Seller Agreement

Terms and conditions for selling on BlueTika.nz

This Seller Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between BlueTika Limited ("BlueTika", "we", "our") and any individual or entity that creates a seller account or lists products or services on the BlueTika.nz marketplace ("Seller", "you"). By registering as a seller, creating a listing, or completing a sale through the Platform, you agree to be bound by this Agreement.

1. Acceptance & Eligibility

To sell on BlueTika, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a valid New Zealand bank account for payouts
  • Have a Stripe Connect account linked to your seller profile
  • Comply with all applicable New Zealand laws including the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Fair Trading Act 1986, Sale of Goods Act 1908, and Privacy Act 2020

2. Seller Obligations

2.1 Listing Accuracy

You must ensure all product listings are accurate, complete, and not misleading. This includes:

  • Correct and up-to-date pricing
  • Accurate product descriptions including condition (new, used, refurbished)
  • Authentic product images that match the item being sold
  • Accurate stock availability information
  • Clear disclosure of any defects, damage, or limitations
  • Correct categorisation of products and services

2.2 Order Fulfilment

You agree to:

  • Process all confirmed orders within 3 business days
  • Provide accurate shipping details and tracking information where applicable
  • Communicate proactively with buyers if there are delays or issues
  • honour prices as listed (no price changes after purchase)
  • Accept returns for faulty, misdescribed, or not-as-described items per the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993

2.3 Customer Service

You must respond to buyer inquiries and dispute notifications within 48 hours. Failure to respond may result in account suspension.

3. Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited on BlueTika:

  • Counterfeit goods: items that infringe trademarks, copyrights, or patents
  • Fraudulent listings: items you do not own, have not verified, or cannot deliver
  • Illegal products: anything prohibited under NZ law (see our Terms of Service)
  • Adult content: sexually explicit products or services
  • Weapons: firearms, ammunition, or military equipment
  • Animal products: items regulated under the Wildlife Act 1953 or Animal Welfare Act 1999
  • Used safety equipment: car seats, helmets, life jackets that cannot be verified as safe
  • Deceptive content: misleading titles, false claims, bait-and-switch tactics
  • Personal information: listing someone else's personal data without consent
  • Spam: irrelevant, repetitive, or bulk listing content

4. Intellectual Property Policy

4.1 Your IP

You retain all intellectual property rights in your product listings, images, descriptions, and content. By listing products, you grant BlueTika a limited, non-exclusive licence to display and use your content solely for Platform purposes.

4.2 Takedowns

If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed upon, please submit a takedown notice to ip@bluetika.nz including:

  • Your contact information and signature
  • Description of the copyrighted work
  • URL(s) of the infringing listing(s)
  • A statement of good faith belief in the takedown

We will process takedown requests within 24 hours and notify the affected seller.

4.3 Repeat Infringer Policy

Sellers who repeatedly infringe intellectual property rights will have their accounts terminated. We maintain a record of all takedown notices and enforcement actions.

5. Payment Processing & Payouts

5.1 Payment Collection

All payments are processed securely through Stripe Connect. Buyers pay at checkout; funds are held in escrow until the transaction is completed.

5.2 Payout Schedule

Payouts are processed within 2-3 business days of order confirmation. Payouts are made to your linked Stripe Connect account, which then transfers funds to your NZ bank account.

5.3 Dispute Holds

If a buyer opens a dispute, payout for that transaction will be withheld until the dispute is resolved. BlueTika's dispute team will review evidence from both parties and issue a binding decision.

5.4 Transaction Fees

  • Platform commission: 0% — you keep 100% of your sale price
  • Stripe processing fees: applied by Stripe (displayed at checkout)
  • Subscription fees: apply for Gold and Platinum plans (billed monthly)

6. Storefront Requirements

6.1 Branding

All store pages must display "Powered by BlueTika.nz" branding. Removal of branding requires a Platinum plan or Premium URL subscription ($10/month).

6.2 Store Design

Sellers may choose from our selection of storefront templates. Custom CSS/HTML is available for Platinum plan holders. All templates must comply with our design guidelines.

6.3 Custom Domains

Custom domains are available for Gold and Platinum plans. Sellers are responsible for domain registration, DNS configuration, and renewal fees.

7. Account Suspension & Termination

7.1 Grounds for Suspension

We may suspend your seller account (temporarily) if you:

  • List prohibited items or content
  • Receive multiple valid buyer complaints
  • Fail to respond to dispute notifications
  • Attempt to circumvent Stripe payment processing
  • Provide false or misleading information

7.2 Grounds for Termination

We may terminate your seller account (permanently) if you:

  • Engage in fraud or deceptive trade practices
  • Violate intellectual property rights
  • Have a history of multiple suspensions
  • Fail to comply with a lawful court order

7.3 Termination Process

Upon suspension or termination:

  • You will receive written notice via email explaining the reason
  • You may appeal the decision within 14 days
  • Pending payouts will be processed within 7 business days (unless subject to dispute holds)
  • Your personal data will be deleted within 30 days (except transaction records retained for 7 years for tax compliance)

8. Dispute Resolution

8.1 Buyer-Seller Disputes

BlueTika provides a free dispute resolution service. Both parties submit evidence (photos, messages, tracking info). Our dispute team reviews all evidence and issues a binding decision within 14 business days. Possible outcomes include:

  • Full refund to buyer
  • Partial refund to buyer
  • Refund denied — seller retains payment
  • Order cancellation with full refund

8.2 Escalation

If either party is dissatisfied with the dispute resolution, they may escalate to:

  • Commerce Commission: commerce.govt.nz (for unfair trading practices)
  • Disputes Tribunal: disputes.govt.nz (claims up to $30,000)
  • Small Claims Court: courts.govt.nz (civil disputes)

9. Liability Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BlueTika's liability for any claim arising from this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by you to BlueTika in the 12 months preceding the claim. BlueTika is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits or goodwill.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts. This Agreement does not affect any consumer rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or Distance Transactions Regulations 2023.

11. Changes to This Agreement

We may update this Seller Agreement from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email and/or a prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance.

12. Contact

BlueTika Limited
Email: sellers@bluetika.nz
Address: Auckland, New Zealand