Shipping & Delivery
All orders are shipped by FRENCH VINTAGE TRÉSOR (“me” or “I”) from FRANCE (country-of-origin of Products) and I ship Worldwide depending on the availability of the Shipping Carrier Service (“Shipping Carrier”). All shipping & handling fees are paid by the Customer ("you" or "your") and will be included in the Order Confirmation.
I am happy to consolidate shipments of multiple orders up to 20 kilos to help reduce shipping fees, where possible depending on the size of the combined items. The shopping cart may NOT always reflect the consolidated price due to configuration limitations so PLEASE ask me if the shipping costs look inaccurate based on the Tariff (fee) schedule outlined herein. I can create manual order invoice to correct any issues with the system upon request.
Processing & Delivery Times:
1st Processing Times: In general, I process orders (Order Fulfilment) once a week on weekdays (working days and not on French Holidays). The Processing times depend on the timing of the order placed, availability of the Product(s) ordered at the offsite storage facility and supplies of packaging materials and the amount of time needed to carefully package the order. My Processing time estimate is based on the longest estimate time of 7-10 business days following the date indicated on the Order Confirmation. This gives the most realistic expectation of receiving the order. Please note: It may be possible to process orders more quickly so please contact me as soon as possible if you order is time-sensitive to confirm I can accommodate the shorter Processing time.
2nd Delivery Times: The delivery time is measured from the Order Fulfilment date (date the order “package” is handed over to the Shipping Carrier) and the date of the first attempt of delivery to the address provided with the order.
Here’s a summary of estimated processing and delivery times by shipping location (zones). Please note: These estimates do NOT include extra time taken when processing the package at Border Control (Customs & Duties):
Shipping Carriers & Tariffs
Although the shipping rates will be calculated during checkout once you enter your country and address, I decided to provide a summary herein as a reference, where available.
All international deliveries require a signature on delivery. Due to system limitation, I can only offer 1 or 2 “Shipping Methods rates at checkout depending on the country location. Colissimo (La Poste France) will always be offered as a Shipping Method at checkout but for France and other EU countries, Mondial Relay is also offered, so you MUST select which Shipping Method you prefer.
Please Note: If you prefer Happy-Post, please contact me directly before checkout for an estimate as the cost depends on the volumetric weight (refer below). I will have to create a manual draft invoice with a shipping estimate before you are able to checkout and pay.
All Shipping Carriers have different service contract requirements so it’s important that you understand each one differently when selecting the Shipping Method at checkout. The most reliable option in my opinion is Colissimo and this is the one selected most frequently.
- La Poste (French Postal Service): This service is rarely used (less than 5% of orders) as it’s for letters or small packages ONLY that are less than 3 cm thick, 3 kg maximum and dimensions: MIN: 14 cm x 9 cm & MAX: Length + Width + Height = 100 cm with the length less than 60 cm. Tariffs can be provided upon request.
- Colissimo (La Poste Parcel & International service) Home Delivery: This service is most often used as it’s for larger packages and have a good international network with local Shipping Carriers. They provide tracking, minimum insurance (refer below) and estimated delivery dates.
They deliver packages up to 20 kg (post COVID changed from 30 kg to 20 kg). The sum of the length, width or height CANNOT exceed 1.50 meters and the length less than 1 meter. If the dimensions exceed these amounts, an additional surcharge will be charged to the Customer(s) 8.95 euros. The sum of the length, width and height CANNOT exceed 2 meters which I have never encountered based on my Product offerings
Insurance Coverage. There is a standard automatic indemnity included in all shipping purchases. With no insurance taken, the indemnity is 23 euros per kilogram plus the shipping cost, up to a maximum of 690 euros. If the value of your order is above €200, you can also take out additional insurance cover (Ad Valorem), but with a limit on the maximum amount, depending on the destination. If extra insurance if desired, please let me know in advance and I can give you a price quote by destination so if you decide to take it, I can add it into your final order invoice.
If you shipment is lost or damaged during transit, then you must submit a claim within 23 days of the date of the shipping. Claims for late deliveries are no longer supported by the Shipping Carriers. For more detail, please also refer to section - Quality & Compliance Issues- Processing Damages.
Colissimo Tariffs 2024:
- Mondial Relay – Point Relay Delivery Pick up Location/Limited Home Delivery:
(ONLY offered in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain & Portugal) & Domicile Home Delivery (ONLY Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Italy).
The sum of the length, width or height of the package CANNOT exceed 1.50 meters and the length less than 1 meter. Maximum weight of 20 kgs per shipment parcel.
This is a low-cost shipping option therefore low-cost customer service and handling. I offer it as I know I package my orders carefully enough to reduce the risk of breakage during transit but there is still a risk of loss if orders are damaged.
With no insurance is taken, there is a standard automatic indemnity for loss and damages of 25 euros but additional insurance can be purchased by you upon request. You must let me know in advance so I can add the cost it to the final order invoice. Please note: If no insurance coverage taken, the compensation for lost or damages is limited to the 25 euros in total per 1 order as long as you submit the required paperwork within the guidelines of the terms of services of Mondial Relay.
Please refer to link. https://www.mondialrelay.fr/envoi-de-colis/assurer-mon-colis/
For more detail, please also refer to section - Quality & Compliance Issues- Processing Damages
The package will be delivered to a « pick up location of your choice « and/or home delivery against signature, where offered. You will need specify in the notes of the order the preferred location for the delivery of your order.
Refer to link of locations offered (select your country as France is default location): https://www.mondialrelay.fr/trouver-le-point-relais-le-plus-proche-de-chez-moi/
Mondial Relay Tariffs 2023/24:
- Happy-Post - Point Relay Delivery Pick up Location/Limited Home Delivery
This is another low-cost shipping option for shipments originating from France. They ship worldwide under a larger corporate contract where the cost of shipment is based on the volumetric weight of your package in cm (length x width x height)/5000 = weight in KG. If the package is larger in volume, it could inflate the cost of your package whereas with Colissimo and Mondial Relay volumetric weight is not used (based on my contract with them).
Example: A package with a weight of 5 kilos but the length 35 cm x width 35 cm x height 35cm = 8,57 KG volumetric weight. There is no tariff list as it depends on the dimensions of the final package (which I can estimate if given a precise list of products in the order).
The sum of the length, width or height of the package CANNOT exceed 1.50 meters and the length less than 1 meter. Maximum weight of 20 kgs per shipment parcel. Refer to website & FAQ links.
https://happy-post.com/en/faq/
If no insurance is taken, there is a standard automatic indemnity for loss and damages as follows:
- National (EU): €12 per kg with a maximum of €180 per shipment.
- International (Outside of EU): €23 per kg with a maximum of €345 per shipment.
Example: Delivery of shipment in Belgium for a 5 kg shipment (order value €200). If there is damaged or loss of shipment, the maximum indemnity is €60 (5 kg x €12) as long as all the requirements for processing the claim are met in accordance with Happy-Post Terms of Sale. The damages suffered by you will be €140 in this instance without additional insurance.
In the event that the shipment is not delivered, you have 15 days from the maximum delivery date provided, to send Happy-Post a registered letter for the reason of “No Delivery”.
In the event of damage to the integrity of the shipment, the Customer has 48 hours after delivery date to send Happy-Post a registered letter on the grounds of “Material damage/Missing Parcel”.
Please refer to the insurance guidelines and tariffs link below for Happy-Post.
https://happy-post.com/en/indemnity-rules/
Please refer to the Claim Request form that needs to be completed within 48 hours of receipt of you shipment at the link below with a copy of the Registered Letter described above.
https://help.happy-post.com/hc/fr/requests/new
For more detail, please also refer to section - Quality & Compliance Issues- Processing Damages.
Dispatch & Delivery Confirmation
Once the order is fulfilled and dispatched to the Shipping Carrier, I will send a shipping confirmation with tracking by email to you and then another email once the Products have been delivered.
The Products will be delivered to the address given by you in the Order Confirmation. If the package is considered “undeliverable” by the Shipping Carrier or there is an issue with the Customs/Duties, I am NOT responsible for any cost or loss incurred associated with additional charges incurred or re-delivery of a shipment.
Furthermore, for shipments requiring signature, and you are not available (absent) at the time of the first attempt of delivery, you are responsible to collect the package from local post office within 10 days from date of first attempt. At times, the Shipping Carrier may leave a Delivery Notice in the mailbox but this service is NOT guaranteed especially if outside of France. As stated above, the tracking is sent by email upon dispatch of the order, the Customer MUST monitor this tracking status to ensure they collect the package before the end of this 10-day period. If the package is “returned to sender” by the post office, I am NOT responsible for any re-delivery charges nor will I refund the original shipping cost if you chose to canceled your order.
If the parcel is being sent outside of the European Union, then I will complete a customs declaration CN23. Please let me know if there is special information you want me to include on this declaration to make it more clear to your countries border control agents and faster processing.
Quality & Compliance Issues- Processing Damages
In the event of delivery of the Product(s) that does not correspond to the order (defective or non-compliant) or you change your mind, you must send “Return Compliant Request” by email to frenchvintagetresors@gmail.com within 48 hours from the date of receipt of the package (except for in the case of RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL in Section 7 of the Terms of Sale).
This request must include: the Customer's contact details (invoice, Product references, reasons for the complaint – references in the Item Descriptions that doesn’t correspond with what you received. The return of Products must be made within seven working days from the assignment of an approved returns number by the me.
If an error is determined by me in the description of the Product, we will decide together how to handle the return, depending on the return shipping cost.
If there was no error in the description in English and/or photos, you are responsible for the cost of the returned shipping cost. Please read of the item descriptions in English carefully and review the photos and collages using ZOOM to make sure you fully understand the condition of these used Products. Please ask me if you are unsure. As I always want happy Customers, I am willing to work with you to come up with an amicable compromise where possible.
If you chose to return the Product order (14-day retraction period), you are responsible for the cost of shipping (original order shipping cost and the return shipping). All Product items MUST be in the original condition (not altered) packaging and include all of the Product and its accessories. Any risk associated during the period of the returning the Product is the responsibility of the Customer. The Product cost will be refunded upon inspection of the items return at my discretion. Refer to Section 7 of the Terms of Sale.
Inspection Guidelines at the time of delivery of the Products
You MUST inspect with the Shipping Carrier or pick up location if Mondial Relay or at your local post office for pickup as follows:
- Inspect the package to ensure the packaging is seal and intact, not damaged with holes or dents or wet or altered in any way. If possible, this should be done before signing acceptance of the package while the Shipping Carrier is still present or while still at the pick-up location. Please note: For Mondial Relay, as soon as the package is collected and leaves their premises, there is a transfer of responsibility and they can no longer be held responsible for damages. It’s better if you open the package on and inspect it at the pick up point location.
- If no visible damage, sign the delivery receipt and open the package to ensure the number of items delivered corresponds to what is indicated on the invoice or order details form;
Submitting a Shipping Claim (Reclamation)
As stated above, if the shipment is damaged or lost during transport, a shipping claim MUST be processed under the following conditions.
PLEASE NOTE: FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS, you MUST 1st file a claim with the local Shipping Carrier who delivered your order to your address or local post office where you picked up your order (i.e., USPS, Japan Post, China Post, Canada Post, Australia Post, Swiss Post, Royal Mail, etc.). There will always be 2 tracking numbers issued for international orders, the one that I provide you from French provider and once it transfers to your country of local tracking number is assigned by your local postal service (the local DPE). When processing claims, there is a partnership agreement and cost sharing of the damages so there must be a claim processed by both providers in order to issue the reimbursement.
You MUST provide the following to them and to me in order for me to assist in the processing of your Shipping Claim (Reclamation):
- Completed International Claim Form processed in your country with the local Shipping Carrier – International Only
- Invoice number and order references
- And, if damaged, the following documentation is required to processing the claim with the Shipping Carrier and it’s International partners:
- Description of the damage to the Products and/or the packaging. If there was no visible damage to the box, please specify as they will ask why you didn’t refuse the package.
- Photograph of the shipping label on the packages with the tracking number clearly visible
- Photograph of the damaged items next to the box showing the Shipping Label and any damages to the box during transit.
- Photograph of the shipment packaging (inside the box) and packaging materials
- Photograph of all the damaged items
These photos with the copy of the completed reclamation/claim form must be sent by Email to frenchvintagetresors@gmail.com within 48 hours of delivery receipt date of the package.
It can take up to 90-180 business days to resolve a shipping claim.
Packaging Materials:
To be economically responsible and avoid handling fees, where possible, I will use recycled materials for packaging while being mindful to use suitable materials to ensure the safest expedition and protection of your order during the transport by the Shipping Carrier. I pack very carefully especially fragile times and checks to make sure the most cost-efficient method is available to you.