1000 Markets: Merchant Rules

Effective Date: September 12, 2008

Purpose

1000 Markets provides opportunities for independent, small scale artisanal businesses to pool their resources online and sell goods directly to consumers. We do this by enabling thousands of community-driven “people powered” markets, organized around themes, like handmade jewelry or farm-fresh food.  Our goal is to provide a wide variety of specialty products for shoppers ñ particularly products made using small-scale, handcrafted production techniques or sourced in extraordinary ways ñ while providing a means for artisanal entrepreneurs to pursue their livelihood.

These rules are intended to provide a framework for achieving the above purposes; to promote an orderly and trusting trading environment; to foster an environment where small businesses can thrive; and to provide equitable business opportunities.

Updates to These Rules

We may update these Merchant Rules from time to time. It is your responsibility to check back on a regular basis to make sure your understanding is up to date.

Other Documents

In addition to these Merchant Rules, you should also familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and our Terms of Use, both of which apply to all users of our site.

Necessary Discretion

These rules often require the use of discretion on the part of those who are asked to enforce them, including the staff and agents of 1000 Markets. These individuals and entities are authorized to exercise such discretion in the course of their administrative duties.

Violations and Sanctions

Violations of these rules or other policies of 1000 Markets may result in a range of sanctions, including:

• Account suspension or cancellation
• Forfeiture of special account status or discounts
• Limits on account privileges

These sanctions will be administered in the sole discretion of 1000 Markets.

Who Can be a Merchant

1000 Markets is a venue for independently-owned artisanal businesses. An artisanal business is defined as a business that makes or intends to make a substantial portion of its income from specialty products created in small quantities, often using traditional, time-consuming, or handcraft techniques. Artisanal products are not mass produced, nor are they mass distributed.

In all cases, an artisanal business has what we call “owner on premises,” which means there is at least one person who is intimately involved in all aspects of the business, from design to production to marketing to quality assurance. This person is often the face and personality of the business, which contributes to its artisanal nature.

Our definition of an artisanal business is intentionally broad, as it is designed to encourage a wide variety of small businesses to sell directly to consumers. The criteria for merchants may change over time and will be shaped, to some degree, by the needs of the community and the demands of shoppers.

All merchants are subject to approval by 1000 Markets. For more information, see Shop Approval.

Producers: 1000 Markets places primary emphasis on merchants that actually produce the products they sell. In general, each article of merchandise in your shop must result from your combining of materials, creative energy and skill. Your products must be unique (i.e., not generally available elsewhere) and you must add significant value during the production of them.

Agents and Resellers: If you wish to act as an agent selling other people’s products, such as artwork on consignment, or you wish to act as a reseller, where purchase products wholesale and then resell them at a profit, you must seek special permission from us. Normally resellers and agents are not allowed in the main selling areas at 1000 Markets. However, these businesses may be approved on a case-by-case basis where they complement existing merchants, add to the festive character of the market, or contribute to a unique shopping opportunity for customers. Agents and resellers may also be considered for specialized markets (e.g., an antiques market). If you are an agent or reseller and believe you have a unique offering for 1000 Markets customers, please feel free to contact us here.

Merchants based outside the U.S.

Merchants based outside the U.S. are not supported at this time. We are working with Amazon Payments to support international merchants and we will announce availability when we have a release schedule.

Permitted Merchandise

As a general rule, if you design and make an artisanal product yourself ñ and you have all of the required licenses and permits to sell your product in the real world ñ then you may sell it on 1000 Markets.

Merchandise Standards and Prohibited Items

All products offered for sale must be safe, have a decent life expectancy, and exhibit a high quality of construction.

You are not allowed to sell or offer for sale any product that:

• is in violation of any federal, state, or local law, including those related to consumer protection;
• is generally offensive or defamatory;
• contains profanity, nudity, violence, or offensive subject matter;
• involves the use of an illegal or unauthorized copy of another person's copyrighted work;

Moreover, merchandise offered for sale must not be in violation of violation of Amazon Payment’s Acceptable Use Policy.

Some product types are subject to special regulations (examples include food for human consumption, pet food, or products for children). It is your responsibility as a business owner to act responsibly; you must understand and comply with the laws that apply to your business.

Food.  All food offered or sold must be safe and wholesome, and must be produced, stored and shipped using the appropriate sanitary procedures in conformance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Food laws vary from state to state, and food merchants must be able to show all health department certifications and warrant that they are authorized to produce and sell food to the public. All food products must be labeled properly, including name an place of business, a contact phone number, an accurate statement of quantity, and an ingredients list of each ingredient in descending order of predominance. Where appropriate, you should also include allergen information.

Wine and Beer.  The sale of wine and beer are specifically prohibited by of Amazon Payment’s Acceptable Use Policy. However, we are working with Amazon to enable the sale of wine and beer from licensed producers to and from specific states in conformance with applicable laws. If you are a wine or beer producer and would be interested in participating in a pilot program, contact us here.

Products for Children.  Products designated for children (e.g., toys) are often governed by specific consumer product safety laws. If you are selling products for children, you are responsible for complying with any applicable federal, state and local laws.

Pet Food.  Products designated for consumption by animals (e.g., pet treats) are often governed by specific laws related to animal feed. If you are selling food products for animals, you are responsible for complying with any applicable federal, state and local laws.

Soaps & Cosmetics.  Soaps and cosmetics may be governed by consumer safety and federal food and drug guidelines. If you are selling a soap or cosmetic product, you are responsible for complying with any applicable federal, state and local laws.

Written Policies

All merchants must have written refund and exchange polices displayed in their Shop Profile, which can be edited from the My Account page. It is also good practice to include specifics about your customer service and shipping policies in this area, as well. Please be aware, if your refund policy prohibits returns or is unsatisfactory to the buyer, you may still receive a chargeback from the credit card company relating to such sales.

Rules for User Names, Shop Names, and URLs

Your User Name is the unique name that you use to sign in and represent yourself to others on the site. Your Shop Name is the unique name you give to your shop. And your URL is the web address you pick for your shop.

Your User Name, Shop Name, and URL may be your real name, or the real name of your business, or an alias of your choosing.  However, there are certain restrictions on names to which you must adhere. Your User Name, Shop Name or URL must not include or represent:

• any obscene or profane words, or be offensive in any way;
• a trademark you do not own, or to which you do not have a license;

We reserve the right to change your User Name, Shop Name or URL if we determine, in our sole discretion, such change would be in the best interest of the community or 1000 Markets.

Avoid Generic Terms: If you pick a generic term for your user name, shop name or URL (e.g., “jewelry,” or “food”), you may be required to give it up. Generic terms are common words or terms, often found in the dictionary, that identify or describe products and services that are not specific to you. In all cases, we have the right to claim a name as “generic” and revoke your ability to use it with your shop.

Shop Approval

When you first open a shop at 1000 Markets, you are considered a “Provisional” merchant. Your shop will not be visible to the public and you will not be able to sell items until you have been approved as a merchant. While your status is provisional, you can build your shop, add and edit products, and generally prepare to showcase your business online, but only you can see your shop and nobody can purchase any of your products.

In order to be approved, your shop must conform to all of these Merchant Rules and must not violate any provision in our Code of Conduct, Terms of Use or Amazon Payment’s Acceptable Use Policy.

Also, you must have at least the following elements completed in your shop before you can be approved:

• You must have an appropriate portrait and banner
• You must have written return and exchange policies
• You must have at least one product for sale
• You must have a valid payment profile (where you arrange to receive money with Amazon Payments)
• Your products must be described accurately

Additionally, your shop is more likely to be approved quickly if you have the following:

• Six or more products for sale
• A well-written description of you and/or your business in your Shop Profile
• One or more blog posts

When you are ready to have your shop considered for approval, click the Tell us You are Ready link on your My Account page. We will place your Shop in line to be approved. Most approval requests are granted or denied within one business day.

In evaluating a shop for approval, 1000 Markets will consider a number of factors, including the perceived quality of your goods, the professionalism of your shop, and the type of merchandise offered. 1000 Markets reserves the right to approve or disapprove your shop, for any reason, in its sole discretion.

Shop Standards

Your portrait, banner, product photos and descriptions must be clean, accurate, and reflect the high quality standards of 1000 Markets.

Your sales practices, marketing techniques and other actions and behaviors must be conducted in a way that does not interfere with the conduct of business or with other people’s enjoyment of the site. If 1000 Markets determines, in its sole discretion, that any behaviors or displays are interfering with others, then 1000 Markets may require that such behaviors be modified or stopped, either temporarily or permanently. Failure to comply with such a request may result in sanctions as described here: Violations and Sanctions.

You are responsible for customer satisfaction. Any merchant who has an unusually number of dissatisfied customers, or an unusual degree of dissatisfaction, is subject to sanctions, including suspension or closing of their shop.

Advertising or attempting to sell goods in the common areas, such as on forums or on the wall or comment areas of other people’s home page or shops, is considered bad practice and is subject to sanctions. This is not meant, however, from mentioning or talking about your products when it is consistent with the conversation.

Advertising or attempting to sell goods by contacting other users using the 1000 Markets messaging system is not allowed, except when the buyer has contacted you first and has asked for specific information about you or your products.

Rules for Using the 1000 Markets Name or Logo

The 1000 Markets name and logo are trademarks of 1000 Markets, Inc. and may not be used for any purpose except with the prior written approval of 1000 Markets.