General Terms of Delivery and Payment of AMPECO GmbH
I. Scope of Application
1. The following terms of sale apply to all contracts concluded between the buyer and us for the delivery of goods. They also apply to all future business relationships, even if they are not expressly agreed upon again. Deviating conditions of the buyer that we do not expressly acknowledge are not binding on us, even if we do not expressly object to them. The following terms of sale also apply if we execute the buyer’s order unconditionally with knowledge of conflicting or deviating conditions of the buyer.
2. All agreements made between the buyer and us for the execution of the purchase contracts are set out in writing in the contracts.
II. Offer and Conclusion of Contract
1. An order from the buyer that qualifies as an offer to conclude a purchase contract may be accepted by us within two weeks by sending an order confirmation or by sending the ordered products within the same period.
2. Our offers are subject to change and non-binding unless we have expressly designated them as binding.
3. We reserve our proprietary rights, copyrights, and other protective rights to all illustrations, calculations, drawings, and other documents. The buyer may only pass these on to third parties with our written consent, regardless of whether we have marked them as confidential.
Payment Terms
1. Our prices apply ex works without packaging unless otherwise specified in the order confirmation. Our prices do not include statutory value-added tax. We will show this separately on the invoice at the statutory rate applicable on the date of invoicing.
2. A cash discount deduction is only permitted with a special written agreement between us and the buyer. The purchase price is due net (without deduction) immediately upon receipt of the invoice by the buyer, unless a different payment term results from the order confirmation. Payment is only deemed to have been made when we can dispose of the amount. In the case of check payments, payment is only deemed to have been made when the check is honored.
3. If the buyer defaults on a payment, the statutory provisions apply.
4. The buyer is only entitled to offset, even if defect complaints or counterclaims are asserted, if the counterclaims have been legally established, acknowledged by us, or are undisputed. The buyer is only authorized to exercise a right of retention if his counterclaim is based on the same contractual relationship.
IV. Delivery and Performance Time
1. Delivery dates or periods that have not been expressly agreed as binding are exclusively non-binding information. The delivery time specified by us only begins when technical questions have been clarified. Likewise, the buyer must fulfill all obligations incumbent upon him properly and on time.
2. If the underlying purchase contract is a fixed-date transaction within the meaning of Section 286 (2) No. 4 BGB or Section 376 HGB, we are liable in accordance with statutory provisions. The same applies if the buyer is entitled to claim the loss of his interest in further performance of the contract as a result of a delay in delivery for which we are responsible. In this case, our liability is limited to foreseeable damage typically occurring if the delay in delivery is not based on an intentional breach of contract for which we are responsible, whereby we are attributable for the fault of our representatives or vicarious agents.
We are also liable to the buyer for delay in delivery in accordance with statutory provisions if this is based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of contract for which we are responsible, whereby we are attributable for the fault of our representatives or vicarious agents. Our liability is limited to foreseeable damage typically occurring if the delay in delivery is not based on an intentional breach of contract for which we are responsible.
3. In the event that a delay in delivery for which we are responsible is based on the culpable breach of an essential contractual obligation, whereby we are attributable for the fault of our representatives or vicarious agents, we are liable in accordance with statutory provisions with the proviso that in this case liability for damages is limited to foreseeable damage typically occurring.
4. Otherwise, in the event of a delay in delivery for which we are responsible, the buyer may claim a flat-rate compensation of 0.5% of the delivery value for each completed week of delay, but not more than 5% of the delivery value.
5. Further liability for a delay in delivery for which we are responsible is excluded. The buyer’s further statutory claims and rights that he has in addition to the claim for damages due to a delay in delivery for which we are responsible remain unaffected.
6. We are entitled to partial deliveries and partial services at any time, provided this is reasonable for the customer.
7. If the buyer is in default of acceptance, we are entitled to claim compensation for the resulting damage and any additional expenses. The same applies if the buyer culpably breaches obligations to cooperate. Upon occurrence of default of acceptance or debtor default, the risk of accidental deterioration and accidental loss passes to the buyer.
V. Transfer of Risk – Shipping/Packaging
1. Loading and shipping are carried out uninsured at the buyer’s risk. We will endeavor to take into account the buyer’s wishes and interests with regard to the type of shipping and shipping route; any additional costs resulting from this – even with agreed carriage-paid delivery – are borne by the buyer.
2. We do not take back transport packaging and all other packaging in accordance with the Packaging Ordinance; Euro pool pallets are excepted. The buyer must arrange for disposal of the packaging at his own expense.
3. If shipping is delayed at the buyer’s request or due to the buyer’s fault, we will store the goods at the buyer’s expense and risk. In this case, notification of readiness for shipment is equivalent to shipping.
4. At the buyer’s request and expense, we will secure the delivery with transport insurance.
VI. Warranty/Liability
1. The buyer’s defect claims only exist if the buyer has properly fulfilled his obligations to inspect and give notice of defects owed under Section 377 HGB.
2. In the case of justified defect complaints, we are obligated to provide subsequent performance, excluding the buyer’s rights to withdraw from the contract or reduce the purchase price (reduction), unless we are entitled to refuse subsequent performance on the basis of statutory provisions. The buyer must grant us a reasonable period for subsequent performance. At the buyer’s choice, subsequent performance may be carried out by remedying the defect (rectification) or delivering new goods. In the case of defect remediation, we bear the necessary expenses, insofar as these do not increase because the subject matter of the contract is located at a place other than the place of performance. If subsequent performance has failed, the buyer may, at his option, demand a reduction of the purchase price (reduction) or declare withdrawal from the contract. Rectification is deemed to have failed after the second unsuccessful attempt, unless further rectification attempts are appropriate and reasonable for the buyer based on the subject matter of the contract. The buyer may only assert claims for damages under the following conditions due to the defect after subsequent performance has failed. The buyer’s right to assert further claims for damages under the following conditions remains unaffected.
3. The buyer’s warranty claims expire one year after delivery of the goods to the buyer, unless we have fraudulently concealed the defect; in this case, statutory provisions apply. Our obligations under Section VI No. 4 and Section VI No. 5 remain unaffected.
4. We are obligated in accordance with statutory provisions to take back the new goods or to reduce the purchase price (reduction) even without the otherwise required deadline if the buyer’s customer as a consumer of the new movable item sold (consumer goods purchase) could demand the return of the goods or the reduction of the purchase price from the buyer due to the defect of these goods, or if the buyer is confronted with a corresponding recourse claim resulting from this. We are also obligated to reimburse the buyer for expenses, in particular transport, travel, labor, and material costs, that the buyer had to bear in relation to the end consumer as part of subsequent performance due to a defect in the goods existing at the time of transfer of risk from us to the buyer. The claim is excluded if the buyer has not properly fulfilled his obligations to inspect and give notice of defects owed under Section 377 HGB.
5. The obligation pursuant to Section VI No. 4 is excluded insofar as it concerns a defect based on advertising statements or other contractual agreements that do not originate from us, or if the buyer has given a special guarantee to the end consumer. The obligation is also excluded if the buyer himself was not obligated to exercise warranty rights against the end consumer on the basis of statutory provisions or did not raise this objection against a claim made against him. This also applies if the buyer has assumed warranties toward the end consumer that go beyond the statutory measure.
6. Regardless of the following liability limitations, we are liable in accordance with statutory provisions for damages to life, body, and health that are based on a negligent or intentional breach of duty by us, our legal representatives, or our vicarious agents, as well as for damages covered by liability under the Product Liability Act. For damages not covered by sentence 1 and that are based on intentional or grossly negligent breaches of contract as well as fraud by us, our legal representatives, or our vicarious agents, we are liable in accordance with statutory provisions. In this case, however, liability for damages is limited to foreseeable damage typically occurring, unless we, our legal representatives, or our vicarious agents have acted intentionally. To the extent that we have given a quality and/or durability guarantee with respect to the goods or parts thereof, we are also liable within the scope of this guarantee. For damages based on the absence of the guaranteed quality or durability but not occurring directly to the goods, we are only liable if the risk of such damage is evidently covered by the quality and durability guarantee.
7. We are also liable for damages that we cause through simple negligent breach of such contractual obligations whose fulfillment enables the proper performance of the contract in the first place and on whose compliance the buyer regularly relies and may rely. However, we are only liable insofar as the damages are typically associated with the contract and foreseeable.
8. Further liability is excluded regardless of the legal nature of the asserted claim; this applies in particular to tort claims or claims for reimbursement of futile expenses instead of performance; our liability pursuant to Section IV No. 2 through Section IV No. 5 of this contract remains unaffected. Insofar as our liability is excluded or limited, this also applies to the personal liability of our employees, workers, staff, representatives, and vicarious agents.
9. The buyer’s claims for damages due to a defect expire one year after delivery of the goods. This does not apply in the case of injuries to life, body, or health caused by us, our legal representatives, or our vicarious agents, or if we or our legal representatives have acted intentionally or with gross negligence, or if our simple vicarious agents have acted intentionally.
VII. Retention of Title
1. Until all claims, including all balance claims from current account, that we have or will have against the buyer now or in the future are fulfilled, the delivered goods (goods subject to retention of title) remain our property. In the event of the buyer’s conduct contrary to the contract, e.g., payment default, we have the right, after prior setting of a reasonable period, to take back the goods subject to retention of title. If we take back the goods subject to retention of title, this constitutes withdrawal from the contract. If we seize the goods subject to retention of title, this is withdrawal from the contract. We are entitled to realize the goods subject to retention of title after taking them back. After deduction of a reasonable amount for realization costs, the realization proceeds are to be offset against the amounts owed to us by the buyer.
2. The buyer must treat the goods subject to retention of title with care and insure them at his own expense against fire, water, and theft damage sufficiently at replacement value. Maintenance and inspection work that becomes necessary must be carried out by the buyer at his own expense in a timely manner.
3. The buyer is entitled to sell and/or use the goods subject to retention of title properly in the course of business as long as he is not in payment default. Pledges or transfers of ownership by way of security are inadmissible. The buyer hereby assigns to us in full by way of security the claims arising from resale or any other legal reason (insurance, tort) with respect to the goods subject to retention of title (including all balance claims from current account); we hereby accept the assignment. We authorize the buyer revocably to collect the claims assigned to us for his account in his own name. The collection authorization may be revoked at any time if the buyer does not properly fulfill his payment obligations. The buyer is also not authorized to assign this claim for the purpose of debt collection by way of factoring, unless at the same time the obligation of the factoring company is established to make the consideration in the amount of the claims directly to us as long as claims still exist from us against the buyer.
4. Processing or transformation of the goods subject to retention of title by the buyer is in any case carried out for us. If the goods subject to retention of title are processed with other items not belonging to us, we acquire co-ownership of the new item in the ratio of the value of the goods subject to retention of title (final invoice amount including value-added tax) to the other processed items at the time of processing. The same applies to the new item created by processing as to the goods subject to retention of title. In the case of inseparable mixing of the goods subject to retention of title with other items not belonging to us, we acquire co-ownership of the new item in the ratio of the value of the goods subject to retention of title (final invoice amount including value-added tax) to the other mixed items at the time of mixing. If the buyer’s item is to be regarded as the main item as a result of the mixing, the buyer and we agree that the buyer transfers proportionate co-ownership of this item to us; we hereby accept the transfer. The buyer stores our sole or co-ownership of an item thus created for us.
5. In the event of third-party access to the goods subject to retention of title, in particular seizures, the buyer will point out our ownership and notify us immediately so that we can enforce our ownership rights. Insofar as the third party is not able to reimburse us for the judicial or extrajudicial costs arising in this connection, the buyer is liable for this.
6. We are obligated to release the securities to which we are entitled insofar as the realizable value of our securities exceeds the claims to be secured by more than 10%; the selection of the securities to be released is incumbent upon us.
VIII. Place of Performance, Jurisdiction, Applicable Law
1. The place of performance and jurisdiction for deliveries and payments (including check and bill of exchange actions) as well as all disputes arising between us and the buyer from the purchase contracts concluded between us and him is our registered office. However, we are entitled to sue the buyer also at his place of residence and/or business.
2. The relationships between the contracting parties are governed exclusively by the law applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany. The application of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is excluded.
As of July 2012
