Terms & Conditions

terms of use

Last updated: February 8, 2025

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using our website or making a purchase from The Polycarbonate Greenhouse.

1. Introduction

These terms and conditions govern your use of our website and the purchase of products from The Polycarbonate Greenhouse (“we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing our website and placing an order, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

2. Ordering and Payment

2.1 Order Acceptance

  • All orders are subject to acceptance and availability
  • We reserve the right to refuse any order without giving reason
  • Order confirmation will be sent via email
  • Prices are in British Pounds Sterling (GBP) and include VAT where applicable

2.2 Payment

  • Payment is required in full at the time of ordering
  • We accept major credit/debit cards and PayPal
  • All card payments are processed through secure payment gateways
  • Prices are subject to change without notice, but changes will not affect orders already confirmed

3. Delivery

3.1 Delivery Services

  • Free delivery to mainland UK for orders over £50
  • Standard delivery times:
    • Greenhouses: 5-14 working days
    • Cold Frames: 2-4 working days
    • Accessories: 1-3 working days
  • Delivery times are estimates and not guaranteed
  • Additional charges apply for:
    • Northern Ireland
    • Scottish Highlands
    • Islands
    • Non-mainland UK locations

3.2 Delivery Requirements

  • Customer must provide accurate delivery information
  • Customer or representative must be present for greenhouse deliveries
  • Access requirements must be communicated at time of order
  • We reserve the right to charge additional fees if special delivery arrangements are required

4. Product Warranties

4.1 Greenhouse Warranties

  • 10-year warranty on polycarbonate panels against yellowing
  • 10-year warranty on aluminum frame against structural failure
  • 1-year warranty on moving parts and accessories

4.2 Cold Frame Warranties

  • 5-year warranty on polycarbonate panels
  • 5-year warranty on frame
  • 1-year warranty on hinges and fixtures

4.3 Warranty Exclusions

  • Damage caused by extreme weather conditions
  • Improper installation or use
  • Unauthorized modifications
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Commercial use unless specifically agreed

5. Returns and Refunds

5.1 Return Policy

  • 14-day return period for unused, unassembled products
  • Products must be in original packaging
  • Customer responsible for return shipping costs
  • Custom-sized or modified products cannot be returned
  • Installation services are non-refundable once scheduled

5.2 Damaged or Faulty Goods

  • Must be reported within 48 hours of delivery
  • Photographic evidence required
  • Replacement parts will be supplied where appropriate
  • Full refunds issued if replacement not possible

6. Installation

6.1 Self-Installation

  • Detailed instructions provided
  • Customer responsible for proper foundation preparation
  • Customer responsible for obtaining any necessary permits
  • Technical support available via phone/email

6.2 Professional Installation

  • Available as additional service
  • Site survey required
  • Additional costs apply
  • Warranty coverage dependent on proper site preparation

7. Privacy and Data Protection

  • We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
  • Payment details are never stored on our systems
  • Customer data is not shared with third parties except for delivery purposes
  • Marketing communications sent only with explicit consent

8. Intellectual Property

  • All content on our website is our intellectual property
  • Product designs and specifications are protected
  • Images may not be reproduced without permission
  • Product manuals may be downloaded for personal use only

9. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters
  • Severe weather conditions
  • Government actions
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Public health emergencies

10. Changes to Terms

  • We reserve the right to update these terms at any time
  • Changes will be posted on our website
  • Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance
  • Existing orders will be honoured under terms at time of purchase

11. Contact Information

44-54 Orsett Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5ED

Email: info@thepolycarbonategreenhouse.co.uk

12. Governing Law

These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 8, 2025

1. Introduction

The Polycarbonate Greenhouse (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make a purchase, or interact with our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

  • Name and contact details
  • Delivery address
  • Billing information
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Purchase history
  • Account login details (if you create an account)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Operating system
  • Pages visited
  • Time and date of visits
  • Referring websites
  • Click patterns

2.3 Payment Information

  • We do not store complete credit card details
  • Payments are processed by secure third-party payment providers
  • We retain only limited transaction records for order processing

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

3.1 Order Processing

  • Processing and fulfilling orders
  • Communicating about order status
  • Arranging delivery
  • Processing payments
  • Providing customer support

3.2 Service Improvement

  • Improving our website functionality
  • Developing new products
  • Analyzing shopping patterns
  • Enhancing customer experience
  • Troubleshooting technical issues

3.3 Communications

  • Sending order confirmations
  • Delivery updates
  • Product information
  • Customer service responses
  • Marketing communications (with consent)
  • Important updates about our services

4. Information Sharing

4.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We share information with trusted third parties for:

  • Payment processing
  • Order delivery
  • Customer support
  • Website hosting
  • Email communications
  • Analytics

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information:

  • To comply with legal obligations
  • To protect our rights and property
  • To prevent fraud or abuse
  • In response to valid legal requests

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures:

  • SSL encryption for data transmission
  • Secure data storage systems
  • Regular security assessments
  • Limited staff access to personal data
  • Employee confidentiality agreements
  • Regular security training for staff

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your data
  • Object to data processing
  • Withdraw marketing consent
  • Request data portability
  • Lodge complaints with supervisory authorities

7. Cookies Policy

7.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better website experience and allow certain features to function properly.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

7.2.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off:

  • Session cookies for shopping basket functionality
  • Security cookies for safe browsing
  • Technical cookies required for site operation
  • Authentication cookies for user accounts

7.2.2 Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website:

  • Google Analytics for visitor statistics
  • Page load time tracking
  • Error monitoring
  • Traffic source tracking
  • User journey analysis

7.2.3 Functionality Cookies

These enhance your experience on our site:

  • Remember your preferences
  • Save your location for delivery options
  • Store language preferences
  • Remember your last searches
  • Keep track of items you’ve viewed

7.2.4 Targeting Cookies

These cookies help make advertising more relevant:

  • Record your visits to our website
  • Pages you have visited
  • Links you have followed
  • Help us understand if you’ve reached us through an advertisement
  • Allow us to make our marketing more efficient

7.3 Cookie Lifespans

Our cookies last for different durations:

  • Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period:
    • Short-term (1-7 days)
    • Medium-term (30 days)
    • Long-term (up to 12 months)

7.4 Third-Party Cookies

We use services from these third parties that may set cookies:

  • Google Analytics (analytics)
  • Payment processors (transaction security)
  • Social media platforms (if you use social login)
  • Advertising partners (for targeted advertising)

7.5 Cookie Control

You have several options to control cookies:

7.5.1 Browser Settings

You can manage cookies through your browser settings to:

  • Block all cookies
  • Allow only first-party cookies
  • Delete cookies periodically
  • Browse in private/incognito mode

7.5.2 Our Cookie Management Tool

On our website, you can:

  • View all cookies in use
  • Accept or reject non-essential cookies
  • Update preferences at any time
  • Get detailed information about each cookie

7.5.3 Individual Control Options

You can:

  • Opt-out of Google Analytics
  • Manage advertising preferences
  • Control social media cookies
  • Clear your browsing data

7.6 Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies:

  • Essential features will still work
  • Shopping basket may not function properly
  • Preferences won’t be remembered
  • Some features may be limited
  • Personal recommendations won’t work
  • You may need to enter information more frequently

7.7 Updates to Cookie Policy

  • We regularly review and update our cookie usage
  • New third-party services may require additional cookies
  • We will notify you of significant changes
  • You can review your preferences at any time

8. Marketing Communications

8.1 Consent

  • We only send marketing emails with your explicit consent
  • You can opt-out at any time
  • Each marketing email contains an unsubscribe link
  • Preferences can be updated in your account settings

8.2 Types of Communications

  • Product updates
  • Special offers
  • Gardening tips and advice
  • Company news
  • Event invitations

9. Children’s Privacy

  • Our services are not directed at children under 16
  • We do not knowingly collect data from children
  • Parents can request deletion of children’s data
  • Age verification required for certain features

10. International Data Transfers

  • Data may be processed outside the UK/EU
  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place
  • Data transfer agreements comply with GDPR
  • Regular review of international data protection standards

11. Data Retention

We retain your information:

  • As long as necessary for service provision
  • To comply with legal obligations
  • For legitimate business purposes
  • According to your preferences
  • As required by applicable laws

12. Changes to Privacy Policy

  • We may update this policy periodically
  • Changes will be posted on our website
  • Significant changes will be notified by email
  • Continued use implies acceptance of changes

13. Contact Us

For privacy-related queries:

Data Protection Officer
44-54 Orsett Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5ED

Email: privacy@thepolycarbonategreenhouse.co.uk

14. Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Website: www.ico.org.uk