Terms

These terms of sale apply to every AutoMate Scientific shipment and sale of equipment. Any additional or different terms proposed by a customer are objected to and will not be binding with AutoMate Scientific unless specifically assented to in writing by AutoMate Scientific.

I. PRICES

A. Prices are in U.S. Dollars. Your total order price will include the price of the product (on the day of order) plus any applicable sales tax and shipping and handling charges. AutoMate reserves the right to change prices for its products at any time.

II. PAYMENT METHODS

A. Purchases may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard account.
B. Purchases may be paid via a Purchase Order. Purchase Orders must show billing and shipping addresses, as well as end-user’s name, address, department and complete contact information (phone, e-mail, fax). Purchase Order minimum is $20.00 inside USA and $25 outside USA. A $25 fee will be applied to all orders of less than $250.
C. Purchases may be paid by wire transfer or Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) confirmed by our bank in San Francisco. L/Cs are payable upon presentation of documents.

III. PAYMENT TERMS

A. Record the invoice number on the check to insure proper credit.
B. Domestic Purchases: Payment terms are Net 30 Days for established customers. AutoMate reserves the right to request references and limit credit terms. All past due accounts are subject to a 1.5% per month late payment charge.
C. International Purchases: Advance payment or binding Letter of Credit (add $300 fee) in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank required for international orders.
D. Customer agrees that any payment shall not necessarily constitute payment in full or a final settlement of Customer’s account, notwithstanding any language to the contrary on Customer’s check, draft, or other order.
E. Unpaid balance subject to 1.5% monthly service charge (18% per annum) beginning 30 days after the invoice due date. Customer agrees to pay AutoMate’s costs of collection of overdue invoices, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and costs. Warranty and technical support coverage may be suspended, or equipment repossessed on institutions with outstanding balances over 30-days past due.
F. Discounts are available for educational and multiple-unit orders.

IV. SHIPPING METHODS

A. Shipments within the continental U.S. are by UPS Ground Service or USPS, unless otherwise specified on the order.
B. International shipments are sent by AutoMate’s choice, generally TNT or UPS, unless otherwise specified on the order.
C. Shipping, insurance, and handling charges will be prepaid and added to the invoice, unless other terms have been prearranged. All shipments are F.O.B. San Francisco.

V. CUSTOMER SERVICE

Complete contact information is available here.

A. Contact AutoMate or our distributors for questions on pricing, ordering, brochures, or more product information.
B. Contact AutoMate directly for any service at (800)998-6283 domestically or (510) 845-6283 from anywhere.
C. AutoMate Scientific values your privacy and will strive to maintain an environment that respects your privacy. Personal information, such as your name, address and email address, is used solely to provide a requested service or product to you.

VI. PRODUCT RETURNS

A. Shipments with visible damage should be noted on the shipper delivery slip prior to sign-off and reported to AutoMate no more than 5 days after delivery. Retain damaged containers for insurance claims.
B. Items received should be inspected upon receipt and any shortages must be reported within 5 days of receipt.
C. Products made by our third-party suppliers are subject to their return policies and many of the conditions listed below.
D. AutoMate-manufactured products can generally be returned without cause within 30 days of receipt without penalty, except: The customer is responsible for return shipping charges. Invoiced shipping charges will not be refunded. Orders paid by credit card will be charged a 10% restocking fee.
E. Product returns after 30 days without cause will be handled on a case-by-case basis at AutoMate’s discretion. A minimum 15% restocking fee will apply plus 10% if paid by credit card. Invoiced shipping charges will not be refunded.
F. Credit can only be given for items return unopened and unused in excellent, resalable condition. Partial credit may be given for the unused portions of a return shipment, or repair fees may be applied to return damaged goods to resalable condition before issuance of a credit. Damage occurring on return shipment, especially due to improper packaging, will be entirely the customer’s responsibility.
G. AutoMate will issue an invoice for any unpaid shipping charges, repair charges, or used/opened equipment regardless of the return of the remainder of an unpaid shipment.
H. Refunds on already-paid equipment must be initiated by the customer’s accounting or purchasing department. Refunds will not be issued directly to corporate or university employees – only to the institutions themselves.
I. AutoMate may, at its discretion, ship product on a “demo” basis, usually for a predetermined amount of time. We generally require a valid purchase order before shipping such “trial” equipment. At the end of the trial period, the customer will be contacted to confirm or deny acceptance of the order. Such demo orders may be given an additional length of time before the payment and return period begins, but will still be subject to all of these terms. An invoice may be issued for damaged or missing product despite the customer’s denial and return of a demo order.