General

These conditions govern the contract to the entire exclusion of any other express or implied conditions. VSSCo (the Seller) reserves its right to amend the conditions from time to time by notifying the customer in writing.

An order constitutes an offer by the customer to purchase goods from the Seller in accordance with these conditions. The customer accepts that it has not relied upon any prior promises, representations, or undertakings of the Seller or any of its employees or agents not expressly set out in these conditions.

The customer shall be responsible to the Seller for ensuring the accuracy of the terms of the order submitted and for providing VSSCo with any necessary information within a sufficient time to enable VSSCo to fulfil the order in accordance with these conditions.

Acceptance of the order shall be deemed to be made by VSSCo on the issue of an invoice in respect of the goods.

Price

The price quoted is subject to change without notice. The invoiced price will reflect the price at the time of order unless otherwise agreed. Current prices can be viewed on the VSSCo Portal (https://vssco.net), which is updated on an hourly basis. The price of the Goods is exclusive of Value Added Tax or any similar taxes levies or duties which will be added to or charged on invoices at the appropriate rates.

Advance/ Monthly/Forward orders will be invoiced based on the price of the product on the date of dispatch.

The price for the Goods includes all charges for transport to the customer premises where deliveries are within VSSCo’s normal van routes unless otherwise notified by VSSCo.

VSSCo reserves the right, by giving notice to the customer at any time before delivery, to increase the price of the Goods to reflect any increase in the cost due to any factor beyond its control, including but without limitation any increases in costs due to import tariffs, market fluctuations, any change in delivery dates, quantities or specifications for the Goods which is requested by the customer or any delay caused by any instructions of the customer or failure of the customer to provide adequate information or instructions

 

Discount & Credit Terms

The level of discount applied varies, depending on the product group and the specific payment terms agreed with the customer in advance of purchasing the goods or services.

 

Force Majeure

The seller shall be relieved of the performance of its obligations for the duration and to the extent that it is prevented in the performance of its obligations by reasons of force majeure. Force majeure is defined as circumstances or events which have not been foreseen at the time of the sale and which prevent the performance of contractual obligations hereunder and which are not capable of being remedied. Acts of God, war, government, blockades, revolutions and industrial disputes may constitute force majeure if the elements thereof, as defined, in this clause exist.

 

Retention of Title

The ownership of all goods supplied shall remain with the seller until all goods have been paid for in full. 

The retention of title shall not prevent the buyer from using or selling the goods during their normal day to day business; but, for the avoidance of doubt shall not resell the goods as the agent of the seller.

In the absence of notification to the Seller within two working days, the goods shall be deemed to be delivered and accepted by the purchaser as complete and in satisfactory condition.

Until such time as the property in the Goods has passed to the Buyer, the Buyer shall maintain the Goods in a satisfactory condition and keep them insured on the Seller’s behalf for the full price against all risks to the reasonable satisfaction of the Seller. On request the Buyer shall produce the policy of insurance to the Seller.

Where orders are not paid in full, the purchaser hereby authorises the Seller to retake possession of them. The customer hereby grants to VSSCo, its agents and employees an irrevocable licence to enter the premises of the purchaser for the purpose of inspecting the Goods and where the Buyer’s right to possession has terminated, to recover such Goods.

 

Payments

All payments should be made in full within the agreed credit terms.

An account shall be considered in default if an invoice remains unpaid for 30 days beyond the due date, or the customer has stated expressly that they do not intend to pay invoice, unless prior arrangements have been made.

VSSCo shall at its sole discretion suspend all orders and services provided to the customer and employ debt collection measures until the total outstanding balance has been paid. This includes all unpaid invoices due plus reasonable costs incurred in pursuit of the debt.

 

Notification of loss of, damage, or non-delivery of goods

If the quantity of Goods delivered is more than ordered by the Buyer, the Buyer shall not be entitled to reject the delivery, but the Seller will collect such excess Goods from the Buyer’s premises if the Buyer notifies the Seller within 48 hours. If the Buyer does not notify the Seller within the prescribed time limits, the Seller shall be entitled to invoice the Buyer and the Buyer shall pay the Seller.

If the quantity of the Goods delivered is less than that agreed by the Seller and the Buyer, the Buyer shall not be entitled to reject the delivery but shall be entitled only to a further delivery of Goods, to make up the deficiency, or (at the Seller’s option) a refund by way of a credit note of the appropriate part of the purchase price.

Claims for goods lost or damaged in transit will not be considered unless notice is given verbally and followed up in writing of damage within 48 hrs of receiving the goods or within 48 hours of being invoiced in the case of non-delivery.

 

Returns Policy

All returns must be pre-authorised by the Seller customer services team at returns@vssco.co.uk. We cannot accept any unauthorised returns.

If the product is deemed to have an unacceptable expiry date on receipt or it is delivered due to a Seller error, then we will accept a return for credit provided it is notified within the timeframe below depending on the product type.

If the return request relates to a customer order error, then unless there are exceptional circumstances and it is approved by a senior manager at VSSCo, we cannot accept returns. VSSCo reserves the right to deduct a 5% handling charge based on list price and will require email confirmation that the customer is happy to pay the handling charge before we accept the product.

Whilst VSSCo will endeavour to be as flexible as possible with customer returns which arise from time to time, we need to ensure that any returned product is fit for resale and is compliant with the VMD / MHRA guidelines. The rules depend on the type of product.

• Buy to Order (Specials) & Human Generic Drugs are non-returnable. In accordance with the FMD directive (Feb 19) VSSCo decommission human generics at the point of despatch, and we cannot re-commission.
• Ambient Drugs: returns must be pre-authorised by VSSCo customer services (returns@vssco.co.uk) within 5 working days of delivery and physically returned within 10 working days.
• Pet Food: returns must be pre-authorised by VSSCo customer services (returns@vssco.co.uk) within 5 working days of delivery and physically returned within 10 working days.
• Fridge/Freezer Product: returns should be requested to VSSCo customer services (returns@vssco.co.uk) within 24 hours of receiving the wrong delivery, by filling in the correct form and a veterinary surgeon signing to verify that product has always been stored correctly. Product can only be returned:

o          Once a green authorisation form has been issued from VSSCo.

o          If a complete temperature log for the vaccine storage fridge has been kept & a copy forwarded to VSSCo

(N.B. Frozen IDEXX slides cannot be returned on Fridays as they must not be out of the freezer > 24 hours).

• Controlled Drugs: require submission of a controlled drug returns request form to VSSCo signed by a veterinary surgeon. A blue controlled drug returns form will be issued if the drugs are approved for uplift and a copy of this should be retained by the vet practice. The order error must be notified within 2 working days of receipt and returned to VSSCo within 5 working days.

 

Warranty

The Seller offers a limited warranty on equipment, covering defects in material or workmanship which become obvious under normal intended use during the 12-month warranty period. The Seller will repair at no charge, products or parts of a product that prove defective because of faulty material or workmanship under normal use and maintenance. It does not replace the manufacturer’s warranty. In all instances the warranty period must be confirmed by a proof of purchase document.

 

Freight Charges & Minimum order value

Delivery charges may apply depending on order value and agreed payment terms. (If in doubt, please ask at the time of ordering). Customers will be advised if charges will apply when opening an account.

 

Law

This contract shall be deemed to be made in Northern Ireland in all respects by Law and is governed by the laws of the country and you agree to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts.

 

General Data Protection Regulation

The Buyer acknowledges that the Seller is a data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and may be required to process personal data in connection with the entering into, performance or enforcement of the Contract.

The Buyer in entering into the Contract consents to the Seller processing personal data concerning the Buyer and agrees that the Seller may use and disclose personal information about the Buyer to third parties.

The Seller may provide sales data to suppliers to facilitate the payment of any rebates due to the customer. The details provided to the manufacturer will only be used in respect of the rebate. The manufacturer can use this data in anonymised form to generate statistical analysis of their specific product range.

VSSCo will promptly and fully notify you in writing if any Personal Data has been disclosed in breach of this clause and cooperate with you to rectify the situation.