These terms and conditions apply to all orders placed with Hibernate, whether through our website, by quote, or in person, and form part of the agreement between Hibernate and the Customer from the time an order is placed.
Definitions
“Customer” means you, the person or entity purchasing the Products as specified on the invoice, quote or order.
“Hibernate” means the brand owned by Secret Gardens Assets Pty Ltd, ABN 58 603 332 565.
“Products” means all products, goods or services supplied by Hibernate to the Customer at the Customer’s request.
Acceptance
By placing an order or accepting delivery of Products, the Customer accepts and is bound by these terms and conditions in full. These terms may only be amended with Hibernate’s written consent.
Prices
All prices are in Australian dollars.
Payment
Full payment is due prior to delivery. We accept EFT, Credit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay and Afterpay.
If you would like us to hold your Products, we offer a hibernation arrangement with a 50% deposit. When you are ready for the Products to be sent, pay the remaining 50% balance and the hibernation period ends. Contact hello@hibernateoutdoors.com.au to arrange this.
If a Product is unavailable at the time of order, it can be placed on back order to secure stock when it becomes available.
If full payment is not received prior to the scheduled delivery date, or if the final balance on a hibernation order is not received within 30 days of request, Hibernate reserves the right to cancel the order. In the event of cancellation for non-payment, any deposit paid is non-refundable.
Delivery
Delivery costs are detailed separately on each invoice and are in addition to the prices listed on the Hibernate site.
Estimated delivery timeframes are provided as a guide only and are not guaranteed. Hibernate is not liable for any loss or cost arising from delays in delivery, including delays caused by third party carriers, suppliers, or circumstances outside our control.
Once delivery is scheduled, the Customer must be available to receive or collect the Products at the scheduled time. If the Customer is not available as arranged, Hibernate is entitled to charge a 20% restocking fee, and any return delivery fees will be charged to the Customer.
As we use third parties for delivery, this is to the kerb only and does not include unwrapping, placement, or movement of Products through the property. If the Customer arranges their own transport, Hibernate is not liable for any claims relating to defects or damage to the Products arising from that delivery.
If you require assistance carrying pots inside or upstairs, we can organise a removalist and provide a quote.
Delivery is taken to occur at the time that:
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the Customer or the Customer’s nominated carrier collects the Products from Hibernate; or
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Hibernate (or Hibernate’s nominated carrier) delivers the Products to the Customer’s nominated address, even if the Customer is not present.
Risk in the Products, including risk of loss, damage or deterioration, passes to the Customer on Delivery as defined above, regardless of whether payment has been completed in full.
Defects and Returns
All Products are inspected prior to packing and shipping. While we take care in selecting delivery partners, please inspect your Products on receipt. Any evident defect, damage, shortage, or failure to comply with the description or quote must be notified to Hibernate in writing to hello@hibernateoutdoors.com.au within 24 hours of delivery, including photographs where applicable. Claims made after this period, or made verbally only, cannot be accepted.
Hibernate does not offer an ongoing warranty once Products have been installed, due to the nature of the Products and their exposure to weather, water, soil and other elements. Section 7 sets out specific warranty conditions relating to drainage.
If you change your mind, Hibernate cannot accept returns, exchanges or provide refunds. Full refunds, including shipping costs, will be provided in the case of a major fault or defect in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.
Where a valid warranty claim is made, Hibernate is not liable for any costs incurred by the Customer in removing or reinstalling the affected Product.
If drainage holes were requested for your Products, returns cannot be accepted.
Any modification made to a Product will void all warranties.
Drainage Holes and Warranty – Important, Please Read Carefully
Outdoor pots that are planted with soil must have drainage holes. This is essential to the structural integrity of the pot and is a condition of warranty cover.
Why drainage holes matter
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Hydrostatic pressure: Without drainage, rainwater fully saturates the soil. Wet soil expands and exerts significant outward pressure on the pot walls.
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Thermal expansion: In climates with variable temperatures, water trapped inside a pot can freeze or contract rapidly. With no exit point, this pressure can cause the pot material – whether GRC, terracotta or composite – to crack or split.
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Perched water table effect: Without a drainage path, water and sediment settle permanently at the base of the pot, creating a heavy, unstable load that places ongoing stress on the base and seams.
Warranty condition
If you choose not to have drainage holes in your pots, this voids any warranty against defects and cracking. Before your order is finalised, we will ask you to confirm in writing whether you would like drainage holes included.
Recommended drainage layering
A drainage hole alone is not sufficient. We recommend a layered system inside the pot, see Installation Guidelines.
Please note that when a pot has a drainage hole, some water run off after watering is normal, as excess water escapes from the base. This typically settles over time as the soil and drainage layers establish, but may continue to occur from time to time. This is a natural part of how a well-drained pot functions.
If you choose not to have a drainage hole
If you opt not to have a drainage hole, we recommend not planting directly into the pot. Instead, sit the plant in its original nursery pot, with a saucer underneath, inside the Hibernate pot. This allows the nursery pot and saucer to be lifted out as needed for watering or to manage excess water.
Natural Variations in Hibernate Pots
Hibernate pots are handcrafted, and natural variation between pieces is part of their character. Over time, pots may expand, contract or develop surface marks or staining as a result of exposure to heat, cold, weather, or contact with certain substances. These characteristics are not considered defects.
Colours and finishes may also vary slightly from images shown on our website or in showrooms due to the handcrafted nature of the Products, screen display settings, and lighting conditions. Such variations are not considered a defect.
Installation Guidelines
Hibernate pots may come with pre-drilled drainage holes, or may require drilling prior to planting. Check that holes are not blocked before adding soil.
We recommend the following installation steps:
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Line the base of the pot with geofabric or shade cloth, ensuring full coverage of the floor and drainage holes.
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Add a layer of approximately 100mm of blue metal gravel on top of the fabric (available from most hardware stores). Or drainage cell if this is available.
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Add a good-quality potting mix suited to your chosen plants. Your local nursery can recommend an appropriate mix.
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Elevate the pot off the ground – including on decks, turf or paving – using pot feet, so that water can exit freely from the drainage holes. We recommend plastic window packers, available from most hardware stores or through the Hibernate site.
Failure to follow these guidelines, including planting without drainage holes or without elevation, may affect the structural integrity and exterior finish of the pot and will void the warranty as set out in Section 7.