Terms of service

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE AND WEBSITE USE

Last updated: 12 September 2026

  1. ABOUT US

This website is operated by Auckland Scientific Ltd (“Auckland Scientific”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

Auckland Scientific Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 10698129.

Registered office:
2A Hutchinson Close
Coundon
Bishop Auckland
DL14 8NY
United Kingdom

Email: office@auckland-scientific.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7853 690001

Our website and online store are hosted by Shopify.

  1. APPLICATION OF THESE TERMS

These terms apply to your use of our website and to products or services purchased from Auckland Scientific Ltd.

They apply to both business customers and consumers, although certain provisions apply differently depending on whether you are purchasing for business or personal use.

A “consumer” is an individual purchasing wholly or mainly for purposes outside their trade, business, craft or profession.

A “business customer” is a person, company, organisation, educational institution, laboratory or other entity purchasing wholly or mainly for business, professional, research, educational or institutional purposes.

Any quotation, order acknowledgement or written agreement issued by Auckland Scientific Ltd may contain additional product-specific terms. If there is a conflict, the expressly agreed quotation or order acknowledgement will take priority.

  1. WEBSITE INFORMATION

We take reasonable care to ensure that information on our website is accurate. However, product descriptions, specifications, images, dimensions, colours, compatibility information, availability, prices and delivery estimates may occasionally contain errors or be changed by a manufacturer without notice.

Images are for general illustration and may show optional accessories or equipment that is not included. Customers should check the written description, specification and quotation carefully before ordering.

Information provided on our website is general product information and is not a substitute for professional, technical, clinical, regulatory or application-specific advice.

Please contact us before ordering if you require confirmation that a product is suitable for a particular instrument, sample, procedure, application or regulatory environment.

  1. PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

All products are subject to availability.

Some products are held in stock, while others are ordered from UK or overseas manufacturers, distributors or suppliers after we receive the customer’s order.

We may withdraw products, correct errors, update specifications or change availability without prior notice.

If we cannot supply an ordered product, we will contact you and either offer a suitable alternative, provide a revised delivery estimate or cancel the affected item and refund any payment made for it.

  1. QUOTATIONS AND PRODUCT CONFIGURATION

Quotations are valid for the period stated on the quotation. If no period is stated, the quotation will normally remain valid for 30 days unless withdrawn earlier.

The customer is responsible for reviewing and approving the product model, specification, configuration, compatibility, delivery requirements and any optional accessories shown in the quotation.

We are entitled to rely on information supplied by the customer when selecting, sourcing or configuring equipment.

Any changes requested after an order has been accepted may affect the price, specification and delivery time and require our written agreement.

  1. PRICES AND VAT

Unless expressly stated otherwise, prices intended for business customers are shown in pounds sterling and exclude VAT, delivery, installation, customs charges and any other applicable costs.

VAT will be charged at the applicable rate and shown before an online order is submitted or on the relevant quotation, invoice or order acknowledgement.

Consumers will be shown the total amount payable, including applicable VAT and delivery charges, before placing an order.

Prices may change without notice, but changes will not affect an order we have already accepted unless the price shown was an obvious error.

Promotional prices apply only for the stated period and subject to availability.

  1. PLACING AND ACCEPTING ORDERS

Submitting an online order or accepting a quotation constitutes an offer to purchase. It does not mean that we have accepted the order.

An automated order acknowledgement confirms that we have received the order but does not necessarily constitute acceptance.

An order is accepted when we issue written confirmation of acceptance, dispatch the product or place a special order with the manufacturer or supplier following the customer’s approval, whichever occurs first.

We reserve the right to decline or cancel an order before acceptance, including where:

• A product is unavailable
• A price or product description contains an obvious error
• We cannot obtain payment authorisation
• Delivery cannot be made to the requested location
• Manufacturer or supplier restrictions apply
• We reasonably suspect fraud, misuse or unlawful activity

If we cancel an order after receiving payment but before acceptance, we will refund the relevant payment.

  1. PAYMENT

Payment is required in accordance with the terms displayed at checkout or stated in our quotation, invoice or order acknowledgement.

Unless we agree otherwise in writing, full payment is required before products are ordered from our supplier or dispatched to the customer.

The customer must provide complete and accurate billing and payment information and confirm that they are authorised to use the selected payment method.

Ownership of the goods will not pass to the customer until Auckland Scientific Ltd has received full cleared payment for them.

  1. SPECIAL-ORDER, IMPORTED AND CONFIGURED PRODUCTS

Certain products are sourced, imported, manufactured, modified or configured specifically for an individual customer.

Business customers will be informed before ordering when a product is classed as special-order, non-cancellable or non-returnable.

Once we have accepted a business order or placed it with our manufacturer, distributor or supplier, it cannot be cancelled or returned unless:

• We agree otherwise in writing
• The product is faulty or damaged
• The incorrect product has been supplied
• The product is materially different from the agreed specification

If we agree to a cancellation at our discretion, the business customer may be responsible for costs already incurred. These may include supplier cancellation charges, restocking charges, international freight, import costs, customs-clearance charges and reasonable administrative costs.

For consumers, statutory cancellation rights may not apply to products made to the consumer’s specifications, clearly personalised or specially modified or configured to meet individual requirements.

A standard product being sourced or imported to fulfil an order does not necessarily remove a consumer’s statutory cancellation rights.

  1. CONSUMER CANCELLATION RIGHTS

Consumers purchasing online normally have the right to cancel an eligible order within 14 days of receiving the goods without giving a reason.

After notifying us of a cancellation, the consumer must normally return the goods within a further 14 days.

Exceptions may apply, including to products made to the consumer’s specifications, clearly personalised products and sealed products unsuitable for return for health-protection or hygiene reasons after unsealing.

Further information is provided in our Return, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

Nothing in these terms restricts a consumer’s statutory rights.

  1. BUSINESS CANCELLATIONS AND RETURNS

Business customers do not have an automatic right to cancel or return goods because they have changed their mind.

Business cancellations and returns require our prior written agreement and are subject to the applicable quotation, order acknowledgement and Return, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

Where we accept a business return, the goods must be unused, complete, undamaged and returned in their original packaging with all accessories, manuals and components.

Any agreed refund may be reduced by reasonable costs incurred, including delivery, collection, inspection, restocking, supplier and administrative charges.

  1. DELIVERY

Delivery dates and lead times are estimates unless we expressly guarantee a date in writing.

Delivery may be affected by manufacturer availability, international freight, customs clearance, carrier delays and events outside our reasonable control.

We will notify the customer if we become aware of a significant delay.

The customer must ensure that the delivery address and contact information are accurate and that safe and suitable access is available for delivery.

Additional charges may apply where delivery fails because the customer supplied incorrect information, was unavailable to accept delivery or did not provide suitable access.

Unless agreed otherwise, installation, commissioning, calibration, training, removal of packaging and disposal of existing equipment are not included in delivery.

  1. RISK AND OWNERSHIP

For consumers, risk passes when the goods are delivered into the physical possession of the consumer or a person identified by the consumer to receive them.

If a consumer independently appoints a carrier that was not offered by us, risk may pass when the goods are handed to that carrier, as permitted by law.

For business customers, risk passes on delivery to the stated delivery address or, where the business customer arranges collection or its own carrier, when the goods are handed over for collection.

Ownership does not pass until we have received full cleared payment.

  1. INSPECTION, DAMAGE AND DELIVERY ISSUES

Customers should inspect delivered goods promptly and notify us as soon as reasonably possible if anything is damaged, incomplete, incorrect or visibly affected during transit.

Customers should retain the product, shipping container and all packaging while we investigate.

Failure by a business customer to notify us promptly may affect our ability to submit a claim to the carrier or supplier, although this does not remove rights that cannot legally be excluded.

  1. WARRANTIES

Products may be supplied with a manufacturer’s warranty or an Auckland Scientific warranty, as stated in the product listing, quotation or order documentation.

Warranty duration and conditions vary between products. Customers should retain their invoice and follow any maintenance, servicing, operating and registration requirements stated in the relevant warranty.

A warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, accidental damage, unsuitable environmental conditions, unauthorised repair or modification, incorrect installation, failure to follow instructions or normal wear and tear.

Any warranty is provided in addition to, and does not replace, a consumer’s statutory rights.

  1. PRODUCT SUITABILITY AND REGULATORY USE

The customer is responsible for ensuring that a product is suitable for its intended application and that it is used by suitably trained personnel in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Unless expressly confirmed in writing, products are not supplied as medical devices, diagnostic devices or for any regulated clinical application.

The customer is responsible for any validation, risk assessment, calibration, quality-system, regulatory or compliance requirements applying to its use of the product.

Nothing in this section excludes liability where the customer has reasonably relied upon specific written advice provided by Auckland Scientific Ltd.

  1. RETURNS AND REFUNDS

All cancellations, returns and refunds are governed by our Return, Cancellation and Refund Policy, which forms part of these terms.

Products must not be returned without prior authorisation and return instructions from Auckland Scientific Ltd.

  1. LIABILITY TO CONSUMERS

We do not exclude or limit liability where doing so would be unlawful.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Breach of statutory consumer rights
• Defective products where liability cannot legally be excluded
• Any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited

If you are a consumer, we are responsible for losses that are a foreseeable result of our breach of these terms or failure to use reasonable care and skill.

We are not responsible for business losses suffered by a consumer, including loss of profit, revenue, contracts, data or business opportunity.

  1. LIABILITY TO BUSINESS CUSTOMERS

This section applies only to business customers.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Auckland Scientific Ltd will not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of business, loss of production, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goodwill, loss of data or loss of opportunity.

Our total liability arising from an order will not normally exceed the total amount paid or payable for the product or service giving rise to the claim.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

  1. EVENTS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL

We will not be responsible for delay or failure caused by events outside our reasonable control.

These events may include severe weather, natural disasters, transport disruption, customs delays, industrial disputes, epidemics, war, civil unrest, government action, import or export restrictions, supplier failure, power failure, telecommunications failure or carrier disruption.

We will take reasonable steps to minimise the effect of the event and inform affected customers where appropriate.

  1. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Website content, including Auckland Scientific branding, text, graphics, page designs, photographs and original materials, belongs to Auckland Scientific Ltd or is used with permission from the relevant owner.

Manufacturer names, trademarks, product images and other third-party materials remain the property of their respective owners.

You may view and use the website for legitimate personal or business purchasing purposes. You must not reproduce, republish, distribute, modify or commercially exploit website content without permission from the relevant rights holder.

  1. ACCEPTABLE WEBSITE USE

You must not:

• Use the website for unlawful or fraudulent purposes
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website or another user’s account
• Introduce viruses, malware or harmful technology
• Interfere with the security or operation of the website
• Use automated systems to overload, disrupt or improperly extract information from the website
• Infringe intellectual-property or privacy rights
• Submit false, misleading, abusive or unlawful content

We may restrict or terminate access where we reasonably believe these terms have been breached.

  1. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND LINKS

Our website may contain links to websites or services operated by manufacturers, suppliers or other third parties.

We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, security, content or privacy practices of third-party websites. Customers should review the third party’s applicable terms and privacy notice.

Use of third-party payment, delivery or website services may also be subject to that provider’s terms.

  1. SHOPIFY

Our online store is hosted by Shopify. Purchases from this store are made directly from Auckland Scientific Ltd, not Shopify.

Shopify provides the ecommerce platform but is not the seller of our products and is not responsible for fulfilling orders, providing product support or handling returns.

  1. PRIVACY AND COOKIES

We process personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies for essential functions, analytics, customer preferences and marketing, subject to applicable law and the choices available through our cookie or privacy controls.

  1. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

We may update these terms to reflect changes to our products, services, business practices or legal obligations.

The version applying to an order will normally be the version in force when the order was placed, unless a change is required by law.

The latest version will be displayed on our website with its last-updated date.

  1. SEVERABILITY

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary. The remaining provisions will continue in effect.

  1. WAIVER

If we delay or fail to enforce a right under these terms, this does not mean that we have waived that right.

  1. THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS

Unless expressly stated otherwise, a person who is not a party to an order has no right to enforce these terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

  1. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

If you are a business customer, the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction.

If you are a consumer, you may bring proceedings in the courts applicable to where you live, and you retain any mandatory rights available under the law of your country of residence.

  1. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about these terms should be sent to:

Auckland Scientific Ltd
2A Hutchinson Close
Coundon
Bishop Auckland
DL14 8NY
United Kingdom

Email: office@auckland-scientific.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7853 690001