I. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND CONDITIONS
A. NATURE OF CONTRACT AND NAMES OF PARTIES. This agreement (“Agreement”) between LJ Star Incorporated (“LJ Star”) and Buyer is for the sale of goods (“Goods”). LJ Star recognizes that Buyer may desire to use its own acknowledgement form to reflect this agreement; however, any provisions in Buyer’s acknowledgement form which modify, conflict with or contradict any provisions of this Agreement, shall not be binding between the parties. An acceptance of any of the Goods covered by this Agreement and LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement shall constitute an acceptance of these terms and conditions and shall constitute the entire understanding between LJ Star and Buyer.
B. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. All orders are subject to approval by LJ Star at its offices in Twinsburg, Ohio. The parties agree and understand that no waiver or alteration of terms contained in this Agreement, including but not limited to any verbal alteration or agreement between Buyer and any agent of LJ Star, shall bind LJ Star unless in writing, signed by an executive officer of LJ Star. No course of prior dealings between the parties and no usage of the trade shall supplement or explain any term used in this Agreement. Buyer acknowledges that it has not relied upon any sample, model, description or exact technical specifications in placing its order. The parties intend the terms of this Agreement and the LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement to be the final, complete and exclusive expression of their agreement.
C. TERMINATION, CANCELLATION CHARGES. LJ Star reserves the right to begin production of orders and/or to ship Goods in stock immediately unless specifically requested otherwise. Buyer may not terminate, modify, cancel, or defer shipment of the Goods under this Agreement, except with LJ Star’s prior written consent and subject to conditions then agreed upon. Cancellation will involve cancellation charges for all work performed, including but not limited to engineering and production work, up to receipt of written cancellation provided by Buyer to LJ Star. Buyer agrees to pay these charges as a condition of sale.
D. GOVERNING LAW, VENUE, JURISDICTION. The laws of the state of Ohio shall govern this Agreement, the construction of its terms, and the interpretation of all rights and duties of Buyer and LJ Star. Buyer agrees that venue shall lie in Summit County, Ohio. Buyer and LJ Star agree that they are amenable to suit in Ohio, and therefore, subject themselves to the jurisdiction of the state courts in Ohio by entering into this Agreement.
E. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1302.98, the parties agree that an action for breach of this Agreement, or any other cause of action arising from this Agreement, must be commenced if at all within one year from when the cause of action accrued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer agrees to bring any cause of action for breach of warranty as provided in Section IV(A) of this Agreement within one (1) year from the date of shipment of the Goods.
F. WAIVER. Neither the parties nor any interpreting legal authority shall construe any failure of LJ Star to demand rigid adherence to one or more of this Agreement’s provisions, on one or more occasions, as a waiver or deprive LJ Star of the right to insist upon strict compliance in the future.
G. BINDING EFFECT, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns; provided, however, that Buyer may not assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, except with the prior written consent of LJ Star.
H. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement are held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision and this Agreement shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained in it.
I. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. The parties incorporate herein by reference the Equal Opportunity clause, Section 202 of Executive Order 11246, as amended, relative to equal employment opportunities and implementing rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.
II. PACKAGING, SHIPMENT, RISK OF LOSS, DELIVERY
A. PACKAGING. LJ Star bases it prices on LJ Star’s standard packaging. LJ Star shall package the Goods in standard commercial packaging that is acceptable to commercial carrier. LJ Star shall furnish special customer packaging only upon Buyer’s written request and Buyer shall bear the cost for any special packing requirements. Buyer agrees to hold LJ Star harmless for any damage to the Goods caused by Buyer’s special packaging requirements.
B. SHIPMENT, RISK OF LOSS. LJ Star ships all Goods F.O.B. LJ Star’s plant, Twinsburg, Ohio, unless otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgment. The risk of loss passes to Buyer upon LJ Star’s delivery to a common carrier for shipment to Buyer. Buyer shall make any claims for losses or damage occurring after LJ Star’s delivery to carrier directly to carrier. LJ Star may treat each shipment made as a separate transaction.
C. DELIVERY. Unless expressly specified to the contrary, LJ Star shall ship Goods as soon as practicable. Shipping dates represent LJ Star’s best estimate and are approximate based upon current availability of materials, current availability of labor, present productions schedules, and prompt receipt of all necessary information. Failure to meet these dates shall not constitute default by LJ Star nor shall LJ Star be liable for any failure to perform by reason of causes beyond its control. These causes include, but are not limited to, storms, floods, fires, accidents, wars, shortages of fuel, materials, or transportation facilities, labor disputes and shortages, legislative action, judicial action and acts of God. In the event of any delay or nonperformance, LJ Star may at its option and without liability, upon written notice to Buyer, cancel all or any portion of this Agreement and/or extend any date upon which any performance under this Agreement is due.
III. PRICE, PAYMENT TERMS, INTEREST, COLLECTION FEES & COSTS, TITLE, SECURITY INTEREST, RETURNS
A. PRICE. The price for the Goods that are the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth on LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement. Prices stated are subject to change without notice in the event of: (i) alterations in specifications, quantities, designs, or delivery schedules; (ii) increases in the cost of fuel, power, material, supplies, or labor; and/or (iii) foreign or domestic legislation enacted by any level of government, including tax legislation, which increases the cost of producing, warehousing, or selling the Goods purchased by Buyer. Buyer shall receive no discount from LJ Star on the Goods purchased unless LJ Star specifically sets forth a discount on LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement. Prices do not include federal, state or local taxes as applicable and LJ Star will add these taxes to the sales price when LJ Star is legally obligated to collect the taxes unless Buyer provides LJ Star with a proper tax exemption certificate. If LJ Star pays any taxes on the Goods, Buyer shall immediately reimburse LJ Star for any tax payment upon demand. All prices are subject to correction for stenographic, typographic and clerical errors.
B. PAYMENT TERMS, CREDIT. The terms of payment are net thirty (30) days from the date of invoice, unless LJ Star and Buyer otherwise agree. LJ Star extends credit purely at its discretion. If in LJ Star’s judgment, Buyer’s financial condition does not justify the terms of payment specified, LJ Star may at its option (1) cancel this Agreement; or (2) refuse to perform further under this Agreement and/or LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement unless Buyer shall immediately pay for all Goods which LJ Star has delivered to Buyer. LJ Star is not liable for breach or nonperformance of contract, in whole or in part, as a result of its refusal to perform.
C. INTEREST, COLLECTION FEES & COSTS, TITLE, SECURITY INTEREST. Buyer agrees to pay a delinquency charge of 2% per month (24% per annum) on any outstanding balances owed by Buyer from the invoice date until Buyer renders payment in full. If LJ Star must pursue legal action against Buyer to collect any amounts owed by Buyer to LJ Star, Buyer agrees to pay LJ Star’s expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred as a result of the legal action. Until Buyer pays LJ Star the purchase price and all other sums due in full, LJ Star retains title to all Goods shipped by LJ Star to Buyer. LJ Star may, at its discretion, require additional security from Buyer on any amount due to LJ Star for Goods shipped from LJ Star to Buyer, and thus LJ Star may file a UCC financing statement, or any other document permitted by law, to obtain a security interest in the Goods and in all proceeds of the Goods. Buyer irrevocably authorizes LJ Star to execute and file a UCC financing statement, or any other document permitted by law, for this purpose.
D. RETURNS. LJ Star will not accept Goods returned for credit without LJ Star’s permission. Buyer must contact LJ Star to obtain an RMA number to return any Goods and at that time LJ Star will issue an RMA number to Buyer. All returned Goods require an RMA number, and LJ Star reserves the right to reject any returned Goods without an RMA number. All returned Goods are subject to a restocking charge, which charge varies depending upon the type of Goods returned. All Goo ds returned for warranty issues are subject to inspection at LJ Star’s location in Twinsburg, Ohio. LJ Star will not issue any refunds prior to LJ Star’s receipt of the returned Goods. LJ Star only accepts returned Goods within 30 days from shipment date.
IV. WARRANTY, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION
A. LIMITED WARRANTY. THE FOLLOWING WARRANTY FROM LJ STAR IS EXPRESSED IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, AND ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON THE PART OF LJ STAR. LJ STAR NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF THE GOODS OF LJ STAR.
LJ STAR WARRANTS THAT THE GOODS DESCRIBED IN THIS WARRANTY ARE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN (18) MONTHS FROM DATE OF SHIPMENT. If Buyer finds any of the Goods defective, Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy and LJ Star’s sole and exclusive obligation shall be, at LJ Star’s option, replacement or repair of the Goods. This exclusive remedy shall not fail for its essential purpose so long as LJ Star is willing and able to repair or replace defective Goods in the prescribed manner. If LJ Star repairs the Goods within the warranty period, then the repair shall not extend the warranty period. If, however, LJ Star agrees to repair the Goods after the warranty period expires, then LJ Star will extend the warranty period for the repair for an additional thirty (30) days after the repair. The extension of the warranty will not apply to other aspects of the Goods sold, but only to the repair.
BUYER’S REMEDY IS SUBJECT TO AN INSPECTION AND DETERMINATION BY LJ STAR AT LJ STAR’S PLANT THAT ANY ALLEGED DEFECT, MALFUNCTION OR OTHER FAILURE OF THE GOODS IS NOT THE RESULT OF MISUSE, MISHANDLING, MISAPPLICATION, NEGLECT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE), ACCIDENT, IMPROPER INSTALLATION, MODIFICATION (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO USE OF UNAUTHORIZED PARTS OR ATTACHMENTS), OR ADJUSTMENT OR REPAIR PERFORMED BY ANYONE OTHER THAN LJ STAR OR ONE OF LJ STAR’S AUTHORIZED AGENTS.
IF LJ STAR MANUFACTURES THE GOODS ACCORDING TO BUYER’S SPECIFICATIONS, LJ STAR DOES NOT WARRANT THE ADEQUACY OF BUYER’S SPECIFICATIONS OR THAT THE GOODS WILL PERFORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUYER’S SPECIFICATIONS. LJ STAR DOES NOT WARRANT GOODS SOLD BY LJ STAR BUT NOT MANUFACTURED BY LJ STAR. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER LABOR OR OTHER COSTS OR EXPENSES TO REMOVE OR INSTALL ANY DEFECTIVE, REPAIRED OR REPLACED GOODS.
The parties expressly acknowledge that any technical advice that LJ Star furnishes to Buyer with respect to the use of the Goods, LJ Star provides without charge, and LJ Star assumes no obligation or liability for the advice given or the results obtained, and Buyer accepts any advice that LJ Star provides at Buyer’s sole risk. This warranty is void in the event that anyone other than the LJ Star makes repairs to the Goods without prior written authorization from LJ Star.
If Buyer seeks rejection of the Goods delivered for nonconformity with LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement and/or packing list discrepancies, Buyer must send written notification to LJ Star of the rejection of the Goods within ten (10) days after delivery of the Goods to Buyer. This notification shall state the basis of the alleged conformity and a description of the shipment rejected. Buyer’s failure to send written notification within ten (10) days after delivery shall result in LJ Star deeming that no nonconformities or packing list discrepancies existed at the time of delivery to Buyer.
B. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 1302.29 and 1302.93 LJ Star’s liability for Buyer’s damages is limited in the event of a breach or repudiation of this Agreement or LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement. LJ STAR’S LIABILITY (WHETHER UNDER THE THEORIES OF BREACH OF CONTRACT OR WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE) FOR ITS GOODS IS LIMITED TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING GOODS FOUND BY LJ STAR AS DEFECTIVE, OR AT LJ STAR’S OPTION, TO REFUNDING THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE GOODS OR PARTS. AT LJ STAR’S REQUEST, BUYER WILL SEND, AT BUYER’S SOLE EXPENSE, ANY ALLEGEDLY DEFECTIVE PARTS TO THE PLANT OF LJ STAR. BUYER SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING THOSE ARISING OUT OF OR UPON THE RIGHTS RAISED OUT OF A CLAIMED BREACH OF WARRANTY, BREACH OF IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, WARRANTY FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, OR ANY LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, LIABILITIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF USE, INCOME OR PROFITS, LOSSES SUSTAINED AS THE RESULT OF INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH) TO ANY PERSON, LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, ALL LIABILITIES OF BUYER TO ITS CUSTOMERS OR THIRD PERSONS, AND ALL OTHER SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, AND WHETHER RESULTING FROM, OR CONTRIBUTED TO BY THE DEFAULT OR NEGLIGENCE OF LJ STAR, ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OR SUBCONTRACTORS, WHICH MIGHT BE CLAIMED AS THE RESULT OF THE USE, MISUSE OR FAILURE OF THE GOODS DELIVERED. Additionally, Buyer shall not be entitled to recover any costs for materials expended or used, initiated at the request of Buyer. LJ Star’s liability on its warranty shall in no event exceed its cost of correcting the defects in the equipment sold or replacing the same with non-defective parts.
C. IDEMNIFICATION. Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LJ Star and its affiliates, officers, directors, agents, and employees from and against all claims, including third party claims, for bodily injury, illness, death or property damage, liabilities, damages, losses and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising: (1) from the purchase, use or misuse of the Goods by Buyer, Buyer’s customers or any other party; (2) the infringement of any United States patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark or similar intellectual property rights, arising from the manufacture of the Goods in accordance with Buyer furnished specifications or from the sale thereof; or (3) out of the performance of this Agreement.
V. E-COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS, PAYMENT PROCESSING AND SITE PURCHASES
“If you wish to purchase any Goods made available through the LJ Star website (the “Site”), you may be asked to supply certain information relevant to your Transaction including, without limitation, information about your method of payment (such as your payment card number and expiration date), your billing address, and your shipping information. YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO USE ANY PAYMENT CARD(S) OR OTHER PAYMENT METHOD(S) UTILIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION. By submitting this information, you grant to LJ Star the right to provide the same information to its third-party payment processor, Stripe, Inc. (“Stripe”), for purposes of facilitating the completion of Transactions initiated by you or for you. Verification of information may be required prior to the acknowledgement or completion of any transaction.
All Transactions are facilitated through Stripe. LJ Star may replace its third-party payment processor without notice to you. Stripe, which is required by credit card issuers to meet specific security requirements, will collect, store, and process information about your method of payment for LJ Star using industry-standard security measures. LJ Star does not store any payment card information.
All descriptions, images, references, content, specifications, products and prices of products and services described or depicted on the Site are subject to change at any time without notice. Certain weights, measures, and other descriptions are provided for convenience purposes only. The inclusion of any products or services on the Site does not imply or warrant that these products or services will be available. It is your responsibility to ascertain and obey all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws in regard to the receipt, possession, use, and sale of any item purchased from this Site. By placing an order, you represent that the Goods ordered will be used only in a lawful manner. LJ Star reserves the right, with or without prior notice, to do any one or more of the following (i) limit the available quantity of or discontinue any Good; (ii) bar any user from making or completing any or all Transaction(s); and (iii) refuse to provide any user with any Good(s). You agree to pay all charges that may be incurred by you or for you through the Site, at the price(s) in effect when you incur the charge(s), including, without limitation, all shipping and handling charges. In addition, you remain responsible for any taxes that may be applicable to your Transactions.”
VI. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, CONFIDENTIALITY
A. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. LJ Star shall retain all intellectual property rights to the Goods that are the subject matter of this Agreement and LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement. Buyer’s purchase of the Goods does not entitle Buyer to any right, title or interest in LJ Star’s intellectual property rights. LJ Star’s intellectual property rights include, but are not limited to patent, trademark, trade name and copyright rights. Specifically, LJ Star retains the right to file for patent protection under 35 U.S.C. §1 et seq. for the Goods which are the subject matter of this Agreement.
B. CONFIDENTIALITY. Buyer shall consider confidential the Goods and all specifications, drawings, prototype articles and information furnished by LJ Star or prepared by LJ Star for Buyer in connection with this Agreement and LJ Star’s Order Acknowledgement. Buyer shall not disclose this information to any other person or use this information itself for any purpose other than performing under this Agreement without LJ Star’s prior written permission. Buyer shall not disclose any information relating to this Agreement without LJ Star’s prior written permission.