Terms of service

Terms of Service — By the Block

Effective Date: [DD Month YYYY] Last Updated: [DD Month YYYY]

Welcome to By the Block. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website [www.bytheblock.com] (the "Site") and any purchase you make from us. By accessing the Site or placing an order, you agree to these Terms. Please read them before shopping with us.

1. About Us

By the Block is operated by Vemulapati Sridhar Enterprises LLP, registered at [Registered Business Address], India ("we," "us," "our").

Customer Support: Email: support@bytheblock.in Phone: [Phone Number] Hours: [Mon–Sat, 10am–6pm IST]

2. Our Products

Every piece sold by By the Block is hand block printed in-house. This means:

Slight variations in print placement, colour saturation, and pattern repeat are natural to the process, not defects. Two pieces from the same design will never be identical.
Fabric shrinkage of up to 5% may occur after the first wash
Product images are shot in natural light and calibrated for accuracy, but colours may appear slightly different depending on your screen.

By purchasing from us, you acknowledge and accept these characteristics as part of the handcraft, not as grounds for return unless the variation is beyond what's reasonably expected of hand block printing.

3. Pricing and Payment

All prices on the Site are listed in Indian Rupees (INR) and are inclusive of applicable GST, unless stated otherwise.
We reserve the right to change prices at any time without prior notice. The price charged will be the price displayed at the time of order confirmation.
Payments are processed through [Payment Gateway Name], a secure third-party payment processor. We do not store your card or banking details.
Orders are confirmed only once payment is successfully received.

4. Shipping and Delivery

We ship across India [and internationally, to select countries].
Estimated delivery timelines are 7-14 days within India, and 14-28 business days for international orders, from the date of dispatch. Timelines are estimates, not guarantees, and may vary due to courier delays, weather, or circumstances beyond our control.
Shipping charges, if applicable, are displayed at checkout before payment.
Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking link via [email/SMS/WhatsApp].
Import duties or customs charges on international orders, if any, are the responsibility of the customer.
If your order is delayed or delivered damaged, contact us at [support@bytheblock.in] and we'll help sort it out.

5. Returns, Exchanges, and Refunds

Because every piece is hand block printed and often made in limited runs, our returns policy is as follows:

Eligibility: Returns or exchanges are accepted within 7 of delivery, provided the item is unused, unwashed, and in its original packaging with tags intact. Please record an unboxing video, showing the packaging and the product.
Non-returnable items: [Customised or made-to-order pieces / Sale items / Innerwear or similar hygiene-sensitive items], unless defective.
Defects and damage: If you receive a defective or damaged item, write to us within 7 days of delivery with photos, and we'll arrange a replacement or refund.
Not a defect: Natural variation in hand block printing, including minor irregularities in pattern alignment or dye shade, is not considered a defect (see Section 2).
Refund process: Approved refunds are processed to the original payment method within 10 business days of us receiving the returned item, in line with RBI guidelines on timely refunds.
Exchange availability: Exchanges are subject to stock availability, given the limited nature of hand block printed runs.

6. Order Cancellations

Orders can be cancelled within 1 hour of placing them, provided they haven't already been dispatched. Write to us at support@bytheblock.in to request a cancellation.
We reserve the right to cancel an order in cases of stock unavailability, pricing errors, or suspected fraudulent activity. In such cases, a full refund will be issued.

7. Account Registration

If you create an account on our Site, you're responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at support@bytheblock.in if you suspect unauthorised use.

8. Intellectual Property

All designs, block print patterns, photographs, and content on this Site are the property of By the Block and protected under Indian copyright and design law. They may not be reproduced, copied, or used commercially without our written permission.

9. Fair Use of the Site

You agree not to:

Use the Site for any unlawful purpose
Attempt to interfere with the Site's security or functioning
Post or transmit false, misleading, or fraudulent content on the Site or in reviews
Scrape, copy, or resell product images, descriptions, or designs without permission

10. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, By the Block is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or products purchased, including delays caused by third-party courier partners or payment processors. Our total liability for any claim will not exceed the amount paid for the relevant order.

This does not limit any liability that cannot be excluded under Indian law, including under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

11. Grievance Redressal

In accordance with the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 and the Information Technology Act, 2000, complaints can be directed to our Grievance Officer:

Email: support@bytheblock.in

We aim to acknowledge complaints within 48 hours and resolve them within 7 days, as prescribed under applicable law.

Please use the following format for the subject line - Grievance: [Short Description of Issue]

12. Privacy

Your use of the Site is also governed by our [Privacy Policy], which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Site will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.