Terms of service
Terms of Service
Last Updated: September 1, 2025
Welcome to Crate Charms, operated by Crate Charms ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website at cratecharms.com (the "Website") and the purchase of our products.
By accessing or using our Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Website or purchase our products.
IMPORTANT: These Terms include an arbitration clause and class action waiver in Section 14. By using our Website, you agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration on an individual basis.
Table of Contents
- Description of Services
- Eligibility
- User Accounts
- Products and Pricing
- Ordering and Payment
- Shipping Policy
- Return and Refund Policy
- Intellectual Property and Patent
- Product Safety and Use
- Prohibited Conduct
- Third-Party Links
- Disclaimers
- Limitation of Liability
- Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
- General Provisions
- Contact Information
1. Description of Services
Crate Charms offers decorative snap-on charms designed for wire pet crates (the "Products"). Through our Website, you can:
- Browse and purchase our Products
- Create and manage a user account
- Submit product reviews and feedback
- Contact customer service
- Access information about our Products
We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our Website or Services at any time without notice.
2. Eligibility
Our Website and Products are intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and can form legally binding contracts under applicable law. By using our Website, you represent and warrant that:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You are legally capable of entering into binding contracts
- You will comply with these Terms and all applicable laws
We do not knowingly collect information from or sell products to children under 18. If you are under 18, please do not use our Website or attempt to make purchases.
3. User Accounts
Account Creation
You must create an account to purchase Products from our Website. When creating an account, you agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain and promptly update your account information
- Keep your password confidential and secure
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
- Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
Account Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause or notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or engaged in fraudulent or illegal activity. You may close your account at any time by contacting us at info@cratecharms.com.
4. Products and Pricing
Product Information
We strive to provide accurate product descriptions, images, and specifications. However:
- Colors may vary slightly from photos due to monitor settings and lighting
- We do not guarantee that product descriptions are error-free, complete, or current
- Product images are for illustrative purposes and actual products may vary slightly
- We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions at any time
Pricing
All prices are listed in U.S. Dollars and are subject to change without notice. The price charged for a product will be the price displayed on our Website at the time you place your order. We do not honor pricing errors or misprints.
Prices do not include applicable sales tax, which will be added to your order total at checkout based on your shipping address.
Product Availability
We maintain strict inventory control. If an item becomes unavailable after you place an order, we will notify you and issue a full refund. We do not offer backorders or rain checks for out-of-stock items unless explicitly stated at the time of purchase.
5. Ordering and Payment
Order Process
When you place an order through our Website:
- You submit an offer to purchase Products at the listed price
- You will receive an order confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your order
- We accept your offer when we ship your order
- A contract is formed when we ship your order and send a shipping confirmation
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order for any reason, including:
- Product unavailability
- Errors in product or pricing information
- Suspected fraudulent or unauthorized transactions
- Violations of these Terms
Payment
We accept payment via credit card, debit card, and other payment methods offered at checkout. Payment is processed through secure third-party payment processors. By providing payment information, you represent and warrant that:
- You are authorized to use the payment method
- The information you provide is accurate and current
- You will pay all charges incurred
We do not store your complete credit or debit card information. Payment processing is handled securely by our payment processor in accordance with PCI-DSS standards.
Order Modifications and Cancellations
Once an order is placed, you cannot modify the shipping address or other order details. If you need to make changes, you must cancel your order and place a new one. Orders can typically be cancelled before shipping by contacting us at info@cratecharms.com. Once an order has shipped, it cannot be cancelled and our return policy applies.
Wholesale Inquiries
If you are interested in purchasing Products for wholesale purposes, please contact us at info@cratecharms.com for wholesale terms and pricing.
6. Shipping Policy
Shipping Locations
We currently ship only to physical addresses within the United States. We do not ship to:
- PO Boxes
- International addresses
- APO/FPO/DPO addresses
Processing Time
Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1-3 business days after payment is confirmed. Processing time does not include weekends or holidays. During peak seasons and holidays, processing times may be longer.
Shipping Methods and Costs
We ship via USPS and UPS. Shipping costs are calculated based on your order total:
- Orders $0.00 - $49.90: $4.99 shipping
- Orders $50.00 and above: $5.99 shipping
Shipping costs are displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase.
Delivery Timeframes
Standard shipping typically takes 3-7 business days after your order ships. Delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Delays may occur due to:
- Weather conditions
- Carrier delays
- Incorrect or incomplete shipping addresses
- Holiday periods and peak seasons
Order Tracking
Once your order ships, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information. You can track your package using the tracking number provided.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Shipments
If your order is lost or damaged in transit, please contact us at info@cratecharms.com within 7 days of the expected delivery date. We will work with the carrier and reship your order at no additional cost if the issue is confirmed.
We are not responsible for packages that are delivered to the address you provided but are subsequently lost, stolen, or damaged after delivery confirmation. Please ensure you provide a secure shipping address.
Undeliverable Packages
If a package is returned to us as undeliverable due to an incorrect address, refused delivery, or failure to retrieve from carrier, you will be responsible for paying return shipping costs plus original shipping costs to reship the order.
7. Return and Refund Policy
30-Day Return Window
We accept returns of unused, undamaged Products within 30 days of delivery. To be eligible for a return, items must:
- Be unused and in the same condition you received them
- Be undamaged and free from wear
- Be in original packaging (if applicable)
- Have all original tags and labels attached
Non-Returnable Items
The following items cannot be returned:
- Products damaged due to misuse, improper installation, or pet damage
- Products that have been modified or altered
- Products without proof of purchase
- Items marked as "Final Sale" (if applicable)
Return Shipping
Customers are responsible for paying return shipping costs. We recommend using a trackable shipping method, as we are not responsible for items lost in return transit. Return shipping costs are non-refundable.
Return Address:
Crate Charms
PO Box #98 Clarksburg MD 20871
How to Initiate a Return
To return an item:
- Contact us at info@cratecharms.com within 30 days of delivery with your order number and reason for return
- We will provide return instructions and confirm eligibility
- Package items securely with all original packaging and materials
- Ship the return to the address provided
- Retain your return shipping tracking information
Refund Process
Once we receive and inspect your return:
- If approved, refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method
- Original shipping costs are non-refundable
- No restocking fees are charged for approved returns
You will receive an email confirmation once your refund has been processed. Please allow additional time for your bank or credit card company to post the refund to your account.
Exchanges
We do not currently offer direct exchanges. If you need a different product, please return your original item for a refund and place a new order.
Damaged or Defective Items
If you receive a damaged or defective item, please contact us at info@cratecharms.com within 7 days of delivery with photos of the damage. We will provide a prepaid return label and send a replacement or issue a full refund, including original shipping costs.
8. Intellectual Property and Patent
Ownership
All content on our Website, including text, graphics, logos, images, product designs, and software, is the property of Crate Charms or its licensors and is protected by U.S. and international copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property laws.
Patent Pending
Our snap-on charm system is protected by pending U.S. Patent Application No. PATP1063.02. This patent-pending technology covers our unique snap-on attachment mechanism for decorative pet crate charms. Unauthorized copying, reproduction, or manufacture of our patented design is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.
Trademarks
Crate Charms, our logo, and related marks are trademarks of Crate Charms. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written permission.
Limited License
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our Website for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not:
- Copy, modify, or distribute Website content without permission
- Use our content for commercial purposes
- Remove copyright or proprietary notices
- Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code
- Create derivative works based on our Products or designs
User-Submitted Content
If you submit reviews, photos, comments, or other content to our Website, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and display such content in connection with our business. You represent that you own or have rights to any content you submit and that such content does not violate the rights of any third party.
9. Product Safety and Use
Intended Use
Crate Charms are decorative accessories designed to personalize wire pet crates. They are intended for decoration purposes only and are not toys or chew items.
Important Safety Information
Not for Consumption:
- Products are made from PVC and are not edible
- Keep Products away from pets' mouths
- Products are not designed to be chewed or ingested
- If ingested, seek veterinary care immediately
Supervision Recommended:
- Pets should be supervised when in crates decorated with our Products
- Monitor your pet's interaction with decorated crates
- Remove charms immediately if pet attempts to chew or dislodge them
Pet Behavior Disclaimer:
- We are not responsible for damage caused by pet behavior
- Aggressive chewers may damage Products
- Products are not suitable for pets who chew on crate wires or accessories
- You are responsible for assessing your pet's behavior and suitability
Installation:
- You are responsible for proper installation of Products
- Ensure charms are securely attached to crate wires
- Inspect charms regularly for wear or loosening
- Follow installation instructions provided
Care and Cleaning:
- Hand wash only with soap and water
- NOT dishwasher safe
- Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners
- Allow to air dry completely before reinstalling
Durability and Warranty Disclaimer
Products are made from durable PVC materials. However:
- No warranty is provided on product durability or longevity
- Product lifespan varies based on use and pet behavior
- Normal wear and tear is expected with regular use
- We are not responsible for damage caused by improper use, installation, cleaning, or pet behavior
Color Accuracy
We strive to display product colors as accurately as possible. However, colors may vary slightly from photos due to:
- Monitor and device display settings
- Lighting conditions
- Manufacturing variations
While colors should be true to what you see online, slight variations are normal and do not constitute a defect.
10. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to use our Website or Services to:
- Violate any laws, regulations, or these Terms
- Infringe on intellectual property or other rights of others
- Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
- Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access our Website
- Interfere with or disrupt our Website or servers
- Impersonate any person or entity
- Collect information about other users without consent
- Post false, misleading, or defamatory content
- Engage in fraudulent activity or use fraudulent payment methods
- Resell Products without authorization (see wholesale policy)
- Copy, reproduce, or reverse engineer our patent-pending designs
Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate termination of your account and legal action.
11. Third-Party Links and Services
Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or payment processors (such as Shopify, payment gateways, shipping carriers). These third parties are not under our control, and we are not responsible for:
- The content, accuracy, or practices of third-party sites
- Third-party privacy policies or data handling
- Products or services offered by third parties
- Any damages or losses resulting from third-party interactions
Links to third-party sites do not constitute our endorsement. You should review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
12. Disclaimers
No Warranties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR WEBSITE, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Implied warranties of merchantability
- Fitness for a particular purpose
- Non-infringement
- Title
- Accuracy, completeness, or reliability of content
- Uninterrupted or error-free operation
- Security of transmissions or storage
Product Disclaimers
WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT:
- Products will meet your specific requirements or expectations
- Products will be suitable for all pets or crate types
- Products will be free from defects or variations
- Products will withstand all pet behaviors
- Website content, descriptions, or images are error-free
Service Availability
We do not guarantee that our Website will be available at all times or that access will be uninterrupted. We may suspend or modify our Website or Services for maintenance, updates, or other reasons without notice.
13. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
Exclusion of Damages
IN NO EVENT SHALL CRATE CHARMS, ITS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY:
- Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
- Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
- Cost of substitute products or services
- Personal injury or property damage
- Pet injury, illness, or death
- Damages arising from your use of Products or Website
THIS LIMITATION APPLIES EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY (CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE).
Maximum Liability
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF OUR WEBSITE OR PRODUCTS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF:
- (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US FOR PRODUCTS IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR
- (B) $100
Essential Purpose
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If these laws apply to you, some or all of the above exclusions or limitations may not apply, and you may have additional rights. However, in no event shall our liability exceed the amounts stated above.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Crate Charms and its owners, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:
- Your use or misuse of our Products or Website
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any laws or rights of third parties
- Content you submit to our Website
- Pet injury, illness, or behavior related to our Products
14. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
A. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes will be resolved in accordance with these laws and applicable federal law.
B. Informal Dispute Resolution
Before filing any formal claim, you agree to first contact us at info@cratecharms.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will work with you in good faith for 30 days to reach a resolution.
C. Binding Arbitration
If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you and Crate Charms agree that any dispute will be resolved through binding arbitration, not in court.
Arbitration means:
- A neutral arbitrator (not a judge or jury) will decide the dispute
- The process is less formal than court
- Discovery is more limited than in court
- The arbitrator's decision is final and binding
- Court review is very limited
D. Arbitration Rules
Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. You can learn more at www.adr.org or by calling 1-800-778-7879.
The arbitration will take place:
- In the county where you reside, or
- By telephone or video conference, or
- Based on written submissions (if you prefer)
E. Arbitration Costs
We will pay all AAA filing, administration, and arbitrator fees for claims under $10,000, unless the arbitrator finds your claim frivolous. For claims over $10,000, fees are divided according to AAA rules. Each party pays its own attorney fees unless the arbitrator awards them to the prevailing party.
F. No Class Actions
YOU AND CRATE CHARMS AGREE THAT DISPUTES MUST BE BROUGHT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS ONLY. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO BRING CLAIMS AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS ACTION, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
The arbitrator may not consolidate multiple people's claims and may not preside over any class or representative proceeding. If this class action waiver is found unenforceable, the entire arbitration agreement is void.
G. Exceptions to Arbitration
Either party may bring a claim in small claims court if it qualifies. Either party may also seek injunctive relief in court to protect intellectual property rights (such as our patent-pending designs).
H. Opt-Out Right
You have the right to opt out of this arbitration agreement. To opt out, you must send written notice to info@cratecharms.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration agreement.
15. General Provisions
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Crate Charms regarding use of our Website and Products.
Modifications
We may update these Terms at any time by posting revised Terms on our Website with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our Website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
Waiver
Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it later.
Assignment
We may assign these Terms or any rights under these Terms without your consent. You may not assign these Terms or any rights under these Terms without our prior written consent.
Survival
Provisions that by their nature should survive termination of these Terms will survive, including but not limited to: intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, dispute resolution, and general provisions.
Force Majeure
We are not liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, pandemics, strikes, or shortages of transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.
Headings
Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.
Relationship
Nothing in these Terms creates any partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between you and Crate Charms.
Third-Party Beneficiaries
These Terms do not confer any third-party beneficiary rights.
Notice
We may provide notices to you via email, postal mail, or by posting on our Website. Notices to us must be sent to the contact information provided in Section 16 below.
16. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms, our Products, or our Services, please contact us:
Crate Charms
Email: info@cratecharms.com
For Returns:
PO Box #98 Clarksburg MD 20871
Response Time: We will respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days.
Acknowledgment: By using Crate Charms' Website and purchasing our Products, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.
Patent Notice: Crate Charms' snap-on charm system is protected by pending U.S. Patent Application No. PATP1063.02. Unauthorized reproduction or manufacture of our patented designs is prohibited.