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Live Phone Assistance from our Lucite Branding Manager 401-841-5646 x201

TERMS OF SALE

Terms of Sale:  Pre-Payment required on all orders.

Initial Terms:   Prepayment by wire, check or credit card to A Better Idea LLC/Corporate Gifts. Minimum order: $500 net. Clients/customer/cardholder (“signer”) agree to pay all charges signed for on payment by credit card authorization form. Signing and submitting a signed order acknowledges that we are to proceed with artwork, proofs, acquiring or pulling stock and other material, including labor required to produce your custom order. By signing our (A Better Idea LLC) credit card authorization form, the signer agrees that they are the authorized cardholder and responsible for all charges. Artwork, proof, and order revision costs additional. Please be advised that our ideas, advice and advertising services ($65 per hour) are not free if you cancel your order. All costs incurred by A Better Idea LLC will be the responsibility of the customer in the event of cancellation after 3 workdays.

Net 30 Terms – Not offered – Pre-payment required.

Not offered.  All work is custom work, custom manufactured and prepaid in advance.

All custom Lucite casting is pre-paid in full since these unique awards are one of a kind with your artwork printed. Lucite awards cannot be returned for any reason and are final sale. 

In the unlikely event we offer terms for a client of several years or on a specific order, and you are beyond the agreed terms of Net 10 and late paying your invoice, a 2.5% monthly finance charge or the maximum permitted by law may be assessed against all accounts with past due balances. You agree to pay all the company’s reasonable attorney’s fees and all collection agency fees incurred in the collection of any amount owed there under and not paid when due.

Site Pricing

Due to the fluctuation of raw material costs, supply chain issues and typographical errors, we reserve the right to change prices at any time prior to providing a verbal or written quote on your custom orders.  We have thousands of products online and prices shown are the current pricing on the day of posting but may increase or decrease at any time due to the costs of raw materials.  We will advise you before any purchase is made. While we make our best efforts to keep our site up to date, from time-to-time actual market conditions may change the price of a product. The pricing on our site is current as of postdate but may change monthly depending on in-house availability. We will confirm pricing differences to you before acceptance of order. Products and pricing of domestic and imported goods sometimes change daily from various suppliers and our web techs are updating products, availability, and pricing throughout the year.  It is the customer/cardholder responsibility to confirm the pricing and order with your salesperson before signing and submitting your payment form/ firm custom order. Credit cards are accepted with a small convenience fee of 3%.

Payment

We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express.   We also accept wire transfer, and bank checks for pre-payment in advance of production. 

Check Returns

In all cases where we have a check returned for non-Sufficient funds, we will assess a $100.00 fee. (Client is still responsible for all cancellation costs if cancelled)

International Orders

International orders require payment by wire transfer or bank check, unless pre-approved for credit card purchase.   If you are provided a credit card payment option, please be advised that it will be charged upon receipt to enter production.  If you choose to follow with payment by check or wire transfer you will be issued full credit in the amount charged, but A Better Idea, LLC is not responsible for any exchange rate variance, nor any duties, taxes, or bank fees.   Duties and taxes are the sole responsibility of the recipient, and you accept all taxes, duties, bank charges etc – resulting from the shipment of order you placed. 

Shipping Methods

All orders are shipped ground unless customer or client has been advised in writing of ship date, and client/customer gives us permission in writing to expedite the order. We ship “best way” to meet your event date.  We request a shipping method preferred and will advise before order if your event date cannot be met by ground rates – or if there is a chance that ground will be late. (Ground shipping is 3-8 workdays and not guaranteed). Unless an “event date” has been provided, we do our best to ship as quickly as possible with no guaranteed delivery dates.  Customer agrees to use expedited shipping if event arrival is in jeopardy. Customer must advise us in writing of ship dates prior to placement of order.  We offer third party billing to your shipper account but will not be held liable for any charges to your freight account (Fed Ex, UPS, DHL etc.).  Shipping is the sole responsibility of the customer, and if an account is provided, we will ship the least expensive way to meet your event.  If no event or in hands date is required, we will ship ground.  Any upgrades to shipping to meet your event date are the sole responsibility of the customer. Unless customer/client has specifically provided the overnight shipping account #, Event Date, and Method of Shipment required to meet their event on their order form or email in advance of placing order, we cannot make any changes to the shipping once it leaves our facility, and order will not be accepted back for any reason.

Shipping Terms

Shipping companies guarantee delivery if shipped using an expedited method and not ground service.  Ground shipments are never guaranteed.  If delivery of any part of the goods you ordered are delayed by events beyond A Better Idea’s control, including strikes, lockouts, port congestion, US customs inspections or government regulations or delays, civil unrest, accidents, fire or natural or manmade disasters, the time for delivery shall be extended by the period of such delay. No claims for refunds, returns, or replacement are accepted.  Risk of loss transfers to Buyer at the FOB point. Should any dispute arise, Buyer shall pay all amounts due covering goods not in dispute.

Shipping Delays

A Better Idea LLC always attempts to have your order shipped for delivery for your in-hands date.  We use UPS or FedEx to handle your shipment, or your provided shipper number.  Once your order has been handed to carriers, we no longer have direct control over the delivery.  A Better Idea LLC is not liable for any delays in the delivery date due to natural disasters or other unforeseeable conditions. Customer agrees that it will not hold A Better Idea LLC accountable for any delays in delivery occasioned by acts of God or other circumstances over which we have no direct control such as equipment failure or delivery carrier delays, or non-event shipments.  A Better Idea LLC does not guarantee delivery dates – only ship dates to meet your event. Delivery is wholly dependent on the carrier. If you as client do not clearly authorize overnight shipping costs, shipment will be by ground service. If client supplies a third-party account number, we will ship best method to meet your event date, depending on client responsibility to provide actual event date in writing and provide overnight shipping authorization. In cases of expedited 3rd party shipping costs to meet your required in hands date, we are not responsible for any billed charges from a freight carrier. Factory shipment or delivery dates are the best estimates of our suppliers, and in no case shall A Better Idea! be liable for any consequential or special damages arising from any delay in delivery. Our on-time percentage is over 99.8%.   It is the client’s responsibility to provide event dates and shipping instruction in writing prior to order placement. By signing our order form and selecting the method of shipment you acknowledge and accept these terms. As always, we do our best to ship as early as possible but cannot guarantee delivery dates.

Warranties

A Better Idea! warrants that all goods sold are free of any security interest and will make available to you all transferable warranties made to A Better Idea! by the manufacturer of the goods. A Better Idea! makes no other express or implied warranties, and specifically makes no implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for purpose. The “Site” mentioned in these terms is lucitetombstones.com.

Transfer of Ownership of Merchandise

All goods become your property at the time they are accepted by the carrier.  All goods are custom imprinted products with your (client) customer customization and are not returnable for any reason. Custom cast Lucite, and acrylic frames, desk awards are made to your specifications within tolerances of the process – no variances in size, color, or printing within tolerances are grounds for replacement. We will, however, review any concerns and replace any items that we deem out of tolerance for this custom handmade process. Clients can request, but not demand replacements since each award is a unique piece and no two are alike.  There may be variances in cards, film, booklets or product placements and alignment which is unavoidable.  We do our best to minimize distortions, but the unique nature of casting does not allow for uniformity.

Acceptance

Your submittal of an online order and/or your signature on our Credit Card Order Form is a conditional acceptance by A Better Idea LLC of your offer to purchase our goods and your acceptance of our terms and conditions. It is also an immediate purchase of services to produce your custom order:  artwork, revisions, proofing, pulling of stock, acquiring custom materials for the custom order etc. It may contain terms that differ from or add to those contained in your purchase order, should you have one, and to the extent that this is the case, A Better Idea!  hereby expressly conditions its acceptance of your offer on A Better Idea!’ assent to the additional or different terms. Your receipt and retention of the goods covered by this invoice shall constitute acceptance of any such additional or different terms. Cardholder, or their assigned agent who emails the order form and A Better Idea LLC agree that any contract hereby entered has been made and is to be construed to Rhode Island Law.

Artwork/Proofs of your Custom Order

Please REVIEW emailed art proof/mockup and layout carefully and print the PDF proof for clarity if needed. We produce art and layout based on your provided artwork and instructions. Proof approvals are solely the client’s responsibility for accuracy of layout and all text. Your in house order/ (signed and returned order form) is considered firm and in house if customer/cardholder delays any replies beyond 3 work days.  We must hear from you in writing on any revisions needed, and we will adjust as required or you may cancel the order within 3 days. In the event you are not happy with a proof of your provided artwork, you may cancel in writing within 3 days, and you will only be charged for any art, layout, proofs, setups, samples, or material as required to produce your pre- production designs from our artists and production team.

Please review artwork and all text carefully.  If changes are needed, please advise and we will correct.  Additional proof and art changes may incur additional cost.

It is the responsibility of the customer/client/cardholder to advise on emailed proofs promptly, since we may have pulled stock, started the molds/manufacturing, and refused other customers due to the holding of stock for your firm order.  If we do not have a reply of a signed order and provided art /proof/order after 30 days, we will consider the order forfeited for the full amount of order. With the managers’ agreement we may make exceptions and only charge the client for the cancellation fee and services provided by the firm signed and in-house order.

We are not responsible for text spelling, grammar, typos, or needed layout revisions once proof has been approved, returned and order is in production. There are no refunds, re-dos, or replacements of a printed order after a signed proof approval has been received.

Website or Catalog Misprints:

Specifications may change without notice. We will confirm all details with you if you have questions.

All items offered for sale are subject to availability. Many items in this catalog and web site come from various sources. A Better Idea is, therefore, bound to fluctuating currency exchange rates, making it necessary to occasionally increase prices. In addition, some domestic and overseas products may be discontinued without our prior knowledge. Should this apply to your order, we will notify you immediately. We reaffirm our pledge to offer excellent service and the highest quality at the lowest price.

We make every effort to provide you with an error-free website, in the event there is a misprint, we reserve the right to correct copy or pricing to reflect actual current status.  We are not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors.  Although very rare, pictures are for illustration purposes only and may not be exact.

Lucite Casting:   Lucite is a high quality “custom” poured acrylic product that is hand-made to order. The versatility of Lucite allows it to be custom designed in a variety of shapes and sizes, incorporating many types of embedded elements.  However, due to the chemical reactions during the process, the heat, the pressure – not everything can be embedded, and any embedment is cast at your own risk and expense. Each part is unique in size, shape, and color, unable to be uniform due to the normal casting process involved. It is important to understand the nature of the Lucite pourable acrylic material and review our website thoroughly to understand the nature of the casting process. No two Lucite award parts are exactly alike. We do our best to get close.  It is the responsibility of the buyer to relay all detailed concerns in writing prior to casting, so we may decline or accept your order on that basis.  Once you have placed an order, (prepaid for custom work), the order of Lucite is cast at your own risk and expense and the resulting Lucite awards are now owned by the customer and not returnable, nor refundable.

The Lucite casting preparation is entirely by hand: hand poured, handmade molds, hand placed documents for casting, machined, sanded, polished etc. and due to the handmade custom nature of the process, cannot be duplicated exactly. It is very difficult to center objects exactly and because these items are placed by hand – no two Lucite embedment’s are ever 100% alike. Printing colors may vary slightly due to the chemical process (see printing processes section). The actual casting (mix of heat, pressure, chemical reactions) creates the final raw Lucite for sanding and polishing. It is after polishing that we see how your custom document is revealed and the uniqueness of this embedded award. Each Lucite embedment is a unique creation that can be forever displayed. All resulting awards are custom unique creations and are not returnable, replaceable or refundable. Final sale.

Client Supplied Items for Embedment  

Client supplied parts or materials are embedded at customer risk and expense and we do not guarantee the resulting Lucite casting award since we do not know how it will react to the chemicals and the process before produced.  There are no guarantees or refunds once embedded and a test is advised in advance. The test of any client items, however, does NOT guarantee that all remaining awards will embed the same way, or without defects, bubbles, or dust.   We only guarantee our printing on our provided material which we produce here in our factory for embedment allowing for tolerances, chemicals, heat, and pressure.  We will, of course, give you our best advice on the likelihood of success.  If we provide metal casting, card, film, or dirt – we guarantee the results.

Booklets:   

Mini Booklets (ex: 16 pages =8 double sides pages printed) We cannot guarantee that all the pages of a fanned booklet will be evenly spaced nor guarantee that some may stick together. This is the nature of the process, and no casting process can guarantee perfection.  Pages may bow a bit, which is normal.  Even within the same batch of booklets, results can vary. In most cases, the spacing is fine but some crinkling may be present in multiple page booklets. Heavy ink coverage on the front and back cover can increase bowing.  The best performing booklets are printed on our white material on front and back with little ink coverage (normally B & W booklets) but without full color coverage.  Booklets are hand placed and we do not guarantee exact placement – centering or shifting which can occur in the process.

Printing:   We do not guarantee PMS color matching due to the nature of the casting process: heat, pressure, and strong chemicals. Exact matching on printed documents for embedment is not possible in this process. We do our best to get a result close in color to your specs, but it is unknown until the final polishing is complete, and we can see how the printing performed in the custom cast.  In almost every case it is very close and acceptable with little if any disappointment from clients. It’s crucial that the embedment process is understood and why in any Lucite run we cannot guarantee exact ink matches:

Lucite Embedment’s are an entirely hand-made, hand-poured process.  We pour raw acrylic material into a mold, let it set to a jello-like state, hand-place the card into the mold, then pour more liquid acrylic material over the top. The embedment’s are then placed into a 375-degree oven overnight at 200-275 lbs. of pressure per square inch. There, heat cures & pressure squeezes out the air bubbles.  The raw acrylic material is very chemically reactive, much like paint thinner or nail polish remover, & attacks the inks.  Between the chemical reaction and the heat, inks fade. This is normal and accepted in all Lucite production runs. In most cases the variance is very slight – but our expert production artists make compensation for the potential fading to get as close as possible without distortions. Different pigments in inks fade differently than others. In most cases, the fading is so slight it is barely noticeable. This slight fading is normal and accepted in all Lucite production runs.

Cancellations and Alterations to Orders

An order is defined as an email or phone placement to have A Better Idea LLC/ Lucitetombstones.com proceed with a custom project of custom-made goods. Once an order is received by phone, email, order payment form, check, or wire, the custom project/order is considered firm. Email or Phone Orders or Order Payment Forms are included in the approval process. Once an order # has been assigned it cannot be cancelled. We then pull goods, set production dates, clean artwork, do layouts, make screens, and prepare proofs. A Better Idea requires signed proof approval, and this is the buyer/client/email contacts acknowledgement of a firm order. We cannot guarantee our ability to make changes or cancellations to any order that has been processed through order entry. A Better Idea! will make every effort to comply with your cancellation request and refund full order product costs minus all labor, art, screens, setups, samples, and any paperwork fees. Once your order is placed (pre-payment or deposit is confirmation of firm non-cancellable order) with us either verbally or by email, there will be a minimum charge of $500.00 should you cancel.  Our production capability is dependent on dated orders, events, and staffing ability to produce your order.  Once the order is accepted and confirmed it is a FIRM order. If you have signed approval of PDF email proof, you acknowledge acceptance of all cancellation terms stated herewith. We cannot cancel your order since production and art time has been assigned, and other potential orders may have been denied. Production time is assigned, material pulled, and your order may delay or cancel another requested order that we are unable to fulfill due to your production, art and design requirements Any rush orders cancelled incur the following fees: a flat MINIMUM 10% cancellation fee for same day, 25% for next day, 50% for 2nd day, and 100% after 3 working days. This charge is not refundable or negotiable. The charge may be greater depending on how much work was completed by the factory up to the time of cancellation. If artwork was received, all artwork preparation, screens, proofing, samples, and art time are charged and due by signatory. In the event of an accepted cancellation, all work: all artwork, proofs, samples, setups, screens, layouts, re-stocking, and any other expenses are due in full by client. All costs incurred by A Better Idea! will be the responsibility of the customer. Since we are producing custom printed material per your authorization, once artwork has been approved, your full order cannot be cancelled and must be paid for in full.  Signing our payment authorization form or proof approval email form is a commitment to full payment of your order to A Better IdeaLLC/ Lucitetombstones.com. Your signature on art/proof approvals shall constitute acceptance of full order charges and/if agreed upon by supplier, cancellation fees, and in addition constitutes a waiver of any disputes of charges. 

Order Placement/ Repeat Orders:

Orders are placed by email order form. Signing our order form confirms that you have read and agreed to all terms of sale on our site as indicated in writing on our order form. Your signature is and your email return of signed form is a legal contract to buy these custom goods and agreement that no refunds can be made once you have signed a proof layout approval. If you have ordered from us in the past, we will keep your credit card on file for future orders.  Any email placement of orders will constitute the right to charge the order to your credit card on file. You may also choose to send us a check or wire transfer. You must notify us in writing of your wish to destroy the card # on file or your wish to place each order individually with a new credit card. A Better Idea! will make every effort to rush your proof, but payment in advance is required for any artwork once you email approval to proceed with an order. Once you have agreed to proceed, and we have begun the artwork or proof – the costs of the work are your sole responsibility and will be charged to the card on file.  All artwork (artist’s time, layouts, drawings, logos, and typesetting) & proofs must be paid and will be charged to your card on file should you decide to not proceed.

Claims, Adjustments and Returns

There are no returns, re-dos, or replacements of custom cast orders once a proof has been approved. If you have any problems with your order due to our mistake being different from the signed proof, please contact customer service at 1-401-841-5646 within 48 hours of receipt. Please have your order number available. WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNAUTHORIZED RETURNS. All returns must be approved by our customer service department. If any problem arises, please call customer service immediately. If necessary, we will issue an RMA number (return material authorization) and provide you with a special shipping address. NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A VALID RMA#.

Overages and Shortages

We try to produce your custom printed order in the exact quantity ordered, but this is not always possible due to quality control efforts and fast running machines. Industry standards are +/- 10% over or under ordered quantity. We will discard unacceptable pieces and ship all acceptable pieces.  We reserve the right to ship and subsequently bill or credit, your charge card or account, for up to 10% over or under the desired quantity.

Refund Policy

There are no refunds once your order is printed. All sales are final. If you have approved the artwork for your custom order, your order is in production and cannot be cancelled. You are responsible for all the charges for products, services and shipping you have authorized by signing our credit card form and you are giving your acceptance of our terms and conditions and agreeing to be bound by our terms.  Any refunds are at the sole discretion of A Better Idea LLC.  Phone, fax, or email cancellations are not applicable. All sales are final. Cardholder has three (3) workdays from submitting a signed standard (non-rush) order to cancel (in writing and dated) before applicable cancellation changes accrue.

Rush Orders:

Rush orders may incur rush charges if needed.  You will be advised of charges before placing an order. Once the authorization form is received, your order cannot be cancelled unless approved by a manager.  If cancellation of your rush order is approved, the minimum cancellation fee of $350.00 will apply for research, time, artwork, and screens. If there is a question about your order, please contact customer service at 1-401-841-5646 within one hour of rush order placement.  Please Note:  Rush orders stop all other orders from production and require time and costs to be approved. Please be sure you would like to proceed before signing the authorization form. All orders are final and cannot be cancelled.

Copyright Notice

Any artwork or material submitted by the customer will be accepted by the factory as being in complete compliance with all laws regarding trademark, service mark, copyright, right of privacy, patent, or similar protection. The customer, by submitting such information, represents that use by the factory will not violate any laws, and A Better Idea disclaims any liability for compliance with such laws in using the customer’s artwork or material. The customer agrees to hold the factory harmless from any damages, costs and/or expenses should they arise because of the factory’s use of said artwork, copy and other materials. 

Trademark Notice/Use of Trademarks

Logos shown on products on our website appear only to illustrate the products we offer and the variety of ways in which they can be decorated. The use of logos that are trademarks or copy righted work of other companies are previous orders and never intended to suggest that A Better Idea LLC owns the rights to those trademarks, or that A Better Idea LLC would make products with the trademarked logos of others available to any purchaser without the permission of the owners of the art or copy. By submitting your order, the buyer grants us permission to display and exhibit products containing the trademark or copyrighted material. We do not sell or offer for sale any products with trademarks or copyrighted material without the owner’s prior consent.

All artwork, designs, and trademarks imprinted on the products displayed in this catalog are reproduced only as examples of the type and quality of the decorated products available from our line of products. They are not intended to represent that the products are either endorsed by, or produced for the owners of the artwork, design, or trademark. 

Random Samples

Random samples (previous work) may be provided at the salesperson’s discretion. For pre-productions samples, please be advised that you must pay for all printing, setups, and layout for the full order to produce the single sample. The majority of the cost is in producing plates, setups, color mixing and labor and the material is minor, so all cards or inserts are printed at one time. We provide PDF proofs for your approval by phone, fax, or email.  Once approved, if you request a pre-production sample, you are responsible for the printing costs & setups for the entire order.

Pre-Production Samples

Pre-production 1st piece samples of your order are representative of the final order but not exact – since each casting is unique and there can be color, placement, and size variations.  We strive to minimize these variations but cannot guarantee your full order will be exactly like the pre-pro samples.

We offer an optional no charge pre-production sample with every order. (1st piece sample) Upon signed approval of your PDF proof, we can produce the 1st piece of your total order for approval.  It is A Better Idea’s policy to provide “first piece” actual product samples before production of complicated orders or orders over 50 pieces.  If you, as our client, decline this offer due to time constraints or any other reason, you have assumed the responsibility and full cost of your order for any typo or color issues. Please be advised that casting the balance in a new casting may change the placement of the document or slightly alter the colors since we cannot control the final chemical reactions during the casting and curing process. Actual documents may shift slightly or tilt and bow slightly due to the process of casting. This is unavoidable and not grounds for replacement.

Providing Us Your Product for Embedment

Client products for embedment in Lucite are embedded “at your own risk” and we do not guarantee the result. We will test the product at no charge if time permits, but never under rush service. Even with a test it is only one piece and we do not guarantee that all pieces of the Lucite award will react in the same way.  If you choose to use your own product you agree that you have read the terms of sale, the disclaimers, and you have been advised by phone that your product may not embed to your satisfaction. We are not the manufacturer of your provided product and inks may bleed or products may melt during the process. The process requires a tolerance of 350-375 degrees (casting) and approx. 275 lbs of pressure (removing air bubbles) to cast. About 95% of all Lucite castings, we make are with artwork only, but we occasionally will embed a product if the client agrees to our terms set forth here about the risks.  All “Rush” orders involving client supplied items for embedment are a risky proposition because testing cannot be provided, and we suggest you do not proceed with the order.  If you place a rush order with your product it is fully paid in advance and cannot be refunded under any circumstances.  The resulting part is entirely at your own risk.

Disclaimer

Products and logos shown on this web site appear only to illustrate the basic products and ability to include messages and art on them but are never intended to suggest that the imprints were designed by A Better Idea LLC/ Lucitetombstones.com. We accept all copy and other materials submitted by the customer for use by the factory in producing items ordered on the basis that they are submitted in full compliance with all laws regarding trademark, service mark, copyright, etc. We will not accept liability for any infringements.  We are not responsible in any way for missed events if expedited shipping is not used. (If a 3rd party account is used for shipping, you must contact your freight company about any dispute on shipping costs) We cannot and do not control whether listed merchants honor the promotions, discounts, prices, or other information listed on the Site. Under no circumstances will A Better Idea!/Lucitetombstones.com have any liability for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information obtained through the Site on any offer misrepresented or not fulfilled by a member merchant. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any offer, promotion, or other information available on or through the Site. You hereby acknowledge that any reliance upon any materials shall be at your sole risk. We cannot and do not control whether listed merchants honor the promotions, discounts, prices, or other information listed on the Site.

Lucitetombstones.com, 1151 Aquidneck Ave, Suite 498, Middletown, RI 02842 A BETTER IDEA, LLC Corporate Gifts


revised 3-27-23.

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