Conditions of Use

Full terms and conditions of sale

The following terms and conditions apply to all transactions made on the 1stchoicemetals.co.uk website. The placement of an order indicates your acceptance of these terms and conditions. This does not affect any statutory rights that you may have. We advise that you read these terms and conditions carefully and print off a copy for future reference.

 

1.0    OUR PRODUCTS

1.1    All products advertised on this website are as new – we do not sell any reclaimed or previously used materials. However please be aware that the items offered for sale are ‘raw materials’ that are designed to be finished (i.e polished / painted / anodised / machined) by the user.  Unless specified on the the individual product page, we do not finish or treat any of the items prior to despatch and therefore unprotected surfaces can be scratched / marked / scuffed. These surface marks are caused by the storage, handling and cutting processes. These are unavoidable and therefore are not returnable as ‘damaged’.

1.2   We stock the items offered for sale on this website in full lengths (sections are usually 5mtrs long) & sheets (usually 2500mm x 1250mm). As buyers place orders we then cut these larger items down to the buyers required size and despatch.  This cutting and handling process can often result in surface scratching on the material. This is completely normal for the metal stockholder industry, and is not a reason for return / rejection. These are raw materials, and they need to be professionally finished (i.e machined, polished, anodised or painted) if a totally blemish free look is desired. The only exceptions to the above are any items that are described on the product page as “Polished” and also all of our sheet products, in both Aluminium and Stainless steel, from 0.9mm thick up to and including 4mm thick. These items are supplied with a PVC coating on 1 side of the sheet to protect against scratching during the cutting process. Once received, the buyer simply peels off the PVC coating and this will leave a totally blemish free finish on the one side. The other side will be subject to surface scratching. Please note that we do not treat any cut edges prior to despatch, and whilst our cutting equipment generally leaves a good finish, the buyer should take care when unpacking / handling the materials as sharp edges are possible.

2.0         HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR LONG PRODUCTS (BARS, TUBES, CHANNELS, ANGLES ETC)

2.1         Select the type of material e.g “Aluminium Round Tubes ”
You will be presented with a list of aluminium tube sizes (from smallest to largest) e.g  “6mm x 1mm“

Click the “Select Options” icon located adjacent to the required size of tube.

Use the dropdown menu to select the length required e.g “1200mm”

You will then be asked if you want to:

“BUY SELECTED LENGTH – NO CUTS”   or  “BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

If you are happy with the length selected – in this case 1200mm – Select “BUY SELECTED LENGTH – NO CUTS”   The item will then be added to your basket.

If you required the selected length – in this case 1200mm – cut into a shorter length(s), select

“BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

The integrated Cutting Tool will then open up.

The first line will remind you of your selected starting length. In this case it will state “ORIGINAL LENGTH 1200MM”

Below there will then be two dialogue boxes. The first of which is “Length (mm)”  In this box type in the first length that you require cutting. For example “220”. 

In the next dialogue box – labelled “Quantity” enter the number of cut pieces (In this case 220mm long) that you require. For example “2”. 

The “CUT TOTAL” will adjust to show that “440mm” (220mm x 2 pieces) has been used and that the “Cut Waste” is “10mm” 

The “Cut Waste” aka Kerf, is the width of the sawblade. This width (usually 5mm) corresponds directly with the width of the slot that the sawblade will cut into the material. This material turns to swarf and is therefore lost from any remaining length.

Therefore having selected 2 x cut lengths @ 220mm long, the “Cut Waste” is 5mm x 2 which is 10mm

The line below gives you a reminder of exactly how much material you have left after making the cuts. In this case it displays “REMAINING OFFCUT: 750MM”

This is calculated by taking the starting length “1200mm”  minus the total requested cut pieces (220mm x 2 = 440mm) minus the “Cut Waste” (2 x 5mm = 10mm)

Should you require further different lengths cut from the remaining length (in this case 750mm), select the “ADD ANOTHER CUT”  option and repeat the above steps.

Once you have entered all required cuts, scroll down the page where you can choose to either “Recycle Offcuts” or “Send Offcuts”

Finally to add the the item, complete with all requested cuts to basket, select “BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

2.2  HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR SHEET PRODUCTS FROM 0.9MM – 4MM THICK

2.21  Select type of product, for example “Aluminium Sheet 1mm – 4mm Thick”

You will then be presented with a list of Aluminium Sheet thicknesses eg “1mm Aluminium Sheet”

Click the “Select Options” icon located adjacent to the required sheet thickness.

Use the dropdown menu to view a list of the available standard sizes eg  “1000mm x 500mm”

You will then be asked if you want to:

“BUY SELECTED SIZE – NO CUTS”   or  “BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

If you are happy with the selected size – in this case “1000mm x 500mm” select “BUY SELECTED SIZE – NO CUTS” this will automatically add the selected sheet to your basket.

If you require the selected sheet – in this case “1000mm x 500mm”  cut to produce smaller pieces select “BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

The integrated cutting tool will then open up.

The first box that you will see is “VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF YOUR CUTS IN THE SELECTED SHEET”

This is designed to aid the buyer with working out how the pre-selected sheet size may be utilised to achieve the required smaller cut pieces.

Below the visual representation you will be asked to “ENTER CUT DIMENSIONS IN MM”

There are then two dialogue boxes.

“Length (mm)”  – enter the length that you require the 1000mm x 500mm pre-selected sheet cut back to. For example “950mm”

“Width (mm)” – enter the width that you require the pre-selected sheet cut back to. For example “275mm”

On the visual representation, you will then see the original selected “1000mm x 500mm” sheet  with an area equal to the requested “950mm x 275mm” greyed out.

You can the use the “ADD CUT” box if you wish to have further pieces cut from the remaining portion of the original “1000mm x 500mm” sheet.  Each time you add a cut piece it will grey out that area on the visual representation, giving the user a clear indication of how much material remains.

Should the user enter dimensions that are too large to be cut from the remaining sheet an error message will be displayed.

Once all cut pieces have been entered, scroll down the page and select either “Recycle Offcuts” or “Send Offcuts”

Finally to add all of the requested cut pieces to basket select “BUY NOW – WITH CUTS”

2.3  As standard we offer a cutting tolerance of +/-2mm, however in the vast majority of cases +/-1mm or closer is achieved. Should you require a specific tolerance on your cut pieces, for example a tighter tolerance, or a +Only tolerance, then please either contact us prior to purchase or add a note onto your order (at checkout) and our team will be sure to do their best to meet your requirements.

2.4  Our cutting tool will keep you informed of any remaining material / off-cut as you add in your required cut sizes. Please be aware that this figure is to be used as guide and the actual available off cut size may differ to the size displayed. This can be due to a variety of reasons – for example the actual Kerf will vary across our saws – this will give a variation on the actual remaining off cut.

2.5  Regardless of the buyers selection, it is not always possible to send smaller off cuts – especially those that are shorter than 10mm. This is due to safety issues arising from being able to adequately clamp the piece for cutting and therefore very short off cuts will be sent at the saw operators discretion.

2.6  The Visual Representation on the sheet cutting tool is designed to aid the user to decide how the selected sheet size could be used to produce smaller cut pieces. The actual placement of the cuts when made by the machine operator may differ and therefore this may have an effect of the size and quantity of any supplied offcuts, if requested.

2.7     Once we have received your order we will email you an acknowledgement. This does not constitute acceptance of your order.  Your order is accepted, and therefore our contract begins when you receive your despatch notification email.

 

3.0    REGISTRATION – YOUR DETAILS
3.1    In order to purchase from our site you will be required to register.
As part of this registration process we will require your full name, address, email address and a working telephone number that we and / or our courier companies can contact you on.

Please be assured that other than the relevant delivery company, we will not pass your details on to any other company.

4.0    PAYMENT   

4.1    Via our website we accept the following types of payments:
VISA, Mastercard, JCB, Delta, VISA Electron, Maestro.
Card payments are regulated by the laws of Great Britain.

We can also accept payments made by PAYPAL.

5.0    ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

5.1    Whilst we do our best to ensure that all product descriptions, sizes, prices and other information that is displayed on this website is correct, we are unable guarantee the accuracy of any information. If you come across an error or omission on our site please email the details to sales@1stcoicemetals.co.uk so that we can amend the site accordingly.

5.2    All quoted sizes of sections (Diamteres, Widths, Wall Thicknesses etc) are subject to the relevant European manufacturing tolerances. Tolerances for specific items are available from us upon request.

5.3    All quoted lengths of sections, and also the quoted length & widths of sheet & plate products are subject to our standard +/-2mm cutting tolerance. For further details about our cutting services, please see section 12.0 of this document.

6.0    DESPATCH & PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

6.1    We aim to despatch all orders within 2 working days (Monday – Friday, excluding all public & bank holidays and also certain days over the Christmas period; these dates will be displayed on the website during December). However in most instances we will despatch sameday or next working day.

6.2    You will receive an email advising when your item has been despatched, the method of delivery and when to expect to receive your item.

6.3    We have tried to be as flexible as possible with regards to delivery methods. Smaller, lighter items are defaulted to delivery via Royal Mail 48. At checkout, the buyer then has the option to upgrade this service to Royal Mail 24 or to Next Day Courier.  Items that are over 1mtr in length and/or 2kg in weight will be sent via Courier.

6.4    The courier companies that we use levy surcharges on deliveries to all Islands, the Highlands and some other areas of Scotland. Therefore, the delivery costs quoted by the website will be significantly higher if you live in one of these areas. The affected postcodes are as follows:-
AB31-38, AB41-45, AB51-56, IV1-32, IV36, IV40, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-28, PH1, PH5-10, PH15-26, PH30-41, PH49-50, PO30-41, BT(ALL).  Prices offered on items to be delivered by Royal Mail are unaffected are offered at the standard UK rates.

Due to costs varying wildly between Courier Companies, if you are in a Scottish Off-shore location you will be unable to complete your purchase on our website. Please contact us with your material requirements, (via email or telephone) and we will find the most competitive delivery method for the size and weight of your parcel currently available. The relevant postcodes are:- HS1-9, IV41-49, IV51-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA41-49, PA60-78, PA80-88, PH42-44, ZE1-3

6.5    We usually carry stock of all products that are listed on our website.  However, due to there being literally thousands of different length & quantity permutations available, it is impossible to show live stock availability and therefore we do occasionally run out. If this happens we will contact you either by telephone or email to advise you of the situation. You will then be given the option of waiting until new stock arrives – we will advise you of a new despatch day, this will normally be within 3 working days. Alternatively should you not wish to wait you will be given the option of having a full refund and the order cancelled.

7.0    DELIVERY

7.1    Dependant on the overall size and weight of the items ordered, delivery will be made either by Royal mail, or by one of our appointed Courier companies.

7.2    The actual delivery time will depend on the method of delivery selected.

Royal Mail 48 (2nd Class)   – The vast majority of this mail is delivered within 2 working days after despatch (Royal Mail work Monday – Saturday, but not Bank Holidays). However, please note that this is a non guaranteed service and on occasions delivery can take considerably longer.

Royal Mail 24 (1st Class)  – The vast majority of this mail is delivered next working day after despatch, but again please note that there are no guarantees.

24 Hour courier –  Fully tracked and insured next working day (after day of despatch) service. Standard delivery days are Monday – Friday (Excluding all Bank and some public holidays)

For items sent in the post, please contact us if your item has not been received 6 working days after we despatched it.

For items sent by courier, please contact us if your item has not been received by the end of the working day following the day we despatched it.

7.3    Upon delivery the Courier will require a signature. If your premises are unoccupied, the driver will leave a card advising that delivery has been attempted. Please ensure that you follow the instructions on the card in order to ensure prompt re-delivery of your item, or to organise to pick the item up from the courier’s local depot, should this be more convenient. If the courier company receives no contact from you within a few days they may return the parcel to us. If this happens then we reserve the right to pass on to the buyer any charges that the courier company makes in relation to returning the item to us. The buyer will then also be required to pay a re-delivery charge in order to get the items sent back to their premises.

7.4    Upon receiving your parcel it is important that you check it over for damage as soon as you can, preferably whilst the delivery driver is present.  If you suspect that the item is damaged, please sign the drivers pod with the word “DAMAGED” – this will enable us to make a swift claim on the Couriers insurance policy and facilitate prompt despatch of replacement items to the buyer.  In any case, the courier’s will not consider any claims that we make for damage once 24 hours has elapsed once the buyer has signed for the item

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8.0    RETURNS (BUSINESS / TRADE / COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS)

8.1         If your order is damaged or incomplete upon arrival you must advise us, by either telephone
or by email, within 24 hours of receipt.  No claims made outside of this period will be
considered.  You may be required to supply us with photo’s of any damage.
The buyer is required to keep both the damaged item, and the original packaging as a representative from the    relevant courier company may wish to inspect the damage.

Assuming the above conditions are met we will arrange for the damaged item(s) to be collected and we will despatch replacements(s) at no cost to the buyer. This will be done within 3 business days.

 

8.2    If your item arrives and we have sent the incorrect product, or it is not as described on this website you should advise us within 3 business days.
We will then conduct an internal investigation in order to determine how the mistake occurred. We will then organise for the incorrect item to be collected at no cost to the buyer and for a replacement item to be despatched free of charge. This process will take no longer than 2 Business Days.

8.3    Should you wish to return your item(s) for any reason other than those defined in clause 8.1 or 8.2 (e.g You order the incorrect item or size, or simply change your mind) then the decision to accept will be at our discretion and will be dependent on the type / size of the product(s) in question. The original delivery charge will not be refunded and in certain circumstances, we reserve the right to charge a restocking fee of up to 50%. Once we have accepted your return you must send the item back to us within 14 days.

Please note that the buyer is responsible for the cost of returning the item(s) to us.

Once we have received your returned item(s), we will carry out an inspection to ensure that the item(s) are in good condition. Providing that they are, we will issue the relevant refund
within 2 business days.

 

9.0    RETURNS (PRIVATE CONSUMERS)

9.1         If your item is damaged or incomplete upon arrival please advise us as soon as you can, but no later than 14 days after delivery, by either telephone or by email. We will then conduct an investigation to establish the cause of the problem . If your item is damaged, at this point we may require photographs of the damage to both the packaging and the material.

The buyer is required to keep both the damaged item, and the original packaging as a representative from the relevant courier company may wish to inspect the damage.

It is our responsibility to collect the incorrect / damaged item from the buyer and therefore there is no cost to the buyer for returning damaged items.

Once our investigation is complete, we will then despatch replacement item(s) at no cost to the buyer. This process will take no longer than 3 Business days.

 

9.2    If you wish to return your item for any reason not detailed in clause 9.1 (e.g you order the  incorrect item / size or simply change your mind) then you must advise us within 14 days of delivery.  Once we have accepted your return you must send the item back to us within 14 days.
The cost of returning the item(s) is the buyers responsibility.
Once we have received your returned item(s), we will carry out an inspection to ensure that the item(s) are in good condition. Providing that they are, we will issue a full refund of the purchase price, excluding the original delivery cost, within 2 business days.

9.3    If you take advantage of our cutting service in order to cut one of the product offered on our website down to size, or if you contact us via telephone or email and ask us to supply you with a specific size or type of product that is not currently offered for sale on the website, then these types of purchases are excluded from the returns policy detailed in clause 8.2, and no returns will be accepted.

10.0    Liability

10.1    We will not be liable for any consequential losses incurred, or damage caused by the supply or use of any of our products.  This includes, but is not limited to:
Late or non delivery,
Incorrect material supplied
Defective material.

11.0       ABOUT US

11.1     This website www.1stchoicemetals.co.uk is owned and operated by 1st Choice Metals Ltd

11.2    We can be contacted via the following methods:
Mail:   Unit 2 Judge Court
Berry Hill Industrial Estate
Droitwich
WR9 9AB

Email:  Sales@1stchoicemetals.co.uk
Telephone: 01905 774623

12.0    MATERIAL GRADE DISPUTES

12.1    To the best of our knowledge the material supplied is to the specification stated on the product description page and test certificates or letters of conformity are often available upon request.

12.2    Should there be any dispute over the actual grade or specification of any piece of material supplied, then the following procedure will apply.

We will provide any evidence that we have (e.g test certificates) to back up our claim. Usually this will be free of charge, however if we have to contact manufacturers for copies of paperwork, there may be a charge which is the responsibility of the buyer.
Should the dispute still not be resolved then we will collect the metal and send it to a metallurgist for testing, which will give a definitive answer on the actual grade.

12.3    We will advise the buyer of any costs (of obtaining certificates or for material testing) and they are to be paid upfront by the buyer in full before any work is undertaken.

12.4    Should the results of the testing prove that the material supplied by us is not of the grade or specification that we claim, then we will refund any monies paid in clause 12.3.