These Terms of Service (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Octobazaar (“Octobazaar,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and govern your access to and use of the Octobazaar marketplace platform, including all related websites, services, and tools (collectively, the “Platform”).
By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
1. The Octobazaar Platform (Marketplace Venue)
Octobazaar operates an online marketplace venue that enables independent sellers to list and sell products directly to buyers.
Octobazaar is not a seller, not a merchant of record, not a broker, and not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers.
Any contract for the sale of goods is formed solely between the buyer and the seller.
Octobazaar does not:
- manufacture, source, store, inspect, package, or ship products;
- set prices on behalf of sellers;
- guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or delivery of any products.
2. Eligibility and Accounts
You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform.
By creating an account or using the Platform, you represent and warrant that:
- you have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements;
- all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete;
- you will comply with these Terms and all applicable laws.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
3. Seller Eligibility — Women-Focused Marketplace
3.1 Substantive Participation Requirement
Octobazaar is a women-focused marketplace.
To sell on the Platform, a seller must be a woman who has a real and substantive role in the business offering products for sale.
This includes, without limitation, women who:
- are founders or co-founders;
- hold a meaningful ownership interest;
- exercise real decision-making authority over operations, products, or finances.
Sole ownership is not required.
3.2 Prohibition on Nominal or Token Arrangements
The following are strictly prohibited:
- nominal, symbolic, or token ownership granted solely to meet eligibility requirements;
- arrangements where a seller is listed in name only while control or economic benefit rests primarily with another person;
- acting as a proxy, front, or intermediary for an ineligible third party.
Eligibility must reflect substance over form.
3.3 Manual Review and Ongoing Verification
All seller applications are subject to manual review.
Octobazaar may request reasonable information to assess eligibility, including ownership structure, role within the business, or operational involvement.
Approval is discretionary and may be revoked if eligibility requirements are no longer met.
4. Seller Responsibilities
Sellers are independent businesses and are solely responsible for:
- the accuracy and legality of their listings;
- pricing, inventory, and fulfillment;
- shipping, delivery, returns, and refunds;
- customer communications and after-sales support;
- compliance with applicable laws (including consumer protection, product safety, and tax laws).
Octobazaar does not provide legal, tax, or business advice.
5. Buyer Transactions and Expectations
When a buyer places an order through the Platform:
- the purchase contract is between the buyer and the seller;
- Octobazaar facilitates the transaction but is not a party to the contract.
Buyers acknowledge that:
- products are sold by independent sellers, not by Octobazaar;
- Octobazaar does not guarantee product quality, fitness, or delivery;
- product descriptions and representations are provided by sellers.
6. Buyer Protection and Disputes
Octobazaar expects sellers to act professionally and in good faith.
If a buyer experiences an issue with an order, the buyer must first contact the seller directly.
Octobazaar may, at its discretion:
- assist in facilitating communication;
- review disputes for marketplace integrity purposes;
- take action against sellers who repeatedly fail to meet marketplace standards.
Octobazaar does not guarantee refunds or outcomes and does not replace seller obligations under applicable law.
7. Payments and Fees
Octobazaar uses Stripe Connect to facilitate payments.
- Sellers receive 85% of each completed transaction.
- Octobazaar retains a 15% platform fee, which covers platform operation, payment facilitation, and support.
- Payment processing costs are absorbed within the platform fee.
Payout timing and availability depend on Stripe’s policies and seller verification.
8. Platform Fee and No-Profit Representation
The platform fee is used to operate and maintain the Platform, including infrastructure, payment processing, and support.
Octobazaar does not represent itself as a profit-sharing partner of sellers and makes no guarantees regarding sales volume, income, or success.
9. Prohibited Products and Conduct
Users may not list, sell, or purchase:
- illegal, stolen, or counterfeit goods;
- products that infringe intellectual property rights;
- items prohibited under Stripe’s policies or applicable law;
- misleading or deceptive listings.
Octobazaar may remove content or suspend accounts to protect the Platform.
10. Intellectual Property
All Platform software, design, and content are owned by or licensed to Octobazaar.
Sellers retain ownership of their content.
By using the Platform, sellers grant Octobazaar a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display and promote listings for marketplace operation.
11. Platform Control and Enforcement
Octobazaar reserves the right to:
- approve or reject sellers;
- remove listings;
- suspend or terminate accounts;
- refuse service;
where necessary to protect users, comply with law, or maintain marketplace integrity.
12. Disclaimers
The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.”
Octobazaar disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- Octobazaar is not liable for disputes between buyers and sellers;
- Octobazaar is not liable for product defects, delays, or losses;
- total liability shall not exceed the platform fees collected for the relevant transaction.
14. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Octobazaar from claims arising from:
- your use of the Platform;
- your products or conduct;
- your violation of these Terms or applicable law.
15. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of Delaware, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
16. Contact
You can contact us from the contact page on our website.