Online store standard terms and conditions

[peterrepair]

Hi!

I decided to start a small online store to sell a tool that I developed. I will be selling worldwide. I'll be using a well known platform.

The blocker I am facing is that I cannot figure out where and how to get proper terms and conditions.

I used a couple of services and bought their terms and conditions templates, but I have a feeling they are not up to date with the laws or have other issues (for instance focused on UK customers only, glossing over international sales, inconsistencies, possible loopholes, even spelling errors).

I have a faint memory that Trading Standards used to supply these to small business or am I wrong?

Where else I could find reliable T&Cs and possibly not too expensive?

Thank you
peterrepair

 

[fisicx]

If you are selling worldwide it may be worth paying for the proper legal advice. Google provides a whole load of solicitors who can provide this service.

 

[DontAsk]

Steal them from a similar business, or pay your solicitor.

 

[DontAsk]

Insurance can be very expensive for worldwide sales, esp., to the USA.

 

[peterrepair]

Insurance can be very expensive for worldwide sales, esp., to the USA.

If you even get to that stage where you get the quote. Tried two insurers. One refused, another simply ghosted after saying they will be okay to proceed

 

[peterrepair]

Steal them from a similar business, or pay your solicitor.

My understanding is that T&C can't be copyrighted, but taking something like that is not my style.
Looks like I'll look around for a solicitor or try to DIY something from what I have.

 

[fisicx]

Looks like I'll look around for a solicitor or try to DIY something from what I have.

And if you get it wrong and someone sues for millions (because that's what they do)? If you don't have watertight terms and good insurance it might be time to stop and take stock.

Pay for the proper legal advice. It's well worth the investment.

And speak to @Frank the Insurance guy he may be able to help find you cover.

What sort of tool is it?

 

[peterrepair]

What sort of tool is it?

It is a physical product that helps with repairs.

It's quite a niche stuff. That said I did some research and potential competition either doesn't have T&C on their websites or have slightly modified template that I bought and they've been up for years.

To be fair I doubt anyone will bother to sue poor chap like me. I am more worried that someone will take my design, change it slightly and sell as their own and cheaper.

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

Hi @peterrepair

For specialist advice on contract drafting - I recommend https://www.devant.co.uk/ . They have helped a number of our client's with contracts, including for use overseas!......

For Insurance - availability and cost will very much depend on your product and business activities. Sorry to see you have been ghosted - usually means it is either too complex for the person you spoke to or is not worth their while to quote (either premium too low for them, or more likely premium is too high to make it viable for you!).

A decent broker will at least be open with you as to any difficulties in getting a quote!

I will be happy to have a call and provide my thoughts - contact details below.

 

[antropy]

The blocker I am facing is that I cannot figure out where and how to get proper terms and conditions.

Hardly a blocker, look at some from similar businesses and adjust, get it live and then come back to this later once you've actually got a business.

If you spend too much time faffing around with that sort of thing you might not get started and it might turn out there's not even a market for what you sell anyway.

It's unlikely someone's going to take you to court immediately (what even for?) and it's all going to hinge on your terms and conditions.

Paul.

 

[Nick@Daydot]

It also sounds like you might want to talk to a patent lawyer if you think you have something unique but worried about copying.
Also consider launching in the UK first and build from there rather than deal with international complexities from day one. Iron out the wrinkles first (it's not a better iron is it?).

 

[AmazonGeek]

Are you a member of the FSB? It doesn't cost a fortune and they supply all that kind of stuff as part of the membership. Probably cheaper than using a solicitor

 

[peterrepair]

I got the T&C ironed out with a solicitor so it's fine now I hope.

I am not a believer of patents. I think they hinder growth. It also costs money, time, resources to apply for one, and I probably won't have funds to defend it anyway.
If it gets copied, I hope I'll win customers with better quality and so on.

 

[AmazonGeek]

I am not a believer of patents

It depends...

I remember meeting the owner of Brompton Cycles a few years ago and this came up. He didn't believe in them either, the reason being you have to publish your designs, which makes it easier to copy and then you have to go through the courts.

However, on Amazon patents are very powerful. If someone tries to copy your product/design and the patent is strong enough you can get them kicked off and closed down. Of course, they may go away and make a few changes but if you sell on Amazon I wouldn't dismiss them as quickly as if you were selling elsewhere.