These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your subscription to the RealSAM BookClub service (“Service”), a digital subscription providing access to audiobooks, reading materials, and related digital content, including access to the RNIB Talking Books and RNIB Newsagent services available to blind and partially sighted people living in the UK.
The Service is provided by RealSAM Ltd (“we”, “us”, or “our”), a company registered in England and Wales. By subscribing to any of the three variants of the Service, you agree to the applicable Terms outlined below.
These Terms comply with UK consumer laws, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act).
General Terms Applicable to All Variants
1. Introduction
We reserve the right to update these Terms, notifying you at least 30 days in advance via email or the Service. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If changes are material and detrimental, you may cancel without penalty. Disputes are governed by English law and resolved in UK courts.
2. Description of the Service
The Service is a digital platform offering unlimited access to a library of audiobooks and digital reading content via mobile phone, smart speaker, app or website, including RNIB Talking Books and RNIB Newsagent services for blind and partially sighted people in the UK. Content is streamed for personal, non-commercial use. We may update the library at our discretion. The Service requires compatible devices and internet access (not provided by us). Availability may vary by region.
3. Eligibility
You must be 18 years or older, blind or partially sighted, and resident in the UK to subscribe. By subscribing, you declare that you are blind or partially sighted and eligible to purchase the Service VAT exempt under UK VAT rules for supplies to disabled persons. You confirm you meet these criteria and provide accurate information.
4. Your Obligations
Use the Service for personal use only; no sharing accounts or commercial exploitation.
Comply with copyright laws; content is licensed, not owned.
Provide accurate payment details and notify us of changes.
5. Our Obligations
Provide the Service with reasonable skill and care.
Ensure pre-contract information is clear and provided before purchase.
Handle personal data per our Privacy Policy, compliant with UK GDPR.
6. Liability
We are not liable for indirect losses, data loss, or issues from your equipment/internet. Liability is limited to the amount paid in the last 12 months. Nothing excludes liability for death, injury, fraud, or gross negligence.
7. Contact Us
For queries: support@realsam.co.uk or 0333 772 7708.
Variant 1: Monthly Subscription (£5.99 per month, no lock-in)
Detailed Terms of Sale
1. Subscription Terms
- Type: Rolling monthly subscription with no minimum term or lock-in period.
- Price: £5.99 per month (VAT exempt for eligible users).
- Payment: Charged monthly in advance via credit/debit card or other accepted methods. Payments are recurring until cancelled. We use secure third-party processors. If payment fails, access may be suspended until resolved.
- Start Date: The subscription starts immediately upon payment confirmation, unless delayed.
- Duration: Continues indefinitely until cancelled. No automatic renewal reminders are required beyond standard notices, but we will send billing confirmations.
- Changes to Price or Terms: We may increase prices with 30 days’ notice. If you disagree, cancel before the change.
2. Cooling-Off Period
Under the DMCC Act and Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have a 14-day cooling-off period starting the day after you enter the contract. During this period, you can cancel for any reason by contacting us via support@realsam.co.uk or through the website. If you request and we begin supplying the Service during the cooling-off period (e.g., you access content), you agree to pay a proportionate amount for the Service used up to cancellation (pro-rata based on days used). If no Service is used, you receive a full refund. Refunds are processed within 14 days to your original payment method.
3. Cancellation Rights
- You can cancel at any time with a clear statement (e.g., email or website form). Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing month; no pro-rata refunds for partial months.
- After the cooling-off period, no minimum commitment applies, so no early termination fees.
- Cancellation is straightforward: online via account settings if signed up online, or by contacting us. We will confirm cancellation in writing.
- Upon cancellation, access ends immediately at the billing period’s close and content may become inaccessible.
4. Refund Rights
- Cooling-Off: Full refund if unused; pro-rata deduction if used at your request.
- Faulty Service: Under the Consumer Rights Act, if the Service is faulty (e.g., content not as described, inaccessible due to our error), you may request repair, replacement, price reduction, or refund. Contact us within 30 days for digital content issues.
- Other Refunds: No refunds for change of mind after cooling-off, except as legally required. Refunds for overcharges or errors within 14 days.
- For digital subscriptions, if you consent to immediate access and acknowledge potential loss of full cancellation rights for used content, pro-rata applies as per DMCC Act.
Variant 2: 12-Month Upfront Payment (£49.99)
Detailed Terms of Sale
- Subscription Terms
- Type: 12-month fixed-term contract, paid upfront.
- Price: £49.99 (VAT exempt for eligible users) for 12 months, equivalent to a discounted rate.
- Payment: Single upfront payment via card or accepted methods.
- Start Date: Starts immediately upon payment.
- Duration: 12 months minimum term. Auto-renews annually unless cancelled with 30 days’ notice before end. Renewal at then-current rate.
- Changes: Price increases on renewal with 30 days’ notice.
- Cooling-Off Period
You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the day after you enter the contract. Cancel for any reason by contacting support@realsam.co.uk or through the website. If the Service starts (at your request), you pay pro-rata for the used portion. Full refund if unused. Refunds within 14 days to your original payment method.
- Cancellation Rights
- During cooling-off: As above.
- After cooling-off: Committed to 12 months. Early cancellation is not permitted except for our material breach or legal reasons. At term end, cancel to prevent renewal.
- On renewal: Additional 14-day cooling-off per DMCC Act for 12-month commitments.
- Cancellation process: Straightforward, online via account settings or email to support@realsam.co.uk. Confirmation sent in writing.
- Refund Rights
- Cooling-Off: Full if unused; pro-rata if used.
- Faulty Service: Repair, replacement, reduction, or refund per Consumer Rights Act. Contact us within 30 days.
- Early Termination: No refund for early cancellation after cooling-off, as payment covers fixed term.
- Other: Refunds for errors within 14 days. Consent to immediate access affects refunds per DMCC Act.
Variant 3: 12-Month Monthly Payments (£4.99 per month)
Detailed Terms of Sale
- Subscription Terms
- Type: 12-month fixed-term contract, paid monthly.
- Price: £4.99 per month (VAT exempt for eligible users) for 12 months, total minimum £59.88.
- Payment: Monthly in advance via recurring card payments.
- Start Date: Immediately upon first payment.
- Duration: 12 months minimum. Auto-renews monthly after, unless cancelled.
- Changes: Price increases with 30 days’ notice.
- Cooling-Off Period
You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the day after you enter the contract. Cancel for any reason by contacting support@realsam.co.uk or through the website. If the Service starts (at your request), you pay pro-rata for the used portion. Full refund if unused. Refunds within 14 days to your original payment method.
- Cancellation Rights
- During cooling-off: As above.
- After: Committed to 12 payments. Early cancellation incurs no fee but remaining payments are due (fair term reflecting discount; payable in lump sum or continued billing). At term end, rolls monthly; cancel anytime thereafter.
- Renewal: 14-day cooling-off on annual equivalent renewal if applicable.
- Process: Straightforward, online or via email to support@realsam.co.uk. Confirmation sent.
- Refund Rights
- Cooling-Off: Full if unused; pro-rata if used.
- Faulty: Repair, replacement, reduction, or refund per Consumer Rights Act. Contact within 30 days.
- Early: No partial refunds; liable for minimum term payments. Overpaid amounts refunded.
- Consent to immediate access affects refunds per DMCC Act.
Notes for Legal Compliance
- VAT Exemption: The Service is VAT exempt for blind or partially sighted users under UK VAT rules (Value Added Tax Act 1994, Schedule 8, Group 15). Users must declare eligibility at purchase. We may request verification (e.g., medical evidence) to ensure compliance.
- DMCC Act 2024: Ensures clear pre-contract information, straightforward cancellation, and reminder notices for ongoing/renewing subscriptions.
- Consumer Contracts Regulations: Provides 14-day cooling-off for distance contracts, with pro-rata charges for digital content used with consent.
- Consumer Rights Act: Ensures digital content is of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described, with remedies for faults.
- Unfair Terms: Fixed-term commitments (Variants 2 and 3) are fair due to discounted pricing, with clear pre-contract disclosure.
For further information or to request a copy of these Terms, contact support@realsam.co.uk or 0333 772 7708.
