Terms of Service
Last updated: 24 April 2025
Summary
Paddock is a marketplace connecting buyers with local food producers and stall holders across Australia. Sellers list their products; buyers pay online or in cash. Paddock charges sellers a 4% commission per sale (capped at $20 per order) on online payments. These terms govern everyone who uses the platform.
1. About Paddock
Paddock ("we", "us", "our") provides an online marketplace where producers, stall holders, and artisan sellers ("Sellers") can list goods for sale and buyers ("Buyers") can discover and purchase them. Paddock is a platform intermediary — we facilitate transactions but are not a party to contracts formed between Buyers and Sellers.
By creating an account or using any part of the Paddock platform you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.
2. Accounts
Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter contracts under Australian law to use Paddock.
Account security: You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential. Notify us immediately at hello@getpaddock.com.au if you suspect unauthorised access.
Accurate information: You agree to provide accurate, current information when creating your account and to keep it up to date.
3. Seller terms
Eligibility: Sellers must be legally authorised to sell the products they list, comply with all applicable Australian food safety, labelling, and local government regulations, and hold any required licences or permits.
Listings: Sellers are responsible for the accuracy of their product descriptions, prices, photos, availability, and allergen information. Paddock reserves the right to remove listings that violate these Terms or applicable law.
Fulfilment: Sellers agree to fulfil orders they accept. If an order cannot be fulfilled, the Seller must notify the Buyer promptly and Paddock will initiate a refund.
Payments — Stripe Connect: Online payments are processed through Stripe Connect (Express). Sellers must complete Stripe's identity verification to receive payouts. Paddle does not store card details. Sellers agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement.
4. Commission and fees
Platform commission (online orders)
Commission is deducted automatically at the time of payment via Stripe's application_fee_amount. The net amount after commission is transferred to the Seller's Stripe account. Paddock reserves the right to adjust commission rates with 30 days' notice to active Sellers.
Subscription tiers (Grow / Harvest) are optional paid plans offering higher product limits, reduced commission, and additional features. Subscriptions are billed monthly via Stripe and can be cancelled at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
5. Buyer terms
Orders: By placing an order you enter into a contract with the Seller, not with Paddock. Paddock facilitates the transaction. Payment is processed at the time of order.
Pickup: Products are collected in person at the stall. You will receive a 6-character reference code to present to the Seller on collection. Paddock does not offer postal or courier delivery.
Refunds: If a Seller cannot fulfil your order, Paddock will process a full refund to your original payment method within 5–10 business days (subject to Stripe's processing times). Change-of-mind refunds are at the Seller's discretion.
Reviews: Reviews must be honest, based on a genuine transaction, and must not contain defamatory, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful content. Paddock may remove reviews that violate these standards.
6. Prohibited conduct
You must not:
- List or purchase illegal goods or substances
- Misrepresent the origin, quality, or nature of products
- Use the platform to harass, threaten, or defraud other users
- Circumvent the platform's payment system to avoid commission
- Create fake accounts, reviews, or listings
- Scrape, copy, or republish platform content without permission
- Attempt to reverse-engineer or disrupt the platform
Violations may result in immediate account suspension and may be referred to relevant authorities.
7. Intellectual property
Paddock grants you a limited, non-exclusive licence to use the platform for its intended purpose. You retain ownership of content you upload (product photos, descriptions, stall info). By uploading content you grant Paddock a royalty-free licence to display it on the platform and in promotional materials related to your stall.
8. Limitation of liability
To the extent permitted by Australian Consumer Law, Paddock is not liable for:
- The quality, safety, or legality of products listed by Sellers
- Loss or damage arising from transactions between Buyers and Sellers
- Indirect, consequential, or incidental losses
- Platform downtime, data loss, or service interruption
Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any guarantee, condition, or warranty implied by the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.
9. Disputes
If a dispute arises between a Buyer and a Seller, the parties should first attempt to resolve it directly. If unresolved, either party may contact Paddock at hello@getpaddock.com.au. Paddock may assist in facilitation but is not obliged to adjudicate disputes.
These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Any legal proceedings must be brought in the courts of New South Wales.
10. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes by email at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the platform after that date constitutes acceptance.
11. Termination
You may close your account at any time by contacting us. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, with or without notice depending on the severity of the breach. Upon termination, your listings will be removed and any pending payouts will be processed subject to Stripe's standard schedule.