Warranty and Returns

Here at The Vape Shop, we're all vapers ourselves, and we understand how frustrating it can be to receive a faulty device, so we've streamlined our returns process to make it faster and more efficient for you.

READ THIS FIRST:

Vaping gear can sometimes be complex and confusing to use unless you've done your research, so make sure you've Googled the problem you're having and read as much as you can about how to operate your device.

Start with simple troubleshooting steps to begin with – for instance, if your vaping device won't fire, try changing the batteries (if they're replaceable), try using a different atomiser to eliminate the possibility that it's actually your atomiser that's faulty, and try turning the vaping device off and on again.

It's important to make sure you've done everything you can to troubleshoot the problem before you return an item to us, because if we receive a returned item that isn't faulty you'll need to pay a return shipping fee of $10 in order for us to send your device back to you. Of course, if we receive a returned item that needs to be replaced, we'll cover the cost of shipping the replacement to you.

If you've read all of the above and you've performed troubleshooting on your device and your problem still persists, please simply reply to your order confirmation email or use the contact form on the website to get in touch with one of our product replacement specialists.

What's Covered and What's Not Covered

In simple terms, this warranty covers manufacturing faults and defects, major failures, and other issues not caused by your action or inaction.

It does not cover accidental damage, damage incurred because a product was used incorrectly or not in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, or ordinary wear and tear. 

Warranty Information

Nearly all products we sell, excluding some categories of products as listed below, are essentially consumable products.

Some hardware items (vape pens, kits, etc) may come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which will cover any faults for the period of that warranty.

The Consumer Guarantees Act (NZ) (CGA)  gives you the right to seek a remedy, eg a repair or a replacement, from the manufacturer whether or not the products come with a manufacturer’s warranty, taking into consideration a “reasonable length of time” and "be of acceptable quality"  for the use and price of the product.

Warranties are not transferable and are voided upon resale of any product.

Excluded Items

• E-liquids and Concentrates: As our e-liquids and concentrates contain food grade ingredients and are considered a consumable product, we do not allow returns or exchanges other than in the case of a manufacturing defect, as required by the CGA. While we strive to produce the tastiest eliquids on the planet, we can't guarantee that you'll love every drop – taste is subjective, everybody is different, and we cannot offer a replacement or refund for any eliquid or concentrate on the basis of your personal preferences alone. 
• Coils, Cotton, Wick, and Wire: As these items are considered consumable and will degrade with use over time, the warranty period for these items does not apply once the items have been removed from their original packaging and put to use. We do not offer a warranty for any coils, cotton, wick, or wire that have not been used in accordance with the manufacturer's or our instructions, have not been sufficiently primed, or have been used at incorrect or unsafe wattages. In some limited circumstances, at our sole discretion, we may accept the return and exchange of coils you purchase that are unsuitable for the device you intend to use them in, on the condition that the items are in their original, unopened packaging and have not been used. You will be responsible for the cost of shipping to return the item to us, and for the cost of shipping the replacement item to you.
• Batteries - As all rechargeable batteries degrade with use over time, we offer a fourteen day warranty period on all batteries to ensure that the cells you receive are in acceptable working order when you receive them. It is your responsibility to immediately test any battery you purchase upon receipt to ensure that it is discharging normally and capable of being recharged.

Warranty Conditions

Notwithstanding our obligations under the CGA, if a product develops a fault due to damage incurred by your incorrect actions, including but not limited to accidental damage, incorrect handling, using a device in a manner contrary to its intended purpose, using inappropriate consumables not intended for use in the product, using liquids or other substances not provided by us, or any other action contrary to the manufacturer's or our instructions, this warranty shall be considered void.

The product must be used in accordance with manufacturer's or our instructions. This warranty does not apply should the defect in or failure of the product be attributable to misuse, abuse, accident, act of God such as lightning, or nonobservance of manufacturer's or our instructions on the part of the user. This warranty does not cover ordinary wear and tear in the product or its parts.

The Vape Shop does not accept liability for

1. any loss or damage however suffered, caused by or arising out of any failure to use the product in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and
2. any indirect, consequential or economic loss or damage however caused.

This Warranty is immediately void if

1. Any serial number or appliance plate is removed or defaced
2. The Product has been serviced or otherwise repaired by a person not authorised to do so by The Vape Shop or where non approved replacement parts are used.

The product is designed for domestic use only. If applicable, the product must be connected to the electrical voltage supply as specified in the ratings label located on the product. This warranty does not cover defects arising from non-domestic use or incorrect voltage supply.

This warranty may only be claimed against where proof of original purchase is presented, for example, original paper or email receipt, or invoice.

Any parts of the product that need to be replaced, or if the whole product needs to be replaced, the replaced product, become the property of The Vape Shop. The warranty on any replacement product or parts will expire on the same date that the warranty period on the original product expires.

The benefits provided by this warranty are in addition to all other rights and remedies in respect of the product which the purchaser has under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and applicable laws in New Zealand, which rights and remedies by law may not be excluded. All other warranties and representations, express and implied, are hereby excluded.

The purchaser bears the onus of proving that the defect occurred during the warranty period, and was not caused by any of the causes excluded from this warranty.

This warranty does not cover products purchased second hand.

The purchaser is responsible for all postage and freight charges and any other expenses incidental to claiming against this warranty.

The warranty excludes consumable items (including but not limited to batteries, coils, liquids, wire, cotton) and normal wear and tear.

Warranty Remedies

When you return a product to us for any warranty purpose, The Vape Shop or the manufacturer will determine, at our sole discretion, whether the product is faulty and the cause of the fault within a reasonable time frame.

In the case of a manufacturing defect or other fault not caused by you or your actions, we may offer you a store credit, refund, repair, or replacement in accordance with our obligations under the CGA.

In most cases, at our sole discretion, where appropriate and in accordance with our obligations under the CGA, we will offer a replacement for any item that qualifies under the terms of this warranty. In lieu of a replacement, we may choose, at our sole discretion. to offer you a refund, which you may choose to substitute for a store credit with our approval.

Statutory Rights

While individual circumstances may vary and the law is uncertain, the policies set out in this document are intended to provide you with remedies that The Vape Shop believes to be consistent with your statutory rights under the CGA in the event of breach of a Consumer Guarantee relating to faulty products.

Our policies are in addition to, and do not limit your rights with respect to, the Consumer Guarantees or any other rights and remedies that you have under the law in relation to the goods sold by The Vape Shop.

If you are not satisfied with a remedy under the The Vape Shop Minimum Voluntary Warranty Policy you can discuss your concerns with a The Vape Shop Store Manager who is authorised to provide an alternative remedy where appropriate.

If the store manager believes that the The Vape Shop remedy is adequate but you are not still satisfied that your CGA rights are being appropriately observed then you can submit your concerns in writing to our CGA Warranty Claims Officer by completing our contact form for further consideration by The Vape Shop.

Returned and Reshipped Mail

Mail carriers charge us up to a $15 fee for returned parcels. In certain circumstances we may pass that fee on to you, along with the cost of reshipping your parcel, and you may be required to make payment prior to your parcel being reshipped.

These circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:

• If the mail service cannot deliver your parcel to the address you specified during checkout (e.g, if you neglect to enter your street number or street name)
• If you have not collected your parcel from your local post office and it is returned to us after a period of time according to New Zealand Post / DHL's abandoned parcels process
• If you or someone in your household rejects delivery of a parcel

In general terms, if your parcel is returned due to your action or inaction, the returned parcel and reshipping fees may apply. 

If we determine that your parcel is returned through no fault of your own, for instance if the shipping label becomes damaged during transit or New Zealand Post / DHL misdirects the delivery, then we will reship the parcel to you at our expense.