Terms & Conditions – Sohini Flutes

1. About Our Business

Sohini Flutes is a dedicated workshop specializing in the creation of handcrafted bamboo flutes (Bansuri). Each instrument is made with care, precision, and a deep reverence for the art of flute-making.

Contact Details:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +91 9883949455

2. Product Description & Natural Variations

Our flutes are meticulously handcrafted from natural bamboo. Because bamboo is a living material and each piece is individually shaped by hand, please expect:
Natural Variations – Slight differences in diameter, weight, texture, grain, and color may occur. These are not flaws but the signature of authentic handcraftsmanship.
Image Representation – Product photographs are for illustrative purposes only. The actual flute you receive may look slightly different due to the unique character of each bamboo stalk.
Quality Assurance – Despite natural variations, we strictly control the scale, tuning, and frequency of every flute. Each instrument is professionally tuned and rigorously quality-checked before it leaves our workshop.

3. Order Confirmation & Acceptance

An order is confirmed only when:
Full payment has been successfully received, and
You have received a confirmation email from us.
Right to Refuse: We reserve the right to cancel or decline any order due to:
Pricing or description errors on our website
Stock unavailability or inventory discrepancies
Suspected fraudulent activity or policy violations

4. Shipping & Dispatch Timeline

We strive to get your flute to you as quickly as possible:
Standard Orders – Typically dispatched within the next 1–2 business days after order confirmation.
Customized Orders – Flutes with engraving, specific tuning, or other modifications require additional craftsmanship and are dispatched within 5–7 business days.
Tracking Information – Once dispatched, we will share the courier tracking link and shipment details with you.

5. Customized & Clearance Sale Orders

Please be aware of the following special conditions:
Customized Orders – These include any modifications to our standard manufacturing process, such as engraving, specific tuning requests, or design changes. Such orders are made exclusively for you and are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and non-exchangeable.
Clearance Sale Items – Products purchased during clearance or discount events are also final sale and cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded.

6. International Shipping & Customs Responsibility

For orders shipped outside India, please note:
Customs Delays – Clearance procedures are entirely managed by local customs authorities. Any delays caused by customs are beyond our control.
Import Duties & Taxes – All applicable customs duties, import taxes, local levies, and documentation/service charges must be borne by the customer. These are not included in the product price or shipping fee.
Customer Cooperation – You are responsible for providing any additional documentation required by customs in your country.

7. Force Majeure – Unforeseen Delays

We are not liable for delays or failure to perform due to events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:
War, civil unrest, strikes, or government-imposed lockdowns
Epidemics, pandemics, or quarantine restrictions
Natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, or extreme weather
Accidents during transit or at courier facilities
In such events, we will make reasonable efforts to ensure delivery as soon as circumstances permit.

8. Delivery, Inspection & Damage Claims

We take great care in packaging, but transit can be unpredictable. Please follow these instructions upon receiving your shipment:
Immediate Inspection – Examine your package and its contents as soon as it arrives.
Keep Packaging Intact – Do not discard or damage the packaging until you have fully inspected the product.
Reporting Damage – If you find any cracks, defects, or transit damage, report it to us within 24 hours of delivery with clear photographs.
Late Claims – Claims submitted after 24 hours will not be entertained.

📧 Email for Claims: [email protected]

9. Undelivered Shipments

If a delivery attempt is made but no one is available to receive the package:
You must coordinate directly with the courier partner to reschedule or collect the shipment.
Any additional charges – including holding fees, re-delivery costs, or return shipping – will be your responsibility.

10. Return, Exchange & Refund Policy

We want you to be happy with your purchase. However, due to the handmade nature of our products, our policy is limited:
Exchange Eligibility:
Exchanges are available only for domestic orders within India.
Only non-customized, standard flutes are eligible.
Requests must be made within three (3) days of delivery.
No Refunds: We do not offer refunds after dispatch, except for cancellations approved prior to dispatch.

Non-Eligible Orders (No Exchange or Refund):
International orders
Customized products
Clearance Sale items

Replacement Process:
Notify us immediately via email with your order number and reason.
Return the flute in unused, original condition with all packaging intact.
We must receive the returned item within 3 business days from delivery.
All replacements are subject to inspection and our sole discretion.

11. Order Cancellation

You may cancel your order only before it has been dispatched from our workshop.
Approved Cancellations – We will process a full refund to your original payment method.
Refund Timeline – The refund will be reflected within 7 business days, depending on your bank or payment gateway’s processing speed.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:
We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our products or website.
Our total liability, in any case, shall not exceed the purchase price of the product in question.

13. Grievance Redressal Officer

(As required under the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020)
We are committed to resolving your concerns promptly. Please direct any grievances to:

Grievance Officer: Sohini Flutes – Customer Support
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +91 9883949455

All grievances will be acknowledged within 48 hours and resolved in accordance with applicable laws.

14. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India.
Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

15. Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time without prior notice. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on this page. Your continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Flute Playing Style Disclaimer

We understand that every flautist has a unique blowing technique and breath pressure.
For perfect pitch matching to your personal style, we recommend visiting our workshop in person to select your flute directly.
For online orders, flutes are tuned to our standard parameters. While we strive for excellence, we cannot guarantee that the instrument will perfectly match your individual playing style without personal testing.