Terms and Conditions
1.0 Consignment Collection and Deliveries
1.1 Before any collection or delivery can commence it will be the responsibility of the customer to provide a confirmation email, fax or schedule, which includes the full name, address including postcode and contact details of the destination party, service level required and weight and size of pallets, to be received at Gorton Brothers Limited before 1pm. We cannot guarantee any customer collections if the email, fax or schedule is received after this deadline.
1.2 If the weight, pallet size or service levels are omitted from the email, fax or schedule, Gorton Brothers Limited will deem the pallet weight to be in excess of 500kg, the pallet size to be full, and the service level to be ‘next day’. Gorton Brothers Limited will accept no liability for overcharges if these details are omitted.
1.3 Special requirements, such as, tail lift, handball, vehicle height/weight restrictions, or any other not listed, must be notified on the email, fax or schedule. Gorton Brothers Limited will accept no liability for any extra expense if these are omitted.
1.4 Pallets collected from customers must clearly show destination address, Gorton Brothers Limited will accept no liability for extra expense if consignments are misrouted due to pallets having no identification.
1.5 Gorton Brothers Limited reserve the right not to dispatch any consignments if the pallet identification does not coincide with the schedule received. In the event that a consignment is held at the Gorton Brothers Limited depot due to a variance, Gorton Brothers Limited will accept no liability for any extra expense incurred if service levels are increased or not achieved.
1.6 Delivery drivers are responsible for unloading goods and placing them to the door of destination, any request for further help is at the discretion of the drive. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that adequate facilities are provided for to move goods once delivered. Handball deliveries or two man deliveries are available by prior notice and may incur an extra cost. Gorton Brothers Limited will not be liable for any costs incurred if special requirements have not been notified, nor for any costs of returned pallets due to customer refusal for unloading difficulties.
2.0 Service levels and standard delivery time
2.1 Normal delivery is between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
2.2 Saturday delivery is between 9am – 12pm with surcharge
2.3 Standard service levels are:
- Next Day (24 hour)
- Economy (72 hour) – including specified day Economy
Gorton Brothers Limited cannot guarantee any deliveries specified for a 48-hour delivery and will except no liability if these deliveries are not met.
2.4 Additional services are subject to surcharges, which are set out in our current rate schedule, these are AM or PM deliveries, specified timed. Any customers requiring deliveries outside these services must have agreement prior to collection and these will incur a surcharge.
2.5 Customers may request that consignments are ‘booked in’, however, Gorton Brothers Limited cannot guarantee that the booking time will be within the standard 72-hour delivery window. In the event that the ‘booked in’ time exceeds this normal window Gorton Brothers Limited will not accept any liability if the customer deems this to be a failed delivery.
3.0 Pallet Definitions
3.1 Pallets are deemed to fall into three categories – quarter, half and full. For a pallet to be classed a certain size, it must both adhere to the height restrictions and weight restrictions. Gorton Brothers Limited will assume that if a pallet does not fall under both height and weight restrictions, then the greater will be understood as correct.
3.2 Pallet Dimensions
- Full Pallet Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 220 Max weight 1200kg.
- Half Pallet Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 120 Max weight 600kg
- Quarter Pallet Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 80 Max weight 300kg
All pallets, and any above or excessively oversized pallets, must be safely wrapped and secure to travel.
3.3 Gorton Brothers Limited reserve the right not to dispatch any consignments if the pallet size/dimensions do not coincide with the schedule received. In the event that a consignment is held at the Gorton Brothers Limited depot due to a variance, Gorton Brothers Limited will accept no liability for any extra expense incurred if service levels are increased or not achieved.
4.0 Goods in transit and insurance claims
4.1 All goods are carried to RHA conditions and are covered for up to a limit of £5,000 per tonne.
4.2 All claims must be notified verbally within 48 hours and written notice to be received within 14 working days of delivery date on proof of delivery. Claims received within the timescale must have a claused proof of delivery. The term “unchecked” does not constitute a claused proof of delivery and will not be accepted as part of an insurance claim. Gorton Brothers Limited will not accept any liability for claims not received within the allocated timescale.
4.3 Any claims pending cannot be deducted, or contra payments made, against any outstanding monies owed by the customer, unless agreed.
4.4 Insurance claims are not subject to VAT and therefore VAT liability should be zero rated.
5.0 Invoices, proof of delivery and payment terms
5.1 All quotes and rate schedules are subject to VAT. Invoice queries should be made in writing.
5.2 All proof of delivery will be accessible via the NEXUS System, unless otherwise agreed. Copies of proof of delivery can be provided for up to one year and we will endeavour to provide proof of delivery older than one year (but this cannot be guaranteed).
5.3 Payment terms are 30 days from end of month. Gorton Brothers Limited reserve the right to put customers ‘on hold’ for non-payment of account. Any deliveries outstanding when placed ‘on hold’ will be held at the Gorton Brothers Limited depot until payment is received.