Terms of sell

Seller and scope

SONJA MARKOVIC — French sole trader (entrepreneur individuel — EI)
15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France
SIREN : 810 395 806 · SIRET : 810 395 806 00062
TVA / VAT : FR91810395806
latelierdesonja@gmail.com
06 62 76 89 99 · +33 6 62 76 89 99

These terms govern distance sales of clothing through L’atelier de Sonja to consumers acting for non-business purposes. The applicable terms are those made available when you place your order. The French version is the drafting reference; the English version expresses the same rights without limiting any mandatory protections.

Products

Each product page presents the item’s essential characteristics, composition, sizes and price. Photographs accompany the description. Colour-display differences do not exclude the statutory guarantee of conformity.

Right of withdrawal

You have 14 days to notify us that you wish to withdraw from the purchase without giving a reason. The period runs from the day after you, or a third party you nominate other than the carrier, receives the goods. For multiple goods ordered together and delivered separately, it runs from receipt of the last item. If the period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public/non-working holiday, it is extended to the next working day.

Before the period expires, send the model withdrawal form or any unambiguous statement to latelierdesonja@gmail.com, or by post to SONJA MARKOVIC EI, 15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France. You do not have to use the form. You may also notify withdrawal before delivery. Prior authorisation from the seller is not required.

Returning goods and their condition

After notifying withdrawal, you must return the goods without undue delay and no later than 14 days after that notification. The deadline is met if you send the goods before it expires. Keep proof of dispatch.

Physical returns address: Sonja Markovic, 15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France.

For a change of mind, you bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You may inspect and try on clothing as you would in a shop. You are liable only for diminished value resulting from handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods, subject to the law. Original packaging is helpful if available; its absence alone does not remove your right of withdrawal.

Refund following withdrawal

If you withdraw from the entire order, we refund the amounts paid, including standard delivery costs. We do not refund the extra cost resulting from your express choice of a delivery method more expensive than our standard delivery. For a partial return, initial delivery costs are dealt with according to the amount legally due and the calculation applicable to that order; there is no blanket exclusion.

We refund without undue delay and no later than 14 days after being informed of your decision. For goods, we may withhold the refund until we receive them back or receive evidence that they have been sent back, whichever occurs first, unless we have offered to collect the goods ourselves.

We use the original payment method unless you expressly agree to another method that causes you no fees. Store credit is not imposed as the default. No automatic flat deduction of customs charges applies to a statutory refund.

Exceptions and exchanges

Standard clothing is not excluded from withdrawal merely because it is handmade or produced after an order. An exception for goods made to your specifications or clearly personalised may be applied only where the legal conditions are actually met and you were informed before purchase. No blanket hygiene, perishable-goods or digital-content exclusion is applied to standard clothing.

We do not offer a general voluntary 30-day returns period. An exchange for personal preference may be considered on request; it is not guaranteed and its terms must be agreed before it is carried out. Requesting an exchange does not suspend the withdrawal period. Statutory remedies do not depend on acceptance of a voluntary exchange.

Faulty goods and statutory guarantees

If the goods are faulty or do not conform to the contract, contact latelierdesonja@gmail.com, describe the problem and, if possible, include the order reference. We will arrange the appropriate statutory remedy and bear the necessary costs. This is separate from withdrawal and is not limited to 14 days. Photographs may help us assess the issue, but they are not a general condition that removes your rights.

Use, care of garments and statutory guarantees

1. Nature of the garments and characteristics of the materials

The garments sold by L'Atelier de Sonja are made from various textile materials, including sari silk, viscose, cotton and linen.

Some of these materials, particularly lightweight, flowing or delicate fabrics, require appropriate precautions when being worn, handled, cared for and stored.

A textile material's sensitivity to snagging, friction or unsuitable treatment does not, in itself, constitute a lack of conformity, provided that the garment has the advertised characteristics and the quality normally expected.

L'Atelier de Sonja recommends handling delicate textiles with care and following care instructions appropriate to their composition.

2. Normal use and responsibility for damage

The statutory guarantee of conformity covers defects meeting the conditions laid down in the French Consumer Code.

It is not intended to cover damage established to result from an accident, misuse, inappropriate care or an external cause occurring after delivery of the garment, where that damage is not attributable to an initial lack of conformity.

Depending on the circumstances and the origin of the damage, these situations may include:

• Tears caused by excessive pulling or accidental snagging.
• Accidental holes, punctures, cuts and burns.
• Threads pulled through contact with an external object.
• Damage resulting from contact with jewellery, zips, bags, metal accessories or sharp objects.
• Damage caused by rough or abrasive surfaces.
• Damage caused by excessive or abnormal friction.
• Distortion resulting from unsuitable mechanical strain.
• Damage directly caused by use incompatible with the garment's normal purpose.

These circumstances are assessed individually. They are not automatic exclusions and do not deprive the customer of their rights where a lack of conformity is established, with due regard for statutory presumptions and rules of evidence.

3. Washing, drying, ironing and care

Customers are encouraged to read and follow the recommendations and care instructions provided for each garment.

Damage directly attributable to inappropriate care, rather than to a lack of conformity of the product or incorrect instructions, does not fall within the statutory guarantee of conformity.

This may include:

• Shrinkage caused by washing at an unsuitable temperature.
• Distortion caused by excessive spinning.
• Fibre damage caused by washing incompatible with the material.
• Deterioration caused by unsuitable drying or ironing.
• Discolouration caused by inappropriate care treatment.
• Damage resulting from washing products incompatible with the textile.
• Deterioration resulting from treatment contrary to the applicable instructions.

L'Atelier de Sonja remains responsible for any lack of conformity resulting, in particular, from incorrect information or care instructions attributable to it.

4. Chemicals, cosmetics and external substances

Garments may be damaged by contact with certain substances, including bleaches, stain removers, solvents, perfumes, cosmetics, cleaning products or other substances liable to affect fibres or dyes.

Where permanent stains, discolouration, chemical burns or deterioration are directly caused by accidental or inappropriate external exposure after delivery, they do not constitute a lack of conformity of the garment, provided that they are not attributable to such a defect.

The origin of the damage must be assessable in light of the circumstances and the available evidence.

5. Normal wear and ageing of textiles

Garments are subject to gradual wear depending on their use, frequency of wear, care and storage conditions.

Normal wear of a garment does not, in itself, constitute a lack of conformity.

Depending on the material and conditions of use, it may appear as a change in appearance, localised wear in areas of friction or a gradual change in the fabric's suppleness.

However, abnormally rapid wear or insufficient strength in relation to the use normally expected may reveal a lack of conformity and remains subject to statutory guarantees.

No uniform lifespan is guaranteed for all garments, since this depends in particular on their characteristics, use and care, without prejudice to the durability normally expected and the commitments advertised at the time of sale.

6. Alterations, modifications and third-party work

Any alteration, modification or work carried out after delivery may change the garment's original characteristics.

This may include:

• Changes to seams.
• Shortening or lengthening the garment.
• Replacement of components.
• Changes to the cut.
• Repairs carried out by a third party.
• Any other modification liable to affect the structure or strength of the textile.

Damage established to be directly caused by such work, and not attributable to a lack of conformity, is not covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity.

However, an alteration or modification does not automatically deprive the customer of their rights concerning a defect independent of that work.

7. Characteristics of artisan textiles and sari silk

L'Atelier de Sonja garments may be made from materials with characteristics specific to their origin, weave or manufacturing processes.

Some pieces may include:

• Slight natural irregularities in the weave.
• Variations in pattern placement.
• Slight differences in appearance or texture.
• Characteristics specific to reused or regenerated sari fabrics.
• Variations between pieces arising from artisan manufacturing processes.

Where these characteristics are inherent in the material or manufacture, have been properly disclosed and meet the quality normally expected, they do not, in themselves, constitute a lack of conformity.

However, pre-existing tears, abnormal seam defects, insufficient strength or other anomalies beyond the characteristics normally expected may still fall within statutory guarantees.

The artisan nature of a garment cannot, by itself, justify a lack of conformity.

8. Colours, photographs and screen rendering

L'Atelier de Sonja takes the greatest care in creating and presenting photographs of its garments, with the aim of reproducing their colours, patterns and characteristics as faithfully as possible.

However, an exact reproduction of the colours shown in the photographs cannot be guaranteed.

Colour perception can vary noticeably depending on the technical characteristics of screens, their calibration, brightness, contrast and saturation settings, as well as the lighting conditions in which the photographs are viewed.

Consequently, slight differences in shade, tone or colour intensity may exist between the photographs displayed on the website and the actual garment.

These normal variations in visual rendering do not, in themselves, constitute a lack of conformity.

This clarification cannot, however, exclude the consumer's statutory rights where there is a significant difference between the advertised characteristics and the product delivered.

9. Complaints about the condition of garments

If a customer believes that a garment has a lack of conformity, they are encouraged to contact L'Atelier de Sonja with information useful for identifying the order and understanding the problem.

To facilitate assessment of the complaint, the customer may provide:

• Their order number.
• A precise description of the defect observed.
• The date when the problem was noticed.
• General photographs of the garment.
• Close-up photographs of the affected area.
• Any useful information about the circumstances in which the problem arose.

These details allow the nature of the complaint to be assessed more efficiently.

They are not, however, mandatory formalities whose absence would automatically result in rejection of a claim under a statutory guarantee.

10. Examining the origin of damage

L'Atelier de Sonja assesses complaints about suspected defects individually.

Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may include:

• The location of the damage.
• The general condition of the textile.
• The nature and appearance of the tear or deterioration.
• The condition of the seams.
• The characteristics of the material.
• The information provided at the time of sale.
• The known circumstances of use or care.
• Available physical evidence, including photographs.

Where necessary and proportionate, an examination of the garment itself may be proposed under the conditions laid down by the applicable regulations. No examination or return charge incompatible with statutory guarantees will be imposed on the customer; the costs necessary to implement those guarantees are borne by the seller.

The assessment's conclusion is based on the available objective evidence, in compliance with statutory rules of evidence.

L'Atelier de Sonja does not reserve the right to determine unilaterally and conclusively whether a lack of conformity exists.

11. Claims outside the scope of statutory guarantees

Where it is established that damage results exclusively from an accident, misuse, inappropriate care or another external cause not attributable to a lack of conformity, L'Atelier de Sonja may refuse a remedy under the statutory guarantee of conformity, under the conditions laid down by law.

Any refusal must be based on the circumstances of the case and sufficiently probative evidence.

L'Atelier de Sonja will communicate the reasons for its decision to the customer in writing.

This provision does not prevent the consumer from using any remedies available by law.

12. Distinction between withdrawal and statutory guarantees

The right of withdrawal applicable to distance purchases and statutory guarantees have different rules and purposes.

The right of withdrawal allows consumers to change their mind about a purchase under the conditions and within the periods laid down by law.

The statutory guarantee of conformity concerns defects meeting the statutory criteria.

Damage resulting from handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the garment may make the consumer liable for diminished value under the conditions laid down in the French Consumer Code, provided that the customer was informed of their right of withdrawal in accordance with Article L. 221-5(7) of that Code.

This provision removes neither the statutory right of withdrawal nor statutory guarantees.

13. Preservation of statutory guarantees

These provisions explain the normal conditions of use of garments and distinguish a lack of conformity from damage attributable to external causes.

They do not limit, suspend or exclude:

• The statutory guarantee of conformity under Articles L. 217-3 et seq. of the French Consumer Code.
• The statutory guarantee against hidden defects under Articles 1641 et seq. of the French Civil Code.
• The applicable rules concerning the presumption that defects existed before delivery.
• Statutory rules concerning the burden of proof.
• The remedies available to consumers in the event of a lack of conformity.

For new goods, a lack of conformity appearing within twenty-four months of delivery is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless proved otherwise or unless that presumption is incompatible with the nature of the goods or of the alleged defect, in accordance with Article L. 217-7 of the French Consumer Code. During that period, the customer does not have to prove when the defect arose.

These provisions do not deprive international consumers of applicable mandatory protections, including those of their country of habitual residence where conflict-of-laws rules so provide.

In the event of a conflict between these clarifications and a mandatory legal provision, the latter prevails.

Complaints and consumer mediation

First send your written complaint to L’atelier de Sonja at latelierdesonja@gmail.com or to Sonja Markovic, 15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France.

If your prior written complaint has not led to a satisfactory resolution, you may refer the dispute free of charge to the following consumer mediation body:

CM2C — Centre de la Médiation de la Consommation de Conciliateurs de Justice
49 rue de Ponthieu, 75008 Paris, France
Tel.: 01 89 47 00 14
www.cm2c.net

You may submit your request using the consumer referral form or by post to CM2C at the address above. Include evidence of your prior complaint and SONJA MARKOVIC’s SIRET number: 81039580600062. The request must be submitted no later than one year after that written complaint, subject to the other statutory admissibility conditions. See CM2C’s referral procedure.

Mediation is voluntary for the consumer and does not remove the right to bring a claim before the competent court. Advice or expert assistance that you choose to obtain may involve costs payable by you.

Liability and applicable law

The seller is responsible for proper performance of its obligations as provided by law. Nothing in these terms excludes statutory guarantees or liabilities that cannot lawfully be excluded. Statutory force-majeure rules remain applicable without a blanket exclusion for every transport or customs delay.

French law forms the basis of these terms. This choice does not deprive consumers of mandatory protections available under the applicable law, including those of their habitual residence where conflict-of-laws rules so provide. No French or foreign court is imposed contrary to the applicable jurisdiction rules. Accepting international orders is not a claim of worldwide legal compliance.

Personal data

Data processing is described in the privacy policy. Accepting these terms does not constitute consent to newsletters or advertising trackers.