Collective Crate Vendor Agreement

1. Relationship to Other Terms

1. Incorporation by Reference. This Agreement supplements the Collective Crate Terms of Use. If there is any conflict between this Agreement and the Terms of Use regarding your activities as a Vendor, this Agreement will control.
2. Independent Business. You operate as an independent business, not as an employee, agent, or partner of Collective Crate. Nothing here creates a partnership, joint venture, franchise, or employment relationship.

2. Vendor Eligibility and Onboarding

1. Business Status. You represent that you operate a legitimate business, hold all necessary licenses/permits/authorizations, are authorized to bind the business, and that information you provide (business name, entity, address, tax IDs) is accurate and complete.
2. Verification. We and our payment partners (e.g., Stripe) may require identity and business verification (KYC/KYB), including government‑issued ID, formation documents, and proof of address/bank ownership. You authorize us to share your information with payment partners for these purposes.
3. Connected Accounts. Payouts are typically issued via payment processors such as Stripe Connect. By receiving payouts, you agree to applicable Stripe terms, including the Connected Account Agreement and Prohibited/Restricted Businesses rules.

3. Use of the Marketplace

1. Listings. You are responsible for accurate and complete listings, including name/description, pricing/units/taxes, photos, inventory/availability, and pickup/delivery options and time windows.
2. Accuracy & Non‑Deception. Descriptions, photos, and claims must be truthful and compliant with regulations (e.g., “organic,” “non‑GMO,” “handmade,” “local”).
3. No Off‑Platform Circumvention. Do not steer customers off‑platform to avoid fees (e.g., asking to cancel and reorder off‑platform or offering off‑platform‑only discounts intended to bypass Collective Crate).

4. Prohibited and Restricted Products & Activities

To protect Customers, comply with law, and remain eligible with payment partners, you may not list/sell/promote/facilitate transactions involving prohibited categories. You are also responsible for ongoing compliance with Stripe’s Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list.

1. Illegal Products/Services. Illegal items; items requiring licenses you do not hold; items barred from online sale under applicable law.
2. Drugs & Paraphernalia. Illegal drugs/controlled substances; paraphernalia primarily intended for producing/consuming illegal drugs.
3. Weapons & Hazardous Materials. Firearms, frames/receivers, 3D‑printed guns, ammunition, explosives; certain knives; toxic/hazardous materials.
4. Adult Content/Services. Sexually explicit content/services in prohibited categories; prostitution, escort, adult live chat/webcam sexual services.
5. Gambling & Lotteries. Gambling services; lotteries/raffles/betting pools/ sweepstakes/contests with prizes unless explicitly allowed and compliant with law.
6. Financial Services & High‑Risk Schemes. Money transmission; unregistered securities/investments; pyramid schemes or prohibited MLM.
7. Counterfeit/Infringing Goods. Counterfeits, replicas, pirated media, or items infringing third‑party IP.
8. Marijuana/CBD. Marijuana or cannabis above legal limits; dispensary/delivery services; non‑compliant CBD/hemp products.
9. Pharmaceuticals/Medical Devices/Health Claims. Prescription items sold without proper licenses; unsafe nutraceuticals; unapproved medical claims.
10. Tobacco & Vaping. Tobacco products where prohibited; e‑cigarettes/vape where restricted.
11. Crypto Assets. Exchanges/wallets/investments unless explicitly approved; speculative schemes classified as restricted/prohibited by partners.
12. Unfair/Deceptive/Abusive Practices. Hidden fees or unclear subscriptions; fake reviews/testimonials.
13. Law‑Enforcement Concerns. Stolen property; tools primarily for crimes (e.g., skimmers, certain hacking/surveillance devices); items marketed to evade law‑enforcement/financial controls.
14. Other Restrictions. We may restrict additional categories if required by partners/law or if they pose excessive risk.
15. Enforcement. We may remove/hide listings, cancel orders, suspend/terminate Vendor accounts, withhold/delay payouts, or report activity to authorities/payment partners.

5. Product Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws/regulations (e.g., food safety/labeling, health/safety, packaging/labeling, environmental/waste).
• Notify us and affected customers promptly of recalls, safety issues, or defects and cooperate with authorities.

6. Fees, Payouts, and Adjustments

1. Marketplace Fees. We may charge transaction, subscription/booth, and other service fees as disclosed in your dashboard or notices.
2. Payouts. Sales proceeds (less fees/taxes/adjustments) are paid via our processor to your bank, subject to successful payment, risk checks, and partner rules.
3. Chargebacks & Refunds. You are financially responsible for underlying transactions/fees unless we state otherwise; we may offset from payouts or require repayment.
4. Reserves/Withholding. We may reserve or delay/withhold funds for suspected violations, high disputes/chargebacks, or per partner/bank requirements.

7. Customer Service and Disputes

• Provide timely, professional support to customers for questions, complaints, and order issues.
• Maintain clear, compliant cancellation/return/refund policies visible in listings or profile.
• Cooperate in good faith with Collective Crate in dispute resolution and investigations.

8. Taxes and Regulatory Obligations

• You are solely responsible for determining, collecting (if applicable), reporting, and remitting taxes related to your business, except where we must act as a marketplace facilitator.
• We may issue tax forms/reports as required by law; you agree to provide accurate information.

9. Intellectual Property and Marketing Rights

• Your IP. You retain ownership of your trademarks, logos, photos, and other IP you provide.
• License to Collective Crate. You grant a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license for operating, marketing, and improving the marketplace.
• Our IP. Do not use Collective Crate’s name, logo, or marks without prior written consent, except as allowed by platform badges/templates.

10. Data and Privacy

• Customer Data. Use personal information received only to fulfill orders and provide support.
• Restrictions. Do not use customer data for unrelated marketing outside the platform without consent; do not sell/disclose except to fulfill orders or comply with law.
• Compliance. Comply with applicable data protection/privacy laws. Our handling of personal data is described in our Privacy Policy.

11. Term and Termination

1. Term. Begins when you register and continues until terminated.
2. Your Termination. You may close your Vendor account at any time, subject to completing open orders/obligations.
3. Our Suspension/Termination. We may suspend/terminate with or without cause (violations, fraud/illegal activity, or creating risk/liability).
4. Effect. Listings may be removed/hidden; outstanding orders must be completed unless instructed otherwise; funds may be withheld for a reasonable period to cover chargebacks/disputes/obligations.

12. Representations and Warranties

• Information you provide is true, accurate, and complete.
• You have rights/permissions to sell your products and use the platform.
• Your products and conduct comply with laws and do not violate third‑party rights.
• You will comply with applicable payment partner rules, including Stripe’s Prohibited/Restricted Businesses policies.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Collective Crate and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your products/services or business practices, your use of the Site as a Vendor, your violation of this Agreement, the Terms of Use, or law, and your infringement of any intellectual property or other rights.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Collective Crate’s liability to you under this Agreement is limited as described in the Limitation of Liability section of the Terms of Use. In no event will our aggregate liability to you exceed the greater of (a) the marketplace fees you paid to Collective Crate in the three (3) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) One Hundred U.S. Dollars (US $100).

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas and the United States, without regard to conflict of law rules. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Collin County, Texas, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

16. Changes to This Agreement

We may modify this Agreement from time to time. We will update the Effective Date above and, where required, provide additional notice (e.g., email or dashboard notification). Continued use of the marketplace as a Vendor after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Agreement.

17. Contact