Terms and Conditions
Beginning of Collaboration
We greatly appreciate your interest in KNITTI's services. To ensure a smooth start to our collaboration, we will initially arrange a consultation to identify your exact needs and propose a workflow. The possible scenarios are summarized as follows:
- If you're interested in producing an existing product and can provide a pattern, we will standardize and price your product at no charge.
- For existing products without a pattern, we will create a pattern at a rate of €25/hour.
- If you have a concept and materials for a new product and want to create a prototype (or even mass production), we will develop this at a rate of €25/hour.
- For comprehensive product development, including material advice, functionality, product properties, and overall construction, the service is charged at €40/hour. The physical realization of the product design into a real prototype is charged at the patterning rate of €25/hour.
Ongoing Collaboration
Pricing and Minimum Orders
Once we have the final pattern in our workshop, we will prepare a price quote including:
- Standard price per unit and the minimum order quantity for which this price is valid.
- Quantity at which a 20% bulk discount applies (typically three times the minimum order).
- Standard price increased by 20% for orders below the minimum quantity.
Example: For thin fabrics like cotton knitwear, KNITTI has a standard minimum quantity of 10 units per size and color. Orders below this quantity will have a 20% surcharge, and orders of 30 units or more of the same size and color will receive a 20% discount.
Ordering and Delivery
- Standard Order Processing: Orders entered into our system are processed and queued based on the date of submission. Our workshop operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Standard Delivery Time: Delivery is typically within one month of the order date, though this may vary depending on the season. For instance, delivery times during October to December may extend to two months. We recommend planning production in advance.
- Fixed Production Time Reservation: Reserve dedicated sewing time in our workshop (e.g., 10 hours per week). This time is charged at €20/hour and is non-refundable, even if no production occurs.
- Urgent Order Processing: We can expedite orders within 24 hours of notification, with a 50% surcharge on the standard price.
- Order Changes: Changes to orders can be accommodated before production starts. Once in production, changes are not possible and the order will be completed as originally specified.
Consultations and Advice
Understanding the strategic and intertwined relationship between the manufacturer and the brand, we are committed to sharing our experiences in brand building. We offer 1 hour of free consultation per week. Additional consultation time within the same week is billed at €40/hour. Services include:
- Brand advice: Branding, communication, digital marketing, PPC, strategic planning, etc.
- Product advice: Product development and design, material sourcing, pricing, etc.
- Consultation on active orders: Written, phone, or in-person communication about order status, pattern discussions, and material handling, excluding production time.
Material Storage and Inventory Management
- Storage: We will store all materials actively used in production over the last three months at no charge. Materials unused for three months will be moved to external storage at €20 per cubic meter per month.
- Inventory Management: The client typically maintains inventory records. It is important for you to track material usage for strategic decisions and timely new material orders. If you place an order and we lack the necessary materials, we are not responsible, and the order will be rescheduled.
- We can manage inventory tracking for you at a custom price, starting from 42 cents per minute.
Transportation
All costs for transporting materials to KNITTI and finished products from KNITTI to your location are your responsibility.
Billing and Payment
Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are issued at the end of each month for all services and products delivered that month. The standard payment term is 14 days.
Intellectual Property Rights
- Designs and Patterns: Any designs or patterns submitted by clients remain their intellectual property. KNITTI reserves the right to use these designs only for the purpose of fulfilling the client’s order unless otherwise agreed upon.
- Workshop Creations: Any designs, patterns, or products created by KNITTI, unless based on client’s intellectual property, remain the property of KNITTI. If the parties agree for a paid service of pattern creation, the pattern becomes the property of the client.
Quality Assurance and Discrepancies
- Quality Checks: All products undergo rigorous quality checks before dispatch. If there are any discrepancies between the delivered product and the client's specifications, these should be reported within a specified time frame of 14 days after receipt of goods.
- Returns and Corrections: Procedures for returning defective products and corrections or adjustments needed due to KNITTI’s oversight will be clearly defined.
Liability and Indemnification
- Limitation of Liability: KNITTI’s liability in cases of defects, delays, or other breaches will be limited to the value of the affected order.
- Indemnification: Clients agree to indemnify KNITTI against any losses, damages, or costs arising from their violation of third-party intellectual property rights.
Confidentiality
- Client Information: All client information and trade secrets are treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties, except as necessary to fulfill the contract or as required by law.
Termination of Services
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Cancellation Policy
- Order Cancellation by Client: Clients may cancel their orders after placing the order until the last Sunday before expected production start without incurring any charges. Cancellations made after this period may be subject to a cancellation fee, calculated as a percentage of the order value to cover the costs incurred by KNITTI in the preparation or production of the order.
- Partial Cancellation: If a client wishes to partially cancel an order (e.g., reducing the quantity), similar rules apply. A partial cancellation fee may be charged based on the proportion of the order cancelled.
- Custom Orders: For custom orders involving specialized materials or designs, cancellation may attract a higher fee due to the bespoke nature of these resources and efforts.
- Cancellation by KNITTI: KNITTI reserves the right to cancel any order due to unforeseen circumstances, such as material shortages or equipment failure. In such cases, clients will be notified promptly and any payments made will be fully refunded.
Termination of Contract by Either Party
- If parties agree on a long term contract, the rules of termination by either party will be specified in the given contract.
- Consequences of Termination: Upon termination, the client is obliged to pay for all services rendered and products produced up to the point of termination. Any advance payment may be adjusted against these costs.
- Post-Termination Obligations: Both parties agree to fulfill any outstanding obligations quickly and efficiently. This includes final payments, return of materials, and completion of any partially finished work in a manner agreed upon at termination.
- Unforeseeable Circumstances: Neither KNITTI nor the client will be held liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond their reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, war, government actions).
Dispute Resolution
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
- Applicable Law: This agreement and any disputes arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Slovakia. This applies regardless of conflict of law provisions.
- Jurisdiction: The parties agree that the courts of Slovakia shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this agreement, its subject matter, or its formation.
Mediation and Arbitration
- Mediation as First Step: In the event of a dispute, the parties agree to first engage in good faith mediation to seek a resolution. This step is aimed at achieving a faster, less formal, and more cost-effective solution than traditional litigation.
- Initiating Mediation: To begin mediation, a party must send a written notice to the other, detailing the dispute and proposed resolution. The mediation will be conducted in Samorin, Slovakia, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
- Arbitration: If mediation fails to resolve the dispute within 30 days of initiation, either party may then proceed to binding arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted under the rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, as this is a recognized EU-based arbitration body.
- Arbitration Procedure: The arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator appointed in accordance with the rules of the Arbitration Institute. The language of the arbitration shall be Slovak.
- Binding Decision: The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties. Judgment on the arbitrator's award may be entered in any court that has jurisdiction.
Amendments to Terms
- Notification of Changes: KNITTI reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions and will notify clients of any significant changes within a specified time frame.
Acceptance of Terms
- Acknowledgment and Agreement: Use of KNITTI’s services constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Clients should confirm their understanding and agreement, possibly through a digital signature or a tick-box on the website during the order process.