General Terms and Conditions
1. General
Pitts.be is a news/auction site specifically designed to cover all aspects of pigeon racing. The following general terms and conditions apply, on the one hand, between BV Pitts Obbeekstraat 78 - 3550 Heusden-Zolder VAT BE0480 517 511, of which Pitts.be is part, and on the other hand, the readers of the site, pigeon enthusiasts, pigeon clubs in the broad sense, their members and board members, buyers of pigeons and pigeon racing items, whether as private individuals or traders, and pigeon enthusiasts professionally active in pigeon racing worldwide.
2. News, Articles, Reports
Pitts is primarily a news site that provides news, articles, reports, etc., about pigeon racing from all over the world. The reporters invest a lot of time to inform everyone as accurately as possible. It is strictly forbidden to reproduce or copy this information, whether in content, illustrations, or photos, without prior permission from Pitts.be.
3. Results
Want to share the results of your club or affiliated organization on Pitts? That’s possible. They must be sent to the editorial team at info@Pitts.be. Pitts is not responsible for the accuracy of these results.
4. Outstanding Results
If your loft has achieved notable results or you feel your loft deserves recognition, you can always send the results to info@Pitts.be. Our team will select and publish them on Pitts. The accuracy of these results is the responsibility of the respective loft or pigeon enthusiast.
5. Buy & Sell
In this section, various goods can be offered. An advertisement costs €10. This amount can be transferred to account BE83 0689 4879 4615, with reference “buy & sell.” The text and photos can be emailed to info@Pitts.be. If the offered product is sold, please notify us so it can be updated on the site. It is strictly forbidden to offer live animals, including pigeons, in this section unless in exceptional cases and in consultation with Pitts. If you wish to sell pigeons, please contact the editorial team at info@Pitts.be. Pitts is not responsible for the goods offered for sale.
6. Pigeon Sales
Pitts is also known for its pigeon auctions worldwide. You can bid by registering as a potential buyer and placing a bid, which may result in a purchase agreement. The following are the buyer terms and conditions.
Auctions
Bidding
Depending on the closing of ongoing auctions, new auctions will start every Monday evening around 9:30 PM.
At the end of the auction, bidding is final, and from that moment the pigeons become the undisputed property of Pitts, who then sells them to the highest bidder.
Pitts sells pigeons offered by third parties (i.e., sellers). Sales within an auction always proceed via bidding. Any bid made by a potential buyer is binding. Pitts reserves the right to reject any bid without providing further explanation.
Provided Information
Information provided in the auctions about the loft, the pigeon enthusiast, the pigeons, and their sex is supplied by third parties (i.e., pigeon enthusiasts offering the pigeons to Pitts). Pitts cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information.
Viewing Days
During the auction season, Pitts organizes several viewing days for the pigeons to be sold in Lede or on location. These usually take place on the Friday before the auction ends. If for any reason a viewing day cannot occur, Pitts will ensure potential buyers can still view the pigeons in Lede during the auction period by appointment. Pitts will not provide compensation if a viewing day cannot take place due to external reasons.
Unless stated otherwise, viewing days take place on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Langeweestraat 51, 9340 Lede.
General Health
The seller delivers the pigeons in good condition and basic health. Pitts cannot be held responsible for any violations. Pitts also reserves the right to inspect the pigeons for quality and condition. All pigeons must have a legal Paramyxo vaccination, with a vaccination certificate not older than 12 months and at least 3 weeks old, presented when delivering the pigeons to Pitts. From delivery, Pitts will provide optimal care. Upon arrival, all pigeons will receive an extra Paramyxo vaccination (except pigeons under 6 weeks) and preventive treatment for trichomoniasis, coccidiosis, and worms. Pitts cannot be held liable if a pigeon is later found to be infected.
If a pigeon is sick upon delivery or dies, the buyer has 48 hours to report this to Pitts’ administrative office via email at info@pitts.be. Pitts reserves the right to appoint a veterinarian to examine the pigeon, with the costs borne by the buyer unless the complaint is valid, in which case Pitts will cover the costs.
In case of death or illness, the seller may provide compensation in consultation with Pitts and the buyer. Pitts will mediate but without guaranteeing an outcome.
Fertility and Age
It is never intended to auction infertile pigeons, but in the case of a very specific pigeon (founder sire, founder dam, etc.), this may be allowed if offered as part of a pair sale. Specifically, any pigeon aged 8 years or older in an auction must be accompanied by the youngest possible direct offspring, preferably of the same sex. If pigeons under 8 years are sold and are infertile or less fertile, Pitts cannot be held liable. The buyer must notify Pitts as soon as possible by email. Pitts may test the pigeon for fertility and mediate between seller and buyer without guaranteeing a result.
Total Sales
In TOTAL sales, a sick or deceased pigeon cannot be compensated by providing another pigeon. Only a refund of the bid amount is possible, provided the illness or death is reported within 48 hours to Pitts via email at info@pitts.be. Service/transport fees already paid will not be refunded. Pitts reserves the right to appoint a veterinarian for examination at the buyer's cost unless the complaint is valid.
If a pigeon from a total sale later proves infertile or less fertile, no compensation is possible.
Sales of Weaned Young Pigeons
No photos will be taken as these are young pigeons. The owner may take photos and attach them to the sale. Auctions for weaned young pigeons run for 7 days on Pitts, from Monday to the following Monday. Bidding is final, and the pigeons become the undisputed property of Pitts, who then sells them to the highest bidder.
The buyer may pick up the pigeons in Heusden-Zolder or Lede, or at the seller’s home if allowed. Payment must be made to Pitts before pickup. Pitts will notify the seller after payment before collection. Young pigeons can also be delivered for a fee of €45 per address in Belgium or €25 per enthusiast when multiple enthusiasts share an address, immediately after the auction.
Young pigeons should NOT be vaccinated against Paramyxo by the seller due to age and will not be vaccinated by Pitts unless not collected immediately, in which case they will receive Paramyxo vaccination and preventive treatment. Pitts is not liable if a pigeon is later found infected.
DNA Certificates
DNA certificates are the responsibility of the seller. Pitts is not liable if DNA analysis shows the pedigree is incorrect. Buyers can request samples at their own cost. Sellers must provide requested samples within 30 days by appointment in consultation with the buyer.
Settlement and Payments
After an auction, buyers are notified via automated email with all details, payment terms, and the account to pay. Payments must be made in euros. The site price includes 6% VAT according to Belgian law. Additionally, a €5 fee per pigeon (incl. VAT) applies for medication, vaccination, and administration.
Pigeons will not be delivered until full payment is received. Non-paying buyers are blacklisted and excluded from future auctions, with potential legal action. Pigeons not delivered due to non-payment remain property of Pitts and may later be auctioned in a “non-delivered collection.”
Pickups and Deliveries
Buyers must inform by Wednesday 12:00 PM their choice of pickup or delivery.
Specifically, there are three options:
- pickup in Heusden-Zolder on Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- pickup in Lede on Friday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- home delivery
Always bring proof of payment when picking up, and have it ready for home delivery.
Payments can be made via the website module under “my purchases” or by bank transfer to Belfius: BE83 0689 4879 4615 with clear reference of name + auction + lot numbers. Home delivery costs €45 per address in Belgium or €25 per enthusiast for multiple enthusiasts at one address. International shipping and taxes are borne by the buyer. Pitts can assist with arrangements but costs are always passed to the buyer. Pitts is not responsible for transport or other delivery issues.
Pitts is not liable in case of force majeure of any kind and owes no compensation to the buyer.
Pigeons not picked up within 60 days after the auction will have the sale automatically canceled. Amounts already paid will be refunded minus service, boarding, and 25% compensation (minimum €50). The buyer will be notified in writing. These pigeons remain property of Pitts and may later be auctioned in a “non-delivered collection.” Boarding costs are €0.25 per pigeon per day from the 15th day after the auction.
Privacy
Due to privacy laws, Pitts cannot disclose who purchased which pigeons. Sellers will not receive a list of buyers. Buyers wishing to contact sellers may do so using pedigree details. Conversely, sellers may only receive buyer information with the buyer’s consent. Pitts will only provide these details with written or verbal approval from the buyer.
7. Voucher Sales
Clubs can use Pitts to promote voucher sales by organizing pre-bids on our platform. The proceeds supplement the club’s funds and allow extras for pigeon enthusiasts. Clubs can choose whether online bids are final or followed by an in-person sale; this is stated for each voucher sale. Buyers are bound by their online bids. Pitts is not responsible for quality, pickup, delivery, or payment of these vouchers. Clubs can request further details at info@Pitts.be.
8. Law
This agreement and all resulting agreements with Pitts BV are governed exclusively by Belgian law. In case of dispute, only the courts of the Hasselt judicial district are competent. If any provision of this agreement or general terms is invalid or unenforceable, it does not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions; they remain in full force.