RENTAL TERMS

CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
Helix rents equipment to clientele with established accounts. We offer two types of rental accounts. The first is a net 30 day open account which bills rentals and purchases at the end of the month. If you already have an open account with Helix, we invite you to charge rentals to your account. The second type of account is the “pay on return” rental account which permits you to rent equipment without leaving a deposit and pay for the rental when the equipment is returned. The “pay on return” account takes less time to approve, but does not allow you to purchase supplies or equipment on account.

Until an account is established, Helix will honor written purchase orders from well established schools, institutions and businesses. If you have never rented from Helix before, we need to get to know you. All initial rentals begin with two acceptable forms of identification, the completion of a Helix credit application and submission of the form to our Credit Department for approval. If your requirements are not immediate, open account approval normally takes about two weeks. A “pay on return” approval takes about one week. Until your new account is approved, we may limit the amount of the rental and the replacement value of the equipment you are renting. The deposit may take the form of cash, certified check or a credit card accepted by Helix Rental (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express). Our preferred type of deposit takes the form of two authorizations on your personal credit card account. The first covers the amount of the initial rental and the second covers the replacement value of the equipment. Both authorizations are held with your rental contract and returned to you when our equipment is returned in satisfactory condition. This method is preferred by many of our new customers.

RENTAL CHARGES
All prices listed in our rental catalog are “per day” or per week. The rental day always ends at 10:00 am Rental equipment picked up after 4:00 pm on any business day will be charged from 9:00 am the following day. Weekends are billed as one day from 4:00 pm Friday to 10:00 am Monday morning.Unless otherwise noted in our catalog, we bill the first three days of each week. The rest of the week is at no additional charge. After three days of a calender week have been billed, rental equipment must be returned by 10:00 am on the seventh calender day to qualify for a weekly rate.

Sundays and holidays are NOT free days. Rented equipment which cannot be returned in time to take advantage of weekend or weekly rates because of a holiday, may be returned by 10:00 am the following day for the same rate. A holiday which occurs during a weekend or weekly rental is a billable rental day. On extended rentals, we bill the first three weeks of each month with the rest of the month at no additional charge. Rentals which extend more than a one month period will be billed weekly. Extended “pay on return” rentals must be paid at thirty day intervals and a new contract generated each month.

RESERVATIONS
Equipment reservations are accepted from established accounts subject to current inventory and anticipated rental returns. Reservations may be compromised by prior rental non-return or equipment failure during pre rental checkout. No reservation is guaranteed. Helix maintains the right to rent reserved equipment provided the anticipated return predates the reservation pick-up date. Clients who establish a record of excessive cancellations run the risk of losing reservation privileges and/or being billed rental charges in the event someone else is deprived of equipment.

PRICES
Prices, deposits, and specifications in our catalog are subject to change without notice. Our rental prices are based on the premise that the operators are experienced and well trained. Our gear is professional equipment and is not offered to the inexperienced. Failure to understand equipment operation is not an excuse for non- payment.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
Many of our customers carry their own yearly blanket insurance which covers both their own equipment and rentals. If you are starting a photographic business, we encourage this as a cost saving practice. Please understand that while our rental equipment is in your possession or on route to you via carrier, you are held completely liable for its condition. We suggest that you obtain insurance coverage for the equipment you intend to rent and we may require proof of adequate coverage in case of high equipment replacement value or high risk (underwater/underground) rental use. If we ask you to provide insurance, the policy must: 1. Be “all risk” and be equal in value to the replacement value of all the equipment rented. 2. Name Helix Ltd. as Loss Payee. 3. Be the primary source of Insurance. 4. Be on file with Helix before any equipment is released.

APPLYING RENTAL TO PURCHASE
Rental charges are not applicable toward purchase unless agreed to in advance in writing. Rental equipment is not usually offered for sale.

PICKUP/DELIVERY IN CHICAGO
Helix offers open account clients two free scheduled deliveries per day to an area bounded by Lake Michigan, Fullerton Ave. on the north, Western Ave. on the west, 18th St. on the south. Orders placed by 9:15 am will de delivered by 1:30 pm Orders placed by noon will be delivered by 5 pm Rush orders are best handled by a messenger service and will be billed at prevailing rates. Rental pick-up cannot be scheduled at the time of reservation. When your are finished with your rented equipment and it is packed and ready for return, please call the rental department to schedule a pick-up at our convenience. We cannot schedule pick-up or delivery on Saturday. If you are finished with rental equipment on Friday and you cannot return the equipment yourself, call before noon to arrange pick-up Friday afternoon to avoid being charged for a weekend rental.

OUT OF TOWN RENTALS
Minimum billing is three days when equipment is shipped. A three day billing covers a full seven day rental charge. Rental charges do not include transportation. Equipment is shipped with freight charges collect via the carrier of your choice on the day you select. Out of town clients with carrier accounts may request that shipping/insurance charges be billed to their carrier account or be added to their rental contract as a separate item. In either case a declared equipment value based on deposit listings must be given to the carrier for insurance purposes. Equipment is to be returned via a prepaid method and marked for delivery to Helix Rental Division. Any shipping charges billed to Helix will be rebilled with a handling charge. We are not responsible for delays caused by the carrier. In the event of delays caused by the carrier, the renter is still responsible for all transportation charges and rental charges. If it is critical that you receive equipment by a certain time we suggest shipping the equipment via air at least 48 hours in advance. All equipment is thoroughly tested and operated before shipment. Shipment handling is very hard on equipment and totally out of our control. In the event of malfunction, the renter is still responsible for transportation charges and rental charges. Performance of airlines, freight forwarders and other carries vary widely. Some deliver and some do not. When returning equipment, we advise calling Helix with the name of the carrier and the waybill number so we can look for the shipment. Be sure the shipment is prepaid and marked for delivery to Helix Rental Division.

FREIGHT DAMAGE
If our cases are damaged in transit, ask the airline for an immediate inspection. They have a form which authorizes independent case makers to make repairs and bill the airline. Do not bother with a claim if a handle is pulled off or a latch breaks. Only make a claim if the case is severely damaged. Little repairs are part of traveling. It is the customers responsibility to contact the carrier for inspection and report of any shipping damages. If damage occurs and you fail to obtain the necessary inspection forms, we will hold you liable for damages.

FOREIGN USE
Rental equipment may be taken outside the Continental USA only with our written permission. Federal law permits individuals to take personal possessions and tools of trade and re-import them duty free provided the equipment is properly registered. Customs has construed this so that it does not apply to non-individuals such as corporations and universities.

TAXES AND DUTIES
All federal, state or local taxes incurred due to rental are the responsibility of the renter. All customs duties imposed by the United States or foreign governments are also the responsibility of the renter. As examples:
• City of Chicago Transaction Tax
• Wisconsin Personal Property Tax
• U.S. Customs duties on the return of equipment taken abroad.
• Canadian or Mexican duties imposed on equipment taken into their countries.

CASES
Helix can supply two types of equipment cases. Carrying cases are suitable for handling equipment which is kept under your control, i.e. in the studio or locally transported. Carrying cases are adequate for equipment given to messenger services. Shipping cases are suitable for equipment given to airlines, freight companies and other common carriers. In most instances, it is a good idea to enclose shipping cases in an outer cardboard carton to disguise the implied value of the shipping case contents. When accompanied by the rental of other equipment, Helix will accept reservations for cases only. However case availability is subject to shipping demands on other equipment. Case rentals will run from $2.50 to $5.00 per day depending on size and type of construction. Some large, bulky or odd sized rental items cannot be properly case protected and cannot be shipped.

CAUTION!
Helix cannot be responsible for delays caused by a shipping carrier. In the event of a delay caused by a carrier, the renter will still be responsible for all transportation and rental charges. If it is critical that you receive equipment by a certain time, we suggest shipping via air at least 48 hours in advance of your deadline. All rental equipment is thoroughly tested and operated before shipment. However, shipping is very hard on equipment, and totally out of our control. In the event of an equipment malfunction, the renter is still responsible for all transportation and rental charges. If you receive shipped rental equipment in damaged condition, it is your responsibility to immediately contact the carrier for inspection, and make a report of shipping damage. If damage occurs and you fail to obtain the necessary inspection forms, we will have to hold you liable for damages.

MALFUNCTIONS
Equipment is rigorously inspected before being offered for rental. Our program of maintenance and inspection prevents most problems. However, it is not possible, even with the most meticulous inspection, to duplicate all conditions in the field. Nor is it possible to predict all failures. Please mark any equipment which develops a problem and describe the problem and any circumstances which may have contributed to the problem when you return the equipment. Examples are: High Humidity Low Humidity Extremely cold or hot environment Improperly grounded electrical outlets Excessive radio frequency emanations as at an airport, hospital, or telephone company.

SPARE LAMP POLICY
Equipment rental price includes lamped fixtures. Spare lamps are provided at the rate of one spare per three fixtures. There is no charge for use of spare lamps as long as burned out lamps are returned. Lamp replacements beyond spares provided are at client’s expense. A charge will be made for missing lamps, broken lamps, shock failures, overvolting, or lamps which exhibit signs of overheating.

SPARE BATTERY POLICY
Alkaline, lithium and silver oxide batteries are considered expendable items. Helix provides tested batteries when necessary for the operation of rental equipment. When these batteries are exhausted, client must purchase additional batteries as needed to continue equipment operation. Spare batteries will be provided upon request. There will be a charge for these batteries if used.

HELPING US WORK WITH YOU
We will do everything we can to insure you have a successful rental with clean, well maintained equipment. There are a few things you can do for us to make everything go smoothly. Below are some suggestions we hope will help you and our rental staff get along together. Know whom you are dealing with. Make sure you know the name of the person answering the phone and make sure they know your name. Book equipment and supplies in advance. This allows our staff sufficient time to prepare your order. Our service does not end when you leave with your order. If special circumstances or problems arise in the field or studio, notify us as soon as possible so that we can respond with technical help or replacement equipment. Phone in any changes to your order as soon as you decide on them. We appreciate any additional time to adjust your order. Try to deal with one staff person for your entire order. If changes in the agreed upon pick-up or return times becomes necessary, please call ahead and make arrangements to avoid additional charges. Late returns and last minute panic orders hurt our ability to serve you. Call in cancellations. This is a normal courtesy. Keep in mind, also, that we reserve the right to charge a prep fee if cancellation is given less than 24 hours prior to the agreed upon pick-up time.

MAILING ADDRESS: Helix Rental 1205 West Jackson Blvd Chicago, Illinois 60607
BUSINESS HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Sunday Closed Deposit rentals will not be processed the last half hour of any business day.

RENTAL CHARGES - ALL RENTALS END AT 10 AM

HOW RENTAL CHARGES ARE COMPUTED

Download the Helix Rental Catalog