We specialize in antique and collectable combs and hair ornaments. We also sell vintage and ethnic jewellery, fabrics, handicraft and home décor items from the Middle and Far East and Southeast Asia.

All our auctions and store items, except for the occasional heavy or bulky furniture item, are available to both UK and International buyers.

We pride ourselves on the high quality of the goods we sell, and we always try to have a rich and varied selection of items in all price ranges. We also take care over the detail and accuracy of our descriptions, and often spend considerable time researching the objects that we offer. Our descriptions are some of the most accurate and detailed which you will find on eBay and represent our intellectual property. Neither they nor our photographs may be copied without our permission.

These features of our business and the customer service we provide are reflected in the excellence of our feedback.

The few negative feedbacks we have sustained were from unreasonable and impatient bidders who did not contact us to state that there was a problem or who left revenge negatives because we would not submit to unreasonable demands. Unfortunately, even the best of sellers encounter these *impossible to please* bidders from time to time.

However, unpleasant customers are the exception rather than the rule. In the three years we have been trading on eBay we have made many new friends, not only in the UK, the USA and Europe, but also as far afield as Israel, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

OUR TERMS OF SALE (TOS).

By bidding you agree to these terms. Please note that eBay rules state that the onus is upon bidders to read and be aware of the seller’s TOS before bidding.

1: DESCRIPTIONS.

1.1:We make every effort to provide an accurate description of each item, along with detailed representative photos or scans of any flaws or any damage. We have been told by many of our customers that we write some of the most interesting, informative and accurate descriptions on eBay and this is reflected in many of our feedback comments! These descriptions and our photographs represent our intellectual property. However we are happy to consider giving permission for their use for academic research purposes or should a buyer subsequently wish to resell an item purchased from us.

1.2: It is important to read the description carefully before bidding and to ask questions where there is any doubt as to what is being shown. We pride ourselves upon giving clear and full descriptions and our feedback reflects this. However, in the world of antiques and vintage items differences of opinion can arise over such subjective imponderables as *condition*. One person’s *good condition* may be another person’s *poor condition*. Some buyers do not understand that an old piece of jewellery may show signs of age or use. We are not infallible (no-one is). Also some items are outside our area of expertise and where this is clearly stated on the auction the item is offered “as is” with no guarantee as to date, provenance or authenticity. Please note also that any opinion offered as to date etc is simply an opinion, as many items were produced over a span of years or in an earlier style and are therefore notoriously difficult to date accurately.

1.3: Please contact us in plenty of time before the auction ends with any queries before bidding, and we will try to provide relevant information.

2: ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND ETHNIC ITEMS – CONDITION.

2.1: Some of the items we sell are of *ethnic* or *tribal* handmade manufacture and irregularities are a feature of this process rather than flaws. Some of these items may have been passed down through families.

2.2: Many other items are antique or vintage, which means that they have been used, and are not pristine. For example, this may mean that gold or silver tone finishes may be rubbed, rhinestones missing, dulled, or show signs of replacement. Vintage items often show signs of former ownership such as initials or pawnshop markings, usually on the back. These are part of the history and patina of the piece, and are often a natural part of the ageing process. This patina is what true collectors of antique pieces appreciate about them, because it tells a story.

2.3: All major problems that we can see with a piece are noted in the description, but few antique pieces are perfect. We do try to note any breaks or lack of stability in our descriptions. However please remember that as many of these pieces have considerable age to them and may require far greater care in handling than a piece of modern jewellery. Unlike "new" items which are purchased in the High Street or Department Store antique and vintage items do not carry a warranty of being free from defect for a set period. Old celluloid and synthetics are notoriously brittle and may develop structural flaws which are difficult to detect and invisible to the naked eye. For this reason the hair ornaments listed in our “Antiques" and "Vintage” (pre 1990) categories are offered as collectable vanity items only. As such we do not gaurantee that they are suitable for wear as most serious collectors purchase them for display only. While some of these items may be wearable with extreme care, no warranty to this effect is either given or implied. Consequently we are not responsible for any subsequent damage resulting from wear, use or (mis)handling after purchase and safe arrival. No compensation or refund can be considered in such cases.

2.4: If you like your items perfect and pristine and do not wish to be troubled with having to handle them gently then vintage jewellery and hair ornaments are not for you, so please BUY NEW. We sell a small number of new hair ornaments and accessories. Such items described as "new" are gauranteed to be free from defect, and if broken in normal wear within 30 days of receipt will be replaced, or a refund/store credit will be issued on production of suitable photographic evidence.

3: CONTACT INFORMATION

3.1: Winners MUST contact us within 3 BUSINESS DAYS of receipt of my initial invoice, after which 2 additional reminders will be sent followed by a NON-PAYING BIDDER ALERT after 10 days.

3.2: Queries are usually answered within 24 hours excluding weekends. At weekends our response may be slower or we may be away on a buying trip. Ask as many questions as you like, but please ask early!

3.3: If our auction states that we will be away for a set period please note that this forms part of the Terms of Sale for that transaction and we will be unable to ship or deal with queries during any period of absence from home. Should negative feedback be left in these circumstances or when buyer was notified that we were away, it will be treated as *malicious*. Please see our feedback policy in these circumstances.

3.4: In view of the fact that email is not a perfect medium all important communications, and in particular those relating to damage, defects or non receipt of items MUST be notified by the eBay MY MESSAGE system. We do not accept any responsibility for messages which are sent via ordinary email which fail to reach us.

3.5: Buyers are required to provide us promptly (and not later than 3 business days) with correct contact details. It is the sole responsibility of buyers to ensure that postal addresses (including postcode) supplied in both eBay and Paypal notifications sent to us are correct in every respect and fully up to date. We will not accept responsibility for missing packages or errors arising from buyer's failure in this respect or for reimbursement of any ensuing expenses, including compensation for postal loss/damage, excess postal fees, or other charges arising directly from supply of erroneous information.

4: PAYMENT OPTIONS

4.1: UK Bidders: Paypal, personal or business check, bank transfer or postal order. We regret that we can no longer solicit concealed cash as this is now prohibited by eBay rules. Personal checks from new customers may be held for clearance – usually 5-7 “business” days. Credit Cards can only be accepted through Paypal! We also accept bank transfer from UK bidders.

4.2: International Bidders: We prefer Paypal. We also accept the following: Cashier/bank checks and US personal checks, money orders by mail. Money orders need not be *international* - We accept money orders from your local convenience store, post office, credit union, etc. Although we previously accepted concealed cash in US dollars, GBP Sterling and Euro we no can longer solicit such payments as these are prohibited by eBay rules. Other methods such as international bank transfer can be made by arrangement, but buyer pays any associated charges and fees. Credit cards can be accepted through only through Paypal!

4.3: Payments MUST be received within 7 days. If you cannot meet these terms we will try to be flexible and work with you but only IF YOU CONTACT US to explain the problem. If you do not maintain contact we reserve the right to re-list items after 7 days and report failed transactions to eBay.

5: SHIPPING, INSURANCE, AND HANDLING FEES

5.1: We will ship to any country in the world. However, we reserve the right to restrict the forms of payment we are prepared to accept and to vary other trading terms when dealing with certain areas as a precaution against credit card fraud.

5.2: We ship TWICE a week (usually Tuesday/Wednesday and Friday/Saturday (although this can vary depending upon the availability of our assistant).

5.3: UK SHIPPING: all items mailed first class. For ALL items over £30 insured/signed for delivery is required. For large heavy items we use Royal Mail Parcels or Parcelforce.

5.4: INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: We use small packet air shipping only (unless item is large, heavy or bulky). Please don’t ask us to ship small or delicate items surface to save you a few dollars because this is strictly non-negotiable. Surface shipping takes too long (e.g. 6-8 weeks to USA), buyers get anxious and small items are far more likely to get lost or damaged. Tracking & insurance are mandatory on ALL items valued at $50 or more. If we agree to ship your package surface we will not accept Paypal as a payment method!

5.5: Our S/H charge includes the use of good quality packing materials with plenty of peanuts and bubble wrap where appropriate, because we want your item to reach you in good condition. Printed items are sent in custom mailing tubes or padded mailers with stiff card protection. The cost of international mailing, including packing materials, is somewhat higher in the UK than it is in the USA. Unlike USA sellers we in the UK do not have the availability of free supplies from the Royal Mail, and therefore all expenses have to be taken into account. This includes staff time for picking and packing orders, and taking them to the post office. We have to pay someone to pack items and take them to the post office and therefore her wage is calculated into our charges.

5.6: We are happy to combine shipping on multiple wins for UK or International bidders but shipping costs for single items are strictly non-negotiable. These are clearly set out on EVERY auction at the bottom left-hand corner, below the pictures. For combined shipping items must be purchased within 14 days and paid for and shipped as a *batch.* Some items may not conveniently be shipped together because of their size or format and may require special packaging. Default reductions cited may not apply to such items and this is at our absolute discretion.

5.7: We do not *make money* on shipping, but all these costs have to be covered and are within eBay regulations. Please do not haggle with us over shipping costs after you have won an auction. We do not provide itemized breakdowns of shipping costs. Nor do we allow ourselves to be bullied and manipulated by people who have not bothered to read our TOS and are unwilling to abide by it.

6: SHIPPING DAMAGE OR LOSS

6.1: We obtain proof of posting for ALL items, and tracking/insurance documents for all items over $50 or GBP 30. We take EVERY precaution to see that your item arrives safely, but sometimes the post office still manages to crush a box or even lose an item.

6.2: In the rare instance of lost parcels or items which arrive damaged, we will assist you to apply for financial compensation as follows: 6.2.1. Where buyer has purchased insurance we will initiate a claim with Royal Mail or carrier on buyers behalf. We make no charge for this service and will refund buyer as soon as we ourselves have received recompense from appropriate carrier. Refund will be given by same means as payment received wherever practicable. 6.2.2: Where buyer has declined insurance we will at out absolute discretion initiate a claim with out insurers but no guarantee can be given that this will be successful. As a matter of policy our insurers now require documentary “proof of non receipt” before they will consider any claim (eg missing item communication from carrier or completion of our standard lost in post form) before they will consider a claim. For damage claims return of item or photographic evidence is required. We make a modest administration charge of $10 or $5 GBP per claim to compensate us for our time in processing the documentation.

6.3: Buyers should examine items immediately on arrival for any damage suffered in transit or significant defects that have not been provided for in the description. All such damages or defects MUST be notified to us within 24 hours or receipt. Outside this time frame the buyer will be deemed to have accepted the item. No exceptions for vintage/antique items. Items described as "new" and which become defective in normal wear or use within 30 days of receipt will be replaced or refunded. Evidence may be required.

6.3: Where insurance has been specifically purchased we will assist in the claim for which we make a modest administration charge of $10 or $5 GBP to compensate us for our time in processing the documentation. As an anti fraud precaution our insurers insist that all claims of damage in transit or defective on arrival MUST be notified within 24 hours of receipt. Once this period has elapsed the buyer is deemed to have accepted the item. We cannot assume responsibility for any subsequent breakages in use of vintage items due to mishandling. Where necessary buyers may be required to produce evidence of date received (e.g. original packaging with postmark, etc) or notification to ourselves (copy of email with all headers or sent via eBay messages system) that such conditions have been fulfilled.

6.4: For claims of postal damage over $60 or £30 sterling the item MUST be returned together with original packaging before any refund can be processed. For less expensive items of under $60 or £30 sterling our insurers are often prepared to accept a photograph (either digital or sent by mail) or scan which CLEARLY shows the nature of the damage. We have to insist upon these terms because our insurers will only consider claims for postal damage on production of *evidence*. For this reason we are no longer able to offer partial refunds in response to *damaged-in-post* claims as our insurers will not admit such transactions.

7: RETURNS AND REFUNDS.

7.1: Because of the inordinate amount of time that is involved in dealing with a return we do not accept returns on any item sent outside of the UK with a value (excluding postage) of less than $40 or 20 GBP unless the buyer can establish to our absolute satisfaction that the item was SUBSTANTIALLY “not as described”. Evidence to this effect (see below) may be required.

7.2: We are not responsible for uncollected mail (whether inland or international) under any circumstances. All buyers are sent dispatch notifications giving estimated shipping times and are required to exercise some responsibility in watching for items that have been purchased. If a package is returned to us because buyer failed to collect it from the post office, sorting depot, etc or to make appropriate re-delivery arrangements then any excess postal charges which are necessary to resend the item must first be met by the buyer before the item can be re-dispatched. Should buyer refuse to pay the appropriate shipping cost for redelivery within 7 days we will terminate the transaction and refund as follows: item price only less 25% restocking charge to cover our time and expenses in dealing with the matter and relisting the item.

7.3: If we inadvertently miss describing an OBVIOUS problem with the item, which means that it is SUBSTANTIALLY not “as described” in terms of its value, appearance or functionality, please contact us within 24 hours of receipt. Where we agree that the omission is SUBSTANTIAL buyers will be offered a full refund of bid price and return shipping to be made on return of the item.

Examples of SUBSTANTIALLY not as described are those which affect the value, usage or stability of the item. For example, if an item was described as being of gold or silver and can be proved to be plated or base metal then we would agree that this is a substantial misrepresentation of the composition which materially affects its value. If an item listed as jewellery is described as being in good condition but has a faulty or broken part (e.g. a missing or broken pin) such that it can no longer function for its intended purpose when this would represent a substantial misrepresentation.

However bearing in mind our former remarks about antique and vintage items it would be impractical to mention or describe every scratch, abrasion, or minor flaw. Where we do not agree that the item was mis-described the onus will be upon the buyer to substantiate their claim by supplying (at their own expense) a letter attesting this fact from a person expert in the trade of jewellery or antiques. Examples of such “experts” would be those who are employed as such by a major auction house of the stature of Bonhams, Christies, etc. Such evidence must be provided within 30 days.

7.4: In order to comply with our refunds policy items must be returned at buyers expense in *same condition as sent* by secure means within 7 days (for UK buyers) and 30 days for buyers outside UK. This provision is in accordance with the EU Distance Selling Regulations (2000). Once the appropriate time frame has passed no refund can be made and the buyer will be deemed to have accepted the item.

7.5: Buyers who reject a full refund or decline or fail to return an item or provide acceptable evidence of postal damage or defect within the appropriate time frame will be deemed to have accepted the item and forfeit all claims to refund or redress.

7.6: Owing to attempted fraudulent abuse of this facility in the past it is no longer our policy to offer *partial refunds*.

7.7: Refunds will not generally be made for *buyers remorse*, or other spurious or insubstantial reasons and the terms are at our absolute discretion should we decide to refund in such cases. Examples of “buyer’s remorse” are where buyer decides that they have changed their mind, do not like the item, the color or size is wrong or it could have been bought cheaper elsewhere. Where such considerations as color, fit, etc are of the essence it is incumbent upon buyers to ask questions before bidding in order to establish that the item is suitable for their purposes.

7.8: We refund shipping only in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances, where we agree that the item was SUBSTANTIALLY misrepresented in our description. In the rare cases where we agree to refund return shipping we will only do so upto the cost which we ourselves initially incurred in sending the item to buyer. If buyer chooses to return item/s by a more expensive method (e.g. courier) then they must bear this cost themselves. International packages must be clearly marked on customs form as "returned goods". Any "brokerage" fees or customs duty which might be incurred by us in accepting such returned merchandise will be deducted from any refund due. When an item was sent as part of a batch with discounted shipping and buyer wishes to return only part of a batch or a single item we do not refund shipping expenses because it is not convenient to determine what part of shipping expenses would apply to any individual item.

7.9: In the case of all refunds/returns (other than for substantial misrepresentation, postal loss or damage) that we might agree to accept these are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are based upon the requirement that the buyer pays return shipping by insured/traceable means and the goods are returned in the same condition as sent. In the case of returned goods which are recieved damaged and unsaleable we reserve the right not to refund, to discard the item and regard the matter as concluded.

7.10: Any financial settlement (other than for substantial misrepresentation, postal loss or damage where insurance has been taken out) may involve refund of the original bid price (no shipping) subject to a deduction of all Paypal and eBay fees associated with the original transaction plus a restocking fee of up to 25% to cover our time, inconvenience and costs in relisting the item.

7.11: All refunds are liable for a small $10 or 5 GBP Administration fee (discretionary) to cover our time and trouble in processing the documentation unless it can be shown that we ourselves (and not for example the carrier or some other third party) was entirely responsible by reason of error, miss-describing, omission or negligence for the refund having to be made. This fee to be deducted from the principle before refund is applied.

7.12: Wherever possible all refunds will be made to the buyer by the same means as original payment. Where this proves to be unworkable payment to be at our absolute discretion.

7.13 Buybacks and exchanges: it is not generally our policy to offer to “buy back” items or to provide exchanges for those which were purchased “in error” by buyer. Any decision to do so and the terms to be offered or applied are purely concessionary and at our absolute discretion.

8: FEEDBACK.

8.1: Please note that we strongly disapprove the recent changes to the eBay feedback system which we consider to be deeply unfair, arbitrary and corrupt. We will continue as in the past to leave APPROPRIATE RECIPROCAL feedback and/or follow-up comments for ALL transactions (unless otherwise agreed with winning bidder). As eBays plans to deprive sellers of the basic courtesy of equal feedback rights to rate a transaction as negative or neutral have been withdrawn we will LEAVE APPROPRIATE COMMENTS IN THE COMMENTS BOX for the transaction should we feel the need to warn other sellers about a bad or malicious bidder.

8.2: Any seller who has accomplished a high number of transactions will, by the law of averages, encounter the odd impossible to please or malicious buyer. No seller can please all the people all of the time because this is impossible. We are human and therefore not perfect. The best we can aim for is to try to please MOST OF THE PEOPLE MOST OF THE TIME. Thus far we have managed to please more than 3500 people who left positive (and often glowing) feedback and this is something we are justly proud of.

8.3: EBay policy makes it quite clear that leaving unsatisfactory feedback should be the final sanction when all else has failed. The few negatives we have received have been from individuals who abused the system by failing to make contact or who acted in malice because we would not submit to unreasonable demands for extortionate partial refunds. Should buyers leave unsatisfactory feedback without discussing the issue or post a *revenge* or *malicious* negative we will regard the transaction as being *closed* and post feedback on a *like for like* basis as a warning to other sellers.

8.4: Should a buyer initiate a fraudulent or unjustified Paypal complaint or chargeback after having been offered a refund and return or other reasonable solution (e.g. exchange for identical, similar or store credit for more highly priced item) we will regard this as an overtly hostile, fraudulent and dishonest act. In such cases our policy is to warn other members by such means as are available to us.