Terms & Conditions

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before placing a booking with HIRE THE PIECE. By reserving a garment and completing payment, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions, which form an enforceable agreement between you and HIRE THE PIECE.


Completion of payment confirms your acceptance of all Terms and Conditions outlined below. These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings, rentals, purchases, try-ons, and services provided by HIRE THE PIECE. HIRE THE PIECE reserves the right to rely on and enforce these Terms and
Conditions at all times.

Bookings

  • Bookings can be made via our website, social media platforms, or email.
  • HIRE THE PIECE accepts bookings up to 6 months in advance.
  • All bookings are secured only once full payment has been received.
  • Once payment has been processed, the garment is reserved exclusively for the customer during their hire period and removed from availability for all other bookings.
  • HIRE THE PIECE may request a photo or screenshot of government issued
    identification when confirming a booking.

Rental Period & Delivery

  • Our standard rental period is 4 days. If you require a longer hire period, please contact HIRE THE PIECE prior to booking.
  • The rental period begins from the day the rental item(s) are dispatched or collected and ends on the date the item(s) must be returned to the address provided by HIRE THE PIECE.
  • If the return date falls on a Sunday or Public Holiday, the next business day will become the required return date.
  • Once a rental item has been dispatched or collected from HIRE THE PIECE, refunds will not be provided for change of mind, even if the item is returned unworn within the rental period.
  • Delivery timeframes are scheduled based on the event date provided by the customer, not the rental start date. HIRE THE PIECE aims to deliver all items 1–2 days prior to the customer’s event date to allow sufficient time for arrival.
  • While every effort is made to ensure timely delivery, circumstances outside of HIRE THE PIECE’S control may impact delivery times, including but not limited to:
    – previous customer returning items late
    – damage caused by previous customer
    – postage or courier delays
  • Customers must notify HIRE THE PIECE immediately if they anticipate any delay in returning their rental item(s).
  • If a customer receives a rental item that is believed to be not as described, they must notify HIRE THE PIECE within 4 hours of receiving the item. Where possible, an exchange will be arranged or a credit note issued. Refunds will only be considered where the item is deemed unwearable by HIRE THE PIECE.
  • Late returns will incur a late fee equal to 20% of the total hire price per day for every day the item is overdue after the final return date.
  • If a rental item has not been returned within 14 days of the required return date, HIRE THE PIECE will consider the item non-returned. The customer authorises HIRE THE PIECE to charge the payment method provided at the time of booking for the recommended retail value (RRP) of the item(s).
  • If payment cannot be successfully processed, the outstanding balance may be referred to a debt collection agency and/or further recovery action may be taken, including formal letters of demand, solicitor involvement, or legal proceedings where necessary.

Payment and Card Authorisation

  • To operate our rental service, HIRE THE PIECE may securely retain the payment details provided at checkout for the duration of the rental period.
  • HIRE THE PIECE complies with PCI DSS security guidelines designed to protect sensitive payment information and ensure customer data is handled securely. Payment details will only be used in accordance with our Terms and Conditions including but not limited to charges relating to late returns, damages, non-returned items or outstanding balances.
  • Customer payment details are securely removed once the rental item(s) have been returned and assessed as satisfactory by HIRE THE PIECE.
  • In the event an invoice is issued for payment for any reason payment shall be due within 5 (five) days of the date on invoice. Failure to make payment within this timeframe may result in the credit card on file provided at the time of booking being automatically charged for the outstanding balance.
  • In the event the credit card provided at the time of booking requires to be charged and is unsuccessful, it will be referred to a debt collection agency and/or further recovery action may be taken, including formal letters of demand, solicitor involvement, or legal proceedings where necessary.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you wish to cancel a booking, please contact us as soon as possible. HIRE THE PIECE does not offer refunds for cancellations, only credit notes, minus a $30 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be made at least 30 days before the hire date to be eligible for a credit note.
  • Credit notes are valid for 12 months and once used, they are not eligible for future cancellations or exchanges.
  • HIRE THE PIECE reserves the right to cancel your booking if it is necessary in which we will refund you the full amount paid for the booking. Reasons as to why we can cancel your booking includes but is not limited to;
    - The item is damaged by a customer that has rented the item prior to you
    - The item is lost or stolen by a customer that rented the item prior to you
    - It is deemed that it is not possible to deliver the item to you in time for your booking, due to previous late return by a customer, or for any other reason, such as postage network delays and natural disasters.
    - In all cases above, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Condition of rental items

  • All items available to rent at HIRE THE PIECE are dry cleaned by a professional company. HIRE THE PIECE also engaged qualifies seamstresses to mend and repair. Due to the nature of the item being worn there may be minor signs of wear and tear. Customers must acknowledge that the items being rented are not directly off the stores rack and that our pieces are on rotation most weeks.
  • Minor imperfections may include but are not limited to small marks, faint stains, loose threads or minor fabric wear. Please note that our long gowns may show LightWare or faint marks along the bottom hem due to the nature of the garment dragging on the floor during wear. This is considered normal wear and tear and does not affect the functionality or overall appearance of the garment when worn.
  • Minor wear and tear do not constitute grounds for refunds, credits or compensation.
  • While every effort is made to inspect garments after dry cleaning, minor imperfections may occasionally be overlooked.
  • HIRE THE PIECE determines whether an item is considered wearable and fit for rental.
  • If you believe your item is damaged or considered unwearable you must contact HIRE THE PIECE within 4 hours of receiving the item with clear photos of the issue. If we are not notified within this timeframe, you may be held responsible for the damage. Please note that HIRE THE PIECE keeps its own record of photos prior to your event booking.

Product Images and Appearance

  • Customers acknowledge that product images may include professional photography, editing, styling, lighting adjustments, tailoring, clips, pins, alterations for photoshoots, and model-specific fitting. As a result, the appearance, fit, colour, length, fabric texture, and overall presentation of a garment may vary when worn by different individuals.
  • Actual garment colours may also vary slightly from images displayed online due to photographic lighting, editing, screen settings and device displays.
  • HIRE THE PIECE does not guarantee that a garment will fit, sit, drape, or appear on a customer in the same manner as shown on a model or in promotional imagery. Variations in appearance resulting from body shape, height, proportions, styling, lighting, or photography do not constitute a fault, misrepresentation, or grounds for a refund, cancellation, chargeback, or dispute.
  • By placing a booking, the customer acknowledges and accepts that reasonable variations between online images and the physical garment may exist.

Postage

  • All orders are shipped via Australia Post.
  • Express Post satchels are used for all deliveries. Delivery timeframes are generally 1–2 business days for most metropolitan areas however, delivery times may vary depending on location, lodgement times, and circumstances outside of HIRE THE PIECE’S control.
  • A prepaid return label addressed to HIRE THE PIECE will be included in your parcel for the return of your rental item(s).
  • Customers are responsible for ensuring all shipping and contact details provided at time of booking are accurate. HIRE THE PIECE is not liable for parcel delays, lost or stolen packages. Please note that the customer may be liable for any lost or stolen packages.
  • Parcels may be left in a safe location at the delivery address provided. If Australia Post determines thelocation is not safe for delivery, the parcel may be redirected to the customer’s nearest post office for collection. If you do not believe your residential address is suitable for safe delivery, we recommend providing an alternative delivery address, such as a workplace or business address.
  • Postage costs are calculated at checkout. Most rental items incur a $30 return postage fee however, larger or heavier garments may attract a higher postage fee, which will be automatically calculated at checkout.
  • All returns must be lodged over the counter at an Australia Post location in order to obtain proof of lodgement. Customers must retain their lodgement receipt until HIRE THE PIECE confirms safe return of the rental item(s).
  • HIRE THE PIECE strongly advises against using red or yellow street posting boxes for returns, as these methods do not provide proof of lodgement. If a rental item is lost after being returned via a street posting box, the customer may be held liable for the full recommended retail value (RRP) of the item.
  • Rental items are available for hire within Australia only. Customers wishing to travel internationally with a rental item must contact HIRE THE PIECE and obtain written approval prior to booking.
  • HIRE THE PIECE reserves the right to request an additional international security deposit for overseas travel bookings. Any approved security deposit will be refunded once the rental item(s) have been returned and assessed as satisfactory by HIRE THE PIECE.

Dry Cleaning

  • HIRE THE PIECE dry cleans all rental item(s) after each hire period using a professional company that are familiar with the care instructions of our rental pieces.
  • Customers agree not to attempt to clean the dress. If the customer attempts to clean the dress and results in damage additional costs may incur.
  • Cleaning fees are included in the agreed upon hire price of all rental items.
  • If permanent damage occurs due to unauthorised cleaning or repair attempts, you will be charged the full replacement cost, in accordance with our Damage & Loss policy.

Damage to hired rental items/Lost and Stolen items

  • Customers are expected to treat all rental items with care and respect throughout the duration of their hire period.
  • If a rental item gets lost, stolen or damaged affecting the integrity of the dress, customer will be liable to pay for replacement of the item. HIRE THE PIECE will take into account when assessing the replaceable value of the rental item, the demand of the rental item in the market and availability to purchase the equivalent rental item in the market. Charges can be up to 150% of the recommended retail value in addition to the rental cost that the customer has already paid.

    Replacement charges will be assessed as follows:

    150% of the Recommended Retail Price (RRP)
    Where the rental item is part of a limited edition, discontinued, archival, exclusive,
    one-of-a-kind, or otherwise difficult-to-source collection and cannot be repurchased or replaced by HIRE THE PIECE. This includes circumstances where the garment is available for purchase, but the same size, colour, or variation held by
    HIRE THE PIECE is no longer available, resulting in the inability to restore the collection to its previous inventory level.

    120% of the Recommended Retail Price (RRP)
    Where the rental item is custom-made, made-to-order, or requires a production lead time before it can be replaced. This includes circumstances where the garment is available for purchase, but the same size, colour, or variation held by HIRE THE PIECE is no longer available, resulting in the inability to restore the collection to its previous inventory level.

    100% of the Recommended Retail Price (RRP)
    Where the rental item is currently available for purchase and can be reasonably replaced by HIRE THE PIECE without delay.

    HIRE THE PIECE reserves the sole right to determine the replacement category applicable to a rental item based on factors including, but not limited to, availability, lead times, market demand, sourcing difficulty, designer production schedules, and replacement costs at the time of assessment.

  • Payment of a replacement does not transfer ownership of the damaged, lost, or stolen rental item to the customer. All rental items remain the property of HIRE THE PIECE at all times. Any replacement payment made by the customer is compensation for business loss, damage, business interruption, sourcing and replacement cost incurred by HIRE THE PIECE and does not constitute a sale or transfer of ownership of the garment.
  • Under no circumstances does payment of a replacement dress constitute a sale of the garment or transfer ownership rights to the customer.
  • The customer acknowledges that all bookings with HIRE THE PIECE are hire agreement only. Under Australian bailment principles, ownership and title of the rental item remains with HIRE THE PIECE at all times including if a customer is liable to pay 100% of the recommended retail price due to damages, lost or stolen packages.
  • In the event, a customer is liable to cover any damaged fees including 100% of the recommended retail price an invoice will be issued for payment. If payment is not made within five days HIRE THE PIECE will automatically charge the credit card details provided at the time of booking.
  • In the event the credit card provided at the time of booking requires to be charged and is unsuccessful, it will be referred to a debt collection agency and/or further recovery action may be taken, including formal letters of demand, solicitor involvement, or legal proceedings where necessary.
  • HIRE THE PIECE advises customers to be extremely cautious but not limited to; fake tan products, perfume, alcohol, and jewellery.
  • If a rental item is returned with damage that can reasonably be repaired, including but not limited to broken zippers, minor tears, stains, or other repairable damage, the customer will be responsible for all repair and professional cleaning costs associated with restoring the garment.
  • One standard professional dry-cleaning treatment is included within the hire fee. If additional cleaning treatments are required to remove stains, odours, fake tan, or excessive soiling, the customer will be responsible for covering any additional cleaning costs incurred by HIRE THE PIECE.

Payment disputes, Chargebacks and Fraud

  • By completing a booking customers confirm they have read and agreed to our Terms and Conditions.
  • Customers agreed to not initiate any chargebacks for change of mind, cancellations, sizing issues or disagreement with our Terms and Conditions.
  • HIRE THE PIECE reserves the right to contest any chargebacks with booking confirmation, payment records and any correspondence.
  • If a chargeback is initiated without any grounds HIRE THE PIECE may recover any outstanding amounts through debt collection or legal action.
  • Customers initiating fraud will be flagged and ineligible for future hire