| CONDITIONS
OF CARRIAGE |
1. |
Definitions
and Guarantees. |
|
In
this agreement |
1a) |
"Client" shall
mean the person who requests the Company to arrange
for the carriage of Goods or for the provision of other
services on its behalf . Where the Client is an incorporated
body the directors of the Client guarantee its performance. |
1b) |
"Company" shall
mean the person who is identified as "Site Operator" on
this Website |
1c) |
"Contractor" shall
mean any person who has appointed the Company as agent
to find work on behalf of that person. |
1d) |
"Goods" shall
mean any goods, which the Client has requested to be
carried or arranged to have carried. |
1e) |
"Services" shall
mean any storage, pre-packing and any other services
whatsoever that the Client has requested the Company
to provide. |
1f) |
"Time
rate" shall be $28 per 15 minutes or part
thereof as at 20 February 2003 and adjusted annually
for inflation. |
2. |
Interpretations
and Governing Law. |
2a) |
Any
provision of this agreement which is capable of being
interpreted as being void, voidable, illegal or unenforceable,
shall not be so interpreted if at all possible, and
shall otherwise be severed to the minimum extent necessary
with the remainder of the agreement remaining in force. |
2b) |
All
the rights, immunities and limitations of liability
in these conditions of contract shall continue to have
their full force and effect in all circumstances, notwithstanding
any breach (including fundamental breach) of contract. |
2c) |
Unless
otherwise apparent from the context, singular words
include the plural and vice versa, words in any one
gender include any other gender and any reference to
person includes both natural persons and corporations. |
2d) |
Words
in italics are for guidance only and do not and shall
not be deemed to form part of this agreement. |
2e) |
This
agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and
enforced in accordance with the laws applicable in
the Australian Capital Territory. This agreement shall
be deemed to have been entered into in the Australian
Capital Territory. |
3. |
Applicability
of these Conditions. |
3a) |
These
Conditions of Contract shall apply to any Contract
for the carriage of Goods (or the provision of other
services) that was entered into after being given a
reasonable opportunity to view them on the Company’s
web site, booking on the Company’s web site or
as a result of the acceptance of any quotation accompanied
by these Conditions. These Conditions shall also apply
to any further such contracts if they are entered into
without reference to any other conditions. |
3b) |
The
Client acknowledges that the Company acts as agent
for every Contractor referred to in these conditions
in procuring the Client’s business and that the
Company has disclosed that fact to the Client prior
to the Client entering into any contract. |
3c) |
By
entering into this contract the Client also accepts
these Conditions on behalf of all other persons on
whose behalf they are acting. |
3d) |
Any
term of these conditions which limits the liability
of the Company, also extends to and enures for the
benefit of its employees, agents, contractors and sub-contractors
and also to their employees. For the purposes of this
sub-clause, the Company shall be deemed to be the agent
or trustee of such persons and such persons shall,
to the extent necessary to give effect to this sub-clause,
be deemed to be parties to this agreement. However
this provision shall not be construed as imposing or
implying any additional liability on those persons
to any person for any reason. |
4. |
Variation
of Conditions. |
|
Unless
otherwise specified in this agreement, these conditions
can only be varied by mutual consent. The consent of
the Company for such a variation can only be given
in writing by a director, secretary or manager of the
Company. |
5. |
The
Company and the Contractor are NOT COMMON CARRIERS and will
accept no liability as such. |
|
All
goods are carried subject only to these Conditions
and the Company and the Contractor reserve the right
to refuse to carry any Goods. |
6. |
Terms
relating to the Nature and ownership of Goods. |
6a) |
The
Client expressly warrants that the Client is either
the owner or the authorised agent of the owner of any
Goods or property the subject matter of this contract.
If the Client is not the owner the Client warrants
that the Client has the authority to enter into this
contract. |
6b) |
Goods
are accepted by the Company on the condition that they
comply with the requirements of any applicable law
relating to the nature, condition and packaging of
the Goods, and without limiting the generality hereof:
i) that the Client notifies the Company whenever any
Dangerous Goods Act or similar legislation ("DGA") applies
to any Goods, and guarantees that all requirements of
such laws have been met, and
ii) that the goods are fully described in writing on
all relevant paperwork, including their name and nature,
and in the case of goods to which a DGA applies, are
accompanied by a consignment note that complies with
the Act. |
6c) |
Where
in the opinion of the Company any Goods are dangerous,
corrosive, noxious, explosive, flammable, perishable
or capable of attracting vermin or pests the Company
may refuse to carry or, if carriage has commenced,
take any action reasonable to dispose, destroy or otherwise
deal with the Goods at the expense of the Client and
without incurring any liability to the Client. |
6d) |
The
Client agrees to notify the Company in writing, prior
to pickup, of any Goods that are inherently fragile
or of a nature or value that is not readily apparent,
and of any special precautions of which the Company
cannot reasonably be expected to be aware that should
be taken when carrying such Goods. |
7. |
Ongoing
17.5% Engagement Fee. |
|
Where
within 18 months of the Client entering into a Contract
governed by these Conditions the Client engages the
services of any Contractor introduced to the Client
by the Company, the CLIENT AGREES that in consideration
of the Company introducing the Contractor it will immediately
pay to the Company an engagement fee equal to 17.5%
of any charges made by the Contractor for such services. |
8. |
Charging
Methods. |
8a) |
Fixed
price quotations to Clients are calculated on the
basis of information supplied by the Client
as to the nature and quantity of items to be moved
and as to any difficulties in gaining access at the
pickup or delivery locations. The Client warrants
that all information that is reasonably necessary
to assess the work involved and to prepare a quotation
for carrying out that work has been accurately provided. |
8b) |
If
the information supplied is incorrect, inadequate,
inaccurate or varied after a quotation has been given, the
Company may at its discretion perform the work strictly
as per its quotation or vary its charges in accordance
with a pro-rata adjustment based on the variation
in the specified quantity, volume or weight of the
goods plus any variation of estimated loading and
unloading times charged at the time rate. |
8c) |
Delays
and Cancellations after arrival. Where
the loading or unloading process is delayed by
over 30 minutes due to any factors outside the
Company’s control, an additional charge at
the time rate may apply. Where a job is cancelled
by the Client after arrival at pickup the Client
agrees to pay the LESSER of the full job charge
or, the time spent at pickup charged at the time
rate subject to a minimum charge for 2 hours. |
8d) |
The
Client agrees to pay or reimburse to the Company any
costs, fees and taxes incurred in complying with Customs,
Quarantine, Import or Export requirements.
These are not included in any quoted
prices unless specifically stated in writing. |
9. |
Payment
Methods and Obligations. |
9a) |
Unless the
Client has arranged and the Company has agreed for
the charges to be invoiced to a pre-authorised credit
account, charges are payable prior to completion
of unloading for hourly rate jobs and, like
airline tickets, on or before pickup for
all other jobs. Payment is required in the
form of cash, bank cheque, Bankcard, Visa, Mastercard
or non-reversible EFT showing the job number as reference. |
9b) |
The
Company hereby assigns its rights and the rights of
any persons on behalf of whom it is acting, to collect
all charges and payments from Clients to the Contractor.
The Contractor agrees to issue invoices and to collect
all such charges and payments directly from Clients. |
9c) |
In
the case of a credit account, whether pre-authorised
or otherwise established:
i) The Company shall invoice its charges on 14 day terms
(unless otherwise stated) together with any out of pocket
expenses, accounting fees and industry surcharges.
ii) The Client agrees that where the Company does not
receive payment of any amount charged to the credit account
by the due date, the Client will accept joint and several
liability for any outstanding amount together with any
third party to whom the invoices have been sent and will
pay those charges within 7 days. |
10. |
Lien
on Goods until Payment is Received. |
10a) |
All
goods of the Client, or carried on behalf of the Client,
that are received by the Company shall be subject
to a general lien for any monies owed by the
Client or the owner of the goods to the Company or
the Contractor as a result of this agreement or any
previous agreement between the Company and the Client
or the owner of the Goods. |
10b) |
In
order to exercise its rights under the aforementioned
lien, the Company shall have the right to seize or
retain or to defer or refuse delivery of any goods
that are the subject of this lien should circumstances
arise that make it reasonable to conclude that the
Client is unwilling or unable to pay any due charges
in the required form or at the required place or time. |
10c) |
Where
the charges of the Company remain unpaid for a minimum
period of 28 days, the Company may give 28 days written
notice by certified or registered mail to the last
known address of the Client of intention to sell. If
the amount owing is not paid within that further period
the Company may open any packages, DISPOSE OF THE GOODS
or SELL ALL OR ANY OF THE GOODS by auction or by private
treaty at its absolute discretion. Out of any monies
arising the Company may retain its charges and all
charges and expenses of the detention and sale. It
shall credit the surplus, if any, to the person entitled
to it. Any such sale shall not prejudice or affect
any other rights that the Company may have to recover
any outstanding charges due or payable in respect of
such service or the said detention or sale. |
11. |
Terms
relating to the movement of Goods. |
11a) |
Movement
of incorrect goods. The Client shall
provide an authorised representative who will be
responsible for ensuring that the correct goods
are loaded. Whether or not such a representative
is provided, and WHETHER OR NOT the Client provided
the Company with a LIST of ITEMS to be moved, the
Client shall pay all reasonable additional charges
whatsoever resulting from the movement of incorrect
goods or non-movement of goods that the Client
intended to have moved. |
11b) |
If
there is no-one in attendance at the place
for delivery of the Goods the Company shall be entitled
at its discretion to leave the Goods at that place
or to return at a later time until delivery is completed,
storing the Goods at any convenient place in the
meantime, and the Client agrees to pay any reasonable
additional charges incurred thereby to the Company. |
11c) |
The
method, route and time by which the carriage of Goods
or provision of services under this contract are performed
shall be at the absolute discretion of the Company. |
12. |
Trade
Practices Act. |
12a) |
Nothing
in this agreement shall be construed as having the
effect of in any way excluding, restricting or modifying
any warranty express or implied by virtue of the provisions
of the Trade Practices Act (1974) as amended. |
12b) |
Where
this contract is for the provision of services for
the purposes of a business, trade, profession or occupation
in which the Client is engaged, any liability for negligence
shall be limited to $100 per package or carton and
total of $1000 per consignment. |
14. |
Responsibility
for Losses and Damages. |
14a) |
All
quoted prices are for the performance of the work specified
in accordance with the Warranties implied by the Trade
Practices Act 1974. |
14b) |
The
Client recognises that there are always risks involved
in the movement of any Goods or the provision of services
under this contract, many of which are outside the
Company’s or the Client’s control. All
basic quoted prices are for the provision of carriage
and other services whereby the Client understands and
accepts that there are such risks, accepts any financial
detriment or other losses that may result from the
performance or non-performance of such work and agrees
that the Company shall NOT be responsible or liable
for such losses. The effect of this sub-clause may
be varied where the Client chooses a Transit Protection
option. (See Clause 15) or where it is otherwise agreed
in writing. |
14c) |
Save
as expressly provided in these conditions the Company
shall not be liable to the Client for any loss or damage
suffered by the Client directly or indirectly caused
by:
i) any damage loss or destruction to Goods whilst
in the possession of the Company whether in transit (which
includes, amongst other things, any packing, handling,
installation, removal, assembly or erection), or in
storage, or after they have been delivered or
mis-delivered;
ii) a mis-delivery, delay in delivery or non-delivery
of Goods;
iii) the carriage of Goods by a route other than the
shortest or usual route;
iv) any failure to collect Cash on Delivery (COD) on
behalf of the Client; and this clause shall apply whether
or not any such occurrence was due to any wilful, fraudulent
negligent or other act or omission of the Company. |
14d) |
For
the purpose of clause 14, "loss or damage" shall include
all or any direct or consequential loss or damage to
the Client whatsoever and howsoever arising and without
limiting the generality of the foregoing includes loss
of profits, liabilities of the Client to third parties
(whether actual or contingent) the cost of repair or
replacement of Goods and the cost of collecting and
redelivering Goods. |
14e) |
The
reference in clause 14 to damage or to loss and destruction
of goods shall include damage loss or destruction caused
by:
i) fire, overturning, collision road or rail accident
involving the conveying vehicle,
ii) theft, or
iii) mishandling, incorrect loading or unloading or stowage
of any vehicle, the method by which it is driven or through
any other cause whatsoever. |
14f) |
The
Client shall INDEMNIFY the Company against any action,
claim, suit, fine or demand brought by any third party,
the Client or the Contractor against the Company as
a result of or in connection with any breach by the
Client of any term of this contract or the occurrence
of any of the events listed in this clause or clauses
10, 12 or 14 and this indemnity shall extend to the
reasonable solicitor client costs of the Company in
defending any action and in enforcing this indemnity. |
15. |
Transit
Protection Options. |
15a) |
Where
prior to the commencement of any contract for the carriage
of Goods, the Client agrees to make an additional payment
in accordance with one or more of the Transit Protection
(hereafter "TP") options offered by the Company, the
Company agrees to accept an increased level of responsibility
for damage, loss or destruction of the goods, in the
event of some or all of the occurrences listed in clause
14 (e). |
15b) |
The
effect on this Contract of the Client selecting a Transit
Protection option will depend upon the option selected,
as follows:
i) For fire, overturning or collision
Transit Protection, sub-clause
14 (e) (i) shall not apply to this agreement.
ii) For fire, overturning,
collision and theft Transit Protection,
sub-clauses 14 (e) (i) and (ii) shall
not apply to this agreement.
iii) For all-risk Transit Protection,
sub-clauses 14 (e) (i), (ii) and (iii)
shall not apply to this agreement. |
15c) |
In
the event of a claim or potential claim:
i) The Client agrees
to notify the Company in writing of any
claims or potential claims within 7 days
of the receipt of the goods, or if a
delivery is not made due to loss or total
destruction of the goods, within 7 days
of the Client becoming aware of the event
that caused the damage, loss or destruction
of the Goods.
ii) In the event of
loss or damage or destruction, the
Company will pay to the Client the
reasonable costs of repair or restoration
or an amount based on replacement cost
less an allowance for age, condition,
wear & tear. The Company will not
pay on the basis of "new for old".
The Company may at its discretion choose
to arrange for the repair of any damaged
items at a repairer of its choice. |
16d) |
Unless
otherwise agreed in writing, the following
LIMITATIONS are applicable to Transit Protection Options:
i) Any liability resulting from the acceptance of an
increased level of responsibility relating to antiques,
jewellery, collections, documents, works of art and the
contents of individual cartons with a value of over $250
is limited to $250; or $500 if nominated in writing prior
to pickup and any liability for other items is limited
to $1500 per item or $4000 if nominated in writing prior
to pickup.
ii) The first $100 of any claim shall be payable by the
Client and the maximum amount claimable where not otherwise
limited by the terms of this agreement shall be $50,000
per conveyance or occurrence.
iii) Any increased responsibility accepted for pairs
or sets of items is limited to the repair or replacement
of the lost or damaged part without reference to any
special value that such item may have as part of such
pair or set.
iv) The increased level of responsibility does not extend
to plants, animals, accidental damage to the contents
of self-packed cartons nor to electrical or internal
derangement or failure of electrical or electronic goods,
instruments or machinery.
v) The increased level of responsibility does not extend
to loss or damage due to the nature, characteristics
or inherent vice of any item making it susceptible to
damage as a result of normal transit handling, road trauma
or atmospheric conditions.
vi) Where the amount paid to the Company for accepting
an increased level of responsibility is based on a consignment
valuation that is less than the full value of
the total consignment, then any compensation
for damage, loss or destruction will be made only in
the same reduced proportion.
vii) The Company does not accept an increased
level of responsibility whilst goods are in storage,
other than storage required as part of the normal transit
process. |
16e) |
Except
as provided in this clause, nothing in this clause.
shall operate in any way to extend the liability of
the Company or to vary clauses 12 or 14. |
16f) |
Fraud
or attempted fraud shall void our acceptance of an
increased level of responsibility and all attendant
legal or other consequences. |