Eligibility to Purchase

Purchases may be made by individuals who are at least 18 years old.

Customers under 18 may make purchases only with the permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

Handmade and Natural Products

Shells by Elaine creates handcrafted pieces using natural shells and other decorative materials.

Because natural shells are individually formed, shape, size, texture, coloration, surface features, edges, markings, and other characteristics will differ from piece to piece. Handmade artwork may also include natural or intentional differences in placement, finish, texture, and appearance.

These variations are part of the character of handmade and naturally sourced products and are not considered defects.

Product Photographs and Descriptions

We make reasonable efforts to photograph and describe products accurately.

For one-of-a-kind inventory items, the product photographs are intended to show the actual piece the customer will receive unless the listing clearly states otherwise.

Colors and other visual details may appear slightly different depending on lighting, photography, display calibration, device settings, and screen technology.

Product dimensions and descriptions are provided as accurately as reasonably possible.

Product Availability

All orders are subject to product availability and acceptance by Shells by Elaine.

Because many products are one of a kind, an item may become unavailable and may not be capable of exact reproduction.

If an item becomes unavailable after an order is placed and we are unable to fulfill the purchase, the customer will be notified and any applicable payment will be refunded.

Pricing and Listing Errors

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that product descriptions, pricing, availability, and other information displayed on the website are accurate.

Occasionally, errors may occur.

Shells by Elaine reserves the right to correct genuine pricing, description, inventory, or other listing errors and, when necessary, cancel an affected order before fulfillment.

If an order is canceled because of such an error, any payment received for the affected purchase will be refunded.

Payment

Full payment is required at checkout for standard inventory purchases.

Orders are not considered complete until payment has been successfully processed.

Applicable sales taxes will be calculated and collected where required by law.

Custom Orders

Custom and made-to-order work requires full payment in advance unless Shells by Elaine expressly agrees otherwise in writing.

Before production begins, the customer and Shells by Elaine must agree on the primary specifications of the custom order. Depending on the project, this may include design direction, quantity, colors, theme, personalization, materials, expected appearance, and other relevant details.

Shells by Elaine may provide a design, concept, description, mockup, sample, or other form of approval material before work begins. Production will proceed only after the customer has provided the required approval.

Because custom work is handmade and often uses natural shells, finished pieces will not necessarily be identical to mockups, reference images, samples, or one another. Natural and handmade variation should be expected.

Custom orders are final sale except where otherwise provided by our Returns & Refunds Policy for damaged items or other qualifying circumstances.

Changes to Custom Orders

Requests to change an approved custom order will be considered when reasonably possible.

Changes requested after materials have been purchased or production has begun may result in additional charges, additional production time, or may no longer be feasible.

Any material changes to the agreed order may require additional customer approval before production continues.

Order Changes and Cancellations

Standard orders may be changed or canceled before the order has shipped and tracking information has been assigned.

Once an order has entered the shipping process, cancellations may no longer be possible and the applicable return procedures will apply.

Custom-order cancellation rights may be limited once the customer has approved the project and production or material purchasing has begun.

Shipping and Returns

Shipping practices, processing times, tracking, delivery issues, and related matters are governed by our Shipping Policy.

Returns, refunds, damaged-item procedures, and other return-related matters are governed by our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Those policies form part of the terms applicable to purchases made through Shells by Elaine.

Decorative Use and Product Safety

Unless a product description clearly states otherwise, Shells by Elaine shell pieces are sold as decorative items only.

Certain products may be specifically designed for another stated purpose, such as a decorative wine stopper or similar functional accessory. Any intended use will be identified in the applicable product description.

Natural shells may contain rough surfaces, pointed areas, sharp edges, irregular features, or other naturally occurring characteristics. Customers should handle shell products with appropriate care.

Decorative products should be kept away from young children or others who may be unable to handle them safely.

Customers are responsible for using products only in a manner consistent with their intended and described purpose.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, the content of the Shells by Elaine website—including product photographs, artwork photographs, text, branding, logos, graphics, page designs, and other original materials—is owned by or licensed to Shells by Elaine.

Website content may not be copied, reproduced, republished, sold, commercially exploited, or used to represent another business or product without permission.

Sharing links to our website or individual product pages for ordinary personal or social purposes is welcome.

Acceptable Use of the Website

The Shells by Elaine website may not be used for unlawful, fraudulent, abusive, or malicious purposes.

Users may not attempt to interfere with website operation or security, gain unauthorized access to accounts or systems, introduce malicious software, impersonate another person, conduct fraudulent transactions, or misuse website content or services.

Shells by Elaine may restrict access, cancel orders, or take other reasonable action in response to suspected fraud, abuse, security threats, or unlawful activity.

Right to Refuse or Cancel an Order

Shells by Elaine reserves the right to refuse, limit, or cancel an order when reasonably necessary.

This may include circumstances involving suspected fraud, payment problems, incorrect pricing or listing information, inventory errors, abusive conduct, an inability to fulfill a custom request, or other circumstances that make fulfillment impractical or inappropriate.

When an order is canceled by Shells by Elaine and payment has already been collected, the appropriate amount will be refunded unless the payment is lawfully subject to another resolution.

Limitation of Liability

Shells by Elaine makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate product information, careful workmanship, appropriate packaging, and reliable customer service.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Shells by Elaine is not responsible for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses arising from use of the website or products.

Customers are responsible for handling natural shell products appropriately and recognizing that shells may contain irregular, rough, pointed, or sharp natural features.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or limit rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.

Third-Party Services

The website may rely on third-party providers for services such as payment processing, shipping, email delivery, website hosting, security, and ecommerce functionality.

Shells by Elaine is not responsible for interruptions, errors, or independent practices of third-party services that are outside our reasonable control.

Use of certain third-party services may also be subject to the provider’s own terms and policies.

Privacy

Information collected through the Shells by Elaine website is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Resolving Concerns

If a problem arises with an order or use of the website, we encourage customers to contact Shells by Elaine first so that we have an opportunity to resolve the matter directly and in good faith.

Questions or concerns may be sent to:

Shells by Elaine
[email protected]

Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally will be handled through the courts or other lawful procedures having appropriate jurisdiction.

Changes to These Terms

Shells by Elaine may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time as our website, products, services, or business practices evolve.

Changes will apply prospectively after the updated terms are published and will not retroactively alter the terms governing an order already placed.

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