Privacy Policy, Vendor Policy, and Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Introduction
This Privacy Policy outlines how our online marketplace, focusing on crafts and goods, collects, uses, and protects the personal information of our users. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly and securely.

Information We Collect
We collect the following personal information from users:

  1. Name
  2. Email address
  3. Phone number (optional)
  4. Payment information
  5. Address (for delivery purposes)

Use of Personal Information
We use the personal information collected from users for the following purposes:

  1. Processing orders and facilitating transactions
  2. Marketing and promotional activities
  3. Analytics to improve our platform and services
  4. Communication with users regarding their accounts, orders, or any other inquiries
  5. Providing customer support

Third-Party Sharing
We do not share personal information with third parties, except as required to process transactions, comply with legal requirements, or protect the rights and safety of our users and our platform.

Storage and Protection of Personal Information
We use secure and cost-effective methods for storing and protecting users' personal information. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your data.

Access, Modification, and Deletion of Personal Information
Users have the right to access, modify, or delete their personal information. To exercise these rights, users can contact us through the provided contact information on our platform.

Cookies
We currently do not use cookies on our platform but may consider implementing them in the future to enhance user experience and improve our services.

Changes to Our Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update or modify our Privacy Policy at any time. Users will be notified of any significant changes and are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy periodically.

Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy, please contact us through the provided contact information on our platform.

Terms of Service

Introduction
By using Artisans of the Shire online marketplace, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Service.

Rules and Guidelines
As a user of our platform, you agree to adhere to the following rules and guidelines:

a. Account Registration: Users must provide accurate and up-to-date information when registering for an account. Each user is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials and must not share them with others.

b. Prohibited Items: Users are prohibited from listing and selling items that are illegal, unsafe, counterfeit, or that violate intellectual property rights. Artisans of the Shire reserves the right to remove such items and terminate the account of users found to be in violation of this policy.

c. Pricing and Payments: Sellers must provide accurate pricing information for their products and are responsible for collecting and remitting any applicable taxes. Buyers agree to pay for purchased items in full, using the secure payment methods available on the platform.

d. Shipping: Sellers are responsible for ensuring that items are shipped in a timely manner and properly packaged to prevent damage during transit. Buyers should verify their shipping address before completing a purchase.

e. Communication: Users must communicate respectfully and professionally with one another. Harassment, hate speech, and other offensive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in account termination.

f. Reviews and Feedback: Users are encouraged to leave honest and constructive feedback on their transactions. Reviews should be based on personal experience and should not contain defamatory or offensive language.

g. Intellectual Property: Users must respect the intellectual property rights of others and may not use copyrighted or trademarked materials without proper authorization.

h. Compliance with Laws: Users are responsible for ensuring that their activities on our platform comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Artisans of the Shire reserves the right to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in cases of suspected illegal activity.

i. Technical Support: Artisans of the Shire will provide assistance with setting up online stores and troubleshooting issues related to the platform.

j. Customer Service: Artisans of the Shire will act as a liaison between buyers and vendors, facilitating communication and assisting in resolving disputes.

k. Fraud Prevention: Artisans of the Shire is committed to maintaining a safe and secure platform for its users. We monitor and investigate any suspicious activity and take appropriate action to mitigate fraud.

l. Platform Updates and Improvements: Artisans of the Shire continually works on improving the platform, its features, and user experience. Users will be notified of any significant updates or changes via email or other communication methods.

m. Termination: Artisans of the Shire reserves the right to terminate or suspend user accounts at its sole discretion for any reason, including but not limited to violations of these Terms of Service.

Please note that this revised Terms of Service has been generated by an AI language model and may require review and editing by a legal professional to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Vendor Policy

Account Registration
To become a seller, you must register for an account and provide accurate, up-to-date information about yourself and your business. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and should not share them with others.

Product Listings
a. You may list up to 15 products with a free account, or up to 100 products with a premium membership.
b. You are responsible for providing accurate and complete information about your products, including descriptions, pricing, and shipping information.
c. You must only list items that are handmade or produced in the Berkshires and abide by our Prohibited Items policy.

Commission Fees
a. Free listings are subject to a 10% commission fee on each sale.
b. Premium members are subject to a 5% commission fee on each sale.

Seller Performance Standards
a. Order Fulfillment Time: You agree to set a reasonable order fulfillment time for each product and adhere to it.
b. Cancellation Rate: You must maintain a cancellation rate of no more than 5% of your total orders.
c. Customer Satisfaction: While disputes will primarily be between vendors and buyers, you agree to work with buyers to resolve issues in a professional and timely manner.
d. Product Quality: You are responsible for ensuring that your products meet high-quality standards and are accurately represented in your listings.
e. Communication: You must communicate professionally and respectfully with buyers and other users on the platform.

Inventory Management
You are responsible for managing your inventory and ensuring that your products are available for sale. If you create products upon receiving orders, you should set your order fulfillment time accordingly and update your listings as necessary to prevent overloading.

Confidentiality and Privacy
You must comply with Artisans of the Shire's Privacy Policy and protect the personal information of buyers and other users on the platform.

Returns and Refunds Policy
You agree to provide a clear and reasonable returns and refunds policy for your products, which should be communicated to buyers in your product listings or seller profile.

Violations of the Seller Agreement
a. Failure to comply with this Seller Agreement may result in a warning or account termination, depending on the severity of the violation.
b. We reserve the right to remove any listings that do not comply with this agreement or our platform's Terms of Service.

Selling Handmade Goods by Other Artisans
a. If you are selling handmade goods made by other artisans, you must clearly state this in your product listings and provide proper credit to the original creators.
b. You are responsible for obtaining permission from the original artisan to sell their products on our platform and ensuring that you have the legal right to do so.
c. You must ensure that the products sold still meet the high-quality standards and accurately represent the original artisan's work.
d. You agree to handle any disputes that may arise between you and the original artisan in a professional and timely manner.
e. As a seller representing other artisans, you are still subject to the same commission fees, performance standards, and other terms outlined in this Seller Agreement.

Advertising Opportunities:
a) Premium Vendor Profiles: Vendors have the option to subscribe to a premium subscription that includes enhanced profiles, increased product listing limits (up to 100 listings), and a link to their website. Premium vendors will also enjoy a lower commission fee of 5%.
b) Business Advertisement Page: We offer various advertising tiers on a dedicated page for local businesses. Depending on the monthly fee paid, businesses can choose from the following options:
$2 per month: A basic business card-style ad
$5 per month: A drop-down with more store information
$10 per month: A drop-down with store information and a link to the business