TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated: July 2026 – Version: 1.0

1. Introduction

These terms and conditions outline the rules for using the Pipkins Bears Website and purchasing handmade, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) collectible creations by Jane Mogford, via our website, by mail order, at fairs, exhibitions or any other sales channel operated or authorised by Pipkins Miniature Artist Bears.

By placing an order with us, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree, please do not place an order.

2. About Us

“Pipkins Miniature Bears”

Founded in 1997 by award-winning UK teddy bear artist Jane Mogford, our studio has spent many  years bringing character-filled miniature and fantasy animals to life for collectors around the globe.

You can contact us at:

• Email: jane@pipkinsbears.com
• Postal address: 47 Thrift Road, Branston, DE14 3LJ, UK

3. Definitions

• “Goods” means any miniature bear, bear accessory, gift item or related product supplied or to be supplied by Pipkins to the Customer.
• “Order” means a request by the Customer to purchase Goods, accepted by Pipkins in accordance with clause 4.
• “Commissioned  Order” or “Bespoke Order” means any Order for Goods made to the Customer’s specific requirements, including personalised colours, accessories, embroidered names, custom outfits, commissions in memory of a person or pet, or any other non-standard specification.
• “Working day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or UK bank holiday.

4. Orders  & Commissions 

5. Pricing and Payment

• All prices are shown in pounds sterling (£) . Shipping costs, where chargeable, are shown separately at checkout and confirmed before payment.
• We accept payment by major debit and credit cards, PayPal, bank transfer.
• Payment is taken: Ready-made Goods: at the time of Order. Custom Orders:  a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of Order, with the balance due before dispatch. ( Please see our commissions page for more details.)
• We reserve the right to amend prices at any time before a contract is formed . Once a contract is formed, the price will not change.
• If a pricing error is identified, we will notify you as soon as possible. You may choose to proceed at the correct price or cancel the Order for a full refund.
• Layaway & Instalment Plans: Ad-hoc payment plans are offered entirely at our discretion. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your bear. Remaining instalment must be paid within 30 days. Items will not be dispatched until full payment has been received. If you default on payments or cancel the plan, the deposit is non-refundable, and the goods will be relisted for sale.

6. Shipping & Delivery

• We deliver within the United Kingdom and to selected international destinations. Shipping costs are shown at checkout.
• Orders are carefully packed and shipped from the UK. 
• Shipping Method: To ensure the safety of these delicate collectible items, all orders are dispatched using a fully tracked and insured shipping method.
• Tracking Information: A tracking number will be provided via email as soon as your parcel is dispatched so you can monitor its progress.

Estimated delivery times:

• UK orders:  3–5 working days] for ready-made Goods from dispatch.
• International orders:  7–21 working days] depending on destination and customs clearance.
• Custom Orders: estimated completion and dispatch times will be agreed in writing at the time of Order.
• Delivery times are estimates only and we will not be liable for delays caused by the carrier, customs, weather, industrial action, public health restrictions, or any other circumstance beyond our reasonable control.
• Risk in the Goods passes to you on delivery. Once an Order has been dispatched, we cannot accept responsibility for delays, loss or damage caused by the carrier, although we will assist you in making a claim where appropriate.
• Please ensure that the delivery address is correct and that someone is available to receive the parcel. If a parcel is returned to us as undeliverable, we may charge for re-delivery.
• Failed Delivery & Returned Packages: Buyers are responsible for providing an accurate shipping address and monitoring the tracking updates. If a delivery fails because of an incorrect address, or because it was not collected from a local sorting office after a missed delivery attempt, the parcel may be returned to us. In these cases, the buyer must pay the additional postage costs to have the item shipped a second time. Original shipping fees are non-refundable.

7. International Orders, Customs and Duties

• For international Orders, you are responsible for any import duties, taxes, customs fees or other charges levied by the destination country. These are not included in our shipping charges.
• We will not be responsible for Goods detained or returned by customs, nor for any costs incurred as a result. Please check your country’s import rules before placing an international Order.
• Customs Declarations: We will not falsify customs forms under any circumstances. Please do not ask us to declare a lower value than the actual purchase price or mark your parcel as a “gift” to avoid import taxes. It is a legal offence to do so, and all international packages will be marked honestly with their true commercial value.

8. Returns & Exchanges

• Due to the delicate and collectible nature of handmade artist creations, all adoptions and sales are final. Standard online shop listings carry a no returns policy unless an item arrives severely damaged through transit.

9. Commissioned and Bespoke Orders

• Once production of a Custom Order has begun, the deposit paid is non-refundable.
• We will provide progress updates (including photographs where possible) at agreed stages and will not dispatch the finished piece until you have approved it.
• In the very unlikely event that a Custom Order cannot be completed (for example due to material shortage or illness), we will offer either a full refund or, where you agree, a substitute piece of equivalent value.

10. Slight Variations in Handmade Goods

Each Pipkins miniature bear is made by hand. As a result:

• No two bears will be identical
• Small variations in colour (due to dye lots, fibre blends or lighting during photography), facial expression, stitching, fibre lay or accessory placement are normal and not considered faults
• Photographs on our website or social media are representative; the actual piece you receive may differ slightly in tone, proportion or finish
• These variations are part of the character of a handmade bear and are not grounds for return, refund or complaint under clause 11.

11. Faulty, Damaged or Incorrect Goods

• We aim to despatch every Order in perfect condition. If your Goods arrive damaged, faulty, please notify us within  7 days of receipt, ideally with photographs.
• The faulty goods should be returned within 10 days for inspection.
• To return your product, you should mail your product to the address listed above in section 2
• As you are returning an expensive items, you may consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance as We can not guarantee that we will receive your faulty goods.
• You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item.
• Original Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Where a fault is confirmed, you may choose between:

• A replacement (subject to availability, or a comparable piece if the original cannot be reproduced)
• A full refund including return shipping costs
• A repair where this is practical and agreed by both partiesOnce your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.

  If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a 7 working days.

12. Allergens, Materials and Child Safety

• Every Pipkins Bear is a unique, hand-finished work of art designed for Adult collectors.
• Each bear is made from materials listed in its individual product description. Common materials include  mohair, alpaca, Viscose, synthetic fibre, glass eyes, polyester stuffing, steel shot and joint hardware.
• Our miniature bears are collector’s items and decorative ornaments, not toys. They are not tested to toy safety standards and are not suitable for children under the age of  14. Small parts (eyes, joint cotter pins, accessories) may present a choking hazard.
• It is your responsibility to assess suitability before allowing children or pets near any bear. We accept no liability for damage, injury or loss arising from use of our Goods outside their intended purpose as collectibles.

13. Care of Your Bear

To enjoy your bear for many years, please observe the care instructions supplied with each piece. These typically include:

• Avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (which may fade fibres)
• Keeping away from heat sources, damp and humidity
• Avoiding contact with perfumes, cosmetics, smoke or food
• Surface-cleaning only unless otherwise advised; never machine-wash unless specifically stated as safe to do so

Damage caused by failure to follow care instructions is not covered by any warranty and is not a fault under clause 11.

14. Intellectual Property

• All designs, patterns, photographs, written descriptions and branding associated with Pipkins Miniature Bears are the intellectual property of Jane Mogford/Pipkins bears  and are protected by copyright, design right and trade mark law.
• You may not reproduce, copy, distribute, publish, photograph for commercial resale, or create derivative works based on any Pipkins design or imagery without our prior written consent.
• Customers who commission Custom Orders own the resulting physical bear once paid for in full, but do not obtain any right to reproduce the design, pattern or template used to create it. The right to make or commission further pieces based on the same design remains exclusively with Pipkins Miniature Bears.

15. Privacy and Data Protection

• We collect personal data from you in order to process and fulfil your Order, to communicate with you about it, and (where you have opted in) to send you occasional marketing communications.
• We will never sell your personal data, and we will only share it with our payment processor, shipping carrier and (where required) customs authorities.
• For full details of how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy below.

16. Marketing and Communications

• We will send you Order-related communications (confirmation, dispatch notice, etc.) regardless of your marketing preferences, as these are essential to fulfil your Order.
• Marketing communications (newsletters, new-release announcements, sale notices) will only be sent if you have opted in. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any marketing email, or by contacting us directly.

17. Complaints

• We hope you will always be delighted with your bear, but if something is not right please tell us. The quickest way to reach us is by email at jane@pipkinsbears.com
• We will acknowledge your complaint within  2 working days and aim to resolve it within  10 working days. If we need longer, we will tell you why and keep you updated.

18. Events Beyond Our Control

We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Severe weather, fire, flood or natural disaster
• Industrial action, strikes or transport disruption
• Pandemic, epidemic or public health restriction
• Supplier or material shortage
• Internet, telecommunications or postal outages
• Government order or regulation

If such an event continues for more than  60 days, either you or we may cancel the Order by written notice and we will refund any money you have paid (less any reasonable costs already incurred in fulfilling the Order up to that point, where agreed).

19. General

• We may update these terms from time to time. The version that applies to your Order is the version published on our website at the time you place your Order. Material changes will be notified by email to subscribers.
• If any provision of these terms is held by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
• These terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any Order confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your Order, and supersede any previous communications or representations.

Privacy Policy

• Your name
• Email address
• Postal delivery address
• Payment details
• Details of the specific product or commission you are ordering

• To provide our services, such as fulfilling your order, settling disputes, or providing customer support.
• When you have provided your affirmative consent, which you may revoke at any time (such as signing up for a newsletter).
• If necessary to comply with a legal obligation, court order, or tax law requirement.

• Service Providers: We share information with trusted third parties, such as delivery and postal companies, to perform fulfillment functions.
• Payment Processors: Payment details are handled securely through our encrypted payment gateways. We do not store your full financial data.
• Business Transfers: If the business is sold or merged, your information may be disclosed as part of that transaction, only to the extent permitted by law.

• Access: You have the right to access and receive a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Change, Restrict, Delete: You may have rights to change, restrict our use of, or delete your personal information, except where legal obligations require retention.
• Complaints: If you wish to raise a concern about our use of your information, you have the right to do so with your local data protection authority.

Cookie Policy

• Necessary Cookies: Essential for the basic operation of our shop. They manage your shopping basket, process checkout details, and maintain secure logging areas. The site cannot function properly without them.
• Performance & Analytical Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our shop (e.g., page views and traffic sources). We use this anonymous data to enhance web performance and layout.
• Functionality Cookies: Allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your preferred currency or region) to provide a more personalised browsing experience.