Terms of service

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the use of the Velvet Archive website and the purchase of products from Velvet Archive Ltd.

1. COMPANY INFORMATION

Velvet Archive Ltd is a company incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus.

Registered Name: Velvet Archive Ltd

Company Registration Number: HE 459658

VAT Number: CY60071328N

Registered Office:
Olympia Complex Office 101
Danais 20
8042 Paphos
Cyprus

Email:
hello@velvet-archive.com

Throughout these Terms, "Velvet Archive", "we", "us" and "our" refer to Velvet Archive Ltd.

By accessing our website or placing an order, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS

Velvet Archive specializes in the sale of curated vintage, archival, designer and pre-owned fashion items, accessories and related goods.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, all products sold through our website are pre-owned, vintage or sourced from private individuals and collectors. Even where an item is described as "new with tags", it has generally been acquired through secondary-market channels rather than directly from the original manufacturer, distributor or brand.

Due to the nature of vintage and pre-owned goods:

  • Items may display signs of age, storage, wear or use.
  • Manufacturing standards may differ from contemporary products.
  • Original packaging, receipts, authenticity cards or accessories may not always be available.
  • Sizing may differ from modern standards.
  • Colours may vary depending on screen settings and lighting conditions.

Customers acknowledge that they are purchasing unique second-hand goods and not newly manufactured retail products unless expressly stated otherwise.

3. PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITION

We make every reasonable effort to accurately describe and photograph all products offered for sale. Each listing includes our assessment of the item's condition at the time of sale. Products are sold strictly "as described" and "as photographed".

Minor signs of age, wear, storage, repairs, manufacturing irregularities or imperfections that are consistent with the item's age and disclosed condition shall not constitute defects.

Customers are encouraged to carefully review all photographs, measurements and descriptions before purchasing.

If additional information, measurements or photographs are required, customers must contact us via email or social media prior to placing an order.

Failure to request additional information before purchase shall not constitute grounds for cancellation, return, refund or dispute where the information was reasonably available or could have been requested.

Due to the age and nature of vintage, archival and pre-owned goods, Velvet Archive does not provide any commercial warranty regarding future performance, durability, lifespan, colourfastness, fabric integrity, hardware functionality or suitability for any particular purpose, except where such warranties cannot be excluded under applicable law.

4. AUTHENTICITY

Velvet Archive is committed to selling only authentic products.

All items undergo authentication through a combination of:

  • Internal authentication procedures and expertise; and/or
  • Independent third-party authentication providers where deemed appropriate.

By purchasing from Velvet Archive, customers acknowledge and accept our authentication process. Customers are encouraged to raise any authenticity concern directly with Velvet Archive before initiating a chargeback, payment dispute or third-party claim.

We reserve the right to review any authenticity claim and request supporting evidence. Items that have been altered, repaired, modified, cleaned, damaged or otherwise changed after delivery may not be eligible for authenticity review.

5. PAYMENT DISPUTES

Velvet Archive is committed to resolving customer concerns fairly and promptly. Customers agree to contact us at hello@velvet-archive.com and provide a reasonable opportunity to investigate and resolve any issue before initiating a chargeback, payment dispute, payment reversal, or claim with a credit card provider, payment processor, bank, or other third party.

In the event of a payment dispute, Velvet Archive reserves the right to provide relevant evidence to the payment provider or financial institution, including but not limited to:

  • Product descriptions;
  • Listing photographs;
  • Measurements and condition reports;
  • Authentication records and certificates;
  • Customer correspondence;
  • Order confirmations;
  • Shipping records;
  • Delivery confirmations; and
  • These Terms and Conditions.

A chargeback, payment dispute, or claim based solely on buyer's remorse, dissatisfaction with sizing, fit, colour variation, vintage wear that was disclosed or visible in listing photographs, customs duties, import taxes, shipping delays outside our control, or any matter otherwise addressed in these Terms may be challenged by Velvet Archive using the evidence available.

Nothing in this section limits a customer's statutory consumer rights under applicable law.

6. ORDERS AND AVAILABILITY

All items offered for sale are subject to availability.

Because many products are one-of-a-kind, an item may occasionally become unavailable due to simultaneous sales, inventory errors or circumstances beyond our control.

We reserve the right to cancel any order and issue a full refund where an item is unavailable.

An order is not accepted until payment has been received and confirmation has been issued by Velvet Archive. 

7. PRICING, TAXES AND CUSTOMS

All prices are displayed in the currency specified on the website.

Applicable taxes may be charged where required by law.

For international orders shipped outside the European Union, the customer is solely responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees, clearance fees or other governmental charges imposed by the destination country.

Where a customer refuses delivery or refuses to pay applicable customs duties, taxes or import charges, Velvet Archive shall not be obligated to refund shipping costs, customs charges, return shipping costs or any other expenses incurred as a result of the refusal.

8. SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

Delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

We are not responsible for delays caused by customs authorities, postal services, courier companies, or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

For consumers, risk of loss passes upon delivery of the goods to the customer or a person designated by the customer to receive them. For business customers, risk may pass earlier in accordance with applicable law.

Customers are responsible for providing accurate shipping information.

Velvet Archive shall not be liable for losses resulting from incorrect delivery information supplied by the customer.

9. RETURNS

Returns for Customers Outside the European Union

Except where required by applicable law, Velvet Archive does not accept returns, cancellations, exchanges, or refunds for orders delivered to customers residing outside the European Union.

All sales to customers outside the European Union are final.

Customers are responsible for carefully reviewing all product descriptions, measurements, photographs, condition reports, and other information provided before placing an order. If additional information or photographs are required, customers should contact Velvet Archive prior to purchase.

The only exceptions to this policy are where:

  • The item received differs materially from its description;
  • The incorrect item was shipped; or
  • The customer is entitled to a remedy under mandatory consumer protection laws that cannot be excluded by contract.

Nothing in this section affects any rights that may apply under mandatory laws in the customer's jurisdiction.

European Union Right of Withdrawal

Consumers residing within the European Union have the right to withdraw from their purchase within fourteen (14) days of receiving the goods without giving any reason.

To exercise this right, the customer must submit a withdrawal request using our customer account portal. Please refer to the following article for further guidance. 

Returned items must:

  • Remain in the same condition as disclosed in the original listing;
  • Be returned in their original packaging;
  • Include all original tags and labels attached;
  • Show no signs of additional wear, use, cleaning, washing, alteration or damage.

The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs. Returned items will be inspected upon receipt.

Where a returned item has diminished in value due to handling beyond what is necessary to establish its nature, characteristics and functioning, Velvet Archive reserves the right to deduct an amount corresponding to the diminished value.

Where damage, wear or missing components materially affect the item's value, a partial refund may be issued.

Refunds will be paid to the IBAN supplied by the customer in the withdrawal request.

Approved refunds will be processed within fourteen (14) days of receipt and inspection of the returned item. Velvet Archive may withhold reimbursement until the returned goods have been received and inspected.

No exchanges or store credit are offered. 

This withdrawal right does not affect statutory rights relating to faulty, damaged, misdescribed or non-conforming goods.

10. FAULTY OR MISDESCRIBED GOODS

Nothing in these Terms limits mandatory consumer rights under applicable law.

If a customer believes an item has been materially misdescribed, they must notify Velvet Archive within seven (7) days after receipt and provide supporting photographs and information.

Each claim will be reviewed individually.

Because all items are vintage or pre-owned, ordinary signs of age, wear and use that were disclosed or visible in listing photographs shall not be considered faults.

11. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms and any dispute arising from them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus.

If you are a consumer residing within the European Union, nothing in these Terms shall deprive you of any mandatory consumer protections afforded by the laws of your country of residence.

The courts of the Republic of Cyprus shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms, subject to any mandatory consumer rights applicable under law.