Booking Terms & Conditions
Please note, we require a $100 or $200 security bond before a gown can be released (plus photo ID showing the delivery address for postals). The security is refundable upon safe and timely return of the gown.
Deposits to hold dresses are strictly non-refundable. If you cancel your dress hire for that date, you forfeit your deposit and it cannot be credited for another date, nor transferred to another person.
See further information below.
1. AcceptanceYou accept these terms and conditions in their entirety when you book online or pay your deposit instore. If you are under the age of 18, you agree that you have reviewed and accepted these terms with your parent or legal guardian. We will assume that this is the case and will provide our services on this basis.
2. Client’s responsibilities
While the garment is in the client’s possession:
2a) Notify The Formal Gallery of any defects or damages to the garment within 5 hours of pick up/delivery of the garment.
2b) Use a clutch / handbag which is smooth on the back (no embellishments), no cross body bags and no diamante bracelets or corsages with diamante wristbands. To protect the fabric from pulls.
2d) Do not attempt to iron, alter or clean the garment in any way.
2e) Do not apply fake tan within 48 hours of wearing the garment.
3. Deposit and Exchanges
3a) Deposit. For bookings placed in store, a booking deposit of $100 or $200 (depending on the dress) is payable to secure the client’s dress for that wear date. The balance of the hire fee is payable upon collection of the garment or goods. For bookings placed online, the full hire fee and return postage is payable at the time of ordering.
3b) Exchanges. Clients can exchange their hire garment or goods for another of the same type (dress changed for a dress, or clutch changed for a clutch), up to 1 month before their wear date, subject to availability. This does not apply to a different wear date and cannot be transferred to a different person.
4. Bond / Security
4a) For bookings instore, a $100 security bond is required, payable upon collection of the dress from our boutique. For bookings online, you will be asked to provide a $100 or $200 security bond for the gown to be released. Security bonds are refunded upon return of the goods in a condition acceptable to The Formal Gallery and at the end of the agreed hire period. You will be contacted by email after your booking to arrange payment of your bond.
4b) Deductions will be incurred by the client for damages to the garment or goods, any specific cleaning outside the standard cleaning which is included in your hire fee, or for late returns.
4c) If excessive clutch bag / diamante wrist band damage is found on the gown, the entire bond will be forfeited.
5. Cancellations
5a) The client can cancel a dress hire booking but agrees to forfeit the holding deposit. For bookings made online, the same applies and any balance of hire fees will be refunded. Clutch hire booking cancellations are non-refundable. Once the hire period has begun, hire and shipping fees are strictly non-refundable. Cancellations must be notified by the client 7 days prior to the event date, for these terms to be valid.
5b) The Formal Gallery reserves the right to cancel a hire at any time before the garment or goods are delivered, by giving written notice and refunding any sums paid to the client. An event which may constitute this is the irreparable damage, loss or theft of the garment from a previous client, or the inability to deliver the garment on time if client is outside the Express Post network or it is limited by another booking. The Formal Gallery shall endeavor to find a replacement garment suitable to the client, however shall not be liable for any other loss or damage arising from such a cancellation.
5c) For circumstances beyond control, for example, a government cancellation of an event due to public health, a credit note (eGift Card) will be issued to the client.
6. Hire Period and Late Fees
6a) The 4-day hire period commences once all monies due to the Formal Gallery are paid and the client takes receipt of the garment.
When the garment or goods are not returned by the agreed date The Formal Gallery will charge additional hire fees until returned. The client authorises The Formal Gallery to deduct such additional fees from the client’s credit card which was provided at the time of placement of the order. Such additional charges shall be charged a fixed rate of $50 for each day overdue.
6b) If the Client has not returned the garment or goods within 15 days after the return date, The Formal Gallery will consider this as non-returned and will either charge the Client’s credit card, or email the client an invoice to pay for 100% of the recommended retail value of any goods not returned.
7. Postage
Some garments cannot be posted due to their delicate nature. The Formal Gallery uses Australia Post Express Satchels, which enable next day delivery in most areas. Clients should refer to the Australia Post website for further information on the Guaranteed-Next-Day-Delivery network in Australia. If the client’s location is out of the Express Post network, it will take more than one business day. The fee is $40 for return postage. The return envelope provided is addressed to our business and must be posted by the client into a yellow post box by 5pm on the agreed end date. No other form of return mail is permitted.
8. Incorrect Fit
Once the garment is received by the client for their event date, there are strictly no refunds. The Formal Gallery recommends booking a try-on in the Boutique. For online bookings, clients can refer to the sizing chart and email for sizing advice.
9. Cleaning and Alterations
The Formal Gallery can conduct temporary hemming or alterations, on certain dresses, for a fee. The Formal Gallery also cleans the garments between hires. The client agrees that they will not clean, press, alter or repair the garment in any way.
10. Risk/Insurance
The Formal Gallery retains ownership of the garment or goods. All risk passes to the client on pickup/delivery. The Client accepts full responsibility for the safekeeping of the garment or goods. If the garment gets lost, stolen, damaged or stained beyond repair, whether or not such loss, theft, or damage is attributable to any negligence, failure, or omission of the client, then the client will be liable to pay for replacement of the item. The Formal Gallery will assess the replacement value based on the demand of that dress in the market, the availability to purchase that dress again and the rental fee that the client has already paid. Online bookings that do not use the Express Post Satchel provided to return goods, will be fully responsible for any loss.
11. Defects
The client acknowledges that the garment or goods they are hiring will not be in original condition and may show some signs of wear and tear. The client shall notify The Formal Gallery of any significant defect or damage they have noticed within 5 hours of pickup/delivery of the garment. Whilst we endeavour to provide quality garments for hire, no reimbursement or discount will be provided for signs of wear and tear.
12. Return of purchased Sale Items
There are strictly no returns or exchanges on any ex-hire sale items.
13. Intellectual property rights
The Formal Gallery owns (or licenses from third parties) all images, copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property used under our brand (unless otherwise credited to the owner). Use of this content without our express permission is a breach of copyright.
14. Personal Information
When a client makes a booking, we automatically collect certain information from you, including name, billing address, shipping address, email address, phone number and payment information (including credit card numbers). We will also use this order information to communicate with you, and you can “opt out” of e-newsletters at any time. We will not share your data with third parties.
15. Liability Indemnity
To the maximum extent permitted by Australian Consumer Law, we make no warranties about our services or our content under these terms. We reserve the right to terminate your access to our services and we will not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise as a result.