**Terms and Conditions of Ruthie’s Cupcakes**
Welcome to Ruthie’s Cupcakes! These Terms and Conditions apply to all orders placed with Ruthie’s Cupcakes, a boutique home-based business specialising in custom cupcakes and occasion cakes. Please read these terms carefully before placing your order. By ordering from Ruthie’s Cupcakes, you agree to the following terms:
1. **Business Operation**
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes is a home-based bakery. All orders are placed online or via direct communication and collection is by prior arrangement and at the agreed time only.
– We specialize in providing custom cupcakes and occasion cakes for various events, including catering for dietary requirements.
2. **Ordering and Payment**
– A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm an order. The remaining balance must be paid in full before collection.
– Payment methods include bank transfer, PayPal, or cash. Details for payment will be provided upon placing an order.
3. **Custom Cake Designs**
– Every cake is custom-made, and designs are based on client specifications and Ruthie’s creative input. While we will endeavor to meet exact requirements, artistic interpretation may lead to minor variations in colour, decoration, or structure. Customers will be asked to provide a colour match and they will be as close as possible to samples as we can get with a food medium.
– Customers must provide clear details regarding dietary restrictions or allergies at the time of order. Ruthie’s Cupcakes is not liable for reactions to undisclosed allergens.
4. **Collection and Acceptance of Cakes**
– All orders are to be collected by the customer at the arranged time and date. Ruthie’s Cupcakes is not responsible for delivery unless specifically agreed in writing. An additional charge will be added for any deliveries outside of Petersfield.
– Upon collection, the customer will have the opportunity to inspect the cake. Acceptance of the cake by the customer confirms that they are satisfied with the design, structure and condition.
– It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure proper transport and storage of the cake once it leaves Ruthie’s premises. Ruthie’s Cupcakes is not liable for damage that occurs after the cake has been collected. Guidance for safe transportation and storage will be provided on collection.
5. **Disputes and Complaints**
– If for any reason you are not satisfied with the cake, complaints must be raised within 24 hours of collection.
– Complaints should be made in writing and include detailed photographs of the cake and a description of the issue. For taste concerns and all other concerns that can’t be reasonably demonstrated with a detailed photograph, a sample should then be returned within 48 hours so it can be tested.
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes will assess the complaint and, if deemed valid, will offer an appropriate remedy, such as a partial refund or a discount on a future order.
– Any requests for refunds or replacement cakes will be addressed at Ruthie’s discretion. Ruthie’s Cupcakes reserves the right to decline complaints if the cake has been altered, damaged post-collection, or stored inappropriately.
6. **Dietary Requirements and Allergies**
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes strives to accommodate dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, dairy free, vegan, and nut-free options. However, all cakes are made in a kitchen where allergens such as nuts, gluten, dairy, and soy are present.
– While every effort is made to prevent cross-contamination, customers with severe allergies should be aware of this risk and order at their discretion.
– All dietary requirements must be discussed during the cake order and both parties agree to verify that all dietary requirements are detailed correctly on both the Invoice and on the Cake(s) boxes upon receipt. The Customer further agrees to verify the dietary requirements are detailed correctly on the Cake(s) boxes prior to presenting the Cake(s) for consumption
7. **Cancellations and Changes**
– Any changes to an order must be communicated at least 5 days before the collection date. We will make every effort to accommodate changes, but this may not always be possible depending on the complexity of the design and availability of ingredients.
– Cancellations made less than 7 days before the collection date will result in the forfeiture of the deposit. Cancellations made more than 7 days in advance will result in a full refund of any amounts paid, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
– If the date needs to be changed, every effort will be made to accommodate a new date, depending on availability.
8. **Force Majeure**
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes is not liable for delays or non-performance caused by circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of God, weather events, pandemics, or supplier shortages. In such events, every effort will be made to reschedule the order or offer a reasonable substitute.
9. **Limitation of Liability**
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of profits or business, arising out of the use of our products.
– Our total liability, in any event, will be limited to the total amount paid by the customer for the cake in question.
– The Customer accepts that Ruthie’s Cupcakes shall not be liable for Product(s) which have been altered or amended by any third party in any way whatsoever including but not limited to: touch, damage, modification (including the addition of any decoration(s) of any kind, consumption
10. **Privacy and Data Protection**
– Ruthie’s Cupcakes respects your privacy. Any personal information collected in the course of ordering will be used solely for processing orders and will not be shared with third parties without consent, except as required by law.
—
These Terms and Conditions are subject to change without prior notice. By placing an order, you agree to abide by the most current version of these terms.
For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact Ruthie’s Cupcakes at ruthie@ruthies-cupcakes.co.uk.
