Terms and Conditions of Sale

I. General

The Terms and Conditions of Sale outlined in this Contract (the “Terms”) apply to the sale by General Structures, Inc. (the “Company”) of products, components and/or parts (the “Products”). The Terms are an integral part of the quotation prepared and delivered to you (“Partner”) by the Company.  The quotation constitutes an offer on the part of the Company to sell the goods as described in the quotation.  No contract shall be formed by reason of preparation or delivery of this quotation, unless and until Partner accepts the quotation in writing and provides a valid resale certificate or a sales tax certificate of exemption that is acceptable by the destination state that the products are being delivered to.  The acceptance of the quotation and these Terms are referred to as the “Contract.”  Partner’s acceptance is expressly conditioned upon its assent to all of the terms and conditions in the Terms and the quotation.  In the event Partner’s acceptance conflicts with, varies or supplements the Terms, the Company hereby objects to such provisions and the Terms shall govern, and the Partner’s conflicting, varying or supplemental provisions are rejected and will be null and void.  Company’s delivery of Products will be in accordance with the Terms.

II. Shipment, Title, and Risk of Loss or Damage

Shipment of Products will be made to Partner, or its agent, and title and risk of loss or damage to the Products passes to Partner upon tender of delivery FCA Company manufacturing facility (Incoterms 2012) unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. If the Contract requires delivery by Company, risk of loss passes to Partner on delivery.  Anchor bolts and/or accessory items shipped prior to poles at Partner’s request will be prepaid with freight costs billed to Partner. Company will provide a freight allowance of $3,000 for products that are back ordered as determined by Company, but a request for a partial release of an order by Partner or the distributor will not qualify for that freight allowance. The freight allowance does not cover any charges related to the pre-shipment of anchor bolts and/or accessories that may, at times, be billed at a later date with the shipment of the poles on a freight-allowed order. Partner grants to Company a security interest in the Products, regardless of mode of attachment to realty or other property, until full payment has been received by Company for this Contract. Partner consents to the filing of one or more financing statements by Company.

III. Assignment

Partner may not assign or transfer this Contract without the prior written consent of the Company.

IV. Delivery and Delays

Delivery dates provided by the Company will be estimated and in no event will dates be construed as falling within the meaning of “time is of the essence.”  The Company is not liable for any loss or delay due to war, riots, terrorist activity, fire, flood, strikes or other labor difficulty, damage or delay in transportation, inability to obtain necessary labor or materials from usual sources, faulty forgings or castings, or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Company.  In the event of delay in performance due to any such cause, the date of delivery or time for completion will be adjusted to reflect the actual length of time lost by reason of such delay. Partner’s receipt of Products constitutes a waiver of any claims for delay.

The Company provides detailed shipping documentation that includes a bill of lading with packing list for all orders, and the shipment should be reviewed by the receiving entity and/or individual. A signature of receipt is required at time of delivery. This signature confirms receipt of all items. The Company must be notified of any missing items within 72 hours of receipt of a shipment or the Partner and/or end user will be required to purchase replacement parts.

V. Canceled Orders

Cancellation of an order will be subject to a cancellation/restocking fee dependent upon where the job is within the Company’s production process.

There is no fee associated with the cancellation of an order before the job has been released to production. A 50% restocking fee will apply once any modification to materials has been made, and a 100% restocking fee will apply once powder coat has been applied or if material for a custom job has been procured.

Note: Make-to-order partner arrangements may be exempt from the fees noted above.

VI. Terms of Payment and Interest

The terms of payment are net thirty (30) days from the invoice date, subject to the approval of the Company’s finance department at the time of shipment. The Company reserves the right to require payment in advance, C.O.D. or guarantee by letter of credit, and to otherwise modify credit terms at its discretion based on the financial condition of Partner or changes that impact the ability of Partner to perform.  All payments not made when due accrue interest at the rate of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) or the highest amount allowed by law, whichever is less.

VII. Prices and Taxes

Prices are subject to change without notice and will not include any present or future Federal, State, or local property, license, privilege, sales, use, excise, gross receipts or other like taxes or assessments which may be applicable to, measured by, imposed or resulting from this transaction. Taxes will be itemized separately to Partner, who will make prompt payment to the Company. The Company will accept a valid exemption certificate from Partner, if applicable. If such exemption certificate is not recognized by the involved governmental taxing authority, Partner agrees to promptly reimburse the Company for any taxes covered by such exemption certificate which the Company is required to pay. Partner will indemnify and hold the Company harmless from the payment or imposition of any tax or levy imposed on any sold Products, plus penalties, interest and reasonable attorneys’ fees connected with the imposition of any such tax or levy.

VIII. Set Offs

Neither Partner nor any affiliated company or assignee has the right to claim compensation or to set off against any amounts which become payable to the Company under this Contract or otherwise.

IX. Survival

The remaining provisions will survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

X. Indemnification and Insurance

Partner assumes all responsibility that the Products are fit for the intended purpose, and Partner and its site engineer are fully responsible for use of Products inconsistent with the specifications of the Products.

Partner will indemnify, defend, save, and hold harmless the Company, its parent, affiliates, directors, officers, servants, and employees, from and against any and all responsibilities, liabilities, claims, demands, suits, judgments, losses, damages, costs, and expenses for any loss of, damage to, or destruction of any property or any injury to or death of any person arising from Partner’s use, repair, maintenance, or disposition of the Products. Partner is not required to indemnify the Company for claims or liabilities arising from the Company’s negligence or misconduct or breach of its obligations arising under this Contract.

In addition to the foregoing, and in accordance with individual state laws governing the exemption from retail sales tax on purchases of otherwise taxable items, entities purchasing our products are responsible for making sure they are eligible for the tax exemption claimed for any state that the purchased Products are shipped. If a state determines that you are not eligible, you will be liable for any taxes, interest, and penalties imposed by that state on your purchase. As the Purchaser, you agree and are required to provide the Company with all applicable resale or similar certificates of exemption, completed in their entirety, for state sales and/or use tax and agree to completely indemnify the Company for all claims, losses, damages, taxes, interest, and penalties of any kind incurred by the Company as a result of the failure to provide such certificates of exemption.

XI. Warranty

The Company warrants that the Products manufactured by it and delivered under this Contract are free of substantial defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve months from the date of shipment to Partner. Partner or end user must promptly report to the Company in writing any failure of the Products to conform to the warranty within the one-year warranty period.  The Company will, at its discretion, correct such nonconformity by suitable field repair to such Products or it will furnish a replacement part FCA point of shipment (Incoterms 2012), provided the Partner and any affiliated parties have stored, installed, maintained and operated such Products in accordance with good industry practices and has complied with specific recommendations of the Company.

The Company is not liable for any repairs, replacements, or adjustments to the Products or any costs of labor performed by Partner or others without the Company’s prior written approval.  The Company is not responsible for any costs associated with the taking down or putting up of defective products. Repair or replacement of defective Products will constitute fulfillment of all responsibility and liability of the Company for such nonconformities.  Products will not be accepted for return without the prior consent of Company.  If approved for return, Company will issue a return goods authorization (RGA).  A restocking charge will apply to Products that are authorized for return and are in first-class, resalable condition, and accompanied by the RGA, freight prepaid.

All products are designed and fabricated to withstand the load applied when properly selected using the EPA chart in the catalog. Some geographical areas have special wind conditions that can create wind induced vibrations causing a fatigue problem. No method has yet been found for predicting destructive lighting pole vibration. These conditions are unique but cannot be guaranteed against, and are the responsibility of a local site engineer. As a result, Company expressly disclaims any warranties (express or implied, oral or written) with respect to damage caused to the products or caused by the products due to wind-induced (Aeolian) vibrations.

Except for the warranties set forth above which are limited warranties and the only warranties made by the Company, the products, services, and deliverables are provided strictly “as is,” and the company makes no additional warranties, expressed or implied, arising from course of dealing or usage of trade, or statutory, as to the products, deliverables or services provided under this contract, or any matter whatsoever.  In particular, any and all implied warranties of merchantability, title, satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement are hereby disclaimed by the company and are excluded by the parties.

XII. Limitation of Liability 

The remedies of partner set forth in this contract are exclusive, and the total liability of the company with respect to this contract or the products and services furnished under this contract, whether based on contract, warranty, negligence, indemnity, strict liability or otherwise, shall not exceed the purchase price of the specific unit of defective products paid by customer upon which such liability is based.

XIII. Limitations on Damages

In no event will the company or its suppliers be liable to partner, any successors in interest or any beneficiary or assignee of this contract for any consequential, incidental, indirect, special or punitive damages arising out of this contract, whether based on loss of use, lost profits or revenue, interest, lost goodwill, work stoppage, whether or not such loss or damage is based on contract, warranty, negligence, indemnity, strict liability or otherwise and regardless of whether the company has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

XIV. Survival of Limitations

The Foregoing Limitations Of Liability Shall Survive And Apply Notwithstanding The Failure Of Essential Purpose Of Any Remedies Specified In This Contract.

XV. Termination and Cancellation

Partner cannot terminate, suspend performance under, or issue a “hold” order on this Contract in whole or in part without the Company’s written consent. Partner’s liability for termination, suspension, or “hold” includes the Company’s charges related to a hold beyond the price of finished Products delivered and/or held for Partner’s disposition, such charges including, but not limited to, costs for work in process and other adjustment to the quantity actually delivered plus a charge for the undelivered Products.

Neither party can cancel this Contract for breach of any of its provisions by the other party without giving the other party thirty (30) days advance written notice and a reasonable time in which to cure the alleged breach, except in the event of (a) insolvency of such other party, or (b) failure of Partner to make timely payment. Upon cancellation, the parties shall be entitled to rights and remedies available at law or under this Contract, except to the extent excluded or limited by this Contract.

The Company, without cancelling this Contract, may decline to make further deliveries under this Contract in the event of a breach by Partner.  Should the Company elect to continue delivering despite the breach, such action will not constitute a waiver of Partner’s breach or in any way affect the Company’s remedy.

XVI. Essential Basis of Bargain

Partner acknowledges and agrees that the fees charged by the Company under this Contract reflect the overall allocation of risk between the parties and are an essential basis of the bargain.

XVII. Governmental Authorizations

All licenses or other required governmental approvals will be obtained by Partner at its sole cost and expense, and Partner agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

XVIII. No Solicitation

Partner agrees that it will not solicit for employment any of Company’s employees, contractors, subcontractors or associates for a period of one (1) year from the date of the completion of this Contract and final payment to Company.  If Partner does hire an existing employee of Company in violation of this provision or an employee who has terminated his relationship with Company within the six (6) month period prior to the date the former employee is hired by Partner, Partner agrees to pay Company a fee equal to one (1) year’s total compensation and benefits for that person.

XIX. Controlling Law; Venue; Jurisdiction; Attorneys’ Fees  

The rights and obligations of the parties are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan excluding any conflicts of law provisions. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to this Contract.  Except as the Company may deem necessary to protect its interests in the Products or otherwise, neither party may bring any action involving the other except in the Circuit Court of Macomb County, Michigan, or the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the parties hereby acknowledge and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of either court.

XX. Waiver

Failure or delay in the exercise of any right or remedy under this Contract will not waive or impair such right or remedy. No waiver given will require future or further waivers.

XXI. Severability

Any portion of this Contract determined to be contrary to any controlling law, rule or regulation will be revised to be consistent with controlling law. If a portion of this Contract cannot be revised to be consistent with controlling law, it will be deleted and the remaining balance of this Contract will remain in full force and effect.

XXII. Entire Agreement

This Contract contains all the agreements, representations, and understandings of the parties and supersedes any previous understandings, commitments, or agreements, oral or written.  These Terms may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each party.  Company specifically rejects any terms or conditions that may be contained in any Partner purchase order, communication or other record.  If Partner issues a purchase order to Company related to this Contract, Partner agrees that no terms or conditions contained in that purchase order will be applicable to this Contract but acknowledges that the purchase order is issued for its internal record keeping purposes only.

XXIII. Priority

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Contract, if any of the terms or conditions set forth in this Contract conflicts with any terms or conditions set forth in the quotation that incorporates the Terms by reference, then the conflicting terms and/or conditions in such quotation shall control with respect to this Contract. However, nothing in any other document shall amend or delete the limitations of liability or damages or exclusions of warranties in this Contract.

About Us

General Structures, Inc. has been the best partner for C&I lighting standards since 1988. We adhere to standards set forth by AASHTO, ASTM International, and NEMA and weld all of our products to the highest American Welding Society standards.

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