1.Definitions
1.1.“NA” means Nicholas Agency & Co. Pty Ltd., its successors and assigns or any person acting on behalf of and with the authority of Nicholas Agency & Co Pty Ltd.
1.2.“Customer” means the person/s buying the Goods as specified in any invoice, document or order, and if there is more than one Customer is a reference to each Customer jointly and severally (where the context so permits, the term ‘Customer’ shall also mean the Customer’s duly authorised representative).
1.3.“Goods” means all Goods or Services supplied by NA to the Customer at the Customer’s request from time to time (where the context so permits the terms ‘Goods’ or ‘Services’ shall be interchangeable for the other).
1.4.“Price” means the Price payable (plus any GST where applicable) for the Goods as agreed between NA and the Customer in accordance with clause 5 below.
1.5.“GST” means Goods and Services Tax (GST) as defined within the “A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999” (Cth).
2.Acceptance
2.1.The Customer is taken to have exclusively accepted and is immediately bound, jointly and severally, by these terms and conditions if the Customer places an order for or accepts delivery of the Goods.
2.2.These terms and conditions may only be amended with the consent of both parties in writing, and shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with any other document or agreement between the Customer and NA.
2.3.The Customer acknowledges that the supply of Goods on credit shall not take effect until the Customer has completed a credit application with NA and it has been approved with a credit limit established for the account.
2.4.In the event that the supply of Goods requested exceeds the Customers credit limit and/or the account exceeds the payment terms, NA reserves the right to refuse delivery.
2.5.NA reserves the right to substitute comparable Goods (or components of the Goods), and in all such cases NA will notify the Customer in advance of any such substitution.
2.6.The Customer acknowledges and accepts that the supply of Goods for accepted orders may be subject to availability and if, for any reason, Goods are not or cease to be available, NA reserves the right to vary the Price with alternative Goods as per clause 2.5.
2.7.Notwithstanding clause 2.6 NA also reserves the right, at its discretion, to introduce additional new Goods as part of the Goods to be supplied.
3.Electronic Transactions Act 2000
3.1.Electronic signatures shall be deemed to be accepted by either party providing that the parties have complied with Section 9 of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 or any other applicable provisions of that Act or any Regulations referred to in that Act.
4.Change in Control
4.1.The Customer shall give NA not less than fourteen (14) days prior written notice of any proposed change of ownership of the Customer and/or any other change in the Customer’s details (including but not limited to, changes in the Customer’s name, address, contact phone or fax number/s, or business practice). The Customer shall be liable for any loss incurred by NA as a result of the Customer’s failure to comply with this clause.
5.Price and Payment
5.1.At NA’s sole discretion, the Price shall be either:
a)as indicated on any invoice provided by NA to the Customer; or
b)the Price as at the date of delivery of the Goods according to NA’s current price list; or
c)NA’s quoted price (subject to clause 5.2) which will be valid for the period stated in the quotation or otherwise for a period of thirty (30) days.
5.2.NA reserves the right to change the Price if a variation to NA’s quotation is requested. Variations will be charged for on the basis of NA’s quotation, and will be detailed in writing, and shown as variations on NA’s invoice. The Customer shall be required to respond to any variation submitted by NA within ten (10) working days. Failure to do so will entitle NA to add the cost of the variation to the Price. Payment for all variations must be made in full at the time of their completion.
5.3.At NA’s sole discretion, a deposit may be required.
5.4.Time for payment for the Goods being of the essence, the Price will be payable by the Customer on the date/s determined by NA, which may be:
a)upon delivery of the Goods; or
b)before delivery of the Goods; or
c)by way of instalments/progress payments in accordance with NA’s payment schedule; or
d)the date specified on any invoice or other form as being the date for payment; or
e)Failing any notice to the contrary, the date which is thirty (30) days following the date of any invoice given to the Customer by NA.
5.5.All 'pro-forma orders' are firm, irrevocable and non-cancellable by the Customer and must be paid for in full within thirty (30) days from date of invoice. Where payment for a pro-former Order is not received within 30 days of the invoice date, at the sole discretion of NA, the order may be cancelled and in such event the Customer will be liable from the date of notice of cancellation for a cancellation fee equivalent to 20% of the invoiced cost or $50.00, whichever is greater.
5.6.Payment may be made by cash, business cheque, bank cheque, electronic/on-line banking, credit card (a surcharge may apply per transaction), or by any other method as agreed to between the Customer and NA.
5.7.Any discounts that may be provided on Goods and/or Services under this agreement as per clause not extend to freight costs.
5.8.The Customer shall not be entitled to set off against, or deduct from the Price, any sums owed or claimed to be owed to the Customer by NA nor to withhold payment of any invoice because part of that invoice is in dispute.
5.9.Unless otherwise stated the Price does not include GST. In addition to the Price the Customer must pay to NA an amount equal to any GST NA must pay for any supply by NA under this or any other agreement for the sale of the Goods. The Customer must pay GST, without deduction or set off of any other amounts, at the same time and on the same basis as the Customer pays the Price. In addition, the Customer must pay any other taxes and duties that may be applicable in addition to the Price except where they are expressly included in the Price.
6.Delivery of Goods
6.1.Delivery (“Delivery”) of the Goods is taken to occur at the time that:
a)the Customer or the Customer’s nominated carrier takes possession of the Goods at NA’s address; or
b)NA (or NA’s nominated carrier) delivers the Goods to the Customer’s nominated address even if the Customer is not present at the address.
6.2.At NA’s sole discretion, the cost of delivery is either included in the Price or is in addition to the Price.
6.3.NA may deliver the Goods in separate instalments. Each separate instalment shall be invoiced and paid in accordance with the provisions in these terms and conditions.
6.4.Any time specified by NA for delivery of the Goods is an estimate only. The Customer must take delivery by receipt or collection of the Goods whenever they are tendered for delivery. NA will not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Customer as a result of delivery being late. In the event that the Customer is unable to take delivery of the Goods as arranged then NA shall be entitled to charge a reasonable fee for redelivery and/or storage.
7.Risk
7.1.Risk of damage to or loss of the Goods passes to the Customer on Delivery and the Customer must insure the Goods on or before Delivery.
7.2.If any of the Goods are damaged or destroyed following delivery but prior to ownership passing to the Customer, NA is entitled to receive all insurance proceeds payable for the Goods. The production of these terms and conditions by NA is sufficient evidence of NA’s rights to receive the insurance proceeds without the need for any person dealing with NA to make further enquiries.
7.3.If the Customer requests NA to leave Goods outside NA’s premises for collection or to deliver the Goods to an unattended location, then such Goods shall be left at the Customer’s sole risk.
8.Title
8.1.NA and the Customer agree that ownership of the Goods shall not pass until:
a)the Customer has paid NA all amounts owing to NA; and
b)the Customer has met all of its other obligations to NA.
8.2.Receipt by NA of any form of payment other than cash shall not be deemed to be payment until that form of payment has been honoured, cleared or recognised.
8.3.It is further agreed that, until ownership of the Goods passes to the Customer in accordance with clause 8.1:
a)the Customer is only a Bailee of the Goods and must return the Goods to NA on request.
b)The Customer holds the benefit of the Customer’s insurance of the Goods on trust for NA and must pay to NA the proceeds of any insurance in the event of the Goods being lost, damaged or destroyed.
c)The Customer must not sell, dispose, or otherwise part with possession of the Goods other than in the ordinary course of business and for market value. If the Customer sells, disposes or parts with possession of the Goods then the Customer must hold the proceeds of any such act on trust for NA and must pay or deliver the proceeds to NA on demand.
d)The Customer should not convert or process the Goods or intermix them with other goods but if the Customer does so then the Customer holds the resulting product on trust for the benefit of NA and must sell, dispose of or return the resulting product to NA as it so directs.
e)The Customer irrevocably authorises NA to enter any premises where NA believes the Goods are kept and recover possession of the Goods.
f)NA may recover possession of any Goods in transit whether or not delivery has occurred.
g)The Customer shall not charge or grant an encumbrance over the Goods nor grant nor otherwise give away any interest in the Goods while they remain the property of NA.
h)NA may commence proceedings to recover the Price of the Goods sold notwithstanding that ownership of the Goods has not passed to the Customer.
9.Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (“PPSA”)
9.1.In this clause financing statement, financing change statement, security agreement, and security interest has the meaning given to it by the PPSA.
9.2.Upon assenting to these terms and conditions in writing the Customer acknowledges and agrees that these terms and conditions constitute a security agreement for the purposes of the PPSA and creates a security interest in all Goods and/or collateral (account) – being a monetary obligation of the Customer to NA for Services – that have previously been supplied and that will be supplied in the future by NA to the Customer.
9.3.The Customer undertakes to:
a)promptly sign any further documents and/or provide any further information (such information to be complete, accurate and up-to-date in all respects) which NA may reasonably require to;
(i)register a financing statement or financing change statement in relation to a security interest on the Personal Property Securities Register;
(ii)register any other document required to be registered by the PPSA; or
(iii)correct a defect in a statement referred to in clause 9.3(a)(i) or 9.3(a)(ii);
b)indemnify, and upon demand reimburse, NA for all expenses incurred in registering a financing statement or financing change statement on the Personal Property Securities Register established by the PPSA or releasing any Goods charged thereby;
c)not register a financing change statement in respect of a security interest without the prior written consent of NA;
d)not register, or permit to be registered, a financing statement or a financing change statement in relation to the Goods and/or collateral (account) in favour of a third party without the prior written consent of NA;
e)Immediately advise NA of any material change in its business practices of selling the Goods which would result in a change in Nature of proceeds derived from such sales.
9.4.NA and the Customer agree that sections 96, 115 and 125 of the PPSA do not apply to the security agreement created by these terms and conditions.
9.5.The Customer waives their rights to receive notices under sections 95, 118, 121(4), 130, 132(3)(d) and 132(4) of the PPSA.
9.6.The Customer waives their rights as a grantor and/or a debtor under sections 142 and 143 of the PPSA.
9.7.Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by NA, the Customer waives their right to receive a verification statement in accordance with section 157 of the PPSA.
9.8.The Customer must unconditionally ratify any actions taken by NA under clauses 9.3 to 9.5.
9.9.Subject to any express provisions to the contrary (including those contained in this clause 9) nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to have the effect of contracting out of any of the provisions of the PPSA.
10.Security and Charge
10.1.In consideration of NA agreeing to supply the Goods, the Customer charges all of its rights, title and interest (whether joint or several) in any land, realty or other assets capable of being charged, owned by the Customer either now or in the future, to secure the performance by the Customer of its obligations under these terms and conditions (including, but not limited to, the payment of any money).
10.2.The Customer indemnifies NA from and against all NA’s costs and disbursements including legal costs on a solicitor and own client basis incurred in exercising NA’s rights under this clause.
10.3.The Customer irrevocably appoints NA and each director of NA as the Customer’s true and lawful attorney/s to perform all necessary acts to give effect to the provisions of this clause 10 including, but not limited to, signing any document on the Customer’s behalf.
11.Defects, Warranties and Returns, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA)
11.1.The Customer must inspect the Goods on delivery and must within seven (7) days of delivery notify NA in writing of any evident defect/damage, shortage in quantity, or failure to comply with the description or quote. The Customer must notify any other alleged defect in the Goods as soon as reasonably possible after any such defect becomes evident. Upon such notification the Customer must allow NA to inspect the Goods.
11.2.Under applicable State, Territory and Commonwealth Law (including, without limitation the CCA), certain statutory implied guarantees and warranties (including, without limitation the statutory guarantees under the CCA) may be implied into these terms and conditions (Non-Excluded Guarantees).
11.3.NA acknowledges that nothing in these terms and conditions purports to modify or exclude the Non-Excluded Guarantees.
11.4.Except as expressly set out in these terms and conditions or in respect of the Non-Excluded Guarantees, NA makes no warranties or other representations under these terms and conditions including but not limited to the quality or suitability of the Goods. NA’s liability in respect of these warranties is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11.5.If the Customer is a consumer within the meaning of the CCA, NA’s liability is limited to the extent permitted by section 64A of Schedule 2.
11.6If NA is required to replace the Goods under this clause or the CCA, but is unable to do so, NA may refund any money the Customer has paid for the Goods.
11.7.If the Customer is not a consumer within the meaning of the CCA, NA’s liability for any defect or damage in the Goods is:
a)limited to the value of any express warranty or warranty card provided to the Customer by NA at NA’s sole discretion;
b)limited to any warranty to which NA is entitled, if NA did not manufacture the Goods;
c)otherwise negated absolutely.
11.8.Subject to this clause 11, returns will only be accepted provided that:
a)the Customer has complied with the provisions of clause 11.1; and
b)NA has agreed that the Goods are defective; and
c)the Goods are returned within a reasonable time at the Customer’s cost (if that cost is not significant); and
d)the Goods are returned in as close a condition to that in which they were delivered as is possible.
11.9. Notwithstanding clauses 11.1 to 11.8 but subject to the CCA, NA shall not be liable for any defect or damage which may be caused or partly caused by or arise as a result of:
a)the Customer failing to properly maintain or store any Goods;
b)the Customer using the Goods for any purpose other than that for which they were designed;
c)the Customer continuing the use of any Goods after any defect became apparent or should have become apparent to a reasonably prudent operator or user;
d)the Customer failing to follow any instructions or guidelines provided by NA;
e)fair wear and tear, any accident, or act of God.
11.10.Notwithstanding anything contained in this clause if NA is required by a law to accept a return then NA will only accept a return on the conditions imposed by that law.
12.Default and Consequences of Default
12.1.Interest on overdue invoices shall accrue daily from the date when payment becomes due, until the date of payment, at a rate of two and a half percent (2.5%) per calendar month (and at NA’s sole discretion such interest shall compound monthly at such a rate) after as well as before any judgment.
12.2.If the Customer owes NA any money the Customer shall indemnify NA from and against all costs and disbursements incurred by NA in recovering the debt (including but not limited to internal administration fees, legal costs on a solicitor and own client basis, NA’s contract default fee, and bank dishonour fees).
12.3.Further to any other rights or remedies NA may have under this contract, if a Customer has made payment to NA, and the transaction is subsequently reversed, the Customer shall be liable for the amount of the reversed transaction, in addition to any further costs incurred by NA under this clause 12 where it can be proven that such reversal is found to be illegal, fraudulent or in contravention to the Customer’s obligations under this agreement.
12.4.Without prejudice to NA’s other remedies at law NA shall be entitled to cancel all or any part of any order of the Customer which remains unfulfilled and all amounts owing to NA shall, whether or not due for payment, become immediately payable if:
a)any money payable to NA becomes overdue, or in NA’s opinion the Customer will be unable to make a payment when it falls due;
b)the Customer has exceeded any applicable credit limit provided by NA;
c)the Customer becomes insolvent, convenes a meeting with its creditors or proposes or enters into an arrangement with creditors, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
d)a receiver, manager, liquidator (provisional or otherwise) or similar person is appointed in respect of the Customer or any asset of the Customer.
13.Cancellation
13.1.Without prejudice to any other remedies NA may have, if at any time the Customer is in breach of any obligation (including those relating to payment) under these terms and conditions NA may suspend or terminate the supply of Goods to the Customer. NA will not be liable to the Customer for any loss or damage the Customer suffers because NA has exercised its rights under this clause.
13.2.NA may cancel any contract to which these terms and conditions apply or cancel delivery of Goods at any time before the Goods are delivered by giving written notice to the Customer. On giving such notice NA shall repay to the Customer any money paid by the Customer for the Goods. NA shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from such cancellation.
13.3.In the event that the Customer cancels delivery of Goods the Customer shall be liable for any and all loss incurred (whether direct or indirect) by NA as a direct result of the cancellation (including, but not limited to, any loss of profits).
13.4. Cancellation of orders for Goods made to the Customer’s specifications, or for non-stocklist items, will definitely not be accepted once production has commenced, or an order has been placed.
14.Privacy Act 1988
14.1.The Customer agrees for NA to obtain from a credit reporting body (CRB) a credit report containing personal credit information (e.g. name, address, D.O.B, occupation, previous credit applications, credit history) about the Customer in relation to credit provided by NA.
14.2. The Customer agrees that NA may exchange information about the Customer with those credit providers and with related body corporates for the following purposes:
a)to assess an application by the Customer; and/or
b)to notify other credit providers of a default by the Customer; and/or
c)to exchange information with other credit providers as to the status of this credit account, where the Customer is in default with other credit providers; and/or
d)to assess the creditworthiness of the Customer including the Customer’s repayment history in the preceding two (2) years.
14.3.The Customer consents to NA being given a consumer credit report to collect overdue payment on commercial credit.
14.4.The Customer agrees that personal credit information provided may be used and retained by NA for the following purposes (and for other agreed purposes or required by):
a)the provision of Goods; and/or
b)analysing, verifying and/or checking the Customer’s credit, payment and/or status in relation to the provision of Goods; and/or
c)processing of any payment instructions, direct debit facilities and/or credit facilities requested by the Customer; and/or
d)enabling the collection of amounts outstanding in relation to the Goods.
14.5.NA may give information about the Customer to a CRB for the following purposes:
a)to obtain a consumer credit report;
b)allow the CRB to create or maintain a credit information file about the Customer including credit history.
14.6.The information given to the CRB may include:
a)personal information as outlined in 14.1 above;
b)name of the credit provider and that NA is a current credit provider to the Customer;
c)whether the credit provider is a licensee;
d)type of consumer credit;
e)details concerning the Customer’s application for credit or commercial credit (e.g. date of commencement/termination of the credit account and the amount requested);
f)advice of consumer credit defaults, overdue accounts, loan repayments or outstanding monies which are overdue by more than sixty (60) days and for which written notice for request of payment has been made and debt recovery action commenced or alternatively that the Customer no longer has any overdue accounts and NA has been paid or otherwise discharged and all details surrounding that discharge (e.g. dates of payments);
g)information that, in the opinion of NA, the Customer has committed a serious credit infringement;
h)advice that the amount of the Customer’s overdue payment is equal to or more than one hundred and fifty dollars ($150).
14.7.The Customer shall have the right to request (by e-mail) from NA:
a)a copy of the information about the Customer retained by NA and the right to request that NA correct any incorrect information; and
b)that NA does not disclose any personal information about the Customer for the purpose of direct marketing.
14.8.NA will destroy personal information upon the Customer’s request (by e-mail) or if it is no longer required unless it is required in order to fulfil the obligations of this agreement or is required to be maintained and/or stored in accordance with the law.
14.9.The Customer can make a privacy complaint by contacting NA via e-mail. NA will respond to that complaint within seven (7) days of receipt and will take all reasonable steps to make a decision as to the complaint within thirty (30) days of receipt of the complaint. In the event that the Customer is not satisfied with the resolution provided, the Customer can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
15.Service of Notices
15.1.Any written notice given under this contract shall be deemed to have been given and received:
a)by handing the notice to the other party, in person;
b)by leaving it at the address of the other party as stated in this contract;
c)by sending it by registered post to the address of the other party as stated in this contract;
d)if sent by facsimile transmission to the fax number of the other party as stated in this contract (if any), on receipt of confirmation of the transmission;
e)if sent by email to the other party’s last known email address.
15.2.Any notice that is posted shall be deemed to have been served, unless the contrary is shown, at the time when by the ordinary course of post, the notice would have been delivered.
16.General
16.1.The failure by either party to enforce any provision of these terms and conditions shall not be treated as a waiver of that provision, nor shall it affect that party’s right to subsequently enforce that provision. If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be invalid, void, illegal or unenforceable the validity, existence, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected, prejudiced or impaired.
16.2.These terms and conditions and any contract to which they apply shall be governed by the laws of New South Wales, the state in which NA has its principal place of business, and are subject to the jurisdiction of the Sutherland Courts in that state.
16.3.Subject to clause 11, NA shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Customer for any indirect and/or consequential loss and/or expense (including loss of profit) suffered by the Customer arising out of a breach by NA of these terms and conditions (alternatively NA’s liability shall be limited to damages which under no circumstances shall exceed the Price of the Goods).
16.4.Neither party to this contract may assign this contract, any payment or any other right, benefit or interest under this contract without the written consent of the other party (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). NA may elect to subcontract out any part of the Services but shall not be relieved from any liability or obligation under this contract by so doing. Furthermore, the Customer agrees and understands that they have no authority to give any instruction to any of NA’s sub-contractors without the authority of NA.
16.5.The Customer agrees that NA may amend these terms and conditions by notifying the Customer in writing. These changes shall be deemed to take effect from the date on which the Customer accepts such changes, or otherwise at such time as the Customer makes a further request for NA to provide Goods to the Customer.
16.6.Neither party shall be liable for any default due to any act of God, war, terrorism, strike, lock-out, industrial action, fire, flood, storm or other event beyond the reasonable control of either party.
16.7.Both parties warrant that they have the power to enter into this agreement and have obtained all necessary authorisations to allow them to do so, they are not insolvent and that this agreement creates binding and valid legal obligations on them.