Terms & Conditions

Customization, Repair, Modification Services
In order to work on your camera equipment a number of things need to happen. You have to decide what parts of the camera you want re-finished, repaired, or modified if applicable. There may be a colour palette to choose. Your equipment needs to be sent safely to La Salamandra. And it needs to be refinished, repaired, and/or modified and safely returned to you. We each have our responsibilities and liabilities to assume in this arrangement.
- When sending in your equipment, you remain liable for any loss or damages sustained during shipment. For this reason it is paramount that you do the following: You must insure your equipment for its full replacement value, which also means declaring its full value if you are shipping internationally. It is also important that you maintain some documentation of the item's value, as you will need to be able to prove that you are indeed at the loss for which you've insured the shipment for. The carriers are very sticky about this, like any other insurance payout they want to do everything they can to make it as small as possible. If the item was recently purchased and you have a sales receipt to prove your investment that works great. Otherwise, you should do some due diligence to establish a credible replacement value, such as using the "Sold" listings off eBay. You can also use online for sale listings from eBay or other places, but in all of these cases please understand that the carrier will go off the lowest available replacement cost, not the highest. This will also be important in the event of any mishaps during return shipping.
- La Salamandra has a P.O. Box set up to ensure porch-pirate-free receipt of your precious equipment. If you prefer to ship via a courier such as FedEx or UPS then reach out to us and we will select an appropriate carrier pick-up depot to ensure the package is kept safe and sound at all times.
- If shipping from outside of Canada you will need to classify your shipment correctly to ensure it does not incur customs or duty charges. If it does I will unfortunately have to bill these back to you. Additionally, even if there is no tax or duty owing, the carrier will often charge a brokerage fee for brokering the import into the country. In these cases I will again unfortunately have to bill said fees back to you. That's just an unavoidable part of the process I'm afraid. With every carrier except UPS these fees are usually around CAD$10. UPS sometimes goes way out there and I've had them try and bill as high as CAD$40 on occasion. UPS sucks for importing into Canada, frankly.
- Due to the nature of smartphone and computer screens, the appearance of colours on said screens may differ from their appearance on the final product. This appearance may also differ based on the substrate onto which the coating is applied. Colour is also an incredibly subjective thing, and La Salamandra acknowledges the difficulties inherent in picking a palette over the internet. That said, your job is to pick the colours and my job is to apply them. The final appearance differing from your expectations is your risk to take, and La Salamandra makes no warranty that the real-world appearance will match the expectations set on a virtual device. For this reason you may wish, if possible, to order free physical colour swatches from Cerakote prior to finalizing your choices. This will give you the best guide to whether the results will match your expectations.
- The components of the equipment that you wish to be re-finished must be able to withstand the refinishing process, and incompatibilities may be discovered at any part of the refinishing process. By sending in your equipment for customization you agree to release La Salamandra of all liabilities and responsibilities related to the inability of La Salamandra to conduct or complete a full or partial customization due to any factor that prevents the proper preparation of the equipment, application of the coating, or any other part of the refinishing process. Materials must be able to withstand degreasing via solvent baths or commercial available degreasers. In all cases they must be able to withstand heating to a minimum temperature of 150°F for an hour. They must be able to accept abrasion via pneumatic abrasive blasting or other forms of manual abrasion. The resulting textured surface must also be capable of accepting the coating. Now, this paragraph may seem long and scary, but ultimately most or all metals used in the outer construction of cameras will hold up fine. As will most composite materials such as plastics.
- If at fault damage, on the part of La Salamandra, is sustained to your equipment it is La Salamandra's imperative to rectify the situation. This may include sourcing replacement parts, repairing damaged parts, or filing a claim with our insurance provider and reimbursing you from that claim if repair or replacement is not possible or feasible. This is also an important component to why you must do your due diligence to establish the value of the merchandise you are sending in for servicing. If the damaged parts in question had already sustained prior damage not at the fault of La Salamandra, then you agree to indemnify La Salamandra of all liability and responsibility with respect to these parts regardless of whether additional at fault damage on the part of La Salamandra is sustained to them. In other words, if it's broke when it arrives and it sustains more damage during the customization process, then you're releasing me of liability. One example would be deteriorating leatherette, rubber grip, or plastics. If these materials deteriorate further during the handling of the equipment or the provision of the requested service then it remains your responsibility to cover their repair or replacement. This is doubly true if you request that I specifically work on or with any damaged components.
- In the case of irreplaceable, high value, one of a kind, and/or priceless items, La Salamandra may at it's discretion choose not to provide services unless the customer assumes all liabilities and holds La Salamandra completely free and unaccountable for any losses, damages, or any other liability. Things happen, and if the item cannot be replaced (or cannot be replaced by the insurance coverage of mere mortals) then I don't want to touch it. No, I don't want to disassemble and re-finish that one-of-a-kind Noctilux prototype that you got at the Leica auction for 500K. I hope it makes sense why!
- With regards to all serviced based offerings, La Salamandra will assess and quote you for the service. Quotes are an estimate and may not reflect the total cost tallied at the end of the service. Once the customer accepts the quote and work begins the customer agrees to pay the full balance of the service before the equipment is returned, including any additional or unforeseen charges not included in the original quote.
- For any an all services, if at any point La Salamandra deems that the service cannot be completed then the customer will be informed and the customer's equipment will be returned. The customer will not be charged for the full service, however there will be a CAD$50 fee charged to cover the basic assessment of the equipment for the requested service. The shipping costs remain the customer's responsibility.
- Round trip shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, including parcel insurance. La Salamandra will ship your goods to you via regular post or courier at your discretion (for international shipments our preferred carrier is DHL, with whom we maintain a significant shipping discount that is passed along to the customer). DHL cannot ship to P.O. boxes, and Canada Post cannot export lithium battery packs, they can only ship them domestically (keep this in mind if sending in digital equipment).
- Canadian customers will be charged their local sales tax rates in accordance with the law.
- For astro modifications, if you desire the installation of any aftermarket filters you will either need to provide them with your equipment or La Salamandra can source them on your behalf (and at your cost).

Warranty, Replacement, and Return Policy for Stocked Goods
La Salamandra wants you to be fully satisfied with your purchase. If you purchase physical goods from us (example: a pre-painted or pre-modified camera, not customization, repair, or modification services) and are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return the item(s) in the same condition as shipped for a refund, less shipping, handling, and transaction fees, subject to the terms below. Please read the details below for more information.
Standard Return/Refund (not related to defective merchandise or other errors)
Customers of La Salamandra may return merchandise purchased from La Salamandra up to fourteen (14) days after receipt of merchandise for a refund of the product purchase price less transaction fees as outlined on our Payment page (fees are dependent on original payment method). These refunds will be processed provided the product is returned unused in the condition in which it was shipped (to be verified by La Salamandra). This means any custom items must be received in the same condition as they were when we shipped them to you, and any new items must be received back in new-in-box condition. Shipping charges will not be refunded, and return shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer making the return.
Sometimes a transaction may be inclusive of shipping with purchase (such as with a free shipping promotion). In instances where these products are being returned, the shipping costs paid by La Salamandra during original delivery will be deducted from any credit and/or refund resulting from the return in addition to the transaction fees as outlined above. Additionally, La Salamandra is not responsible for the costs of return shipment to our facilities.
If you wish to return merchandise for a refund or exchange, it is required that you call or e-mail us prior to shipment for a Return Authorization.
When the product is received and inspected, La Salamandra will contact you via phone or email to confirm receipt of the item. Upon inspection, if there are any issues or questions regarding the condition of the returned product we will notify you at that time.
Any merchandise that does not arrive in "as shipped" condition will be subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee. Signs of use, missing parts, packaging, instructions, warranty cards, etc., as well as damage or other detrimental effects to merchandise, will result in higher restocking fees. Restocking fees are at the discretion of La Salamandra after inspecting the merchandise. In the case of new items, to avoid damage to the manufacturer’s original, labeled packaging (which will affect credit/refund value), customers must outer-box the merchandise they are returning to La Salamandra. Please do not write, place labels or stickers on the manufacturer’s original packaging. If the product was not outer-boxed by La Salamandra when shipping to you, as is sometimes the case with larger merchandise, this requirement does not apply; but in this case, please do not write upon or otherwise mark the original packaging, other than with the return-shipping label.
Returns will not be accepted after 14 days without prior approval from La Salamandra management. La Salamandra will work with customers who have special circumstances, especially in regards to gifts, but reserves the right to refuse returns after fourteen (14) days have elapsed post-delivery.
La Salamandra Shipping Error
In the unlikely event that you receive the wrong item(s) from La Salamandra, please contact us by phone or e-mail. We will cover the shipping costs associated with returning the incorrect product(s) to our facilities, and we will ship the correct item(s) to you at no additional cost. The customer will never pay additional shipping if La Salamandra is at fault.
Product Damaged in Shipment
Customers should always inspect packages and their contents as soon as possible after delivery. If there is any damage to product in an insured shipment, and that damage was sustained during shipping, then the customer must report the damage immediately to the carrier of the package (USPS, DHL, etc.) and to La Salamandra. We will work with the customer and with the carrier to arrange for the package to be inspected and returned to our facilities. If possible we will issue a replacement, or a refund if no suitable replacement is possible, after damage is confirmed to have occurred during shipping and the damaged product is returned to us. La Salamandra will cover all associated shipping costs related to returning the damaged product and issuing a replacement, or a refund if no suitable replacement is possible.
If the product is found to have not actually sustained any damage, or if the damage is deemed to have been sustained deliberately or accidentally while in the customer's possession and not during shipping and handling by the carrier, then a replacement or refund will not be issued and the customer will be responsible for any and all associated costs. In the event that La Salamandra issues a replacement in good faith and the carrier refuses to pay out the insurance coverage on the shipment as the damage is deemed to be at the fault of the customer, then the customer will be responsible for all associated costs including shipping costs and replacement of the merchandise suffering at-fault damage while in the customer's possession. In the event that La Salamandra issues a replacement in good faith and the returned merchandise is found to be free of damage or defect, then the customer agrees to cover all shipping charges associated with returning the original item and issuing a replacement.
In the event that merchandise is found to have legitimately sustained damage in transit and is covered by the carrier's insurance terms, and the customer opts for a return/refund of the damaged merchandise as opposed to replacement, then a refund of the damaged product will be rendered in full, including shipping charges. If the damaged product was part of larger shipment of merchandise that was not damaged, only the damaged product will be eligible for a full refund, including proportional shipping calculated at the sole discretion of La Salamandra. Any merchandise that was not damaged remains subject to our Standard Return policy.
In all cases, the damaged merchandise must be retuned to La Salamandra at our sole discretion, or no replacement or refund will be considered.
If the damage is deemed to have been sustained while in the customer's possession then no refund or replacement will be considered.
PLEASE: Do not intentionally damage merchandise for any reason. Attempting a fraudulent refund by intentionally damaging otherwise good, functional merchandise is wrong for any number of reasons. The same is true for attempting a refund or replacement by fraudulently claiming that damage that occurred in your possession was instead a result of damage during transit. It's just not the way to go.
Product Lost in Shipment
Unfortunately shipments can and do go missing during transit, which necessitates shipping insurance. In the event that an insured shipment is confirmed by the carrier to have been lost during transit and is thus covered according to their insurance terms, La Salamandra will ship a replacement (if available) at our cost as soon as possible (this applies solely to orders originally sent DAP and not FOB). If no suitable replacement is available a refund will be issued instead. Alternatively, in these cases the customer may also opt for a full refund of the lost merchandise, including shipping, or store credit in the same amount. For multi-package shipments, this policy is only in place for the portion of the shipment that is lost. Any merchandise that is successfully delivered will be covered under our Standard Return policy.
PLEASE NOTE: This does not include loss after delivery due to accident or theft. No carrier covers losses in these situations, but they give the customer options to help mitigate loss. Customers may choose to contact the carrier prior to delivery and request carrier-specific delivery terms, such as holding the shipment for pickup. I am disappointed to say that even when our shipments explicitly ask for signature, carriers routinely leave shipments unattended on our customers' doorsteps. We have no recourse in these situations as they have legally washed their hands of liability, so please plan accordingly and do so well in advance if possible. Even then, sometimes things do not go as planned. Please keep this in mind and consider other options to increase the security of your deliveries.
Defective Merchandise
If you receive an item you believe to be defective, please immediately contact La Salamandra via phone or e-mail and we will discuss the problem with you. We will do our best to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. If the product is confirmed to be defective we will issue a replacement (if available, or a refund) as quickly as possible, and we will cover the shipping costs associated with returning the defective product to La Salamandra and sending the replacement to you. In the event that a customer chooses to return the product rather than exchange it for a replacement, standard return policy will apply as outlined above. Upon receipt and testing, if the returned merchandise is found in actuality to not be defective then the customer will be responsible for the additional round trip shipping costs involved with issuing the replacement.
Irreplaceable Merchandise that is Defective or Lost/Damaged in Shipment.
In any cases where merchandise is legitimately damaged/lost in transit or is deemed defective, and where this merchandise is also irreplaceable - such as discontinued merchandise, one of a kind products, etc. - then La Salamandra will provide customers with either a full refund of the purchase in question (including shipping costs) or store credit in the same amount, at the discretion of the customer. If this item was part of a larger shipment of replaceable merchandise, then this replaceable merchandise is subject to the policies already outlined above. In these cases, the amount of the shipping that is refunded or given as store credit due to the loss of irreplaceable merchandise will be calculated at the sole discretion of La Salamandra, proportionally to the rest of the original shipment costs.
Product Warranty Coverage
La Salamandra warrants all pre-customized or pre-modified products to be free of all defects in material and workmanship for 180 days from the date of purchase from La Salamandra, unless otherwise explicitly stated (as would be the case for As-Is products). This warranty extends to the original buyer only. Within the period of this warranty La Salamandra will repair or replace, free of charge, any part proving defective in material or workmanship according to the availability of such parts. If replacement parts are unavailable, La Salamandra will contact the customer to discuss alternatives including refunds if no other possibility is available. All expenses related to replacing or repairing a defective part under this warranty shall be assumed by La Salamandra, except for the expenses outlined in Warranty Exclusions, which shall be assumed by the buyer.
La Salamandra warrants that all customizations or modifications of customer-provided equipment be free of defects in workmanship of the service performed by La Salamandra for 180 days from the date of said performed service, unless otherwise explicitly stated. Defects covered under warranty must be found by La Salamandra to unambiguously be resultant from the service performed. An example would be coating failure due to improper substrate preparation by La Salamandra, and not coating failure due to extraneous factors such as substrate incompatibilities. This warranty is inclusive of but not exclusive to the above example. This warranty extends to the original buyer only. Within the period of this warranty La Salamandra will repair, free of charge, any part proving defective in workmanship according to the availability of any necessary parts or materials. Should the necessary parts or materials be unavailable, La Salamandra will contact the customer to discuss alternatives. All expenses related to repairing defective workmanship under this warranty shall be assumed by La Salamandra, except for the expenses outlined in Warranty Exclusions, which shall be assumed by the buyer.
La Salamandra warrants that all repairs of customer-provided equipment be free of defects in workmanship of the repair performed by La Salamandra for 180 days from the date of said performed service, unless otherwise explicitly stated. Defects covered under warranty must be found by La Salamandra to unambiguously be resultant from the service performed. This warranty extends to the original buyer only. Within the period of this warranty La Salamandra will resolve, free of charge, any repair proving defective in workmanship according to the availability of any necessary parts or materials. Should the necessary parts or materials be unavailable, La Salamandra will contact the customer to discuss alternatives. All expenses related to resolving defective workmanship under this warranty shall be assumed by La Salamandra, except for the expenses outlined in Warranty Exclusions, which shall be assumed by the buyer.

WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS
This warranty does not apply to any costs, repairs, or services for the following:
- Repairs necessitated by use other than normal or reasonable use
- Repairs necessitated for any reason other than a direct result of defective material or workmanship
- Damage resulting from misuse, abuse, accidents, alterations, improper use
- Corrective work necessitated by repairs or other work done on the item conducted by anyone other than La Salamandra
- Malfunctions or defects unrelated to the customized or modified components and/or the customization or modification services, especially but not exclusively malfunctions or defects that typically result from the usage of the item in question. Example: the failure of a camera's shutter within the warranty period of an exterior refinishing would not be covered, as there is no reasonable causal link between the two.
- Customer dissatisfaction with their chosen palette upon receipt of their customized items.
- Customer changing their mind after the services have been performed.
- Spontaneous failure or malfunction of replaced parts, whether or not the replacements installed were new or used, that are unrelated to the workmanship of the repair.

For any other warranty information please contact us!
Phone and e-mail:
+1 (587) 557-1052
info@lasalamandra.camera
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These policies are subject to change without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.