Terms of service

Our Trading Terms and Conditions

Hi there! To keep things running smoothly for everyone, here is a quick guide to how we handle pricing, ordering, shipping, and returns at The Bead Shop.

💰 Prices & Payment

VAT Included: All website prices include UK VAT at the current rate. If you are a business customer and need a VAT-exclusive price, just ask!
Price Changes: Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Discounts & Offers: Please note that special offers, discount codes, and promotions cannot be applied to sale items, workshops, or special orders.

📦 Shipping & Delivery

Same-Day Dispatch: We try our best to send your order out the very same day when you order before 1pm, Monday to Friday.
Next Working Day Delivery: Orders must be placed before 1pm to qualify. Because internet delays can happen, feel free to call us to ensure we've received your order!

Friday Cutoff: Next-day orders placed after 1pm on Friday (or over the weekend) will be processed on Monday for Tuesday delivery.

Standard UK Shipping (Royal Mail):

UK 24 (1st Class): Usually takes 1–2 days.
UK 48 (2nd Class): Takes at least 3 working days and does not deliver on Saturdays.
These are Royal Mail delivery targets, not guarantees. If your order is urgent, please select a premium Next Day service at checkout!

🌍 International Orders

We love our global customers! Please note that customs duties, taxes, or import fees required by your local government are tricky and change regularly. We are working towards being able to collect these at checkout but it varies by country so please send us an email before you order if you are unsure.

🕒 What if my order is delayed or lost?

Royal Mail does not officially class an item as lost until a specific window has passed (excluding weekends and UK bank holidays). We can only resend a replacement free of charge after this time:

UK: 10 working days
Europe: 20 working days
Rest of the World: 25 days
Need a replacement sooner? If you cannot wait out the timeframe, we can charge you to ship a replacement immediately.

If the original order never arrives after the waiting period, we will fully refund that first charge.
If both orders show up, we’ll provide a freepost address so you can return the duplicate to us!

Time Limit: You must notify us within 30 days if your order doesn't arrive if shipped to a UK address and within 60 days if shipped to the Rest of the World.

Beyond this limit we will only be able to refund or replace your order if it has been returned to us. This is because we only have a limited time period within which to claim for lost orders with the shipping company.

🔄 Returns, Refunds & Exchanges

We want you to love your items! If you change your mind, we are happy to offer a refund or exchange within these guidelines:

Get in touch: Let us know in writing (email or post) within 14 days of receiving your goods that you wish to return them.
Return window: We must receive the items back within 28 days of your original receipt. Please include order details and whether you'd like an exchange or refund.
Condition: Items must be unopened, unused, and in perfect, resaleable condition. (We double-check weights and items before they leave and when they return).
Return Shipping: You are responsible for return shipping costs and ensuring the items safely reach us. We recommend using a tracked service, as we cannot refund items lost in transit (you would need to claim directly with Royal Mail).
Shipping Fees: We do not refund the original shipping cost if your product order total was under £45.00.
Processing: Refunds are issued on the day we receive and check your items, and can only be credited back to the original payment card

❌ What can't be returned?

Special Orders: Items we don’t normally stock that we specially order in for you cannot be returned, refunded, or exchanged (unless faulty).
Opened/Used Items: If you have used an item it cannot be returned, refunded, or exchanged (unless faulty).

🎓 Workshops

Booking: Your spot is only secured once payment is received. To keep things fair for everyone, we cannot hold or reserve spaces without payment.
Cancellations & Transfers: Workshop tickets are non-refundable and can only be transferred to other dates if we can fill your space/s. However, you are more than welcome to send a friend or family member in your place.
The Reserve List: If you can’t make it, let us know as early as possible. If we can successfully re-sell your spot to someone on our waiting list, we will happily transfer you to a future workshop (though this isn't guaranteed).
Our Cancellations: If we have to cancel a workshop (e.g., tutor illness), you will be offered a full refund or an exchange for another date.

📸 Images & Copyright

Our Photos: All images on this website belong to The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Limited.
Using our images: If you would like to use our photos for your publication, website, or marketing, please ask us first! Permission must be given in writing by the owners (not our store staff). If approved, we can supply high-quality JPEGs on the condition that we are credited.
Screen Variance: Product colours may look slightly different depending on your phone or monitor settings. While we try to make our photos as accurate as possible, we cannot be responsible for slight colour variances.

💼 Business to Business (B2B) Terms

For our wholesale and commercial clients, the following specific terms apply:

Pricing: As required by law for retail/wholesale crossovers, all advertised website prices include VAT. VAT-exclusive pricing is available upon request.
Discrepancies: You must notify us of any missing, damaged, or faulty stock within 14 days of delivery.
B2B Returns: Return shipping is at the customer's expense. Items must be unopened, in original packaging, and resaleable.
Restocking Fee: All business returns are subject to a 20% restocking/handling fee, which will be deducted from your final refund.

🏬 In Person Orders

These terms & conditions only apply to online & telephone orders. In person orders are covered by different regulations - please ask in store for more details.