Seller Policy

Ethical Ocean Seller Policy

Ethical Ocean has defined policies, rules and procedures to ensure high customer satisfaction for both Sellers and Buyers. Being familiar with our policies will assist you in making your experience as an Ethical Ocean Seller a successful one.

Ethical Ocean may, in its discretion, change, supplement, or amend this policy from time to time, for any reason, and without any prior notice or liability to you or any other person, by posting the modified Seller Policy on the Ethical Ocean website. You may not change, supplement, or amend this policy in any manner. Each time you use the website, you acknowledge and signify that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by this policy as it reads at that time.

1. Items Available for Sale

When a seller lists an item on Ethical Ocean and a Buyer buys it, the Seller and Buyer enter into a contract that both members are expected to honor. Sellers must honor the transaction contract. Sellers cannot fail to deliver an item for which payment was accepted, significantly misrepresent an item by not meeting the terms and item description outlined in the listing, or refuse to accept payment for an item at the end of a successful sale.

a. Managing Your Inventory

Regular inventory maintenance on Ethical Ocean contributes to a successful selling experience. Inventory updates should be made frequently to avoid any of these problems.

b. Backup of Data

Sellers are responsible for maintaining a current backup copy of their inventory. Ethical Ocean is not responsible for lost or inaccurate information. Sellers should not rely on the ability to retrieve their inventory from the Ethical Ocean website as a method for recovering a backup copy of their data. Sellers should maintain back-up copies of photos that they upload to the Ethical Ocean website.

c. Unacceptable Listings

Ethical Ocean reserves the right to remove any listing at Ethical Ocean’s discretion, including any listings that in contradiction with the Seller Code of Conduct. All Sellers must have the legal right and the ability to sell the items they list on the Ethical Ocean websites. We consider any work produced in a tangible form of expression and associated with an original authorship to be covered by copyright laws and to be bound by the terms set out by the original owner or publisher. The original author, holder of copyright or the publisher determines the copyright. Ethical Ocean will review all complaints received about unacceptable listings. Sellers found to be listing items deemed unacceptable will be subject to the following actions: i) Ethical Ocean will request the item be removed. ii) Failure to do so may result in Ethical Ocean removing the listing. iii) Continued violations of listing unacceptable items may result in suspension or cancellation of the Seller account.

2. Pricing

a. Minimum Price

Ethical Ocean requires a minimum price of USD$2.00 for any item listed on our website.

b. Pricing Errors

All items listed will be available at the price listed on the Ethical Ocean website. If a Buyer purchases an item with a pricing error, we recommend that the order be accepted and processed at the price listed to ensure Buyer satisfaction. If the Seller chooses to reject the order, the Seller should contact the Buyer directly. The Sellers should not contact the Buyer to offer the item at a new price.

c. Taxes

Sellers can chose for Ethical Ocean to collect certain taxes on their behalf. When any sales tax is collected, Ethical Ocean transfers the tax payments to the Seller. It is the Seller's responsibility to remit these taxes. Due to the complexity of international and e-commerce tax laws, Ethical Ocean does not claim to collect all applicable taxes or duties on behalf of our Sellers. Sellers are responsible for being aware of their tax requirements, and for the collection and payment of taxes for items sold through our website not facilitated by Ethical Ocean.

3. Processing Your Orders

The timely processing of orders will ensure customer satisfaction by avoiding cancelled or returned orders.

a. Order Notification and Fulfillment Process

You will be notified by email when an order has been placed for one of your products. That email will contain a link to the Order page for that specific order where it can be fulfilled.

b. All Orders Require Processing

Ethical Ocean accepts instant payments using credit carts and PayPal. All orders require processing via the Ethical Ocean website. We require that Sellers process and ship all orders within one business day of receipt.

On the Order page, Sellers must mark all orders as "shipped" once they have shipped all products in the order. Since tracking numbers are required, Sellers will be prompted to enter a tracking number to mark orders as Shipped.

c. Reporting Suspected Fraudulent Orders

All incidents of suspected fraud should be reported immediately to Ethical Ocean. We will investigate and record all cases of suspected fraud. When Ethical Ocean accepts payment by PayPal, Ethical Ocean does not assume the risk of any fraudulent charges.

4. Shipping Orders

Successful and timely delivery of orders ensures repeat Buyers. We require that Sellers process and ship all orders within 1 business days of receipt.

a. Choosing the Appropriate Shipping Method

Sellers are required to ship products using a method that will deliver the product within a maximum of 7 days of being shipped.

b. Tracking numbers

We required the use of a traceable method of shipping. Tracking numbers must be entered into the Ethical Ocean system when the order is marked as shipped. The tracking number will be shared automatically with the Buyer via email.

c. Ensuring Safe Delivery of Orders

We recommend that Sellers package orders securely to avoid damage. The Seller is responsible for the condition of the product when it is delivered to the Buyer. Insuring orders protects the Seller should an order fail to arrive or is damaged in transit.

5. Returns

a. Return Basics

Sellers are required to accept returns for all reason except when the Buyer changes his/her mind. Note that laws in certain European jurisdictions may require some European Sellers to accept returns regardless of the reason for the return. Most Sellers do accept and process returns for “Buyer changed mind” in the interest of good customer service.

b. Time Limits for Returns

Items can be returned for damage or if incorrect item delivered for up to 30 days after the maximum estimated delivery date. If a shipped item did not arrive, the option will not be available to Buyers to initiate a return until 7 days after the maximum estimated delivery date. Please note that delays associated with international orders may occur due to customs. This may result in late requests from Buyers to return items.

c. Proof of Delivery

Sellers are responsible for items until the received by the Buyer. Sellers are required to purchase delivery tracking.

e. Dispute Resolution

All disputes regarding returns are to be handled between the Seller and Buyer. Ethical Ocean does not participate in dispute negotiations. Ethical Ocean has established a Buyer and Seller Code of Conduct.

f. Credit Card Charge-backs

Any charge-backs received by Ethical Ocean where Ethical Ocean has accepted the Buyer’s payment may be debited against a Seller’s account. We always contact a Seller prior to applying a chargeback to their account. In many cases, this investigation provides us with the details required (such as shipping information) to refute the chargeback with the credit card company and avoid having to pass this chargeback on to the Seller. However, when the chargeback is the fault of the Seller (such as ones due to non-response or non-shipment), we will apply the cost against their account.

6. Fees, Charges, Payments

a. Commission and Payment

Ethical Ocean collects commission on successful sales. All sales completed through the Ethical Ocean shopping basket are subject to a 18% commission on list price of the item.

For example, if a Seller receives an order for one item listed at USD $10.00:

1. There is an 18% commission fee calculated on the total listed price of the product, CAD $10.00 ($1.80). This encompasses the operation fee for Ethical Ocean as well as the Paypal fee for the transaction from the buyer to Ethical Ocean and the taxes on the commission paid to the government.
2. Ethical Ocean would complete the transaction by sending a payment for $8.20 to the Seller (the sum of the purchase price, shipping price and their applicable taxes, net the commission and its applicable fees and taxes). Depending on the type of payment system used by the seller, the transaction company may charge a separate fee from the seller for this transaction (Paypal charges 2.9% plus $0.30 for basic users).
3. Ethical Ocean will make payments within 2 business days of a completed purchase.

b. Reduced Commission

All Sellers have an opportunity to pay a reduced commission of 9% for any of their sales that result from visitors from their own internet, email, or social media marketing efforts. The origin of such sales will be tracked through special URLs provided to sellers by Ethical Ocean and recorded in our database.

It is the Seller's responsibility to use the personalized tracking links to take advantage of reduced commission. Links can be found under "Lead Generation" on their Seller Page.

c. Earning Affiliate Fees

Further to reduced commission, Sellers have an opportunity to earn an affiliate fee on sales on other Seller's products. Through the same tracking code, Ethical Ocean will track the origins of sales.

It is the Seller's responsibility to use the personalized tracking links to take advantage of earning affiliate fees. Links can be found under "Lead Generation" on their Seller Page.

c. Refund of Commission

Commission fees will be refunded for any order that does not result in a sale, except on out-of-stock returns. In order for the fees to be refunded, Sellers are required to initiate a refund using the Ethical Ocean contact form.

For out-of-stock returns, which are orders that must be returned because the Seller has not kept their stock up-to-date, the Seller will be refunded the purchase price (including commission) minus a $5 penalty fee to cover transaction fees.

e. Shipping Fees

All Sellers are required to offer free shipping on all orders.

Customers will receive free shipping on all orders greater than $75. For orders less than $75, they will be charged a flat fee of $15 per order.

At the end of each month, the $15 flat fees from that month is divided by the total number of orders received over that same period and transferred to Sellers accordingly. If a particular Seller accounted for 1% of all orders in a given month, they can expect to receive 1% of the total collected in $15 fees. However, less than 20% of orders are typically less than $75.

7. Your Account

Sellers are required to keep their account information up to date at all times. Ethical Ocean reserves the right to withhold payment to accounts with incomplete or inaccurate account information.

a. Account Closure

Sellers may close their accounts at any time. Your account will not be deleted from the Ethical Ocean system, but will be unpublished and invisible to Buyers.

Ethical Ocean also reserves the right to shut down a Seller account at any time without notice.

If the case of an account closure, all unfulfilled orders must be fulfilled by the Seller. Also, we require any unresolved returns to be finalized and refunded.

A Seller with a closed account who wishes to return as an Ethical Ocean Seller must contact Ethical Ocean and apply to have their account re-opened unless there is a valid and verifiable reason to open a new account instead.

b. Valid Contact Information

Ethical Ocean relies on e-mail to communicate information to Sellers. It is vital that Sellers keep their e-mail functioning at all times and check it on a regular basis.

Sellers must keep their account information current. This includes the mailing address, valid and personal contact name, phone number, and payment details. Valid contact information is necessary so both Buyers and Ethical Ocean can contact our Sellers.

c. Responding to E-mail

Sellers are required to respond to all queries, including those from potential Buyers and Ethical Ocean staff, within three business days.

d. Payment to Sellers

As an Internet-based company, Ethical Ocean seeks to conduct business in a cost-effective manner by using electronic means wherever possible. As such, Ethical Ocean only makes payments to Sellers who have PayPal accounts.

Ethical Ocean will pay Sellers with 2 business days after receiving payment from a Buyer. The payment schedule is a guideline only. Payment days are subject to change. Sellers will be notified when a payment is deposited into their account.

The Seller's bank’s own schedule will determine the date the funds appear in the Seller’s account. Payments will be offset by any applicable commissions.

8. Performance Standards and Code of Conduct

Ethical Ocean monitors Seller performance in order to ensure customer satisfaction. The Ethical Ocean uses a Code of Conduct to outline the expected standards of Seller participation with Ethical Ocean.

a. Performance Standards

Ethical Ocean will perform weekly sales audits. Ethical Ocean expects Sellers to maintain a high fulfillment rate, processing and shipping orders with 1 business days of receipt of payment. Sellers who consistently maintain a low fulfillment rate may have their Ethical Ocean account suspended or closed at our discretion.

b. Code of Conduct Process

Sellers found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct as well as the policies included in this document will be contacted and given the opportunity to respond and resolve the issue. Sellers are required to respond to both pre-purchase and post-purchase Buyer inquiries within 2 business days. They are also required to respond to e-mails from Ethical Ocean staff members within 2 business days. Non-response to Ethical Ocean may result in an automatic refund being issued, account suspension or account closure depending on the severity of the violation. Ethical Ocean reserves the right to withhold payment if an account is under investigation for a Code of Conduct violation.

c. Code of Conduct

The following actions will be considered a breach of the Ethical Ocean Code of Conduct:

• Listing inaccurate or incorrect product information or descriptions resulting in the misrepresentation of inventory.
• Non-shipment of orders within five business days of processing.
• Non-response to Ethical Ocean Customer Service staff inquiries.
• Listing products at higher prices than the suggested retail price.
• Charging a restocking fee.
• Selling promotional items free of charge for the purpose of advertising an event or good.
• Instructions for Buyers to contact Seller for pricing details or to negotiate a price.
• Redirection of orders in any manner.
• Overcharging Buyers without their written permission.
• Not offering a refund for incorrectly described items.
• Not processing a refund for returned items.
• Listing items in inappropriate categories.
• Threatening or abusive language or attempts to intimidate Ethical Ocean staff, fellow Sellers, or Buyers.
• Derogatory language.
• Racial slurs/remarks.
• Inclusion of personal or political commentary that may be considered defamatory.
• Running contests, lotteries, or other prize offerings.
• Providing user comments on your own Seller account.
• Spamming buyers or sending emails to sellers after they have received their ordered product and provided feedback on the sale.
• Misrepresenting the item location from which the item will be shipped.

9. Privacy

a. Seller Information

Ethical Ocean respects our Sellers’ privacy. The Ethical Ocean website site is secured with a Starfield Technologies Web Server Certificate. Seller information will not be used or disclosed in any way without consent.

b. Signing On and Off

Sellers are responsible for risks associated with not signing off of their Ethical Ocean account after each use. Ethical Ocean recommends Sellers sign off of their account after use, particularly when accessed from a shared or public computer.

10. Contacting Ethical Ocean

To contact the Ethical Ocean team, use the online contact form found at http://www.ethicalocean.com/contact