Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Articea. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our handmade marketplace platform located at articea.in (the "Platform"), including any content, functionality, and services offered on or through the Platform.

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under applicable laws
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials

By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

User Accounts

Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
• Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account

Account Types

Articea offers different account types:

• Buyer Accounts: For purchasing handmade products
• Seller Accounts: For artisans and creators to list and sell products (subject to additional terms)

Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Harm or attempt to harm the Platform or other users
• Provide false or misleading information

Buyer Terms

Product Listings

All product listings are created by independent sellers. Articea acts as a marketplace platform connecting buyers and sellers. We do not:

• Own, manufacture, or create the products listed
• Guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of products
• Verify all product descriptions or seller representations

Orders and Payments

When placing an order:

• You make a binding offer to purchase products at the listed price
• Payment is processed securely through our payment partners
• Order confirmation is sent to your registered email
• Prices are in Indian Rupees (INR) unless otherwise stated
• You are responsible for providing accurate shipping information

Shipping and Delivery

Shipping is managed by sellers. Delivery times are estimates and may vary. We are not responsible for:

• Shipping delays beyond the seller's control
• Lost or damaged items during transit (handled by seller and shipping carrier)
• Customs fees, duties, or import taxes for international orders

Returns and Refunds

Return and refund policies are set by individual sellers. Please review the seller's policy before purchasing. Generally:

• Returns are accepted for damaged, defective, or incorrect items
• Custom or personalized items may not be returnable
• Return shipping costs may apply
• Refunds are processed within 7-14 business days after return approval

Seller Terms

Seller Eligibility

To become a seller, you must:

• Complete the seller registration process
• Provide valid business and tax information
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Sell only handmade, vintage, or craft supplies

Listing Standards

Sellers must:

• Provide accurate product descriptions and images
• Set fair and honest pricing
• Disclose any defects, limitations, or special conditions
• Not list prohibited items (weapons, illegal goods, counterfeit items)
• Honor all sales and fulfill orders promptly

Seller Fees

Sellers are subject to:

• Transaction fees on each sale (as specified in seller agreement)
• Payment processing fees charged by payment providers
• Fees are deducted before payout to sellers

Seller Responsibilities

Sellers are responsible for:

• Maintaining adequate inventory
• Packaging and shipping orders securely
• Providing tracking information when available
• Responding to customer inquiries within 48 hours
• Handling returns and refunds according to their policy
• Complying with tax obligations

Payment Terms

Payment processing is handled by secure third-party providers (such as Razorpay). By making a purchase, you agree to:

• Provide valid payment method information
• Authorize us to charge your payment method for purchases
• Pay all applicable taxes and fees
• Not dispute legitimate charges

We reserve the right to refuse or cancel orders that we suspect are fraudulent or unauthorized.

Intellectual Property Rights

Platform Content

The Platform and its content (excluding user-generated content) are owned by Articea and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute Platform content without permission
• Use our trademarks or branding without authorization
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code
• Create derivative works from the Platform

User Content

By posting content on the Platform (reviews, photos, messages), you:

• Retain ownership of your content
• Grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content
• Represent that you have the right to post such content
• Agree not to post content that infringes others' intellectual property rights

Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on others' intellectual property or privacy rights
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
• Harass, abuse, or threaten other users
• Engage in price manipulation or unfair competition
• Use automated systems (bots) without authorization
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform
• Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Interfere with the Platform's operation or security
• Circumvent any security or authentication measures
• Scrape or harvest data from the Platform
• Sell prohibited or illegal items

Dispute Resolution

Between Users

Disputes between buyers and sellers should first be resolved directly between the parties. Articea may provide assistance through our dispute resolution process but is not obligated to intervene.

With Articea

Any disputes with Articea should be resolved through:

• Initial contact with customer support
• Good faith negotiation
• If unresolved, arbitration or mediation

Disclaimers and Limitations

Platform Availability

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• Accuracy or completeness of information
• Security from unauthorized access
• Freedom from viruses or harmful components

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Articea shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill
• Actions or omissions of sellers or other users
• Product quality, safety, or legality issues
• Shipping delays or lost packages

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Articea and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your content or products listed on the Platform

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in India.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: