminar or meeting is chargeable. This may be a combination in any format of items 4.1 & 4.2 that require payment for a product or service in addition to, or as part of, attendance at a conference, event or seminar. This includes any other project, venture, partnership or agreement that requires payment to the School as part of the event.

For a full breakdown and definition of categories see Store Guide - Products & Services

5.    Terms & Conditions of Sale

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using the online payment facility. Using the online payment facility on this website indicates that you accept these terms. If you do not accept these terms do not use this facility.

5.1 Description of product, service or event
The School will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that each item offered for sale or booking is accurately and correctly described in sufficient detail to ensure the customer has clarity of the item selected prior to proceeding with the purchase or booking. Whilst every effort will be made for an accurate representation, the School accepts
no responsibility for slight variances or differences interpreted or perceived by the customer where differences occur.

It is the responsibility of the customer to check the full details of the product prior to purchase. All claims for reimbursement or refund on the basis of material difference will be considered as detailed in items 6 and 7. 
 

5.2 Costs
The costs of products will be displayed at the time of booking and purchase and are non-negotiable. The School will endeavour to supply products in accordance with the details provided, if for any reason the School incurs substantial unforeseen additional costs the School reserves the right to withdraw the product and refund any monies paid subject to administration costs or fees incurred prior to returning payment to the customer.

All prices are in £ GBP and, where applicable, VAT will be charged in accordance with HM Revenue & Customs depending on the product or service being offered. Where it is a requirement to charge VAT, the total cost displayed at the time of purchase will include any VAT element(s).

Any additional charges, whether optional or compulsory in respect of postage, carriage, insurance or similar additional charges will be declared and payable at the point of purchase and will form part of the total sale price.

5.3 Delivery
In these Conditions, the Delivery Address means the address specified in the personal detail you, the customer, have supplied. The Collection Point means the designated site as detailed in the instructions on the School Store Web Site.

The School will attempt to deliver products within the time frame stipulated, however this cannot be guaranteed and the School accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the customer as a result of delivery outside of this agreed timescale. The School reserves the right to delay delivery where there are factors outside of the School’s control and where delivery is prevented as a result of external influences or suppliers.

Where applicable, the School will make a charge for product delivery if collection of goods is not an option. In these cases, costs will form part of the purchase price and are non-negotiable. If collection of goods is optional, this will be stated and the customer will be required to opt for this as part of the booking, where this option is not selected, the School will default to the delivery option and any delivery charges will be applied. Delivery charges applied cover the cost of despatch from the School to the customer; any expenses incurred by the customer for returns are the customer’s responsibility.

It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure arrangements are made to accept delivery in accordance with requirements provided at the point of sale. Any costs or delays incurred in delivery as a result of delivery being prevented are at the cost of the customer.  The School is not responsible for damages or loss as a result of non-delivery.

If the School is required to, and is able to store goods as a result of failed delivery, the School reserves the right to charge for any costs incurred as a result of additional transportation or storage overheads.

5.4 Availability

The School will make every effort to maintain and display availability of products at the point of sale or booking. If for any reason a product is purchased or booked and this has exceeded availability, the School will return any payment received. The School does not accept any liability for additional costs incurred by the customer made as a result of arrangements made in conjunction with the product.

5.5 Payment Terms

• The School is not responsible for any delays incurred from the point of purchase by any third party including the card issuer, provider or acquirer until the payment is received at the School, and accepts no responsibility for costs incurred as a result of delayed despatch or processing of purchases as a result.
• The School cannot be held responsible and does accept any liability for unsuccessful purchases or bookings where payment is refused or declined by the card provider for any reason; you should check with your card provider why payment has not been authorised.
• The School does not accept any responsibility for failed purchases as a result of incorrectly entering card details in to the Store by the customer.
• The data provided during the purchase or booking transaction will be used for the purpose of recording and processing your purchase. Any such usage of data supplied will be in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

5.6 Liability

5.6.1     Nothing in these Conditions excludes or limits the liability of the School for death or personal injury caused by the School’s negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation. Subject to the preceding sentence, Condition 5.6.2 constitutes the entire financial liability of the University (including any liability for the acts or omissions of its employees, agents and sub-contractors) to the Buyer in respect of:

(i) any breach of these Conditions; and

(ii) any representation, statement or negligent act or omission, including negligence arising under or in connection with the contract.

5.6.2 Subject to Condition 5.6.1
(i) the School’s total liability in contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty), misrepresentation or otherwise arising in connection with the performance or contemplated performance of the contract will be limited to the price of the goods and/or services; and 

(ii) the School will not be liable to the Buyer for loss of profit, loss of business or depletion of goodwill nor for any indirect or consequential liability, loss or damage which arises out of or in connection with the contract.

5.6.3 All content including pictures, designs, logos, photographs, text written and other materials on this website are owned, controlled or licensed to the School. They are protected by copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights. Unauthorised use of this content is prohibited.

5.6.4 The acknowledgement of the order and these Conditions together constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the contract.

5.6.5 Each right or remedy of the School under the contract is without prejudice to any other right or remedy of the School whether under the contract or not.

5.6.6 The contract will be governed by the laws of England and Wales.

6. Returns & Cancellations

6.1 Where a customer wishes to cancel an order, or return a product, the customer is required to complete and submit a Cancellation from and return this to the email or contact supplied with the confirmation of purchase email. A copy of the request is available to download Online Store Order cancellation . The School will not accept any other form of cancellation and customers who do not comply with the cancellation policy may be exempt from refund and liable for any additional costs incurred by the School.

Your right to cancel starts from the moment you place your order, and where goods are supplied, finishes 14 days from the date you receive the goods. All other cancellation rights for purchases or bookings will expire 14 days from the date of booking.

6.2 The School reserves the right to charge for any products that are not returned in the original condition or where damage has been caused to the product preventing re-selling at the same price to another customer. Where possible, the customer should return the product in its original wrapping and packaging.

6.3 The customer is responsible for any costs incurred for returning the product to the original despatch point from which the School issued the goods.

6.4 There are exemptions where the School will not give the option to cancel; these include CD’s, DVD’s, downloaded digital content or other software where the seal on the wrapping has been broken. Additionally, perishable, tailor made or personalised items are exempt. If any products have been mixed to the point where they cannot be separated preventing re-sale, these will also be exempt.
The School operates this policy in accordance with Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 and the Sale of Goods Act.

7.    Refunds

In cases where the School is unable to supply or comply with the product request and where an alternative is not acceptable to the customer, the School will agree to refund payment(s) received subject to the terms and conditions set out in items 5 and 6.

Additionally, the Finance department will instigate a refund if instructed to do so by the department in the School that offered the product initially if the School considers that it would be unfounded, inappropriate, or where extenuating circumstances apply, to retain payments received where products are provided.

7.1 All refunds will be processed and returned to the original payer via the original payment method.

7.2 The School will not refund third parties of transfer funds to any other customer or organisation.

7.3 If the School is unable to refund via the original payment method, an alternative payment method may be considered. The preferred option will be via BACS or cheque.

7.4 The School will not consider a cash refund under any circumstances.

7.5 If any costs, handling charges, commission rates, currency conversion fluctuations are imposed by any bank or payment service provider in the course of processing a refund, then these will be at the expense of the customer. The School accepts no liability for costs incurred in returning payment.

7.6 Please note any item marked "Non Refundable" on the Store is exempt from return or refund.

8.    Customer Service Standards

The School aims to adopt the following service levels in terms of activities at all times, and customers should use this as a guide. Whilst every effort will be made to comply with these standards, there may be occasions where factors outside the Schools’ control may affect the delivery of these standards. In these circumstances the School will review the impact of the failure to deliver on these standards and may consider making an appropriate adjustment

Customers registering to use the Store for the first time or with a new identity will be required to state whether they wish to grant permission for their contact details to be used for the purpose of further communications or marketing purposes.

9.    Payment Security

9.1 The School uses software in conjunction with payment service providers that comply with PCI DSS – Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, regulations. This means that the School does not store, retain or handle any credit or debit card data thus safeguarding customers against risk of fraud, misuse of loss of card holder data.
9.2 The School retains the right to investigate any order placed on this website that it suspects to be fraudulent, contravenes UK & EU law or is suspected to be in breach of Money Laundering Regulations. Any such order will not be delivered / fulfilled until it is proven that that the order is bona fide. Should the School be unable to prove an order is bona fide, monies will be refunded to the original card that was used to place the order (subject to no evidence of criminal or fraudulent activity) and the order will be cancelled.

9.3 In no event will the School be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use, misuse, inability to use, or the results of use of any websites linked to this site, or the materials or information contained at any or all such sites, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory.

 
10. Summary

This School will implement this policy equally and consistently to all customers who use the Store. The School reserves the right to review, amend, remove or change any of the above at any time