Refund policy

At Aléthos-Verités, we want every customer to order with confidence.

This policy sets out the conditions applicable to returns, the right of withdrawal, refunds and products that may have a defect.

1. Right of withdrawal — 14 days

Under the French Consumer Code, you have 14 days from receipt of your order to inform us of your decision to exercise your right of withdrawal, without giving a reason.

When several items from one order are delivered separately, the period begins on receipt of the last item.

You may exercise your right of withdrawal using the withdrawal feature available on our website or by sending us a clear statement of your wish to withdraw at:
alethos-verites@outlook.com

Exercise my right of withdrawal

You may notify us of your decision before delivery or during the statutory period after receipt. A declaration does not automatically stop a parcel in transit or trigger a refund. We will then arrange the practical steps while respecting your rights.

When you submit a request from your customer account, an email confirms that it has been recorded. For a declaration sent directly by email, we will send you an acknowledgement as soon as possible.

Where possible, please provide your name and order number to help us process your request.

After informing us of your decision to withdraw, you have a maximum of 14 additional days to return the item or items concerned.

We will provide the instructions and address needed for the return.

2. Condition of returned items

You may handle and try on the jewellery to the extent necessary to check its nature, characteristics, appearance or size.

For example, a ring or signet ring may naturally be tried on to check that it is the desired size.

However, the product must not have been used beyond what is necessary to try it on.

Where possible, please return:

the complete piece of jewellery;
any accessories supplied with it;
its original packaging if still available;
the items included in the variant ordered.

The absence of the original packaging alone does not remove the right of withdrawal.

However, in accordance with regulations, the customer may be liable for a reduction in the product's value resulting from handling or use beyond what is necessary to establish its nature, characteristics and proper functioning.

Jewellery that has clearly been worn for a prolonged period, scratched, deteriorated, deformed or damaged may therefore be subject to a reduction in the refund corresponding to the actual loss of value found.

3. Standard and Premium Versions

Some Aléthos-Verités products may be offered in several variants or presentations, including a Standard Version and a Premium Version.

The Premium Version is a product variant and is not a paid delivery service.

When a Premium Version includes specific items, such as a Premium presentation box or velvet pouch, these form an integral part of the purchased variant.

When withdrawing from a purchase of a Premium Version, all components of that variant must be returned, including the jewellery, Premium presentation box and any included accessories.

A missing, damaged or deteriorated component of the Premium Version may be taken into account when assessing the actual loss of value.

No flat deduction corresponding simply to the price difference between the Standard and Premium Versions is applied when the complete Premium Version is returned in a condition meeting this policy's requirements.

4. Return costs when exercising the right of withdrawal

Direct return costs are borne by the customer when exercising the right of withdrawal, unless Aléthos-Verités exceptionally decides to cover them.

To simplify the process, Aléthos-Verités may offer the customer a prepaid return label.

The cost of this label may vary depending on the carrier, shipping method and service chosen, including returns via Mondial Relay, a locker or a postal service.

The exact cost of the return label is disclosed to the customer before use.

When the customer chooses to use this prepaid label, they agree that its previously disclosed cost will be deducted from their refund.

Where this option is offered in the return instructions, customers may also arrange the return themselves at their own expense.

We strongly recommend using a tracked shipping method. The customer remains responsible for dispatch until the parcel is handed to the carrier in circumstances that allow proof of posting.

These provisions concern returns due to withdrawal or a change of mind.

They do not apply in the same way when a product is found to be defective or non-conforming, or when an error is attributable to Aléthos-Verités.

5. Refund after withdrawal

When the right of withdrawal is validly exercised, Aléthos-Verités refunds the price actually paid for the items concerned, subject to the provisions concerning any reduction in the product's value.

When an item was purchased with a discount, promotional code or commercial offer, the refund corresponds to the amount actually paid by the customer for that item.

When a Premium Version was ordered, the refund covers the price actually paid for that Premium Version provided all components of the variant are returned in accordance with this policy.

When the right of withdrawal is exercised, initial shipping charges are refunded under Article L221-24 of the French Consumer Code. If the customer expressly chose a method more expensive than the standard delivery offered, the corresponding additional charges may be excluded from the refund. No previously uncharged initial shipping cost is deducted for free delivery.

When the customer uses a prepaid return label offered by Aléthos-Verités, its previously disclosed cost is deducted from the refund.

Aléthos-Verités may withhold the refund until the product has been received back or the customer provides proof of dispatch, whichever occurs first.

The refund is made using the same payment method used for the order, unless the customer expressly agrees otherwise and provided this incurs no cost for them.

6. Promotional items

Items purchased with a promotion, discount, promotional code or reduced price benefit from the same statutory 14-day right of withdrawal as full-price items.

A promotion or discount code therefore does not remove the consumer's statutory right of withdrawal.

The refund corresponds to the amount actually paid for the item concerned.

7. Personalised or made-to-measure items

Under the exceptions in the French Consumer Code, the right of withdrawal does not apply in particular to goods:

made to the customer's specific specifications;
clearly personalised;
specially engraved at the customer's request;
genuinely made to measure in response to an individual request.

This exclusion includes jewellery with personalised engraving or genuine made-to-measure production.

Simply choosing a size from those normally offered for sale does not, by itself, constitute personalisation that automatically removes the right of withdrawal.

This exclusion from the right of withdrawal never deprives customers of their rights if the product does not conform.

8. Jewellery subject to hygiene rules

For products delivered in specifically sealed packaging or protective devices for health protection or hygiene reasons, the right of withdrawal may no longer be exercised if the seal is broken after delivery and the product can no longer be returned for health protection or hygiene reasons.

This provision may apply in particular to certain body jewellery or piercings when they are sold in conditions that actually meet this statutory exception.

Simply trying on a ring or signet ring normally to check its size does not, by itself, fall within this exception.

9. Exchanges and sizing errors

For a sizing error or change that does not result from an error by Aléthos-Verités, customers may exercise their right of withdrawal under the conditions above.

To speed up processing, the solution generally offered is to:

return the item concerned;
receive the corresponding refund;
place a new order in the desired size.

If Aléthos-Verités shipped a size different from the one actually ordered, the customer should contact us so that we can resolve the problem.

10. Damaged or defective products and order errors

Please inspect your order on receipt.

If you notice, for example:

an item damaged on arrival;
a stone missing on arrival;
a visible defect;
an item different from the one ordered;
a size different from that shown on your order;

We may ask for photographs or additional information to identify the product and the issue so that we can arrange prompt assistance.

Prompt reporting helps us process the case but does not reduce rights arising from applicable statutory guarantees.

11. Statutory guarantee of conformity — 2 years

Products sold by Aléthos-Verités benefit from the statutory guarantee of conformity provided for by the French Consumer Code.

The seller is liable for a lack of conformity existing at the time of delivery and becoming apparent within 2 years of delivery, in accordance with applicable law.

For new goods, a lack of conformity appearing within 24 months of delivery is presumed to have existed at delivery, unless proven otherwise or where that presumption is incompatible with the nature of the goods or the alleged defect.

This statutory guarantee is independent of the 14-day right of withdrawal.

Customers therefore do not have to identify or report a defect within 14 days of receipt to benefit from the statutory guarantee of conformity when its conditions are met.

12. Exercising the statutory guarantee

When a defect covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity is established, consumers benefit from the remedies provided for by the French Consumer Code.

Bringing the goods into conformity may involve repair or replacement, under the conditions laid down by regulations.

The goods must be brought into conformity at no cost to the consumer, within a reasonable period not exceeding 30 days from their request and without significant inconvenience to them.

In the circumstances provided for by law, including when bringing the goods into conformity is impossible, refused, not completed within the statutory time limits or when the defect is sufficiently serious, consumers may receive a price reduction or terminate the contract under the conditions in the French Consumer Code.

13. Normal wear, impacts and misuse

The statutory guarantee of conformity is not insurance against all damage that may occur after jewellery is delivered.

Subject to applicable statutory guarantees, the following in particular do not constitute a lack of conformity when caused by use of the product:

scratches and marks from normal wear;
damage caused by an impact or fall;
damage caused by snagging;
deformation caused by pressure, twisting or bending;
deterioration caused by inappropriate handling;
damage caused by unsuitable care;
changes resulting from contact with chemicals, household products, perfumes, lotions, chlorine or corrosive substances;
normal changes to a surface coating due to ageing or use;
natural oxidation of certain metals when consistent with the material's normal properties rather than a product defect.

Assessment takes account of the product's nature, condition, alleged defect and the circumstances of the case, without prejudice to the consumer's statutory rights.

14. Loss of a stone

A stone missing when jewellery is received should be reported as soon as possible so that we can deal with the problem promptly.

When a stone comes loose later, the situation is assessed to determine whether the issue may be a lack of conformity or result from an impact, deformation, snagging, wear or misuse.

Losing a stone due to an impact, fall, snagging, deformation or a cause attributable to use of the jewellery does not, in itself, constitute a lack of conformity.

This assessment does not affect the 2-year statutory guarantee of conformity or the legal rules on the burden of proof.

15. Inspection of returned products

Any product returned for a conformity issue may be inspected to determine the nature and origin of the reported problem.

Photographs or additional information may be requested from the customer.

If the problem falls under the statutory guarantee of conformity, it will be handled in accordance with applicable law.

If inspection establishes that the damage results from a cause external to the product, such as an impact, fall, deformation, abnormal wear or misuse, the statutory guarantee of conformity may not apply.

In that event, the customer will be informed of the findings and the options for having the product sent back to them.

16. Statutory guarantee against hidden defects

Independently of the statutory guarantee of conformity, consumers may also benefit from the statutory guarantee against hidden defects under Articles 1641 et seq. of the French Civil Code.

This guarantee covers, in particular, hidden defects that render a product unfit for its intended use or diminish that use so much that the buyer would not have purchased it, or would have paid a lower price, had they known of them.

17. Contact

For any request concerning withdrawal, returns, refunds, a change of size, a damaged item or a possible lack of conformity, contact:
Aléthos-Verités
alethos-verites@outlook.com

Where possible, please provide your name, order number and the product concerned to help us process your request.