Marketplace & Seller (Artisan) Terms

Last updated: {date}

These Marketplace & Seller Terms (“Terms”) are an agreement between CLIMB Crafts (“CLIMB,” “we,” “us”) and you as a product seller (“Seller,” “you”). By creating a vendor account, listing items, or receiving payouts on CLIMB, you agree to these Terms.

Our DNA

CLIMB is slow, safe, and maker-led. We center dignity of work, honest materials, and consent-first community growth. These Terms help buyers feel safe and Sellers feel respected.

1) How selling works here

Platform operator: CLIMB runs the site, checkout, and community spaces.
Independent shops: You run your shop—create listings, set policies, fulfill orders.
Scope: Physical goods, made-to-order items, and digital downloads sold on CLIMB (workshops/services use separate terms).

2) Eligibility, tiers & verification

Tiers: Explorer (trial), Artisan (core), Aspiring Master, Master Maker (invite).
Verification: We may request identity or business info before or after launch.
Approval: We may approve/decline or revoke seller status to protect quality and safety.
Badges: “Verified Seller/Business” badges may be granted after review.

Manage verification: /vendor-verification

3) Commission & fees (transparent)

Commission on completed orders (update to live rates):
- Explorer trial: 15%
- Artisan: 8%
- Aspiring Master: 5%
- Master Maker: 3%
What commission covers: marketplace operations, payments pipelines, basic fraud screening, and platform marketing (e.g., homepage features).
Changes: We’ll update this page and, for material changes, email you before they take effect.

4) Payments, payouts & taxes

Processors: Stripe and/or PayPal. Connect in the Vendor Portal.
Payout schedule: {{e.g., weekly, net-7 after order completion}}.
Holds: We may hold funds for chargebacks, fraud review, or active disputes.
Chargebacks & reversals: If a chargeback/refund/fraud reversal occurs, you authorize CLIMB to deduct or offset the amount and processor fees from current or future payouts. Provide requested order evidence (tracking, photos, messages) within 5 business days.
Taxes: You are responsible for your taxes. Provide W-9/W-8BEN as applicable.
Currency & fees: Payouts in site currency; processor fees apply.

Manage: /vendors-portal/payouts • /vendors-portal/tax

5) Listings, originality & quality

Maker-led & honest: Listings must be designed and substantially made by you or your small studio. No dropshipping or white-label catalog uploads.
Accuracy: Materials, dimensions, lead times, and care instructions must be accurate.
Photos: Natural light, true color, 1500px+ longest side; avoid heavy filters.
Digital goods: Clearly describe file types, sizes, and usage rights.
Children’s products: Must meet all safety and labeling laws; if unsure, don’t list.
Claims & substantiation: Environmental/health claims must be truthful and reasonably substantiated on request.
Prohibited & restricted items: Counterfeits; weapons; adult items; hazardous/recalled goods; items requiring licenses you don’t hold; IP-infringing items; misleading or unsubstantiated claims.
See /prohibited-items (we may update this list as needed).

Guides: /vendor-photo-guide • /vendor-seo-basics • /community-accessibility

6) Store policies, shipping & packaging

Your policies: Set returns, exchanges, and processing time in Dokan → Store Settings. Your policy must meet or exceed CLIMB minimums.
Shipping: Publish handling times; use protective, right-sized (preferably recycled) packaging; provide tracking where available.
Dispatch SLA: Ship within your posted processing time. If you miss it, message the buyer within 24h with a new date or offer a refund.
International: Buyers are responsible for import duties/taxes unless your listing states otherwise.
Price parity & shipping fairness: Set fair prices. Excessive shipping markups or bait-and-switch pricing may be removed.

Manage: /vendors-portal/policies • /vendors-portal/shipping • Packaging tips: /vendor-packaging-guide

7) Orders, cancellations & refunds

Order flow: Orders run through WooCommerce; keep notifications on and reply within 24–48h.
Cancellations: Honor your policy; communicate promptly if you must cancel.
Refunds (physical): Follow your posted policy and applicable law.
Custom/made-to-order: May be non-returnable unless damaged/defective—only if clearly stated on the listing.
Digital downloads: Typically non-refundable once accessed, except where required by law or if the file is defective.
Preorders/backorders: Clearly label estimated ship dates and update buyers if timelines change.

Notifications: /vendors-portal/notifications • Test flow: /test-order-guide

8) Reviews (FTC-safe)

Invite reviews from genuine buyers only. No fabricated, purchased, incentivized, or pressured reviews. CLIMB may remove spam/abuse/off-topic content but does not remove reviews solely for being negative.

9) Conduct & communications

Be kind and clear. No harassment, spam, or pressure. Aim to reply within 24–48h.
No off-platform solicitation for the same item to avoid marketplace fees (you may link to your website for background/about).
Read the Community Guidelines: /community-guidelines

10) Intellectual property & IP takedowns

Ownership: You own your work.
License to CLIMB: You grant CLIMB a non-exclusive, worldwide license to host, display, and promote your shop and listings (site, emails, social, ads) to operate and market the marketplace. You can withdraw future use by delisting the content.
Photo & Content Rights: Images and descriptions belong to their makers. Reuse without permission is not allowed. Upload resized images only (1500–2000 px wide).
Takedowns: We respond to IP complaints and may remove or disable access to reported content while we review. Repeated infringement can lead to suspension.

11) Data use & privacy

Use buyer information only to fulfill orders and provide support. Do not sell, rent, or upload buyer data to external marketing tools without consent.
See our Privacy Policy for how CLIMB processes data. {{Link to your /privacy-policy}}

12) Referrals & affiliate disclosures (optional)

We use AffiliateWP to track referrals. Artisan and higher are eligible for commissions on referred sales per tier rate.

Disclosures: When sharing referral links, clearly disclose the relationship (e.g., “I may earn a commission”).
Rules: No self-referrals, fake clicks, coupon abuse, or misleading ads.
Attribution: {{Set once finalized: e.g., “30-day cookie, last-click attribution.”}}

Get your link: /referrals • Affiliate area: /affiliate-area

13) Badges & features

Badges (GamiPress): Recognition only; not access rights.
Featured Maker: Visibility slots are curated and may change.

14) Disputes & escalation

Seller ↔ Buyer: Try to resolve directly—kindly and quickly.
Open a ticket with order details if stuck.
CLIMB decision: We may issue refunds, withhold payouts, or remove listings to protect the community.

Support: /priority-support

15) Inactivity & stale listings

We may unlist or archive inactive shops or out-of-stock items after a reasonable period, with notice.

16) Warranties, limitations & force majeure

CLIMB provides the platform “as is.” To the extent allowed by law, CLIMB isn’t liable for indirect or consequential losses. Nothing limits liability for fraud or intentional misconduct.
Neither of us is liable for delays caused by events outside reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters).

17) Indemnity (narrow, fair)

You agree to reasonably indemnify CLIMB for third-party claims arising from your listings or conduct (e.g., IP infringement, unsafe goods), except to the extent caused by CLIMB.

18) Governing law & venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of {{State/Country}}. Courts in {{County, State}} have exclusive jurisdiction.

19) Changes to these Terms

We’ll update the “Last updated” date above and, for material changes, notify by email or site banner. Continued use after the effective date means you accept the changes.

20) Contact

Questions? Email support@climbcrafts.org or open a ticket at /priority-support.

Acceptance

By ticking the acceptance box during onboarding or by listing products, you agree to these Terms and the Community Guidelines.