Terms & Conditions

By using, visiting or browsing the Facets website you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions of use. These terms and conditions of use relate to services provided by Facets and Facets Multi-Media. Facets provides services on behalf of Facets Multi-Media.

Changes to terms and conditions of use

We reserve the right from time to time to change these terms and conditions at our sole discretion. We will notify you of any material updates by email or via the web site. The most current version of the terms and conditions will supersede all previous versions and can be reviewed by clicking on the "Terms & conditions" hyperlink located at the bottom of the pages of the Facets website.

Membership qualifications

Customers must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid credit card, e-mail address, reside in the United States and have internet access.

About Facets

Established in 1975, Facets is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through film.

We create platforms for thought-provoking films, important conversations, and community-driven education.

Facets members enjoy all Facets has to offer at a special price.

Facets serves audiences of over 300,000 each year. Substantive numbers participate at reduced or no cost, with targeted outreach by Facets to low-income populations.

Facets is supported by earned revenue, memberships, contributions, and by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and other foundations, corporations and individuals. Support Facets today!

Your current email address

Any email sent to the email address in your 'Your Account' page is deemed to be received by you 24 hours later, even if it 'bounces'. You must check that email account regularly for email from us.

Suspending or terminating your membership

We will suspend or terminate your membership if you do not satisfy the membership qualifications at any time, i.e. Any information you have given us was false when you gave it; Any information on the 'Your Account' page is or becomes false or incomplete; Your email account ceases to work, or email to you ‘bounces’; We telephone your contact number and are advised that this is a wrong number; Mail to your stated residential address is returned to us; You abuse our staff in person or by email or telephone; You breach these rules in a serious way; You breach these rules on more than one occasion; A credit card (or other payment method we accept) transaction on your account is declined; A credit card transaction (or other payment method we accept) on your account is reversed without our prior agreement; Two or more rentals are returned from you in unsatisfactory condition, you then receive notice to take better care, and a third rental is returned in unsatisfactory condition.

Can I take a break from the service?

We allow you to voluntarily suspend your account but only as this rule permits. A suspension starts when (and only if): You have applied for it on our website, and we have received back all films you currently have on rental. You have paid us any money you owe us to date. You must specify the period of suspension when applying. Our website may limit the period/s allowed. A suspension may not be less than one month or more than two months. You may not suspend more an aggregate of 60 days in a calendar year. A current suspension cannot be extended. No fees are payable in respect of a period during a suspension. At the end of the suspension period, your account automatically becomes active again and we may resume normal charging.

Charges and your credit card

We may charge your credit card with any money you owe us. We may charge your first periodic fee as soon as you become a member. We may charge the fee for each subsequent membership period up to 7 days before the current membership period ends (e.g. for monthly memberships, we can charge the next month's fees during the last week of the current month.) At any time, we may adjust your membership period for accounting purposes to start on a certain day of the month and pro rate charges to facilitate the adjustment. (That may result in a one-off period of up to 30 days longer than normal.) We may disclose your credit card (or other payment method we accept) details to, and obtain information from, any financial institution or credit card issuer to verify the card details. We may verify that there is sufficient credit on your card account (or other payment method we accept) to pay your estimated fees. Even if your membership ends, we may debit any monies you owe us against your credit card (or other payment method we accept). We may report payment or credit card defaults or dishonors to a credit-reporting agency as permitted by law.

No refunds

Except where these rules expressly provide for a refund or credit, or the law requires it, we are never obliged to give a refund or credit in any circumstances.

Membership password

If we issue you with any password or other security device in respect of your log in rights or account with us: You must keep it safe, secure and out of the hands of any unauthorized person. If you become aware that it is known to any unauthorized person, you must change it without delay. We are entitled to assume that anyone who holds it is you, or is acting as your authorized agent, and you are bound accordingly. We do not authorize you to permit another person to use your account. If you nonetheless do so, you are liable for everything that person does, and all charges they incur.

Membership not transferable

You may not transfer your membership to, or share it with, anyone else. We may transfer our interest in our contract with you by giving emailed notice to the current address in 'Your Details'.

Canceling your membership

You may give notice to cancel your membership. Your membership then ends at the end of the current plan period, unless your next plan period's fee has already been paid. Then it will end at the end of the next plan period. If you have given notice to cancel your membership, any unsent orders will be cancelled and you may not order any more rental DVDs. There are no refunds of periodic charges. Late return fees may apply after your membership ends.

Your Selections

You order films by placing them on the 'Your Selections' list. You will receive titles as nominated on your list, but not necessarily any particular title or in any particular order. We recommend that you keep at least 20 titles on your list at all times. If it is too short or limited, none of your selections may be available, and you will not receive a rental.

Ordering rental DVDs

Our rental DVD catalogue and ordering system are on our web site. We try to keep our catalogue accurate, but factors beyond our control such as late supplier shipments, late member returns, damage to stock and so on may make it inaccurate with little or no notice to us. So we do not promise that our catalogue is accurate at all times. We may indicate or estimate an expected release date for a title, based on information available to us. It may change or be inaccurate due to studio delays, supplier delays and other factors. We do not promise that expected release dates will be met. We have finite stocks of films, and they may run out in case of high demand for a particular title. We do not promise stocks will be available at all times, or within a particular time. For all the above reasons, we are not liable to you if it turns out that a catalogue title is not available.

DVD compatibility

Our DVDs are Region 1, unless otherwise stated in our catalogue. We are not responsible if your DVD player is not zone-compatible. Some DVD players, especially older models, have compatibility issues with some DVDs. We are not responsible for any DVD that is incompatible with your player. Because you can swap DVDs without incurring extra charges, we do not provide any refund or credit for DVDs that prove incompatible. It is in your interests to return any such disk promptly, so you can obtain another.

Import DVDs

Facets searches the world to stock the Videotheque with the rarest, most hard-to-find films on DVD, many of which are unavailable in the United States. As a Facets member, you have premiere access to this collection built from over 30 years of dedicated Cinemania -- a vast archive of historically and artistically valuable films unrivalled anywhere else!

Please note, however, that enjoying these import treasures requires the right equipment!

Many DVDs produced overseas are restricted with particular "region codes" that allow them to be played only on special DVD players. DVDs that are not region code 1 (North America) or region code 0 (all regions) may not play on many DVD players in North America. In order to play these discs, a region free or region specific player are required.

There are also some region 2 discs made in the European PAL electronic standard (as opposed to the North American NTSC standard). They require either a multi-standard TV set or a multi-standard DVD player, which is NOT the same thing as a region free player. These discs require a multi-standard (PAL/NTSC) DVD player, or a region-free or region specific compatible player with a multi-standard (PAL/NTSC) television.

VHS

The Videotheque has an unrivaled archive of rare and hard-to-find films on VHS, many of which are out-of-print and unavailable for rent anywhere else. As a Facets member, these films are at your fingertips. However, the rarity and weight of these films require extra security. VHS rentals have an additional delivery service charge of $7 for 1 tape, $10 for 2 tapes or $12 for 3 tapes, with the fees charged directly to your credit card. VHS is mailed via Priority Mail and is to be returned by the member via their method of choice that includes a trackable service. Also, a $250 fine is instituted if an out-of-print tape is destroyed, damaged or lost while in your possession. The price may be more than your average DVD rental, but the precautions ensure both the films' safety and the guarantee that future audiences will be able to enjoy them, as well.

Damaged on delivery DVDs

If you report to us within 3 days of receiving a rental DVD that it was damaged on receipt and unplayable in your DVD player, and return the DVD to us within 7 days of receiving it, we'll delete that rental from your account. Report by contacting us by phone at 773-281-9075 ext. 117 or email at members@facets.org. If you do not report a rental DVD as damaged in accordance with this rule, it is taken to have been delivered in good and playable condition.

Responding to your order

We normally process orders during office hours on business days. We try to process a request within 1 business day, but we are not responsible for any delay. We will send you a confirmation email when we dispatch a rental to you. By maintaining at least 20 titles on your 'Your Selections' list, you increase the chance that we will have available a title you want at any time, and maximizing the use you can make of our service.

Delivering DVDs to you

We normally post DVDs to you by the U.S. Postal Service via 1st class mail, but we may choose to deliver by other means. We pay the postage. We are not responsible for USPS delivery times, delay in mailing or delivery, or mis-delivery.

Your obligations to Facets

From the time a rental is delivered to your postal address until you have delivered it to USPS, you must take very good care of it. You must ensure that it is not marked or damaged, and that no labeling or text on it is defaced, obscured, altered or removed. This includes any Facets property the DVD is stored in, such as cases or sleeves. You must ensure that it is not copied, in any form, in whole or part. You must ensure that it is not viewed by any person who should not see it (e.g. a minor, in the case of a title is rated 'R'). You must use it for personal use only, and only in your household. You must ensure that licensor conditions are not breached. You must not allow it to be used for any commercial or profit-making purpose. All your obligations regarding a rental under these rules extend to its packaging and labeling as well.

DVD piracy

Almost all DVDs and VHSs are subject to copyright, and to conditions of use imposed by the copyright owner or licensor. Typically, these conditions are printed on the rental and / or display on-screen when it is played, and prohibit public performances, copying, and other uses of the rental. You acknowledge that licensor conditions are a standard feature of DVDs and VHS, and accept each rental we supply subject to all licensor conditions. You acknowledge that copying of DVDs or VHS in whole or part in breach or copyright is a criminal offense and is liable to substantial civil damages. All rentals remain the property of Facets. You are prohibited from copying or altering the rental in any manner. We take piracy very seriously, and will report any users of the service who are illegally copying said media. Facets cannot be held liable for any type of piracy if a rental is, or is alleged to have been, involved in, the subject of, used for a breach of copyright or other intellectual property rights of any person while on rental to you or on your account, you indemnify us, our management, directors, employees, agents, affiliates and related corporations against any harm, loss, expense, liability, costs (including legal costs), fees, judgments, damages or penalties.

Copyright & Trademarks

All content of the Facets website including text, graphics, logos, designs, photographs, button icons, images, audio/video clips, digital downloads, data compilations and software and its compilation is the property of Facets or its suppliers and is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Unless otherwise specified, the content of the Facets website is for your personal and non-commercial use and we grant you a limited license to access the Facets website for that purpose. You may not download (other than through page caching necessary for personal use), modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, duplicate, publish, license, create derivative works from, or offer for sale any information contained on, or obtained from, the Facets website without our express written consent. "Facets" is a trademark of Facets Multimedia, Inc.. All Facets graphics, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts and service names are trademarks of Facets. Facets trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service other than that of Facets. All other trademarks not owned by Facets that appear on the Facets website are the property of their respective owners who may or may not be affiliated with connected to or sponsored by Facets.

Outstanding Rentals

If your membership ends and you do not return all rentals to us within 7 days, we may charge your credit card with an amount equal to our current buy price for the outstanding rental, which is priced at $29.95 plus $10 admin fee. This will apply for each rental unless otherwise stated (ie. Out of Print VHS or region 2 DVD). You then own those DVDs or VHSs. If those charges are not honored by your credit card, we may charge late return fees. Late return fees are the same amount, and apply in exactly the same way, as periodic fees, but do not entitle you to rent further titles. We may charge late return fees until all rentals have been returned to us or you have paid us the recommended retail price of any rentals that have not been returned.

Lost and damaged DVDs

You are responsible for your rentals so please handle them with care. We reserve the right to charge your credit card for the replacement value of any item that is damaged or lost. A minimum charge of $29.95 plus $10 admin fee will apply for each DVD (additional charges may apply to Out of Print VHS and Region 2 DVD. See VHS and Region 2 DVD for more details). Note that our DVDs are designed to be played in DVD players and not in gaming consoles. The discs can become pitted and damaged when played in some gaming consoles. The markings that are put on to the discs when played in some gaming consoles are visible and easily identifiable, and we reserve the right to charge members who damage the DVD discs in this way. It is your responsibility to provide a secure mailbox. If a DVD is stolen from your mailbox again a minimum charge of $29.95 plus $10 admin fee will apply for each DVD. If you indicate to us an intention to damage, not to return, a rental or if you fail to return one within 7 days of our request that you do so, we may treat it as lost. If a rental is part of a set or series and cannot be individually replaced, we may charge you for a replacement set or series.

Returning rentals to us

We will supply a pre-paid USPS return shipping label with each rental DVD delivery to you. You must return each rental DVD in good condition, allowing for its condition when delivered to you. When you’re ready to return your films, you will need to affix the supplied shipping label to the return package. You can reuse the padded shipping mailer the films came in (use extra tape if the opening is torn), or supply your own packaging. The Returned Button in 'Your Current Rentals' on our web site alerts us that you say you have mailed a rental DVD back to us. The Button is for information only, and if we do not actually receive the DVD, the 'disputed rental DVD returns' rule applies. We will send you a confirmation email when we have received a DVD that you have mailed back to us.

Disputed rental DVD returns

This rule applies if you report that you have mailed a rental back to us, but we have not received it within 7 days. You should check your member Rental Page to confirm that we have received the rental within the next 7 days. If the Rental Page does not show it as received, you (a) contact us by phone at 773-281-9075 ext. 117 or email at members@facets.org verifying your posting of the rental and (b) do anything we reasonably ask to enable us to claim compensation from USPS, that is the end of the matter. Otherwise, we may charge your credit card with an amount equal to our current buy price for the rental plus an administration fee of $10 per rental.

Interest fee on over due payments

If you owe us money that is overdue for payment, we may charge interest at 15% per annum and an administration fee of $10 a month.

Buying ex-rental DVDs

Some rental DVDs may be available for purchase. If we agree to sell a rental DVD, you owe us the sale price, and we may debit that amount to your credit card. It remains our property until you have paid for it, and it then becomes an 'ex-rental DVD' that you own. If it was in your possession when we agreed to sell it, you accept it as-is, as a second hand item and not subject to refund or return in any circumstances. Our 7-day ex-rental DVD warranty does not apply. If we ship it to you from stock, you accept it as-is, as a second hand item but subject to our 7 day ex-rental DVD warranty see below. Unless we advertise a DVD as 'new', you must assume it (and any paper sleeve and case) is ex-rental.

Ex-rental DVDs, paper sleeves, cases and bonus disks

Our normal rule: When you buy an ex-rental DVD, you are only buying the main feature disk. The original paper sleeve and case, and any bonus disks, are not included. We may not even have them. If you purchase the main feature disk as an ex-rental DVD and we also offer the original paper sleeve and / or case and / or any bonus disks you may purchase them at an extra cost.

Ex-rental DVD warranty

On delivery to you, an ex-Rental DVD that is subject to this warranty will be playable in a compatible DVD player. If you return an ex-rental DVD to us within 7 days of receiving it, with a statutory declaration click here for required form that it was not playable in your DVD player, we will accept it as a return and send you another.

Ownership of DVDs

You acknowledge that 'ownership' means only ownership of the physical media, and that all content on the DVD or VHS is merely licensed from the copyright licensor. We own all rental DVDs or VHS we supply to you, and you hold them on our behalf. We own all ex-rental DVDs or VHS and new DVDs and VHS until you have paid their price in full.

Bonus disks

We may offer free 'bonus disks' e.g. as prizes, rewards or incentives. Unless we advertise a bonus disk as 'new', you must assume it (and any paper sleeve and case) is ex-rental.

Checking your account

You are responsible for keeping track of orders, receipts and returns on your account. To assist you, we provide an online facility at Your Account.

Security

You must not attempt to access or use our website except via a web browser in the manner it has been designed to be accessed and used. You must not attempt to access any area of our website that you are not authorized to access. You must not do anything that is likely to harm or damage our web site and the computers that host it. You must not attempt to upload any script or other executable content to our web site or the computers that host it. You must comply with any security guidelines or directions we issue, either to you in particular or to users generally. We may publish or republish any testimonial you submit to us. If we give you access to chat rooms, message boards or other online feedback ('forums'), you must use it responsibly. Here are some examples of forum posts that breach these rules (this list is not exhaustive): Comment or feedback about identifiable individuals (other than film actors, crew or executives in the course of bona fide comment on movies); Profanity, obscenity, pornography, defamation, incitement to hatred, or threats of violence; Any programming or scripting, such as JavaScript; Repetitive posts on a topic, except in the course of bona fide discussion with other members; Material that appears to be from us or authorized by us; Encouraging others to breach these rules; Advertising any other commercial enterprise; Posts in breach of a moderator's direction; 'Off-topic' posts i.e. not relevant to any designated topic or title of the forum; Discussion or reposting of deleted posts; Material in breach of copyright.

Links

Our website may contain links to websites or services published or operated by third parties. We do not control those sites or services and we do not accept any responsibility for their content or reliability. We do not endorse them. We are never liable to you or anyone else for any decision you make or action you take in reliance on any information on (or omitted from) a linked website or service. We do not warrant that our website or the service it provides will be uninterrupted or error free, or that defects in it will be corrected.

Our liability to you

These rules set out various things that we are not responsible for: For any email we send, but does not reach you; For any email you send, but does not reach us; For any viruses, worms, trojans and other malicious code on the Internet and transferred over it. You must use the Internet and our website at your own risk. We do not warrant that that files or code available for downloading through our website will be free of infection or viruses, worms, trojans and other malicious code. You must implement sufficient antiviral and other protective measures for your computers, network and data to keep them safe and secure. We are never liable to you or anyone else for harm or loss caused by any viruses, worms, trojans or other malicious code that you download from the Internet, including our website.

Right to suspend or cancel

We reserve the right to suspend or cancel your membership if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that your member information is incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, or there has been unauthorized access to your account. We reserve the right to terminate or restrict your use of Facets Services, without notice, for any or no reason whatsoever. We may limit or cancel your access to forums. We may suspend or terminate your subscription, without refund to you. You must comply with directions on our website.

  • All information provided to us is held in the strictest confidence and stored on secure servers that are protected in secure facilities including firewall protection.
* A shipping charge will apply to VHS rentals. See VHS shipping charge rates.