Auction Store Policies

Intellectual Property Policy

1. Respect for Intellectual Property: We are committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of artists, creators, and brands. All items listed for auction must be the legal property of the seller or have explicit permission for sale from the rightful owner.

2. Authenticity of Items: Artists/Sellers must ensure the authenticity of all artworks and branded goods. Misrepresentation of counterfeit items as authentic is strictly prohibited.

3. Copyrighted Material: Reproducing copyrighted material for sale is forbidden unless the seller possesses the necessary permissions or licenses from the copyright holder.

4. Reporting Infringements: If you think an item listed on our site infringes upon your intellectual property rights, please contact us immediately with detailed information so we can take appropriate action.

Legal Compliance

1. Compliance with Maryland Law: Our operations adhere to the laws and regulations of the State of Maryland, including consumer protection, e-commerce, and contract laws.

2. Consumer Rights: All transactions on our platform will respect the consumer rights outlined in Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act.

User Conduct and Ethics

1. User Integrity: All users must engage in honest and ethical bidding practices. Manipulating the bidding process, such as shill bidding, is strictly prohibited.

2. Accurate Representation: Artists/Sellers must accurately describe their items, including condition, authenticity, and any other relevant information.

3. Anti-Fraud Measures: We implement robust measures to prevent fraudulent activities. Any user found engaging in fraud will be subject to immediate account suspension and legal action.

4. Respectful Interaction: Users are expected to interact respectfully with each other. Harassment, abusive language, or any form of discrimination is not tolerated.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

1. System Redundancy: We maintain redundant systems to ensure continuous operation in the event of a primary system failure.

2. Data Backups: Regular data backups are conducted to prevent data loss.

3. Downtime Response: In system downtime, we will inform our users quickly via email and give regular updates until the issue is resolved.

4. Recovery Testing: Regular testing of our disaster recovery and business continuity plans ensures our preparedness for various scenarios.

 

Returns and Disputes Policy for Artwork

1. Scope and Eligibility

  • This policy is specifically tailored for artwork sold through our platform, where we act as a facilitator between artists/sellers and buyers.
  • Eligible for return are artworks that are either not as described by the seller or have undisclosed defects.

2. Returns Policy

  • Return Period: Buyers have a 7-day period from the date of delivery to initiate a return for artwork.
  • Artwork Condition: Returned artwork must be in the original condition as received, with no alterations or damages.
  • Exclusions: Custom commissions, personalized art pieces, and digital art are not eligible for returns.
  • Return Shipping: The buyer is responsible for return shipping and insurance, unless the return is due to the artwork not being as described.

3. Dispute Resolution Process

  • Initiation: Disputes must be raised within 7 days of artwork delivery.
  • Evidence Requirement: Buyers should provide photo evidence and a detailed description of their claim.
  • Seller Response and Mediation: Sellers have 7 days to respond to a dispute. If no resolution is reached, our platform will mediate based on the evidence and descriptions provided.

4. Refunds for Artwork

  • Processing: Refunds will be processed once the artwork is returned and inspected by the Artist/seller or an appointed expert.
  • Refund Method: Refunds will be credited back to the original payment method used by the buyer.

5. Protection Against Fraud

  • Artists/Seller Safeguards: Artists/Sellers are safeguarded against fraudulent claims. Buyers found to be making fraudulent claims may face account suspension or banning.

6. Appeals Process

  • Procedure: Both parties can appeal the decision within 7 days by providing additional evidence or clarification.
  • Impartial Review: Appeals are reviewed by a separate committee to ensure fairness.

7. Policy Amendments and Notifications

  • Changes to Policy: Any significant changes will be communicated to users via email and updated on our website.
  • Feedback Incorporation: We welcome feedback from artists and buyers to continuously improve this policy.

8. Facilitation Role

  • Communication: Our platform will facilitate communication between the artist/seller and the buyer in case of disputes or returns.
  • No Physical Handling: As we do not physically handle the artwork, our role is limited to ensuring policy compliance and fair resolution.
Powered by Ultimate Auction Pro