StarPythons – International Terms & Conditions (T&C)

These Terms and Conditions govern all purchases of live animals directly from StarPythons GmbH.

1. Introduction & Scope

These Terms and Conditions (“T&C”) apply to all agreements for the sale of live animals between StarPythons GmbH (“StarPythons”, “we”, “our”) and any buyer (“you”, “your”), regardless of the country of residence. By placing an order or making a reservation, you acknowledge and accept these T&C.

These T&C apply exclusively. Any terms proposed by you that differ from or contradict these T&C shall not apply unless expressly agreed in writing.

2. Definitions

For clarity and international consistency, the following terms are defined:

• Animal: Any live snake or reptile offered for sale by StarPythons.
• Order: A binding purchase agreement confirmed by StarPythons in text form.
• Reservation: A temporary hold of an animal secured by a non-refundable deposit.
• Deposit: A 20% non-refundable initial payment required to reserve an animal.
• Live Arrival Guarantee: The guarantee that an animal arrives alive and in good condition at the moment of handover.
• Genetics: The genetic traits and lineage information provided by StarPythons.
• Consumer and Entrepreneur: Defined according to EU law. In all cases, these T&C apply equally unless explicitly stated otherwise.

3. Formation of Contract

Animal listings and descriptions on our website, social media, or other platforms are non-binding and for information purposes only.

A purchase contract is formed only when:

1. you request to purchase an animal, and
2. we confirm your order in text form (email or message).

StarPythons reserves the right to sell an animal to another buyer until a reservation deposit has been received and confirmed.

4. Animal Information: Genetics, Lineage & Sexing

We provide all information regarding genetics, lineage, and ancestry based on documented breeding records and with the highest level of care.

4.1 Genetics Guarantee
All recessive genetic traits (homozygous and heterozygous) are fully guaranteed.

4.2 Sexing
We sex each animal carefully and multiple times. However, sexing reptiles involves natural uncertainty. Therefore:

• sex is not guaranteed,
• you must verify the sex within seven days after receiving the animal,
• discrepancies must be reported immediately,
• in such cases, we will review the situation and may offer a goodwill solution.

4.3 Natural Development

Color, pattern development, growth and behavior naturally vary and cannot be guaranteed. Such variations do not constitute a defect.

5. Prices, Currency Display & Payments

StarPythons uses a region-specific pricing system. The price displayed to you on our website is not a currency conversion, but a separate, predefined sales price for your region or time zone.

5.1 Region-Specific Binding Prices
Our system assigns prices based on your region, time zone, or language settings. This means:

• visitors in the United States see USD prices,
• visitors in South Korea see KRW prices,
• visitors in Europe see EUR prices, etc.

These displayed regional prices are individually set by StarPythons, not automatically converted. Therefore:

• the price shown to you in your regional currency is the legally binding purchase price,
• and it will be confirmed in the order confirmation issued for your region.

5.2 Accepted Payment Methods
Payments may be made via bank transfer, PayPal, or credit card. Your chosen payment provider may apply additional conversion fees if your account currency differs from the displayed sales currency.

5.3 Reservation Deposit (20%)
To reserve an animal, a non-refundable 20% deposit of the regional sales price is required. After receipt of the deposit:

• the animal is exclusively reserved for you,
• and removed from the market.

The deposit forms part of the total purchase price. If you fail to complete the purchase without a legal right to withdraw, the deposit will be retained as compensation for our holding, care, administrative and opportunity costs. Both parties agree that this retention represents a reasonable pre-estimate of such costs and does not constitute a penalty, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Mandatory consumer rights in your jurisdiction remain unaffected.

5.4 U.S.-Specific Payment Plans
For buyers located in the United States, StarPythons may offer individualized payment plans at our discretion. These plans are tailored based on purchase amount and the buyer’s individual circumstances. Unless otherwise agreed in writing and to the extent permitted by applicable law:

• all payments made under a payment plan are non-refundable, regardless of the total amount already paid,
• failure to complete the full payment within the agreed timeframe results in automatic cancellation of the purchase contract,
• previously made payments (including deposits and partial instalments) are retained by StarPythons to cover holding, care, administrative, and opportunity costs,
• the animal will not be shipped or transferred until the full purchase price has been received.

Any exceptions must be explicitly agreed upon in writing by StarPythons.

5.5 Collection at Reptile Shows
If collection at a reptile show is planned:

• the 20% deposit must be received prior to the event,
• and the remaining balance must be paid in cash at the show, unless otherwise agreed.

6. Shipping & Collection

We ship Monday through Thursday, depending on weather conditions and animal safety. Shipping is conducted via professional overnight services to home addresses (non-US) or designated pick-up hubs (US).

6.1 Buyer Responsibility
You must:

• accept delivery immediately upon arrival, or
• pick up the animal within 8 hours if delivered to a hub.

Failure to receive the animal within this timeframe voids the Live Arrival Guarantee.

6.2 Transfer of Risk

• For consumers, risk transfers upon physical handover.
• For entrepreneurs, risk transfers once the animal is handed over to the carrier.
• If you choose your own carrier (not named or recommended by us), risk transfers once the animal is handed over to that carrier.

7. Live Arrival Guarantee

We guarantee that every animal arrives alive and in good condition at the moment of handover. Any issues must be reported immediately, with video/photo documentation. Late reports cannot be considered.

8. No Returns for Live Animals

Due to the nature of live animals, all sales are final. Animals cannot be returned or exchanged, except where this is required by mandatory statutory law.

In particular, live animals are excluded from statutory withdrawal rights under EU law. In other jurisdictions, mandatory consumer protection rules may grant additional rights that cannot be contractually excluded; such rights remain unaffected.

9. Health, Feeding & Husbandry

We guarantee that:

• each animal is healthy and in proper physical condition,
• has shed successfully at least once,
• and has eaten offered frozen-thawed food independently at least three times.

Once you receive the animal, you are responsible for providing legally compliant, species-appropriate housing and care. We are not responsible for health issues resulting from improper care or husbandry.

10. Retention of Ownership

The animal remains the property of StarPythons until full payment has been received.

11. Liability

Our liability follows a hybrid EU/US structure to ensure clarity internationally:

11.1 Unlimited Liability

• intent or gross negligence,
• injury to life, body, or health,
• mandatory legal liability,
• expressly granted guarantees.

11.2 Limited Liability
For slight negligence involving essential contractual obligations, liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable damage.

11.3 Exclusions
All further liability is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages; in such cases, the above limitations shall apply only to the extent permitted by the laws of that jurisdiction.

These limitations also apply to our employees and representatives.

12. Data Protection

Processing of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, available on our website.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These T&C and any disputes arising out of or in connection with them are governed exclusively by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, without giving effect to conflict-of-law principles.

For business customers, the exclusive place of jurisdiction is Lübeck, Germany.

Consumers retain the rights granted by mandatory consumer protection law in their country of residence; these rights shall not be limited by this clause.

14. Dispute Resolution

The European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
StarPythons is not willing or obliged to participate in dispute resolution before consumer arbitration bodies.

15. Miscellaneous

If any provision of these T&C is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Failure by StarPythons to enforce any right or provision shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

These T&C constitute the entire agreement between you and StarPythons with respect to the sale of animals, superseding any prior understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, on this subject.

Last updated: 2025