Terms and Conditions of Sale

General Terms and Conditions of Sale – Preamble

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (GTCS) govern the contractual relations between:

Echo-Blinddog, a micro-enterprise registered in France under SIRET number 983 981 853 00010, with its registered office at 9 rue du Travail, 67640 Fegersheim, hereinafter referred to as “the Seller”, and any natural or legal person making a purchase on the website www.echo-blinddog.com, hereinafter referred to as “the Customer”.

These conditions apply to all orders placed on the website www.echo-blinddog.com and prevail over any other document. Placing an order implies full and unreserved acceptance of these GTCS.

Products

The products offered for sale on the website www.echo-blinddog.com are described as accurately as possible.

Availability: Product offers are valid as long as they are visible on the site and within the limit of available stocks.
Compliance: Photographs and descriptions of the products are provided for information purposes only. In case of doubt, the Customer may contact customer service at admin@echo-blinddog.com before making a purchase.

Order

To place an order, the Customer must:

Select the desired products and add them to their cart.
Validate their cart and provide the information necessary for delivery and payment.
Accept these GTCS by checking the box provided for this purpose.
Explicitly authorize the disbursement mandate via the specific checkbox on the payment page for relevant international shipments. The acceptance of the mandate is timestamped and kept by the Seller as proof of the Customer’s consent.
Make the payment using the methods offered.

Once the order is validated, a confirmation email will be sent to the Customer.

The Seller reserves the right to cancel or refuse an order for legitimate reasons (previous dispute, refused payment, etc.).

Price and Payment

Price: Product prices are indicated in euros (€), all taxes included (TTC). Delivery costs are not included and will be indicated before the validation of the order.
Payment: Payment is made online via the following means: credit card, PayPal or any other means offered on the site.

No order will be processed before receipt of full payment.

Disbursement Mandate (Transport and Customs)

For certain international destinations, the Customer has the possibility of mandating the Seller for the advance of costs. By checking the specific authorization box on the payment page, the Customer gives an express mandate to the Seller to incur, in their name and on their behalf, shipping costs as well as any customs duties and taxes.

Nature and Invoicing: These sums are treated as disbursements and appear on a separate line of the invoice, separate from the price of the product. They are reinvoiced to the Customer for their real and exact amount, without any profit margin or fixed management fees.
Adjustment of Costs: The amount indicated during the order is an estimate based on current rates. After shipping, the costs actually invoiced by the carrier or the customs authorities will be justified. If the actual amount is higher, a supplement may be requested from the Customer. If the actual amount is lower, the difference will be refunded to the Customer.
Justification: The Seller keeps all supporting documents (transport invoices, CN23 type customs documents) and undertakes to make them available to the Customer upon request.
Cancellation and Return: In the event of cancellation or return, the disbursement costs actually incurred and not recoverable from third parties (carriers, customs) are not refundable, the mandate having been executed on behalf of the Customer.
Tax Exclusion: Under Article 267-II-2° of the General Tax Code, these cost reimbursements do not constitute turnover for the Seller and are excluded from the calculation base for their social contributions.

Delivery and Responsibility

Products are shipped in France and internationally. Unless otherwise stated, the transfer of risks related to transport occurs upon delivery of the package to the carrier. When the Customer activates the disbursement mandate for international shipping, the Seller may advance certain transport and customs costs on behalf of the Customer, reinvoiced at the exact amount, without margin. This mandate does not have the effect of modifying the liability rules applicable to transport.

For all details regarding zones, costs, deadlines and delivery tracking, consult our Shipping Policy.

Right of Withdrawal

In accordance with Article L221-18 of the Consumer Code, the Customer has a period of 14 calendar days from receipt of the products to exercise their right of withdrawal, without having to justify a reason or pay penalties.

Products must be returned in their original condition, unused, and in their original packaging. Return costs are at the Customer’s expense. This right does not apply to personalized or custom-made products.

For the complete return procedure and refund conditions, consult our Return and Refund Policy.

Warranty

In accordance with articles L217-4 and following of the Consumer Code, the Customer benefits from the 2-year legal warranty of conformity from the delivery of the product. The Customer also benefits from the warranty against hidden defects (articles 1641 to 1649 of the Civil Code).

To learn about warranty exclusions, the implementation procedure and maintenance advice, consult our Warranty page.

Retention of Title

The Seller retains full and complete ownership of the products sold until full payment of the price, in principal and accessories. Failure to pay may result in the reclamation of the products.

Product Nature

The Echo is an electronic mobility aid device designed to assist blind or visually impaired dogs in their daily movements. It uses ultrasonic echolocation technology to detect obstacles located in front of the animal and warn it through sound or vibration signals. The dog’s understanding of how to use echolocation is necessary for the product’s effectiveness. Consequently, the Seller cannot be held responsible if the dog does not integrate the principle of echolocation.

The Echo is not:

A medical device within the meaning of European regulations
A substitute for the owner’s supervision and accompaniment
A device guaranteeing absolute safety in all circumstances
Personal protective equipment for the animal
A geolocation or GPS tracking system

Technical Limitations of the Device

The ultrasonic echolocation system has technical limitations inherent to this technology. The Customer acknowledges having taken note of the following limitations:

Obstacle Detection:

The device detects obstacles in an angle and range defined in the user manual
Some obstacles may not be detected: very thin objects (wires, cables, fine mesh), absorbent surfaces (fabrics, foams), inclined surfaces reflecting the echo in another direction
Obstacles located outside the detection field (on the sides, in height or at ground level) may not be signaled
Elevation changes (holes, descending steps, ditches, curbs) may not be detected depending on their configuration

Environmental Conditions:

Performance may be affected by extreme weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, dense fog)
Very noisy environments can interfere with audible alert signals
The presence of other ultrasound sources can disrupt operation

Autonomy and Operation:

The device requires a charged battery to function
The Customer must check the charge level before each use
In case of low or discharged battery, the device will not provide protection

Safety Warnings – Battery

The Echo device contains a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery of 400 mAh. As with any device equipped with this type of battery, risks exist in case of misuse. The Customer acknowledges having taken note of the following warnings:

Potential Risks:

Risk of Burns: In case of overheating, short circuit or deterioration, the battery can reach high temperatures that can cause skin burns to the animal or its owner
Risk of Fire: A damaged, pierced or overheated battery can ignite
Risk of Explosion: Under extreme conditions (crushing, piercing, exposure to fire), the battery can explode
Chemical Risk: In case of battery leakage, the electrolyte liquid can cause skin or eye irritations

Mandatory Precautions:

Use only the charger provided or approved by Echo-Blinddog
Never charge the device unattended for an extended period
Do not charge the device on a flammable surface (bed, sofa, fabric)
Do not expose the device to temperatures above 45°C or below -10°C
Do not leave the device in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle in summer
Do not use the device if it shows signs of swelling, deformation or leakage
Do not pierce, crush, disassemble or throw the device into a fire
Do not immerse the device in water during charging
Stop using immediately if the device heats up abnormally, emits an unusual odor or smoke

In Case of Incident:

In case of contact of the battery liquid with the skin: rinse thoroughly with clean water and consult a doctor if irritation persists
In case of contact with eyes: rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes and consult a doctor urgently
In case of overheating or smoke: move the device away from any flammable material, do not touch it with bare hands, ventilate the room
In case of burn: cool the area under cold water and consult a doctor

Disposal:

The battery of the Echo device must not be thrown away with household waste. It must be deposited in a collection point approved for lithium-ion batteries, in accordance with the regulations in force on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Echo-Blinddog declines all responsibility for damage resulting from non-compliance with these safety warnings.

Conditions for Correct Use

For optimal and secure use of the Echo device, the Customer agrees to:

Before First Use:

Read the user manual in full
Gradually familiarize the animal with the device in a secure environment
Check the correct fit of the harness or support on the animal
Ensure the device is correctly charged

During Each Use:

Check the battery charge level
Check the general condition of the device (no cracks, clean sensors)
Ensure that ultrasonic sensors are not obstructed
Test correct operation before letting the animal move about
Maintain constant supervision of the animal

Environments Requiring Increased Vigilance:

Proximity to road traffic
Stairs, ramps and elevation changes
Bodies of water, swimming pools, rivers, canals
Construction zones or work sites
Spaces with many moving obstacles (crowds, other animals)
Rough or unknown terrain

Improper Use

The following uses are considered non-compliant and release the Seller from all liability:

Prohibited Uses:

Using the device on an animal other than a dog
Using the device on a dog whose weight or morphology does not correspond to the specifications
Leaving the animal unattended by relying solely on the device
Using the device as the sole safety measure near hazards (roads, water, heights)
Immersing the device in water beyond the indicated protection index
Exposing the device to extreme temperatures (intense frost, excessive heat)
Modifying, disassembling or attempting to repair the device
Using chargers or accessories not supplied or approved by Echo-Blinddog

Situations to Avoid:

Using the device with a low or uncharged battery
Continuing to use a device showing signs of deterioration
Using the device if the sensors are dirty, obstructed or damaged
Ignoring alert signals or device malfunctions
Using the device in environments for which it is not designed

Liability of the Animal Owner

In accordance with Article 1243 of the Civil Code, the owner or keeper of an animal is responsible for the damage it may cause to third parties, whether the animal is under their care, has escaped or is lost. This liability is of right and does not require proof of fault.

The use of the Echo device does not in any way modify this legal liability.

The owner remains solely and entirely responsible for:

The permanent supervision of their animal, with or without the device
Decisions regarding the places and times when the animal can move about
The assessment of risks in each environment
Bodily or material damage caused by their animal to third parties
Injuries or damage suffered by their own animal
Compliance with local regulations concerning animals (mandatory leash, forbidden access, etc.)
Taking out a civil liability insurance policy covering damage caused by their animal

The Echo device is a mobility aid and under no circumstances replaces the owner’s vigilance.

Liability of the Seller

The Seller is responsible for:

Compliance of the product with its description and announced specifications
Manufacturing defects found within the framework of the legal warranty (articles L217-4 and following of the Consumer Code)
Hidden defects rendering the product unfit for the use for which it is intended (articles 1641 to 1649 of the Civil Code)

The Seller cannot be held responsible for:

Damage resulting from use not compliant with the user manual
Damage resulting from non-compliance with the conditions of use described above
Damage occurring despite the correct operation of the device, within the described technical limits
Damage resulting from a lack of supervision of the animal by its owner
Damage caused by the animal to third parties or their property
Injuries suffered by the animal in circumstances where supervision was necessary
Damage resulting from normal wear and tear of the product
Damage caused by external factors (shocks, falls, immersion, extreme weather conditions)
Cases of force majeure within the meaning of article 1218 of the Civil Code

Recommendation:

Echo-Blinddog strongly recommends that the Customer take out civil liability insurance covering damage that may be caused by their animal, as well as insurance for the animal itself.

Personal Data

Personal data collected during the order is processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more information on the collection, use and your rights, consult our Privacy Policy.

Disputes and Mediation

These GTCS are subject to French law. In case of dispute, an amicable solution will be sought before any legal action. Failing that, the French courts will be competent.

Consumer Mediation:

In accordance with articles L611-1 and following of the Consumer Code, the Customer may use a consumer mediator free of charge with a view to the amicable resolution of a dispute opposing them to the Seller.

The Customer can also use the European online dispute resolution platform accessible at the address: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

Contact

For any questions regarding our general terms and conditions of sale, contact us at: admin@echo-blinddog.com.