Terms and Conditions. Privacy Policy
Due to Etsy removing the separate T&C section in September 2022, we have been notified by Etsy to place our T&Cs here instead as part of an overall Seller Policy. Our Privacy Policy is now shown after the T&Cs on this page.
Welcome to our Etsy webstore.
If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Westward Bound's relationship with you in terms of this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our services. We may terminate your relationship with us with immediate effect if you breach any of these Terms and Conditions.
Copyright.
All information on this site is © Fortuna and Virtu Ltd t/a Westward Bound. Westward Bound is a Registered Trade Mark. Our registered office is at 2 Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AU. United Kingdom.
Intellectual Property Rights.
The Westward Bound Etsy store and its content are protected by intellectual property rights, including copyright, and except as expressly authorised by us or relevant third parties, you agree not to copy, download, adapt, alter, modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works of any content of the Site, in whole or in part.
Except as expressly authorised in writing either separately or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement by us or relevant third parties, you agree not to copy, download, adapt, alter, modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works of any content of the Site, or of any Site property received by you as part of an order, in whole or in part. All rights not granted or licensed pursuant to these Terms are hereby expressly reserved to us.
Privacy Policy.
We operate in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016.
Any personal data which to may provide to us is subject to our Privacy Policy as specifically outlined in the Privacy policy section on this website. See full content shown after these T&Cs.
Payments
All payments made via Etsy's payment system and conditions of service.
Orders are only accepted after clearance of funds.
Delivery Times
Made for you and dispatched within seven working days is available when selecting our Gold Fast Track service, 14 working days when utilising our Silver Fast Track facility. When we receive your order at Westward Bound, via Etsy's notification, you will receive a full order confirmation from us providing you with the opportunity to use our Fast Track service. Please respond to this should you wish to take advantage of this facility.
Otherwise, the Standard Service is selected as a default with Etsy. Please allow between 25 to 30 working days for dispatch when a garment has to be made for you. All goods are sold as Made-to-Order.
We reserve the right to charge a 20% cancellation/order amendment fee if garments are made-to-order, standard or tailored, and are cancelled/amended more than one working day after being placed.
N.B. Items go into production after a one working day cooling-off period, from this point onward we are carrying out work and using raw materials on your behalf and upon your instruction. Fast Track fees are non-refundable.
We do not carry goods in stock on Etsy. All garments are hand cut and made as per your specifications. This is naturally reflective in time requirements for dispatch/delivery.
All time frames are given in good faith. We are unable to accept responsibility for any delay due to events beyond our control. These include what is euphemistically called an "Act of God".
Christmas and New Year Holidays, 2023/2024.
Our office, design studio and manufacturing departments will be closed from Friday the 22nd of December 2023 until Tuesday the 2nd of January 2024.
From the point of view of order fulfilment, this time is classed as seasonal non-working days. All orders placed during this period will be date accepted, from a manufacturing timescale, as if they were ordered on Tuesday, 2rd of January 2024.
Adding to Orders.
Any additional items required need to be placed as a brand new order and cannot be added to any order already placed.
Postage and Packaging.
All goods sent under plain packaging and without identifying mark as to sender.
In case of non-delivery and parcels being returned to us, we use our street address:
2 Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AU, United Kingdom on all parcels.
Rubber Apparel. Commodity Code: 4015900000.
Incoterms 2020, DAP (Delivered at Place) apply. All goods are sold NET (minus UK VAT @20%).
Rubber Apparel. Commodity Code: 4015900000.
Packages not delivered/collected and returned to us are subject to flat rate P&P costs for re-dispatch.
Penalties
A £40 administration fee is applied on parcels returned to us because an incorrect address was provided at checkout, or the delivery was rejected by the recipient.
Exchanges.
We appreciate that you will need to see the garments to be fully satisfied with your purchase. Balanced against this we naturally have to stipulate some restrictions that are in line with the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2014.
We advise you send goods to be "signed for" via special delivery or recorded post. We can not accept responsibility for items lost in transit.
Please ensure you check your garment upon delivery, you will need to notify us within 24 hours if there is a problem with your order.
If you have an issue with your garment, please contact us, as stipulated above, send photographs to highlight your concern. This will give us an immediate understanding of the problem. Where appropriate, we will need to you to return the garments for inspection, and an informed written conclusion/resolution.
We cannot be held liable for misuse of a lack of care by a customer. All items are individually checked prior to dispatch.
The responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of goods ordered and delivery address is, unsurprisingly, that of the customer. In the event that you have made an error when placing your order, please message us via Etsy in the first instance.
If you have ordered the wrong size, please return the garment for an exchange to the correct size.
Size exchanges/alterations are subject to a handling fee of 25% of the full cost of the item. The original Made-to-Order garment/s having been made specifically for you, either as a Standard Size or as Bespoke sized item. If Fast Track is required for this exchange, you will be charged this service fee again.
We cannot accept garments back in a dressing aid or shine has been applied to the latex, please ensure you use only a non-perfumed talcum powder when trying the garment on.
Damage to the garment or faults caused by neglect, misuse or normal wear and tear are not covered. In the event of an issue with a garment we may request a photograph prior to it being returned to us. This will help ascertain the best course of action.
We reserve the right to offer a repair or exchange for damaged goods.
All exchanges must include postage unless there is a proven fault in manufacture, in which case postage to us will be refunded and replacement item sent free of carriage charges. All goods are inspected prior to dispatch to mitigate such a situation.
Hygiene Clause - Garments of an 'intimate nature', such as thongs and briefs are unable to be returned for reasons of health protection and hygiene.
You must notify us of any return within 14 days of delivery, you have another 14 days to return the goods to us.
We cannot accept goods returned later than 28 days from delivery to you.
All returns must be sent Insured and to be signed for by us on delivery. We do not accept any liability for goods lost during transit.
Packages not delivered/collected and returned to us are subject to flat rate P&P costs for re-dispatch.
All costs and disbursements relating to returned parcels are the responsibility of the customer, and will be billed accordingly. This includes a deduction from any credit/refund that may fall due.
Additional Requirements when Returning Goods for Exchange/Size Adjustment from Outside of the UK
1. The following information must be clearly written on the customs form: 'RETURNED GOODS (CLOTHING). NO COMMERCIAL VALUE".
2. Please ensure that you complete all courier paperwork confirming that the items are being returned to their original country of export. This may involve attaching a copy of your invoice from us as proof. Failure to follow these instructions will render customs liable on the return.
3. We will regrettably refuse/invoice you the full cost for any parcels that have had this charge added. The onus naturally falls upon you to ensure all documentation is completed correctly and in full.
4. Local import taxes and tariffs are non-refundable.
5. Please retain a copy of the Customs form (CN23) completed when returning the item as well as your receipt of posting. These may be required by customs when we return the item to you.
For further information and returns form please visit our Returns page.
Latex Surcharges.
Due to the base cost of sheet rubber, an additional levy of 15% is regrettably placed on Bronze, all Transparent, Semi Transparent and Pearl Sheen Colours (does not apply to trims). This surcharge is clearly shown within the price at the time of purchase.
Fast Track.
Please note that Fast Track surcharge classes as a service provided and as such do not form part of the material value of a cancelled item ordered via this option.
The base price of the garment being as originally shown and it is this price that will be exchanged against.
Our delivery invoice will show the fast track surcharge within the price of the garment for convenience only.
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Take Care of your latex.
You agree that Latex by its own nature is a fragile material and great care needs to be taken in its handling and storage. If treated correctly, your garment will last you for many years.
Latex is inherently flammable and must be kept away from naked flames.
Latex tears easily and you need to avoid sharp objects, long nails can be a major source or indenting or even ripping a garment.
Avoid direct contact with metal objects as these can lead to staining.
Take care when putting on your latex clothing, we recommend using our M043 Rub-Her Silicone Based Lubricant. This liquid not only acts as a dressing aid, enabling the smooth pulling on of your garment, it also is a polishing liquid enabling you to obtain the desired high gloss effect.
When taking off your latex clothing you must ensure you clean it properly by lightly washing it in tepid soapy water (a mild washing-up liquid will suffice) to remove any sweat or silicone from the surface of the latex. Pat dry with a soft towel or hang to dry.
As originally sent to you, give your garment a light dusting with talcum powder to prevent the surfaces from sticking together.
Hang in a dark place, we additionally advise placing a black bag over the garment and hanger to help ensure it is kept as dark as possible.
If you do not wish to hang the garment, talc then loosely fold and place the item in a black plastic bag. Place the bag in a dry, dark place. Ensure you place tissue paper between the latex and any metal fastenings or buttons to avoid any possibility of staining
Always remember that the sun's ultraviolet rays have a degrading effect upon latex. Keep out of direct sunlight.
When taking out of storage use our M006 Rubberotix Polishing Liquid to remove all traces of talcum powder and your garment is ready to be worn once again.
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Natural Rubber Latex Allergy.
What is a Latex Allergy?
Latex Garments are produced from Natural Rubber Latex as opposed to butyl - or petroleum-based synthetic rubbers.
Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a milky fluid obtained from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is widely grown in South East Asia.
Latex allergy, or hypersensitivity, occurs when the body's immune system reacts to proteins found in NRL.
There is a particular protein found within NRL that makes the material so stretchy, it is this protein that some people are allergic to.
Some individuals have an antibody called Immunoglobin E (IgE). A reaction to latex occurs when IgE comes into contact with the protein in NRL; these reactions tend to be the most common and cause more severe allergic reactions to latex.
NRL is an integral part of thousands of everyday consumer and healthcare items. More than 40,000 products used in homes, schools and medical settings contain latex. Examples of such items can be found in the lists shown below.
Symptoms of the immediate type of allergy produced range from rashes, itchy or runny eyes or nose, sneezing and coughing to chest tightness, shortness of breath and anaphylactic shock.
People who are allergic to latex may also react to certain plant based foods which can contain proteins, these are similar enough to latex proteins to react with our allergy-producing antibodies to latex. See the cross reactivity list below. All lists/symptoms provided are intended as illustrative, not comprehensive.
The onus is on you, the consumer, to ensure that you do not have this problem prior to making purchase.
People who are allergic to latex may also react to banana, avocado, kiwi fruit, chestnut, plum, peach, cherry, apricot, fig, papaya, tomato, potato and some other plant foods. The list is still growing. The reason is that these plants contain proteins, which are similar enough to latex proteins to react with our allergy-producing antibodies to latex.
Latex allergy, or hypersensitivity, occurs when the body's immune system reacts to proteins found in NRL. Some individuals have specific antibodies, called IgE antibodies, that make them hypersensitive to the proteins in NRL. IgE-mediated reactions to latex proteins are responsible for most, and for the most severe allergic reactions to latex.
The onus is on you the consumer to ensure that you do not have a latex rubber allergy prior to making a purchase.
Type 1 Immediate, and Type 4 Delayed.
Symptoms will vary depending on which one you experience.
Type 1 Immediate symptoms can include (occur up to 30 minutes after exposure to NRL)
Anaphylaxis
Breathing difficulties
Hives
Itching
Swelling around eyes and lips
Type 4 Delayed symptoms can include (occur 48 - 72 hours after exposure)
Blistering
Itching
Redness
Swelling
N.B. All symptoms provided are intended as illustrative, not comprehensive.
...
What Items Can Trigger a Latex Allergy? Some everyday items that include latex.
NRL can cause allergic reactions to Latex. More than 40,000 products used in homes, schools and medical settings, common examples include:
Adhesive tape
Anaesthesia equipment
Bandages
Balloons
Carpet backing
Clothing elastic
Computer mouse mats
Condoms
Elastic bandages
Electrode pads
Foam pillows
IV catheters
Paint
Rubber bands
Sink Mats
Surgical and examination gloves
Toys
N.B. All lists provided are intended as illustrative, not comprehensive.
...
Cross Reactivity - this occurs when your immune system confuses proteins in different substances.
Some people with latex allergies react to certain foods that contain proteins which are similar enough to those found in latex. These can include the following examples:
Apricot
Avocado
Banana
Chestnut
Cherry
Fig
Kiwi
Melon
Papaya
Peach
Plum
Potato
Tomato
N.B. All lists provided are intended as illustrative, not comprehensive.
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Privacy Policy - Data Protection
We do not purchase, sell or share data with any other party and strictly adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016. This became effective in law as of the 25th May 2018.
Data protection laws state that we are only able to process personal data if we have valid reasons to do so. The reasons we process your personal data include, but are not limited to, your consent, fulfilment of your order, billing and to contact you.
E-Mail Newsletter Subscription.
Only with your permission, we will email you to notify you of products or special offers that may be of interest to you. We send four to five emails per calendar month. All emails contain a tracking pixel for marketing purposes, to tailor content.
No Junk Mail.
We will only e-mail you to fulfill and process your order, and afterwards if you have given your consent. We will never pass on your e-mail address or personal information to a third party.
Only with your permission, we will email you to notify you of products or special offers that may be of interest to you.
Any personal details (such as names, addresses) are held by Etsy (based on their Privacy policy) and Fortuna and Virtu Ltd t/a Westward Bound, 2 Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AU. UK
Held Information.
The information we hold will be accurate and up to date. You can check the information that we hold about you by emailing us. If you find any inaccuracies we will delete or correct it promptly. You can equally check your account online yourself.
The personal information which we hold will be held securely in accordance with our internal security policy and English law as governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016 . Effective in law from 25th May 2018.
We respect your privacy.
When you shop with Westward Bound, we may ask for personal information such as your name, e-mail address, billing address, product selections, credit card or other payment information.
Personal information you provide is used by us only for the following purposes:
To improve your shopping experience at Westward Bound.
To fulfil and process your order. This includes a garment review and an invitation to review our service.
Only with your permission, to notify you of via email of products or special offers that may be of interest to you.
Your personal information will not be passed on to others.
We only use your personal information to process your order, to send you the goods and ensure that you are satisfied with the garments and our service. So the only companies we need to share your information with are merchant services who process payments on our behalf, the courier company in order to arrange the delivery of your goods and Trustpilot via email review.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our Privacy Policy.
A condensed representation of our workshop in Plymouth, Devon. UK We design and make all our own garments by hand.
Westward Bound Customer Photo - Melinoe Immortal in our Trixi Latex Dress. London, England.
Snapshot from Fashion Days in Zürich, Switzerland. Westward Bound Latex clothing sets the stage with Paul Mitchell Hair.
Westward Bound Customer Photo - Atejie Ovandal in latex corset by Westward Bound. Photograph by Olsson Hall in Sweden.
Post Catwalk - Westward Bound Hotel Party in Montreal, Quebec. Photographer: Martin Perreault.
