RETURNS, WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY
Vacuum Tubes Treasures di Tiziano Di Natale
Seller: Vacuum Tubes Treasures di Tiziano Di Natale
Version: Updated on 10 July 2026
This Policy supplements the Terms and Conditions of Sale. In the event of any inconsistency, mandatory provisions of applicable law shall prevail and, where compatible, the Terms and Conditions of Sale shall apply.
1. Different Types of Requests
Requests are handled according to their nature:
- withdrawal from the contract (cooling-off right) where provided by law;
- claims relating to an alleged lack of conformity;
- returns resulting from a VTT error or another mutually agreed reason.
Sound preference, dissatisfaction with the sound, tube rolling, comparative listening tests, or perceived differences compared with other tubes do not constitute a lack of conformity and are not treated as warranty claims free of charge.
2. Withdrawal (Cooling-Off Right)
Consumers may exercise their right of withdrawal within fourteen (14) days from delivery, where provided by applicable consumer legislation, by sending an unequivocal statement to info@vacuumtubestreasures.com or by using the dedicated online withdrawal procedure, where available.
The product must be returned without undue delay and, in any event, within fourteen (14) days after the withdrawal notice, complete with its packaging, accessories, documentation and protective materials originally supplied.
The direct cost of returning the product is borne by the consumer.
VTT does not provide free return shipping labels for withdrawals unless expressly agreed in the specific case.
3. Product Condition and Commercial Status
Returned products must be properly packaged and are subject to technical, visual and commercial inspection.
The consumer is responsible for any diminished value resulting from handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Installation, powering, burn-in, tube rolling, comparative testing, use in multiple devices, manipulation of the pins, opening or deterioration of the packaging may alter the tube's technical and commercial condition and may result in a significant reduction in value.
A tube sold as new, NOS, NIB, unused, or collector-grade may no longer be marketable in the same commercial category once it has been installed or powered.
Any reduction in value is determined on the basis of the documented difference between the original value and the product's actual resale value after its return.
4. Elements Considered During Inspection
When assessing the condition of a returned product and any reduction in value, VTT may consider, among other factors:
- condition of the packaging, protective materials, accessories and documentation;
- integrity of the tamper-evident seal;
- insertion marks, abrasions, recent oxidation, bent or altered pins;
- evidence of powering, overheating, arcing, cleaning, tampering or use;
- damage to or removal of printed markings occurring after delivery;
- consistency with photographs and test results recorded by VTT before shipment;
- the commercial category under which the returned product can legitimately be resold.
No automatic percentage deductions are applied.
The refund may be reduced significantly where use or handling prevents the product from being resold in its original commercial category, provided such reduction is properly justified and documented.
5. Tamper-Evident Seal
Where present, the tamper-evident seal identifies the condition of the product as verified by VTT prior to shipment and serves documentary and evidential purposes.
If the seal has been broken, VTT will carry out a thorough inspection. Together with any other findings, this may contribute to establishing whether the product has been installed, handled or used and to determining any resulting reduction in value.
Nothing in this provision affects the consumer's mandatory statutory rights in the event of an actual lack of conformity.
6. Used Products
For products clearly described and sold as used, VTT's liability period for lack of conformity is contractually limited to one year from delivery, as stated in the product listing and in the Terms and Conditions of Sale, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
The terms NOS or NIB do not automatically classify a product as used.
7. Reporting an Alleged Defect
The customer must contact VTT, providing the order number and a description of the issue.
VTT may request photographs, videos, equipment details, voltage readings, bias settings, operating conditions, measurements and any other information reasonably necessary to identify the cause.
Where appropriate, VTT may request the return of the product for visual inspection, electrical and functional testing, and comparison with data recorded prior to shipment.
The product must be returned following VTT's instructions and using appropriate packaging.
Any technical inspection performed by VTT constitutes an objective element in evaluating the returned product, together with the available technical documentation and photographic records.
8. Damage and Circumstances Not Attributable to VTT
Unless an original lack of conformity is demonstrated under the applicable legal rules, VTT shall not be responsible for:
- normal wear, progressive loss of emission, natural parameter variations and ageing consistent with the product's nature and age;
- damage caused by incorrect bias adjustment, overvoltage, excessive dissipation, oscillation, short circuits, inadequate ventilation, incompatible or defective equipment, or worn sockets;
- damage resulting from unsuitable adapters, improper installation or removal, impact, dropping, transport after delivery or inadequate return packaging;
- bent, broken or altered pins, tampering, modifications, aggressive cleaning or third-party interventions;
- aesthetic, historical or preservation characteristics expressly described or clearly visible in the photographs;
- differences between measurements obtained using different test equipment, calibration methods, measuring procedures or operating conditions, where the product complies with VTT's stated specifications.
9. Outcome of the Technical Inspection
If a lack of conformity is confirmed, VTT will provide, free of charge, the remedy required by applicable law that is available and proportionate under the circumstances.
Vacuum tubes are sealed vacuum components and, as a general rule, cannot be technically repaired without destroying their structure.
Replacement is not automatic where it is impossible, unavailable or disproportionate. In such cases, the alternative remedy provided by law shall apply.
If no lack of conformity is found and the product is confirmed to comply with its description, VTT will inform the customer and may return the product, charging only those reasonable, actual and documented costs permitted by law.
Where a valid withdrawal has also been exercised, the applicable withdrawal rules, including the assessment of any reduction in value, shall apply.
10. Return Shipping Costs
10.1 Withdrawal
The direct cost of returning the product is borne by the consumer.
The customer is responsible for packaging and shipping the product until it is delivered to VTT and is encouraged to use a tracked and adequately insured shipping service.
10.2 Confirmed Lack of Conformity or VTT Error
Where a lack of conformity is confirmed or the return results from an error attributable to VTT, the costs necessary to provide the legal remedy shall be borne by VTT, in accordance with applicable law and VTT's instructions.
10.3 Return Label Advanced by VTT
Where VTT provides a prepaid return label for a claim later found not to involve a lack of conformity or to be attributable to the customer, the actual documented cost may be recovered or deducted where permitted by law and by the applicable sales platform.
11. Refunds
In the event of a valid withdrawal, VTT will refund all amounts required by law, including the original standard delivery costs.
Additional charges paid for premium shipping methods are not refundable.
The refund may be withheld until the returned goods have been received or until proof of shipment has been provided, as permitted by applicable law.
Upon receipt, VTT will verify the identity, completeness and condition of the returned product and will communicate any reduction in value.
Refunds will be made using the original payment method unless otherwise agreed without additional cost to the consumer.
Store credit may be used as a refund method only with the customer's express consent.
12. Returns from Non-EU Countries
Before shipping a return, the customer must request and follow VTT's customs instructions and declare the goods as returned merchandise, referring where possible to the original export.
Descriptions, customs reasons or declared values not agreed with VTT must not be used.
For withdrawals, return shipping costs and related charges remain the customer's responsibility unless mandatory law provides otherwise.
Customs duties, taxes, storage charges, customs clearance costs or re-import charges resulting from incorrect declarations or lack of cooperation may be charged to the customer where permitted by law and properly documented.
Where a lack of conformity is confirmed or the return results from a VTT error, the legal rules on free remedies shall apply.
13. Unclaimed, Refused or Abandoned Shipments
The customer must monitor the shipment, provide any required documentation and promptly pay any import charges.
Failure to collect the shipment, refusal of delivery or failure to complete customs clearance does not automatically constitute the exercise of the right of withdrawal.
If the shipment returns to VTT, any refund will be assessed after inspection and may be reduced by the actual, reasonable and documented costs attributable to the customer.
If the goods are confiscated, destroyed or declared abandoned and cannot be recovered due to circumstances attributable to the customer, the refund may be refused to the extent of the unrecoverable value and documented costs incurred.
14. Return Procedure
- Contact info@vacuumtubestreasures.com, providing the order number. In the case of an alleged defect, describe the issue and provide the requested information.
- Follow the instructions received and, for non-EU returns, VTT's customs instructions.
- Pack each vacuum tube separately, protecting both the glass envelope and the pins, and include the original packaging, accessories and documentation.
- Do not apply labels or adhesive tape directly to the original product packaging.
- Use a tracked shipping service and retain proof of shipment and delivery.
15. Exercising the Right of Withdrawal
Consumers may exercise their right of withdrawal by sending any unequivocal statement or by using the dedicated withdrawal procedure available on the website.
16. Contact Details
Vacuum Tubes Treasures di Tiziano Di Natale
Via Trento 48
64011 Alba Adriatica (TE)
Italy
Email: info@vacuumtubestreasures.com
Telephone: +39 328 7341456
