Terms and Conditions
Boutique Hire Au – Hire Agreement
By accessing and using the Boutique Hire Au Instagram/Website page, you are accepting and consenting to the practices in these terms of use. Boutique Hire Au reserves the right to change these terms and conditions (T&Cs) at any time at its sole discretion.
These T&Cs form part of the Hire Agreement between Boutique Hire Au and its clients. Prices of products, services, and delivery are current at the time of issue, may change at any time, and are subject to availability.
General Terms for All Hire Agreements
During any period of hire, ownership of all products remains with Boutique Hire Au.
Clients are solely responsible for the safety of any garment during the hire period and must not assign the hire to any third person. The hirer remains fully liable for any fees and charges incurred in accordance with these T&Cs.
Boutique Hire Au reserves the right to accept or reject any hire request for any reason, including client hire history, unavailability of any product, price errors, or order errors.
No item is reserved unless the hire fee has been paid in advance. Boutique Hire Au uses both promotional and stock images of hire garments. You will receive a genuine designer garment; minor colour or print variations may occur.
Payment Terms
Hire fees must be paid in full prior to collection or postage. By entering into a hire agreement, you authorise Boutique Hire Au to charge your nominated payment method.
Boutique Hire Au may require a debit or credit card and/or proof of identification prior to securing a booking.
In the event of additional fees (late returns, damage, etc.), Boutique Hire Au may debit your nominated payment method to discharge your liability. If payment fails, legal proceedings may be pursued.
Additional Fees / Charges
Clients are liable for the recommended retail price (RRP) to replace damaged or stolen garments. Payment must be made within 14 days of notice.
If repair costs are less than the RRP, the client will be charged the lower amount. If back-to-back hires are affected due to repair delays, the client is liable for additional hire fees.
Late returns incur a fee of $10 per day. Garments not returned within 14 business days may be charged the full RRP.
Clearance Items – As-Is Condition & Disclaimers
All clearance items are provided on an "as-is" basis and may include minor signs of wear, repairs, stains, or slight damages. Each clearance garment has a disclaimer on its listing.
By hiring or purchasing clearance items, clients acknowledge and agree that:
Clearance garments are non-refundable and final sale, except where required by law.
Any disclosed repairs, stains, or minor damages are accepted.
Boutique Hire Au is not responsible for any dissatisfaction arising from these issues.
Clients should review the garment description and disclaimer prior to hire or purchase.
Cleaning & Garment Care
All garments will be dry-cleaned (where possible) or hand washed prior to hire. Professional cleaning is included in the hire fee.
Clients must not attempt to clean, alter, iron, stitch, or modify garments, including safety pinning or tape.
Do not apply fake tan within 24 hours of wearing the garment. Boutique Hire Au is not liable for stains from fake tan, perfume, makeup, drinks, or other substances.
Clients must not remove, cut, or alter hanging strings, tags, or loops.
Light odours from bagged packaging are normal and not grounds for dispute.
Clients may be required to steam or lightly press garments if they arrive creased due to transit or packaging.
Garment Damage
Contact Boutique Hire Au immediately if damage occurs. Provide photos and a brief description, and advise whether insurance has been selected.
Garments must be returned in accordance with hire terms. Boutique Hire Au will assess damage and calculate charges per T&Cs. Decisions regarding repairability and re-hire suitability, made in consultation with a seamstress or dry cleaner, are final and binding.
Optional Insurance
Optional insurance is available for $15 per hire to cover minor accidental damage during the hire period, including:
Minor material splits
Small holes
Broken straps
Loose/lost buttons or embellishments
Removable stains
Insurance covers repair costs up to $100. Any total loss or damage that makes a garment unre-hireable is not covered; full RRP applies.
Insurance must be purchased at the time of booking directly through Boutique Hire Au only. Hires from ATD, Vault, or other platforms are not covered unless insurance is selected via the Boutique Hire Au website.
Without insurance, clients are liable for all repair/dry-cleaning costs and any lost hire fees due to damage.
Insurance does not cover minor issues eligible for the Minor Issues on Receipt policy.
Process if damage occurs:
Contact Boutique Hire Au immediately and provide photos and a brief description of the damage.
Return the garment as per hire terms.
Boutique Hire Au will assess the damage and apply insurance if selected.
Hire Periods
Standard hire periods are 4 or 8 days. Extended hire periods (12, 18, 21, 28 days, etc.) may be requested and are subject to approval and additional fees. All extensions must be confirmed in writing.
Garments must be returned on the due date unless alternate arrangements are made in writing.
Postal Hire
Clients are responsible for correct delivery and return of garments. Boutique Hire Au is not liable for delays, loss, or damage by postal/courier services.
Lost or missing return satchels are the client’s responsibility. A replacement express satchel must be purchased at the client’s cost.
All returns must be lodged over the counter at Australia Post or in a yellow Express Post box. Red street boxes are not acceptable. Clients are liable for garments until received by Boutique Hire Au.
Darwin collection clients returning via post must send the garment to Darwin using a paid Express Post satchel.
Do not return damp garments. Damp garments may cause mould and will be charged at full RRP.
Light odours or creasing from transit are normal.
Disclaimers
All garments, standard or clearance, are provided with inherent conditions. Clients acknowledge and accept:
Colour/Print Variations: Garments may differ slightly from online images.
Packaging/Presentation: Minor creasing or odours from satchels may occur.
Clearance Items: Sold "as-is" with disclosed wear/repairs/stains.
Transit and Handling: Boutique Hire Au not responsible for postal issues.
Health/Allergens: Prior wear may cause allergic reactions; Boutique Hire Au not liable.
Accidental Damage Insurance: Minor accidental damage only; total loss or unre-hireable garments not covered.
General Liability: Boutique Hire Au not responsible for dissatisfaction from minor imperfections.
Refunds, Cancellations & Changes
Change-of-mind cancellations or variations must be finalised at least 48 hours prior to collection or dispatch to be eligible for a refund. Refunds will only be issued in this case.
Once garments are collected or dispatched, no refunds are provided under any circumstances. Only credit notes will be issued, subject to the conditions below.
Clients must notify Boutique Hire Au in writing within 24 hours if not satisfied with style, colour, print, or size. Garments must be returned unworn and in original condition. Postage fees are non-refundable and will not be credited.
Cancellations within 48 hours of the hire period incur a 20% cancellation fee. All credit notes are issued at the sole discretion of Boutique Hire Au and are valid for future hires only.
Minor Issues on Receipt (No Refunds / Repair or Credit Option)
All garments are quality-checked prior to dispatch. However, minor issues may occasionally occur that do not prevent the garment from being worn, including but not limited to loose or missing buttons, small holes, loose stitching, or minor seams.
In these circumstances, clients are not entitled to a refund.
Boutique Hire AU may, at its discretion, offer one of the following resolutions:
Approval for the garment to be repaired by a local seamstress, with reasonable repair costs reimbursed up to $25, subject to prior approval and proof of payment; or
A small goodwill discount applied to the hire fee where the client chooses to wear the garment as-is and not return it.
Clients must not engage couture designers, bridal specialists, or high-end alteration services and expect reimbursement. Any repair costs exceeding $25, or undertaken without prior approval, remain the responsibility of the client.
If the client chooses not to proceed with a repair or elects not to wear the garment, this decision does not entitle the client to a refund.
The garment may be returned within 24 hours of receipt to be eligible for a credit note only, less postage fees. Garments returned after 24 hours from receipt will not be eligible for a credit note.
Underage Hire
Clients under 18 may hire garments only via an adult. All legal responsibility, including additional fees for loss/damage, remains with the adult hiring on behalf of the minor