Timelines Industries inc., Terms, Conditions, and Policies
Media Replacement Policy
Lost or damaged media will be replaced for just the cost of handling and shipping. If we receive credit for lost media then the customer will also received a credit for the shipping amount only. Handling changes are non-refundable. If the media was damaged in shipping then a claim must be made to the shipper by the customer. We cannot act as agents for any shipping claims. Media that is defective when shipped will be replaced at no charge including shipping. However replacement media will be shipped via media mail by the USPS.
Our prices cover the cost of media, labeling, and duplication only. Our shipping and handling charges cover the cost of packaging, sealing, and mailing the media. We only use delivery methods that provide either tracking or delivery confirmation services which are included in the cost of the shipping and handling charges.
Online Quote and Contract System
We are proud to announce the new Timelines Online Quote and Contract system. Due to a changing business environment we have updated our terms, conditions, and policies regarding consulting and contract development. In the following paragraphs, these new terms, conditions , and policies are explained. If you have an interest in contract or consulting services then click the quote button to receive a quote. When a quote is returned, a link to our online contract system will be returned.
Timelines Industries Business Terms and Conditions
Timelines Industries is a educational and development firm specializing in micro controllers and software. We have been involved in this line of business for at least 26 years. In order to serve you and all of clients in the best fashion possible we require that all client read, sign, and submit this document with any requested quote or proposal. Please read the following sections very carefully as these are the terms and conditions under which we conduct all business. If you find our policies do not agree with your business principals we understand and will not be offended if you choose to go elsewhere. These terms and conditions have been developed and refined for almost 30 years. These terms and conditions are not negotiable so please do not contact us to make exceptions.
A project estimate is good for 30 days from the date is was provided. Project estimates are kept in our files for a period of 90 days. After 90 days they are destroyed and an estimate fee may be requested if a new quote is needed. After one from the date of the original estimate any re-quote will be considered a new project and the one hour quote rule applies.
We respect the privacy of every customer or potential customer. Be assured that submitting your proposal the information will be held in the strictest confidence. No information provided will be discussed with anyone other than you the The only exception to this would be any 3rd party that has been preauthorized to discuss the project with. Many times a client has a partner or other vendor who is a part of the project.
This excludes any prior intellectual property developed and / or published by Timelines Industries or it's associates that be similar in nature. This is no being mentioned as a way to circumvent your privacy but rather a way to protect existing IP that many be similar in nature. With almost 30 years of accumulated IP there are many times areas where we have explored or published before.
Project Estimates
A project estimate originates with information from the client. Our best estimates can be no better or worse than the original information provided. It is our policy to provide one hour of time to estimate your needs based on information provided by you. Once an estimate is generated it is good until the project is either completed or a 10% error or change margin is reached. This margin is reached when more than 10% of the information provided is deemed to be wrong or in error or change requests have exceeded 10% of the original quote.
Once the 10% difference has been established Timelines will stop all further work until an accurate replacement estimate has been provided and authorized by the client. A payment request will also be made at the time the new estimate is provided. Work will resume upon acceptance of the new estimate and receipt of payment.
Payment Terms and Conditions
All new customers are considered cash clients for at least the first three projects. After a 3rd project has been completed a credit application may be requested. At least five trade references and one bank reference will be required. We may also require a personal guaranty from the business owner or president. No credit terms should be assumed and no variance from this policy will be honored so please don't request an exception to this policy.
Source Code, Schematic, and other Intellectual Property Rights.
Timelines Industries retains all copyrights and IP rights until a project is paid in full. Once a project is paid in full a letter transferring all source code rights, and a;; source code, and schematic files are copied to a CD and transmitted to the client. We retain an archive copy of all projects for a period of three years from the date of transfer. A longer retention can be agreed to through an escrow agreement and fees payable by the client.
If a project remains unpaid for a period of 90 days from project completion or stoppage due to 10% error or change margins, Timelines Industries will liquidate the assets at auction or closed bid process for an amount not to exceed the outstanding invoice amount. After 90 days any equipment and associated material will be considered abandoned and disposed of accordingly. This may include a mail solicitation to similar business types or via online or in person auction.
Project Scheduling and Deliverables Dates
We do our very best to produce accurate schedules for every project. At any given time we have three to ten projects in process. With added variables such as parts shortages, errors, and project changes it's difficult to please everyone. Projects that on or ahead of schedule are given precedence. Projects waiting for parts or client approval are set aside until an available slot is available for the project to continue. That makes the best use of time and money for both our company and clients.
Right of Refusal
We reserve the right to refuse a project. Sometimes the client simply isn't a good fit for our firm or we may not have the time to give a project the full attention we believe it deserves. If we refuse a project it is for good reason, even though the reason may not be evident, so please don't take it the wrong way. You are always welcome to submit a project at a later time.
Collections and Returned Checks
We make every effort to be fair and competitive. There are occasions when a balance may be due for work not originally quoted or billed for. We ask that all clients pay their balances promptly, just as they would like to be paid. There aren't too many stories we haven't heard so don't make matters worse by attempting to cheat us. We aren't influenced or intimidated by these types of actions. We take all outstanding balances to court within 45 days. Once court proceedings are started court costs are added to the invoice and must be paid to avoid a court appearance so beware. We also prosecute dishonored checks to the fullest extent of the law so please don't hand us a bad check.
Governing Law
All projects are done in our facility in McHenry, Illinois and all business is done under Illinois law. All intellectual property rights are managed under both federal and state laws of Illinois. We are in the 19th Judicial District.