Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits any mandatory rights granted to consumers under applicable law. If any provision conflicts with mandatory consumer protection law, the mandatory law will prevail to that extent.

2. SELLER INFORMATION

Design Chess is the trade name used in connection with the activities of The Design Chess Company.

The official company entity is ITP International Trading Partners Oy Ltd, a company registered in Finland, Business ID 0932324-4.

Address: Läntinen Kehätie 22, 31400 Somero, Finland.

3. PRODUCT INFORMATION, AVAILABILITY AND ORDER HANDLING

All products are subject to availability.

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that product information, measurements, specifications, availability and pricing are accurate. However, clerical, technical or typographical errors may occasionally occur.

If fulfilment is prevented by a genuine and material stock error, technical error, pricing error, payment issue, suspected fraud or another comparable circumstance that materially affects our ability to process the order, we reserve the right to decline or cancel the order before dispatch. In such cases, any amount paid for the affected item or order will be refunded without undue delay.

This clause is intended to address genuine fulfilment problems and is not intended to give us a general right to cancel orders at our discretion.

4. HANDMADE AND NATURAL-MATERIAL PRODUCTS

Many of our products are handcrafted and made from natural materials, especially wood and wood veneers. For that reason, each item is individual.

Reasonable variation is an inherent characteristic of handmade products and natural materials. Such variation may affect, for example, carving, turning, symmetry, surface texture, grain, figure, colour tone, lacquer appearance, antiquing, veneer pattern, gloss, weight and measurements.

These characteristics are part of the nature of the products and do not, by themselves, mean that a product is defective, damaged or not as described.

5. WHAT IS NOT CONSIDERED A DEFECT

Unless the deviation is material, the following do not in themselves constitute a defect, damage, lack of conformity or other fault in the product:

minor variation in measurements, including height, base diameter, board size or weight
minor variation in colour tone, grain, figure, veneer pattern or other natural-material characteristics
minor variation in carving, turning, symmetry, alignment or hand-finished details
minor variation in lacquer, antiqued finish or other surface appearance
minor variation between individual pieces within the same set
minor variation between production batches
minor variation between the product received and the product photography shown on the website
natural ageing, patination or gradual colour change over time
slight tolerance-related variation that does not materially affect normal intended use

For the avoidance of doubt, this section does not exclude liability for goods that are genuinely defective, damaged on delivery, or materially inconsistent with the product description under applicable mandatory law.

6. PRODUCT IMAGES, COLOURS AND DESCRIPTIONS

Product photographs on the website are representative images intended to illustrate the model, materials and overall character of the product.

Because our products are handmade and made from natural materials, and because screen settings, lighting conditions and photography vary, the actual product may differ from the photographs and on-screen appearance in colour tone, contrast, grain, figure, pattern, gloss, surface character and other visual details.

Measurements, weights and other specifications shown on the website are provided in good faith and as accurately as reasonably possible. Minor tolerances and variations may occur and do not in themselves constitute a defect.

7. CHANGES OVER TIME IN WOOD AND OTHER MATERIALS

Wood and other natural materials may change over time. Depending on the material and environmental conditions, this may include gradual changes in colour tone, surface character or shape.

Exposure to sunlight, humidity changes, dry air, heat, cold and other environmental conditions may accelerate such changes. Natural ageing or environmental reaction of materials is not in itself a defect.

Customers are responsible for storing and using the products in normal indoor conditions and for keeping them away from excessive sunlight, heat, moisture, dryness and other unsuitable conditions.

8. WARRANTY AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS

We provide a 3-year commercial warranty against manufacturing defects, in addition to any mandatory statutory rights that may apply under law.

Subject to case-by-case assessment, the warranty may cover:

manufacturing-related hairline cracks
internal weights becoming loose in chess pieces
warping of chess boards caused by a product defect rather than improper storage or environmental exposure
adhesive failure
damage caused in transit, provided that it is reported without undue delay after delivery and supported by reasonable evidence

The warranty does not cover damage or deterioration caused by:

accidental impact, dropping or other external force
misuse, neglect or improper handling
scratching, wear or deterioration caused by use
exposure to sunlight, excessive humidity, excessive dryness, heat, cold or unstable storage conditions
improper cleaning, polishing or chemical treatment
modification, repair or alteration by anyone other than us or a party authorised by us
loss of the product or any part of it

If you believe that a product is defective or damaged, you must contact us as soon as reasonably possible and before returning the product. We may ask for photographs, a description of the issue and other reasonable evidence before deciding how the matter should be handled.

If a product is found to be defective under the warranty or under applicable law, we may, as appropriate, repair it, replace it, provide a partial refund or provide a full refund, depending on the nature of the case and the remedy required by applicable law.

This warranty does not limit any mandatory statutory consumer rights.

9. SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

We ship from Finland.

Delivery times shown on the website, at checkout or in customer communication are estimates only, unless expressly stated otherwise. Delays may occur for reasons outside our reasonable control, including courier disruption, customs processing, weather, strikes, peak-season congestion, local delivery issues or force majeure events.

To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from delivery delay caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Our principal courier is FedEx, but we reserve the right to use another courier or shipping service where reasonably necessary.

If a parcel arrives visibly damaged, the customer should, where possible, note this with the courier and contact us without undue delay.

10. IMPORT DUTIES, TAXES AND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

For deliveries outside the EU, and where applicable also within territories with separate customs treatment, the buyer is responsible for any import duties, tariffs, customs clearance charges, local taxes, brokerage fees, handling charges or similar charges imposed by the destination country or courier, unless expressly stated otherwise at checkout.

The buyer is also responsible for providing any documents, identification, authorisations or information required by customs authorities or the courier for import clearance.

If the buyer fails to provide required information or documents, and the shipment is delayed, returned, abandoned or destroyed as a result, we are not responsible for the resulting loss, delay or expense.

11. FAILED DELIVERY, UNCLAIMED PARCELS AND REFUSAL OF SHIPMENT

The buyer is responsible for providing accurate delivery information and for cooperating reasonably with the courier to receive the shipment.

If a shipment is refused, left unclaimed, or returned because the buyer failed to cooperate with customs or delivery arrangements, we may deduct from any refund the actual direct costs incurred by us, including outbound shipping, return shipping, insurance, payment processing costs and other direct costs caused by the failed delivery, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Any refund in such cases will be processed after the returned shipment has been received by us and the relevant charges have been confirmed.

This section does not limit any mandatory statutory withdrawal rights that apply under law.

12. RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL, RETURNS AND CANCELLATIONS

If you are a consumer in the EU, you generally have the statutory right to withdraw from an online purchase within 14 days without giving a reason. For goods, the withdrawal period usually expires 14 days after you, or a third party designated by you other than the carrier, receive the goods. If the legally required information about the right of withdrawal is not provided, the withdrawal period may be extended under applicable law.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, you must notify us with a clear statement before the withdrawal period expires. Not collecting a parcel does not in itself constitute a valid notice of withdrawal.

Returned products must be sent back without undue delay and, in any event, no later than 14 days after you notify us of withdrawal.

Unless otherwise required by mandatory law, the customer is responsible for the direct cost of return shipping in the case of withdrawal, provided that this has been properly disclosed before purchase.

You are responsible only for any diminished value resulting from handling the goods beyond what is necessary to establish their nature, characteristics and functioning.

We will reimburse payments received from you in accordance with applicable law. We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or until you have supplied evidence of having sent them back, as provided by applicable law. If you expressly chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive standard delivery offered by us, we are not required to reimburse the supplementary cost of that choice.

Before returning any product, the customer must contact us and wait for return instructions.

Cancellation before dispatch

If a consumer wishes to cancel an order before dispatch, the matter will be handled in accordance with the consumer’s statutory rights under applicable law.

Where applicable law permits the seller to claim compensation for cancellation before delivery outside the statutory withdrawal framework, any such compensation must be reasonable and proportionate. We reserve the right to claim such compensation only where legally permitted and only to the extent that it reflects actual order-specific costs or losses caused by the cancellation.

13. DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED PRODUCTS ON ARRIVAL

If you believe that your order arrived damaged or defective, please contact us without undue delay after receipt and before returning anything.

We may ask for photographs of the packaging, shipping label and product, and for a description of the issue. This helps us assess the case and, where relevant, make a claim with the courier or arrange an appropriate remedy.

If the product is confirmed to have arrived damaged or defective, we will provide a remedy in accordance with applicable law and, where applicable, our warranty policy. If we ask you to return the goods, we will reimburse reasonable return costs in accordance with applicable law.

14. PRODUCT CARE AND BUYER RESPONSIBILITIES

The buyer is responsible for following reasonable care and storage practices for wooden and handcrafted products.

Products should be kept in normal indoor conditions and protected from excessive sunlight, heat, cold, humidity, dryness and abrupt environmental changes. Products should also be handled carefully and cleaned only by appropriate methods.

Damage caused by improper storage, improper care, misuse, neglect, modification or external impact is not a manufacturing defect.

15. PRICING ERRORS AND TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that prices, descriptions, measurements, availability information and other website content are accurate. However, errors may occur.

If a product or service is listed with an incorrect price or materially incorrect information due to a typographical, technical or administrative error, we reserve the right to correct the error and to refuse or cancel any affected order before dispatch. If payment has already been made for an order that is cancelled because of such an error, we will refund the amount paid without undue delay.

16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, photographs, product descriptions, graphics, logos, layout and other materials, is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

No content from this website may be copied, reproduced, distributed, published, displayed, modified or otherwise used for commercial purposes without our prior written permission.

17. WEBSITE USE AND THIRD-PARTY LINKS

We aim to keep the website accurate and available, but we do not guarantee that the website will operate without interruption or error, or that all content is always complete, current or free from technical inaccuracies.

The website may contain links to third-party websites. Such links are provided for convenience only. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, availability, privacy practices or terms of any third-party website.

18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Subject to the above, and to the extent permitted by law, our liability is limited to the purchase price of the relevant product or order giving rise to the claim.

To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, including loss arising from delay, loss of use, loss of business or loss of profit.

Our products are not toys and are not intended for children. Many products contain small parts and may present a choking hazard or other safety risk if used by children. The buyer is responsible for keeping the products out of the reach of children.

19. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Finland, excluding its conflict-of-law rules.

If you are a consumer, this choice of law does not deprive you of the protection afforded by mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you have your habitual residence, where such protection applies.

We aim to resolve complaints amicably. Customers are encouraged to contact us first so that we can try to resolve the matter directly.

If a dispute cannot be resolved directly, the matter may be brought before the competent court as provided by applicable law. For business customers, the District Court of Southwest Finland has exclusive jurisdiction unless otherwise required by mandatory law.

20. PRIVACY

Please see our Privacy Policy for information on how we process personal data.

21. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version published on the website at the time of the order will generally apply to that order.

22. CONTACT

If you have questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us through the contact details provided on the website.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS