Terms and Conditions of Sale

Preamble

These terms and conditions of sale (“Terms”) are entered into between Service VTC Reims (“SERVICE VTC REIMS”), an operator of chauffeur-driven vehicles (VTC) within the meaning of articles L3122-1 et seq. of the French Transport Code, and any person, acting in a professional capacity or not (the “Client”), wishing to book a chauffeur transport service (the “Service”) for themselves or for persons they represent (the “Passengers”).

Any booking implies the Client’s and Passengers’ full and unreserved acceptance of these Terms. Any conflicting clause in the Client’s own terms is unenforceable against SERVICE VTC REIMS unless accepted in writing beforehand. The applicable Terms are those in force on the date the Client accepts the quote (article 1.5).

1. Booking

1.1 Legal capacity. To book, the Client must be of legal age (or an emancipated minor) and legally capable of contracting.

1.2 Booking channels. Phone, email, the website form at www.servicevtcreims.fr, or any other channel accepted by SERVICE VTC REIMS. Phone requests must be confirmed in writing.

1.3 Required information. Date, time and place of pick-up; drop-off location and stops; number of passengers (indicating any person with reduced mobility); number, weight and approximate volume of luggage; Passenger’s phone and email; desired vehicle category.

1.4 Quote. Upon receipt of the request, SERVICE VTC REIMS issues a quote based on the information provided. Any service not provided for is billed in addition. Any change of information may lead to a price revision.

1.5 Confirmation and payment. The Client accepts the quote by online signature or in writing (email, letter). An invoice with a secure payment link is then sent to the Client by email. The booking is confirmed, and the time slot reserved, upon receipt of full payment of the total amount, including tax. Full payment also constitutes acceptance of the quote and of these Terms. Corporate accounts are governed by the payment terms set out in article 8.4.

Unless otherwise agreed on the quote, no deposit is required. Amounts paid before the service are payment of the price, not “arrhes” (a forfeitable deposit under French law). Accepted means of payment: bank card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) via Stripe (secure payment), Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer (IBAN provided on request).

1.6 Right of withdrawal. Contracts for passenger transport services are excluded from the right of withdrawal that applies to distance and off-premises contracts (article L221-2, 9° of the French Consumer Code). The Client therefore has no 14-day withdrawal period; the cancellation terms in article 4 apply.

2. Pricing

2.1 Price. Services are billed at the price stated on the quote accepted by the Client. The flat rates shown on the website (airport transfers, long distance, chauffeur by the half-day or day) prevail over any earlier general information.

2.2 Price composition. Prices include all taxes and cover: the chauffeur service; fuel; professional civil liability insurance (transported persons); chauffeur meals; VAT at the applicable rate; for flat-rate transfers and hire within the 50 km / 31 mi radius around Reims, standard tolls and parking fees.

2.3 Additional charges and services on request. Unless stated otherwise on the quote: tolls and parking outside the flat-rate radius; entry fees, visits and tastings at Champagne houses, paid directly by the Client to each house; entry to other public or private sites (parks, etc.); chauffeur overnight stay outside the Marne department: €120 (accommodation + breakfast), only where a very long-distance transfer requires it, and always stated on the quote; it is included in the fixed long-distance transfer prices shown on the website. Child seats (infant seat, booster seat): on request at booking, stating the child’s age and weight; available in limited numbers and confirmed in writing with the quote. Name sign for an airport pick-up: included with the flight tracking option (price stated on the quote); otherwise subject to scheduling availability and not guaranteed.

2.4 Overruns (excluding flat-rate transfers). Hourly overrun: €75/h (sedan) or €90/h (van), billed per started 30-min block. Mileage overrun beyond the 50 km / 31 mi radius: €1.80/km. If the Client changes or interrupts the Service, billing covers the time and distance actually performed, with a minimum of the initial flat rate, except for a free change of date or time under article 4.6.

2.5 Price changes. SERVICE VTC REIMS may change its prices at any time. New prices apply only to Services booked after the update.

3. Performance conditions

3.1 Pick-up. Passengers must follow the pick-up instructions given by SERVICE VTC REIMS or the chauffeur.

3.2 Seat belts. Seat belts must be worn in both the front and rear seats. The chauffeur may refuse to drive off until all seat belts are fastened.

3.3 Non-smoking policy. All vehicles are strictly non-smoking (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, other). Any breach incurs a flat charge of €250 (incl. tax) to cover cleaning and downtime.

3.4 Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol consumption is not allowed in the vehicles unless expressly authorized in writing. The chauffeur may refuse to carry any Passenger whose behavior, linked to alcohol, drugs or any other cause, poses a risk to safety or vehicle cleanliness.

3.5 Performance of the Service. The Service is performed by a chauffeur holding the VTC professional card, in a vehicle of a VTC operator registered on the national register. SERVICE VTC REIMS remains solely responsible to the Client for the performance of the Service. Whichever VTC operator and chauffeur perform it, the price and commitments remain those of the accepted quote.

3.6 Photographs and images. Website visuals are non-contractual. The exact vehicle model (within the chosen category) is not guaranteed.

3.7 Luggage. Volume is limited to the trunk capacity of the chosen vehicle. SERVICE VTC REIMS may refuse any excess luggage for safety reasons. Personal effects remain in the Passengers’ care and under their responsibility.

3.8 Capacity. The number of Passengers, chauffeur included, may not exceed the vehicle’s legal capacity. Any excess is grounds for immediate refusal.

3.9 Animals. Pets are accepted subject to prior notice to SERVICE VTC REIMS at booking and express agreement. Guide and assistance dogs are accepted without formality as required by law. Failing prior notice, the chauffeur may refuse boarding.

4. Modification and cancellation

4.1 Request. Any change or cancellation is preferably made in writing, by email to [email protected] or by WhatsApp at +33 6 51 49 90 81, or by phone at the same number. The time at which SERVICE VTC REIMS receives the request determines which bracket applies.

4.2 Free cancellation. Any cancellation made more than 48 hours before the agreed time of the Service entitles the Client to a full refund of all sums paid.

4.3 Cancellation between 48 and 24 hours. 50% of the Service amount is due; any balance is refunded.

4.4 Cancellation less than 24 hours in advance, or no-show. The full amount (100%) of the Service is due and no refund is made. A “no-show” is recorded under the conditions set out in article 5.3.

4.5 Costs committed for the Service. Costs already committed by SERVICE VTC REIMS for the Service (such as a guide) and canceled less than 24 hours beforehand are billed in full. Visits, tastings and meals booked in the Client’s name are paid by the Client directly to the houses and restaurants, whose own cancellation terms apply.

4.6 Modification. A change of date or time requested more than 48 hours before the agreed pick-up time is free of charge, subject to availability. In all other cases, the Service actually performed is billed, with a minimum of the initial flat rate.

4.7 Special conditions. In high season or for Services involving a large number of vehicles, specific conditions may appear on the quote; they prevail over articles 4.1 to 4.6.

4.8 Cancellation by SERVICE VTC REIMS. If SERVICE VTC REIMS cancels the booking or is unable to perform the Service, it first offers the Client a chauffeur-driven vehicle of the same or a higher category at no extra cost. If the Client declines, or if no such vehicle is available, all sums paid are refunded to the Client in full, without prejudice to the Client’s rights.

5. Delays

5.1 Force majeure. SERVICE VTC REIMS is not liable for delays due to force majeure within the meaning of article 1218 of the French Civil Code.

5.2 Chauffeur delay. If a delay is attributable to SERVICE VTC REIMS, the Client is informed without delay. If no alternative accepted by the Client can be arranged, the part of the Service not performed is refunded, without prejudice to the Client’s right to compensation under general law.

5.3 Client delay / absence. Waiting beyond 15 minutes (excluding airports) is billed at the hourly rate in force. Airport pick-ups: without the flight tracking option, the chauffeur is present at the scheduled landing time stated on the booking and 30 minutes of waiting are included from that time; beyond that, waiting is billed at the hourly rate in force. With the flight tracking option (price stated on the quote), waiting is counted from the actual landing time and 2 hours are included. A “no-show” is recorded, and article 4.4 applies, only if neither the Client nor any Passenger has shown up, been in touch, or answered the chauffeur’s calls or WhatsApp messages by the following time: 60 minutes after the agreed time; for an airport pick-up, 90 minutes after the scheduled landing time without the flight tracking option, or 2 hours after the actual landing time with it.

6. Commitments and liability

6.1 Regulatory compliance. SERVICE VTC REIMS operates as a VTC operator registered on the national register kept by the ministry in charge of transport under number EVTC051210013. Chauffeurs assigned to the Service hold a valid VTC professional card.

6.2 Insurance. SERVICE VTC REIMS holds professional civil liability insurance covering damage caused to Passengers from boarding to alighting. The certificate is provided on written request.

6.3 Safety. SERVICE VTC REIMS assumes the obligation of safety (obligation of result) incumbent on any professional carrier.

7. Damage

The Client is liable for any damage caused by themselves, their Passengers or any person for whom they are responsible, inside or outside the vehicle (except the chauffeur). The following are billed in particular: exceptional cleaning (vomit, heavy soiling) €200 (incl. tax); restoration (seats, trim, equipment) on quote; vehicle downtime at the hourly rate in force.

8. Payment and invoicing

8.1 Means of payment. Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), bank transfer (fees borne by the sender), Apple Pay, Google Pay. Cash is not accepted.

8.2 Secure payment. Payment is made through the secure Stripe payment link on the invoice (bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) or by bank transfer. SERVICE VTC REIMS does not store any bank card data and does not place any pre-authorization hold or validation charge.

8.3 Non-payment. Except for corporate accounts (article 8.4), a booking that has not been paid in full is not confirmed and the Service is not performed.

8.4 Invoicing. The invoice is sent by email as soon as the quote is accepted, with the secure payment link. Any extras incurred during the Service (overruns, additional charges) are billed separately. In accordance with article 1.5, the booking is confirmed upon full payment, except for corporate account clients, who pay net 30 days from the invoice date.

8.5 Late payment (professional Clients). Any late payment by a professional Client automatically incurs, from the day after the due date, penalties equal to three times the statutory interest rate and a fixed indemnity of €40 per unpaid invoice for collection costs (arts. L441-10 and D441-5 Commercial Code).

8.6 Complaints. SERVICE VTC REIMS invites the Client to send any complaint about the performance of the Service or its invoicing within 30 days of performance, by email to [email protected] or by mail to the registered office, with supporting documents, so that the facts can be checked. This period does not limit the Client’s statutory rights.

9. Personal data

9.1 Framework. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and French Act No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended, SERVICE VTC REIMS is the controller of data collected in connection with the Services.

9.2 Data collected. Identification and contact details (name, phone, email, address); payment data, processed by our payment provider (Stripe); journey data; technical data related to website use (cookies, see our cookie policy).

9.3 Purposes and legal bases. Performance of the contract and pre-contractual measures: responding to quote requests, booking management, invoicing, safety, complaint handling. Legal obligation: invoicing, accounting, tax. Legitimate interest: fraud prevention, internal statistics, client relationship.

9.4 Recipients. SERVICE VTC REIMS; the VTC operators and chauffeurs who perform the Service, for the data needed for the ride (name, phone number, addresses, flight number); its technical service providers: website and management server hosting, website delivery and security, email and calendar, website analytics, address entry, payment (Stripe), WhatsApp messaging, an AI assistant that sorts incoming requests and prepares draft quotes and replies, always reviewed by a person before sending (no automated decision-making); its accountant. Some of these providers process data in the United States; these transfers are covered by the EU–US Data Privacy Framework or by the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses, depending on the provider. Details are given in the privacy policy.

9.5 Retention. Client relationship data (requests, quotes, correspondence): 3 years from the last contact. Accounting records: 10 years from invoicing (art. L123-22 Commercial Code).

9.6 Rights. The Client has rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, portability, and the right to set directives on the fate of their data after death. These rights are exercised by email to [email protected] or by mail to the registered office. If there is reasonable doubt about the requester’s identity, proof of identity may be requested. SERVICE VTC REIMS replies within one month.

9.7 CNIL complaint. The Client may lodge a complaint with the French data protection authority (CNIL): www.cnil.fr.

10. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, the website, editorial content, photographs, graphics, logos and databases are the exclusive property of SERVICE VTC REIMS or its partners. Any reproduction, representation or use, in whole or in part, is prohibited without prior written authorization, except for strictly personal consultation. Photographs published under an open license (Creative Commons, GFDL) or in the public domain, whose author and license are listed on the Photo credits page, remain governed by their own license.

11. Mediation, governing law and jurisdiction

11.1 Consumer mediation. In accordance with articles L611-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, a consumer Client may, where a dispute is not resolved amicably with SERVICE VTC REIMS, refer the matter free of charge to a consumer mediator. Consumer Clients are invited to send their complaint in writing to [email protected]: any complaint received within 30 days of the service receives a reasoned reply. The list of registered consumer mediation bodies is available at https://consumer-redress.ec.europa.eu/dispute-resolution-bodies.

11.2 Governing law. These Terms are governed by French law.

11.3 Language. The French version prevails. Any translation is provided for information only.

11.4 Jurisdiction. Dispute with a consumer Client: the consumer may bring the case, at their option, before any court with territorial jurisdiction under the French Code of Civil Procedure or before the court of the place where they resided when the contract was concluded or when the harmful event occurred (art. R631-3 Consumer Code). Dispute with a professional Client: exclusive jurisdiction of the Reims Commercial Court.

11.5 Severability. The possible nullity of one provision does not affect the validity of the other clauses.

Important notice

Public passenger transport for hire is a regulated activity (articles L3120-1 et seq. of the French Transport Code). Only VTC operators registered on the national register and taxis holding an ADS license are authorized to offer this service. SERVICE VTC REIMS draws its clients’ attention to the risks of using unauthorized operators (no passenger insurance, criminal offense).