Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction & Our Intermediation Role

Welcome to The Parts Shop. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Marketplace Platform Role: The Parts Shop acts solely as an intermediary and technology platform connecting independent peer-to-peer buyers and sellers.

Contract of Sale: When a transaction occurs, the legal contract of sale is formed directly between the buyer and the seller. The Parts Shop does not take title, ownership, or physical possession of any listed parts, nor do we act as a principal merchant or retailer.

Platform Fees: Fees paid by the buyer (such as the Buyer Protection Fee) represent consideration for our Buyer Protection, platform security, and intermediation services.

2. User Registration & Account Security

To buy or sell parts, you must create a verified user account. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity conducted through your account. Users must provide accurate contact and shipping information.

3. Listing, Fitment & Speculative ("I Think It Is") Parts

Accurate Descriptions: Sellers must describe items accurately, disclosing condition, authenticity, and visible markings.

Verified Parts: Sellers listing standard catalogue components are responsible for selecting the correct vehicle compatibility.

Speculative Parts ("I Think It Is"): If a seller cannot identify a part with certainty, they must flag the listing as unverified. Buyers purchasing speculative items accept fitment compatibility risk and cannot initiate a dispute for vehicle incompatibility, provided the physical component matches the listing photos and description.

4. Postage, Shipping & Local Collection

Seller Shipping Responsibility: Sellers are solely responsible for selecting a suitable carriage method, verifying postage costs, and ensuring the courier service includes adequate transit insurance covering the full sale value. The Parts Shop’s suggested postage rates are non-binding estimates only.

Tracked Courier Fulfilment: All delivered items must be dispatched via a supported tracked courier service and updated with valid tracking details.

Local In-Person Collection: For items marked for local pickup, payment remains safely held until the buyer inspects the part in person and provides their unique 6-digit Pickup Code to the seller. The seller entering the code confirms handover and triggers payout release.

Returns: Unless mutually agreed otherwise, in the event of an approved return, the buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for tracked return postage.

5. Payments, Buyer Protection & Safe Holds

Payment Processing: Payments are processed securely via Stripe.

Payment Holding Period: Buyer funds are held under Buyer Protection. For courier deliveries, funds are released to the seller 48 hours after verified courier delivery unless a formal dispute is opened.

Seller Commission & Processing Fees: Listing and selling parts carries 0% platform commission to The Parts Shop. Seller payouts are subject only to standard third-party Stripe payment processing fees (1.5% + 20p for UK domestic cards). Platform operating revenue is derived from the Buyer Protection Fee paid at checkout.

6. Dispute Resolution & Protection Claims

Inspection Window: Buyers have 48 hours from tracked delivery (or prior to exchanging the 6-digit OTP for local pickups) to inspect the component and open a dispute for items that are Significantly Not As Described (SNAD) or damaged in transit.

Direct Peer Negotiation: When a dispute is opened, payout release is paused. Both parties engage in direct negotiation through the dashboard console to reach an amicable agreement (such as a full refund or an agreed partial refund).

Escalation & Mediation: Negotiations allow up to 4 structured turns. If an agreement is not reached, or if either party remains inactive for 48 hours, the dispute is escalated to The Parts Shop administration for final binding review and payout allocation.

7. Partner & Workshop Network (Affiliate Rebates)

Partner Program Structure: Verified car clubs, restoration workshops, content creators, and independent specialists ("Partners") may claim custom vanity URLs (theparts.shop/{handle}) and participate in our community affiliate network.

Promotional Rebate Calculation: Partner kickbacks are derived strictly as a percentage (5.0%) of the platform’s Buyer Protection Fee collected on orders when referred members sell parts. Seller sales gross proceeds remain 100% untouched and exempt from affiliate deductions.

Commission Settlement & Clearance: Partner commissions transition to cleared status concurrently with seller payout release (48 hours following verified courier delivery or immediately upon 6-digit OTP local collection). If a transaction is cancelled, returned, or refunded under a dispute ruling, the corresponding partner commission is automatically voided.

Payouts & Tax Status: Cleared commissions exceeding the £10.00 minimum threshold are payable via Stripe Express to a verified UK bank account. Partners operate as independent community advocates and are solely responsible for declaring and paying any applicable income tax or VAT in their respective jurisdictions.

Attribution & 12-Month Sunset Policy: New accounts registered via a partner’s 30-day attribution cookie are bound to the referring partner for a period of 12 months from registration. Transactions occurring after this 12-month promotional period sunset are not eligible for kickbacks.

Handle Ownership & Reservation: Vanity handles remain the intellectual property of The Parts Shop. We reserve the right to reclaim, revoke, or reassign handles that infringe on registered trademarks, impersonate verified brands, or violate platform standards.