1. Terms

These terms and conditions apply to all orders placed through the Maurice Daamen Chocolate Design webshop.

By placing an order, the customer confirms that these terms and conditions have been read and accepted. The customer is responsible for carefully reviewing the information regarding products, delivery, shipping, temperature sensitivity, and any limitations concerning cancellation or returns.

2. Important condition regarding warm outdoor temperatures

The products of Maurice Daamen Chocolate Design consist of handmade chocolate products. Chocolate is a temperature-sensitive product and may melt, deform, or deteriorate in quality during warm weather conditions.

If the outdoor temperature is above 24°C, or is expected to exceed 24°C during the shipping period, we reserve the right to postpone the shipment of chocolate orders. The order will only be shipped once, in our judgement, the temperature is suitable again for responsible transport.

We do this to protect the quality of the chocolate as much as possible.

By ticking the mandatory checkbox for these terms and conditions during checkout, the customer expressly confirms being aware that shipment may be postponed during warm weather conditions.

A delay in shipment due to temperatures above 24°C is considered a circumstance beyond our direct control. For this reason, the customer cannot cancel or refuse an order solely because shipment is postponed due to warm weather conditions, insofar as this is permitted by law.

Customers who need chocolate quickly for a specific date are responsible for taking warm weather conditions and possible delays into account before placing an order. By ticking the terms and conditions checkbox, the customer confirms that this warning has been read and accepted in advance.

3. Products

Our chocolate products are made with care and craftsmanship. As these are handmade products, small differences may occur in colour, shape, finish, decoration, and composition.

Images on the website are intended as a representation of the product. The final product may differ in detail from the image, without affecting its quality.

4. Allergens and Ingredients

Our products may contain, or may have come into contact with, allergens including, but not limited to, milk, nuts, peanuts, gluten, soy, egg, and other allergens.

The customer is responsible for checking the allergen information before placing an order. In case of doubt, the customer should contact us before making a purchase.

5. Order and Payment

An order is final once it has been placed through the webshop and the payment has been successfully completed.

We reserve the right to refuse or cancel an order in the event of an error in price, product information, stock availability, payment, delivery details, or other circumstances that make fulfilment of the order reasonably impossible.

6. Prices

All prices on the website are stated in euros and include VAT, unless stated otherwise.

Shipping costs are displayed separately during checkout. The total price is shown before the customer definitively places the order.

7. Delivery and Shipping

We do our best to ship orders as carefully and promptly as possible. Stated delivery times are indicative, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.

Delays caused by the carrier, public holidays, busy periods, weather conditions, stock limitations, or other circumstances may affect the delivery time.

For chocolate products specifically, shipment may be postponed during warm weather conditions as described in Article 2.

8. Receipt of the Order

The customer is responsible for providing a correct and complete delivery address.

If a package cannot be delivered due to an incorrect address, absence, failure to collect the package from a pickup point, or other circumstances on the customer’s side, any additional costs or loss of quality may be at the customer’s expense.

Check the order immediately upon receipt. Report any damage, inaccuracies, or missing products as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of receipt, with clear photos of the product, the packaging, and the shipping label.

9. Cancellation and Right of Withdrawal

For consumers, a statutory cooling-off period applies to online purchases in many cases. For products that can spoil quickly, have a limited shelf life, are made to order, are personal in nature, or are unsuitable for return due to hygiene reasons, the right of withdrawal may be legally excluded.

Because many of our chocolate products may be fresh, handmade, have a limited shelf life, be temperature-sensitive and/or specially composed, returns or cancellations after production, packaging, or shipment may not always be possible.

A cancellation request can only be assessed if the order has not yet been processed, produced, packaged, or shipped. We are not obliged to accept a cancellation if the order has already been taken into processing or if the product falls under a legal exception to the right of withdrawal.

A temporary delay due to warm weather conditions above 24°C does not constitute an independent reason to cancel the order free of charge, insofar as this is permitted by law. The customer has been informed of this before purchase through these terms and conditions and confirms this by ticking the mandatory checkbox during checkout.

Wettelijke rechten van consumenten blijven altijd van toepassing.

10. Returns

For reasons of food safety, hygiene, limited shelf life, and temperature sensitivity, chocolate products cannot simply be returned.

Returns are only accepted after prior written approval from Maurice Daamen Chocolate Design. Products returned without approval may be refused.

11. Complaints

We take great care with our products and shipping. If something has nevertheless gone wrong, please contact us as soon as possible.

A complaint must be clearly described and, where applicable, supported with photos of the product, the packaging, and the shipping label.

We will always seek an appropriate solution when a complaint is justified.

12. Force Majeure

Force majeure refers to circumstances that are reasonably beyond our control and that temporarily or permanently make delivery more difficult. This includes, but is not limited to, extreme or unsuitable weather conditions, temperatures above 24°C, carrier delays, disruptions, illness, material shortages, public holidays, busy periods, government measures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

In the event of force majeure, we may postpone the fulfilment of the order for as long as the force majeure situation continues. If delivery proves to be permanently impossible, we will contact the customer to find an appropriate solution.

13. Liability

We are not liable for damage caused by the customer providing incorrect information, failing to receive a package on time, failing to collect a package from a pickup point on time, storing products incorrectly, or failing to follow warnings regarding temperature sensitivity.

Our liability is in all cases limited to the amount of the relevant order, unless the law provides otherwise.

14. Storage Advice

Chocolate should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, preferably between 14°C and 18°C. Do not store chocolate in direct sunlight, next to a heat source, or in a warm room.

We are not responsible for any loss of quality that occurs after receipt due to incorrect storage or handling by the customer.

15. Changes

Maurice Daamen Chocolate Design reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions. The version that applied at the time of ordering shall apply to the relevant order.

16. Contact

For questions about products, orders, allergens, shipping, or complaints, the customer may contact us using the contact details listed on the Maurice Daamen Chocolate Design website.