Workshop Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

 

Your contract

By booking a trip with Tom Putt you are deemed to have agreed to these Booking Conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and Tom Putt) and your booking will be accepted by Tom Putt on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation invoice.

 

Booking requirement

To secure your booking, you must complete the booking form here on the website. We require either a non-refundable deposit or full payment at the time of booking.

 

Acceptance of booking

If Tom Putt accepts your booking, and once your payment has been received, Tom Putt will issue a booking confirmation invoice. A contract will then exist between Tom Putt from the date of the booking confirmation invoice.

 

Refund Policy

Any payments made at the time of booking are non-refundable. However this payment can be transferred to another workshop within 12 months of the workshop date. The only exception is where notice of cancellation is given within three (3) months of the original workshop date where if your place cannot be filled, your workshop fee may be lost in full.

 

Cancellation by the traveller

If you cancel your booking, your payment is non-refundable (see above). A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you leave a workshop for any reason after it has commenced, Tom Putt is not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a workshop, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. The above cancellation fees are in addition to fees which may be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents or third party tour and transport operator fees.

 

Cancellation by Tom Putt

Although Tom Putt rarely cancels workshops, we reserve the right to cancel any workshop for any reason whatsoever. If Tom Putt cancels your workshop, you can transfer amounts paid to any available alternate departure date, or to another available Tom Putt workshop, or alternatively receive a full refund. In circumstances where the workshop cancellation is due to external events outside the reasonable control of Tom Putt (including but not limited to flood, fire, act of God, natural disasters, disease, war or threat of war, physical unrest, political instability, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activities (threatened or actual), strikes, port or airport closures, or technical problems with, or unavailability of, necessary transport or services), then refunds or transferrable value will be less any unrecoverable costs. Tom Putt is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

 

Fees

The workshop/tour cost includes the tuition fee, accommodation (single share), food, transport from the airport to the workshop location/s, and national park fees. All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants. Not included are any airfares, airport taxes, transportation to and from the meeting point, or items of a personal nature. Price also excludes any insurance coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay or baggage theft, medical or hospitalization expenses.





We recommend you obtain coverage/insurance for these items.

 

Prices & surcharges

Tom Putt reserves the right to impose surcharges up to 30 days before departure due to unfavourable changes in exchange rates, increases in airfares or other transportation costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require Tom Putt to do so. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the workshop price, you may cancel your booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge, and obtain a full refund.

 

Tips and gratuities

On most overseas workshops, it is customary and polite (but not essential) to pay a tip / gratuity to some of the local service providers that Tom Putt engages, for example guides, and staff at some lodges. Polite tipping amounts vary - ask your Tom Putt workshop hosts if you are unsure. Tips / gratuities are not included in the price of Tom Putt workshops, and should be considered as an extra expense payable by you.

 

Your details

For Tom Putt to confirm your travel arrangements, you must provide all requested details upon booking. Necessary details include full name as per passport, date of birth, and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. Your booking cannot be confirmed without provision of these details.

 

Age and fitness requirements

For the majority of Tom Putt workshops the minimum age is 18 at the time of travel. The majority of Tom Putt workshops have no upper age limit, though you are reminded that some Tom Putt workshops can be physically demanding – refer to each workshops itinerary and ‘physical activity’ level to determine your suitability.

 

Our workshops may be taken by anyone in good physical condition. As you will have to go up and down stairways, walk over irregular terrain, and carry equipment, you are encouraged to get in shape by exercising regularly. Please call us if you have any questions about your ability to do a particular trip. Once a trip has started and it is necessary for you to leave the trip because it is beyond your physical level, please note that there will be no refunds for any unused portion of the trip.


 

Tom Putt reserves the right to decline bookings at its sole discretion if it feels you may be unsuited to the level of activity required. Tom Putt is unable to provide specific mandatory health requirements, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice requirements and recommendations for your destination at least two months prior to travel. Where you do not do so and either are not allowed to enter any country, or suffer personal injury or death as a result, Tom Putt has no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer nor will Tom Putt refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements.

 

Medical

You must be in generally good health and it is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before the workshop begins. It is understood that Tom Putt is not a medical facility and therefore has no expertise or responsibility regarding what medications or inoculations you and your private physician should decide necessary for your safe participation on the workshop. Tom Putt assumes no liability regarding provision of medical care. Trip members are urged to check their coverage to be sure it is adequate.


 

Accommodation arrangements

Where possible, we stay in shared accommodation so we can conduct our discussion sessions in a common environment. This also allows us to spend our ‘down’ time talking with fellow passionate photographers and the opportunity to learn from others. We do not believe in roughing it. In fact, we look to make the workshops as comfortable as possible. We encourage you to take advantage of the accommodation offered to maximize your enjoyment (and learning experiences).





Accommodation arrangements vary for each location and each workshop, however unless otherwise started, all Tom Putt workshop accommodation is twin-share. So, if you’re booking on your own (as many of our guests do), expect to share a room with someone else, and if you’re booking as a couple, you may request a double bed if desired, although this is not always possible. For solo travellers Tom Putt cannot guarantee that you’ll be sharing with someone of the same sex – it depends on the gender split. On the Tom Putt workshops you may request a single supplement (a room to yourself) for an extra fee, subject to availability. Keep in mind though that a) you’re only usually in your rooms to sleep as your waking hours are filled with plenty to do and photograph, and b) those who request a single room can end up regretting it when they see the amazing friendships that form between other roomies.

 

Information awareness

Tom Putt provides a workshop itinerary/workshop description on the website www.tomputt.com. It is your responsibility to ensure you have read and understood this information in its entirety, as well as to have undertaken your own research, to ensure you are properly prepared for the locations and experiences expected.

 

Passport and visas

For international Tom Putt workshops, you must carry a valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates for the countries which you will visit during your workshop. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the duration of the workshop. Tom Putt is not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation.

 

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all Tom Putt workshop guests and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. Tom Putt also strongly recommend it cover cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on or before the final workshop payment (90 days before departure); you will not be able to join the trip without it.

 

Change of itinerary

While Tom Putt endeavours to operate all workshops as described, Tom Putt reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time without prior notice.

 

Before departure: If Tom Putt makes a major change to the itinerary (one that affects more than 20% of the workshop days) you will be informed as soon as reasonably possible. If a major change is made, you may choose between accepting the change, or cancelling your booking and obtaining a refund of all money you paid to Tom Putt for that workshop.

 

After departure: Tom Putt reserves the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of Tom Putt control. In such emergency circumstances the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you, if requested. There will be no refunds offered due to necessary itinerary changes forced upon us by factors outside Tom Putt control, nor will Tom Putt be responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result.

 

Your Leaders

We look to source the best photographic leaders available for our workshops. However, things do pop up from time to time that mean that an intended leader may not be able to attend the workshop. In this case we will do our best to replace that person. Guest leaders are only affordable if projected participants numbers are met.





Authority on tour!

Our workshops are run by a Tom Putt workshop leader. The decision of the workshop leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety, well-being, or experience of any person participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a workshop leader, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the workshop leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. Tom Putt may also elect not to carry you on any future workshops booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with Tom Putt responsible travel guidelines.

 

Photographic and video consent and release

You consent and agree that Tom Putt has the right to take or use photographs or record video of you (and/or your property) and to use these in any and all media including online, now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever. You further consent that your name and identity may be revealed therein or by descriptive text or commentary. You grant Tom Putt a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use such photos and videos in print and electronic form publicly or privately and to market and sell copies. You waive any rights, claims or interest you may have to control the use of your identity or likeness in the photographs and videos and agree that any uses described herein may be made without compensation or additional consideration to you.

 

Acceptance of risk

You acknowledge that Tom Putt workshops takes you to some places where the wildlife, political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. Tom Putt uses information from government foreign departments as well as reports from our own contacts in determining whether an itinerary should operate. However, it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all possible relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks associated with such travel.

 

Limitation of Liability of Tom Putt

This section defines our responsibility with respect to all of our workshops. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

 

Payment of your reservation deposit(s) represents your acceptance of all terms and conditions outlined anywhere within this brochure. The workshop application on which your signature appears will further represent your acceptance of the following terms and conditions.





Tom Putt shall have no liability for any damages, losses, or expenses of whatever cause or nature, including those resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft or criminal activity of any kind, government regulations, etc., over which it has no control.





Without limiting the above paragraph, Tom Putt shall have no responsibility for additional expenses due to unforeseen delays caused by weather, theft or criminal activity of any kind, political disputes, acts of terrorism, strikes, sickness, failure of flights or other transportation to arrive or depart on time, and other causes beyond our control. Tom Putt is not responsible for additional hotel nights not specified in the workshop itineraries which may be required en route, prior to or following a trip, caused by airline scheduling or schedule changes, or by individual clients’ travel arrangements or by other factors. Tom Putt cannot assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or personal property.





IN NO EVENT SHALL Tom Putt HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER CHARACTERIZED.





Tom Putt reserves the right to substitute hotels, conference facilities, and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any workshop prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received, which shall release Tom Putt from further liability. Tom Putt is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip (i.e. non-refundable advance-purchase air tickets, equipment, etc.). 





Tom Putt reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person or member of any trip should such person’s actions or general deportment impede the operation of the trip or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the trip, and it is agreed that no refunds will be given in such circumstances.





Tom Putt reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of our trips, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.

 

You acknowledge that Tom Putt workshops are carried out on third party premises to which Tom Putt does not have any control in relation to the safety, security and layout of the premises. You also acknowledge that Tom Putt utilises a network of third party companies, agencies and individuals to assist in the running of workshops. Tom Putt is not responsible for the acts and omissions of these third parties. You assume all risks, liabilities and hazards connected with the participation in this workshop howsoever and whatsoever caused, including physical injury, sickness or even death. You acknowledge there are inherent risks in participating in boat trips, plane, helicopter, car travel etc and you participate in this workshop at your own risk and shall be responsible for all loss and damage to yourself and/ or your properties while attending this workshop. Any equipment that belongs to Tom Putt that you borrow and/or use (Borrowed Equipment) during the workshop (whether with or without consent) will be at your own risk and you unconditionally acknowledge that Tom Putt does not warrant the suitability and the purpose of the Borrowed Equipment.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• Any liability for any loss, death, injury or damage which you may suffer (directly or indirectly) in connection with or arising out of your participation in a workshop, or any breach of the Booking Conditions, is excluded
• You release Tom Putt and our officers, employees, agents and representatives from any liability and expressly waive any claims you may have against Tom Putt arising out of or in connection with your participation in a workshop
• Any condition or warranty which would otherwise be implied by law into these Booking Conditions (Implied Warranty) is excluded.

 

To the extent an Implied Warranty cannot be excluded, our liability in respect of the Implied Warranty is limited to (in Tom Putt absolute discretion): (i) the provision of a similar trip to an equivalent value; or (ii) a refund of the total amount received by Tom Putt from you in connection with your booking.! Any claim by you is excluded to the extent that it is for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profits or economic loss, however it arises, or for indirect, special, punitive or exemplary damages.

 

Consumption of alcohol

On some Tom Putt workshops, alcohol may be available. Tom Putt will not be held responsible for your actions under the influence.

 

Optional activities

Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the workshop or this contract. You accept that any assistance given by your workshop leader or local representative in arranging optional activities does not render Tom Putt liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and activity provider.

 

Claims & complaints

If you have a complaint about your workshop please inform your workshop leader at the time, in order that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If satisfaction is not reached through these means, then any further complaint should be put in writing to Tom Putt within 30 days of the end of the workshop.

 

Severability

In the event that any term or condition contained in these Booking Conditions is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason than such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.

 

Privacy policy

Any personal information that Tom Putt collects about you may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a workshop. Tom Putt will otherwise treat your details in accordance with the Tom Putt privacy policy available at www.tomputt.com.

 

Communication consent

You grant Tom Putt the right to contact you following the workshop, providing information and marketing materials but only in accordance with the Tom Putt privacy policy available at www.tomputt.com

 

Applicable law

The laws of Victoria, Australia, govern these Booking Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes in connection with a workshop or these Booking Conditions must be initiated in the courts of Victoria Australia.

 

Updating of terms and conditions

Tom Putt reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is your responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions can always be found on the Tom Putt website www.tomputt.com and will supersede any previous versions.

 

I ____________________________________________________________________ (print name) acknowledge and represent that I HAVE READ these Booking Conditions and fully understand the terms. I execute this form at my own free act without duress. I expressly warrant and represent that no oral representations, statements or inducements were given or relied upon in the execution of this form. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age.

 

Executed as a deed.

Signature _____________________________________!

Print Name _____________________________________ Date: ______/_______/________!

 

Tom Putt Registered address: 1/139 Main Street, Mornington, Victoria, Australia 3931.