Terms of Service

Effective Date: August 20, 2026
Operator: Thrift-em (a California registered sole proprietorship)
Official Virtual Address: 8840 San Ysidro Ave #1010, Gilroy, CA 95020
Municipal Compliance: City of Gilroy Business License & Home Occupation Permit (HdL Portal)
Website: www.thrift-em.com
Contact Email: contact@thrift-em.com

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using Thrift-em (www.thrift-em.com), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the platform.

2. MARKETPLACE ROLE & INTERMEDIARY DISCLAIMER

Thrift-em provides a peer-to-peer online marketplace platform enabling private buyers and sellers to list, discover, negotiate, and transact physical consumer goods across the United States.

  • No Title or Possession: Thrift-em is not an auctioneer, seller, owner, or retailer of listed items. We do not hold physical possession, inspect, store, or take legal title to any items posted by users.
  • Direct User Contracts: Any contract or arrangement for sale (whether negotiated via protected platform checkout or arranged via direct off-platform communication) is strictly between the buyer and the seller.

3. USER ACCOUNTS & ELIGIBILITY

  • You must be at least 18 years old and capable of forming legally binding contracts to create an account or post listings.
  • You agree to provide accurate account information and remain responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

4. LISTING, CONTENT & PROHIBITED ITEMS RULES

Sellers represent and warrant that they have full legal right and title to sell listed items, and that descriptions, photos, and condition details are truthful and accurate.

To ensure Thrift-em remains a safe, trusted, and respectful marketplace, all listings are subject to review prior to appearing publicly on the platform. Thrift-em enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding unsafe, illegal, or harmful content.

Users are strictly prohibited from listing, selling, trading, or advertising any of the following items on Thrift-em:

  • Weapons & Explosives: Firearms, ammunition, tactical knives, explosives, martial arts weapons, or any item designed to inflict bodily harm.
  • Adult & Explicit Content: Pornography, explicit media, sexual services, adult novelty items, or sexually suggestive imagery.
  • Illegal & Regulated Substances: Prescription medications, illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, or controlled substances.
  • Stolen or Counterfeit Goods: Replicas, knock-offs, bootleg media, stolen property, or items infringing on intellectual property rights.
  • Hazardous Materials: Flammable liquids, dangerous chemicals, recalled consumer goods, or hazardous waste.
  • Exploitative or Harmful Content: Any item, imagery, or language that promotes violence, hate speech, harassment, discrimination, or child exploitation.

5. MODERATION & SOLE DISCRETIONARY TERMINATION

Thrift-em maintains absolute authority over platform content, listings, user messages, and accounts. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion and without prior notice, liability, or refund, to:

  • Review, delay, reject, edit, flag, or permanently delete any listing that violates these terms or degrades community trust.
  • Immediately suspend, block, or permanently terminate the account of any user who posts prohibited items, engages in harassment, or attempts fraud.
  • Cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities in the event of illegal activity.

6. TRANSACTIONS, PAYMENT PROCESSING & FULFILLMENT

Thrift-em offers sellers two distinct fulfillment and payment methods at listing creation:

  • Online Purchase & Offers (Subsidized Shipping):

    • Payment Processing: Transactions are securely processed through Stripe Connect. By submitting a price offer or selecting "Buy Now," buyers authorize Stripe to collect payment. Accepted binding counter-offers result in an immediate transaction charge.
    • Seller Commission: Sellers retain 100% of their agreed listing or offer price, less standard credit card payment processing fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per successful order via Stripe Connect). Thrift-em charges 0% platform commission on seller earnings.
    • 50/50 Subsidized Shipping Program: Thrift-em operates an equal-contribution shipping subsidy model for qualified commercial shipments up to 10 lbs in weight and maximum outer dimensions of 18" x 18" x 18". At checkout, standard commercial shipping costs are split 50/50 between the buyer contribution and a platform subsidy.
    • Purchase Protection: Transactions completed through online checkout include platform purchase protection against non-delivery or significant misrepresentation when the optional ~$1.00 Buyer Protection coverage is selected at checkout.

  • Local Pickup & Meetup (Off-Platform Payment):

    • Direct Communication & Negotiation: Sellers selecting this option allow buyers to initiate direct off-platform messaging to negotiate pricing, direct local meetups, or direct peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers (e.g., cash, Venmo, Zelle).
    • Complete Liability Disclaimer: Local Pickup & Meetup transactions are conducted strictly at the sole risk and discretion of the participating users. Thrift-em holds no funds, provides $0 shipping subsidy, assesses no platform fees, and offers NO purchase protection, dispute mediation, or reimbursement for off-platform arrangements or local meetups. Users assume all risk regarding item condition, physical safety, and payment fulfillment.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Thrift-em, its officers, partners, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of item transactions, inaccurate listings, meetup disputes, shipping delays, account terminations, or platform outages.

8. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Any legal proceedings shall be conducted in Santa Clara County, California.

9. CONTACT INFORMATION & LEGAL NOTICE

For legal inquiries or questions regarding these Terms, contact us at:

Thrift-em
8840 San Ysidro Ave #1010, Gilroy, CA 95020
Email: contact@thrift-em.com
Phone: (408) 430-3980

Legal Notice: Thrift-em is a registered fictitious business name of Christopher Doidge (Santa Clara County FBN File #688461).