Buy and sell locally with Bee-Market – simple, fast, and made for your community.
Buy and sell locally with Bee-Market – simple, fast, and made for your community.
Effective from 1 September 2025
Version: v1.0
All users are solely responsible for ensuring their listings, purchases, and communications comply with local, national, and international laws. Bee Market does not verify legal compliance of listed products, such as ingredient labels, certification, safety markings, or business registrations.
By using the Platform, you agree that:
Bee Market reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to remove or edit any content, suspend or block any account, restrict access, or carry out any administrative action deemed necessary to protect users, enforce these Terms, maintain trust in the Platform, or comply with legal obligations. Such actions may be taken without prior notice or liability.
Users who list items for sale (“Seller”) must comply with the following requirements. By selling on the Platform, you also agree to Bee Market’s Returns & Refunds Policy (UK), which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
Bee Market charges a 7% + 20p selling fee on the total amount paid by the Buyer (including any buyer-paid delivery), with a strict minimum of £0.30. This fee is deducted at sale and is non-refundable. If a refund is issued to the Buyer, Bee Market fees and any used outbound delivery label costs are not reversed to the Seller, except where required by law.
Delivery costs. The postage label is purchased upfront by Bee Market and the postage amount is deducted from the Buyer’s payment at settlement before the Seller’s payout is calculated. Whether a listing shows “Buyer pays delivery” or “Free Delivery”, the label cost comes from the Buyer’s payment first.
Delivery cost handling & examples
The delivery label is purchased upfront by Bee Market. The postage amount is deducted directly from the buyer’s payment at settlement (the same transaction), before the Seller’s payout is calculated. This is not taken from the Seller after payout. Whether the listing shows “Buyer pays delivery” or “Free Delivery”, the label cost is still deducted from the buyer’s payment first.
Buyer Pays Delivery
Example: Item £50 + Delivery £5 → Buyer pays £55 total.
Bee Market fee (7% + 20p) on £55 = £4.05.
Delivery label = £5.
Your earnings = £55 − £4.05 − £5 = £45.95.
Seller Pays Delivery (Free Delivery shown to Buyer)
Example: Item listed at £50 with “Free Delivery” → Buyer pays £50.
Bee Market fee (7% + 20p) on £50 = £3.70.
Delivery label = £5.
Your earnings = £50 − £3.70 − £5 = £41.30.
Return settings. Each listing must use one of the two return options defined in our policy:
• 14-Day Return (default): Buyer may request a return within 14 days of delivery. The Buyer usually pays return postage unless UK law requires the Seller to cover it (e.g., faulty, significantly not as described, substantially damaged on arrival, or not delivered). Refunds include the item price and the standard outbound delivery charge paid (if any).
• No Returns Accepted: Reserved for categories where returns are unsafe or impractical (e.g., live bees, hygiene-sensitive items once seals are broken, worn/used protective clothing, certain custom/personalised items). Statutory rights still apply.
Live bees: For welfare and biosecurity reasons, live bees are never returnable once dispatch has taken place.
Collection orders: If the Buyer chooses in-person collection, the Buyer must inspect the item at pickup. If the Buyer refuses collection because the item is clearly different from the listing, they may request a refund through Bee Market. Once the Buyer collects and accepts the item, the transaction is final — no returns or refunds are available.
Restricted products. Some categories are allowed on Bee Market but must follow extra rules (for example, food products, live bees, used equipment with biosecurity risks). Sellers must review and comply with the requirements in our Restricted Products Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Failure to meet the category-specific rules may result in listing removal or account action.
Prohibited products. Certain items are not allowed on Bee Market under any circumstances (for example, illegal goods, hazardous substances, or items banned by UK law). The full list is set out in our Prohibited Products Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Attempting to list or sell prohibited items may lead to immediate suspension or termination of your account, without notice.
Listings. Every listing on Bee Market must be relevant to beekeeping or bee-related products (for example: live bees, hives, equipment, honey, wax, protective clothing, or related supplies). Listings must be accurate, lawful, and informative, including a clear title, detailed description, fair pricing, and relevant images to help Buyers make informed decisions.
Bee Market does not verify product claims, authenticity, or labelling. Sellers are solely responsible for legal compliance. Any consequences arising from restricted, unsafe, or non-compliant goods are the Seller’s responsibility.
Handmade, homemade, and bee-related items (e.g., honey, wax, soaps, remedies) are permitted but must be described accurately. Bee Market is not liable for allergic reactions, injuries, or health issues caused by such items.
Bee Market may, at its sole discretion, remove listings, restrict selling privileges, or suspend/terminate a Seller account to protect users, enforce these Terms, or comply with law. Actions may be taken with or without notice.
Bee Market is an online marketplace. When you purchase on the Platform, you are buying directly from an independent Seller; Bee Market is not the seller of record. Bee Market acts as the Seller’s limited payment collection agent to accept funds via Stripe and settle the Seller’s payout in accordance with these Terms.
By placing an order, you (the Buyer) agree to: (a) pay the total amount shown at checkout in GBP; (b) provide an accurate delivery address and contact details; (c) comply with any Seller return policy shown on the listing; and (d) communicate honestly and respectfully with Sellers through the Platform.
Pricing and delivery are shown exactly as selected by the Seller. Buyers will see either a fixed delivery charge added to the item price or “Free Delivery” where the seller covers delivery. The delivery cost is included in the total shown at checkout. If a return is accepted, the buyer is refunded the item price only and the standard outbound delivery charge shown at checkout. The buyer is responsible for paying the return postage back to the seller.
Orders, Dispatch & Tracking. Sellers aim to dispatch within the time they state on the listing. Delivery times are estimates and not guaranteed by Bee Market. Once dispatched, tracking (where available) is provided by the Seller or carrier. Ensure your address and access details are correct; missed deliveries or incorrect addresses may cause delays or additional costs.
Refunds, Returns & Disputes. Bee Market provides a limited dispute process for non-receipt only. If an item was never shipped or never arrived, we may investigate and, at our sole discretion, issue a refund to the Buyer. For other issues (condition, suitability, sizing, taste, etc.), Buyers must work directly with the Seller under the Seller’s stated return policy and in accordance with our Returns & Refunds Policy (UK), which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By agreeing to these Terms, you also agree to be bound by that policy.
Returns may be refused for strictly non-returnable categories (e.g., live bees/queens/colonies, opened edible or hygiene-sensitive items, custom-made goods, certain used equipment with biosecurity risk, or digital access goods), unless required by UK law or expressly agreed in writing by the Seller.
Refund amounts. Where a refund is due, the Buyer will receive back the product price together with the standard outbound delivery charge paid at checkout (if any). Premium or expedited delivery services are not normally refunded. Refunds do not cover Buyer-fault or change-of-mind scenarios unless required by UK law or the Seller has agreed otherwise.
Cancellations. Orders may only be cancelled with the Seller’s agreement prior to dispatch. After dispatch, cancellations are no longer possible and the order will be handled under the Seller’s return policy (if applicable).
Prohibited Conduct. Buyers must not engage in abusive behaviour, fraud, payment chargeback abuse, or attempt to complete transactions off-platform after using Bee Market to discover or communicate with Sellers. Bee Market may restrict accounts, reverse platform features, or take other action to protect users and the Platform.
Reviews. Leave honest, fair feedback based on your experience. Reviews must not contain unlawful, defamatory, hateful, or misleading content. We may remove reviews that breach these Terms.
Nothing in this section limits any non-excludable statutory rights under UK law. Where you buy from a Business Seller, they remain responsible for compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements.
If a Buyer and Seller cannot reach an agreement regarding a return or refund, the Buyer may open a formal dispute through Bee Market. We strongly encourage both parties to communicate openly and make every reasonable effort to resolve the matter directly before doing so. Once a dispute is opened, Bee Market will review the case and may issue a determination. Any decision made by Bee Market in this context is final, binding, and not subject to further challenge within the Platform, while your statutory rights under UK law remain unaffected.
When Collection Is Chosen: If a Buyer chooses in-person collection, the Buyer is expected to inspect the item before taking it away. If the Buyer decides not to collect because the item is clearly different from the listing, they may request a refund through Bee Market. However, once the Buyer has collected and accepted the item, the transaction is considered final — no returns or refunds are available. Bee Market does not mediate quality or condition concerns after handover, as these must be addressed at the point of collection.
Summary (platform standard)
• Sellers choose one of two settings per listing: 14-Day Return (default) or No Returns Accepted.
• Under 14-Day Return, the Buyer usually pays return postage unless UK law requires the Seller to cover it (e.g., faulty, significantly not as described, substantially damaged on arrival, or not delivered).
• No Returns Accepted is reserved for categories where returns are unsafe/impractical (e.g., live bees, hygiene-sensitive items once seals are broken, worn/used protective clothing, custom/personalised items). Statutory rights still apply.
• Collection orders are final once handover occurs; Buyers must inspect items at pickup.
• Refunds follow UK law: when required, refunds include the item price and the standard outbound delivery charge shown at checkout.
• Bee Market fees and the cost of the outbound shipping label are not reversed by the Platform to the Seller if a Buyer return occurs (except where required by law). Sellers should price with these costs in mind.
All returns must be requested and agreed through Bee Market messaging before an item is sent back. Items must be returned in the same condition, with only the handling necessary to check nature and quality. Sellers issue refunds after receiving the return or receiving adequate proof of posting, in accordance with the Returns & Refunds Policy.
Bee Market may review disputes (e.g., non-receipt) case-by-case to ensure the listing’s return setting and UK law are applied fairly. Our administrative determinations are final within the Platform and do not affect any statutory rights a Buyer may have against a Seller under UK consumer law.
Chargebacks are handled via Stripe and may result in holds, reversals, or recovery from the Seller’s balance per Section 8. Bee Market may place holds, delay/reverse payouts, restrict features, or suspend accounts to protect users and the Platform.
All payments are collected by Bee Market from the Buyer and, after fees and any applicable holds, the balance is transferred to the Seller. Payments are processed via Stripe. Off-platform payments are strictly prohibited.
The details of our fees, delivery-label handling, reserve periods, payouts, and chargebacks are set out in our Fees and Payments Policy and our rules for returns and refunds are set out in the Returns & Refunds Policy. Both policies are incorporated into these Terms by reference.
We strongly recommend that all Sellers read our Fees and Payments Policy in full. It explains every stage of how fees and payouts work — from the moment a sale is made, through reserves and potential disputes, to the final transfer of funds to your bank account — with clear step-by-step examples.
Users are responsible for reporting income and paying any applicable taxes related to their activity on Bee Market. Bee Market does not provide tax advice and is not responsible for user compliance with HMRC or other tax authorities.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bee Market Ltd, its operators, affiliates, staff, and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or legal expenses arising out of or in connection with:
All users acknowledge that Bee Market is not a party to any contract between Buyers and Sellers. Bee Market’s discretionary decisions are binding within the Platform and do not create liability for Bee Market.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Bee Market and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from or in connection with your use of the Platform, products, or services.
Bee Market’s total liability for any claim shall not exceed the Bee Market service fees earned from the specific transaction giving rise to the claim. Bee Market is not liable for the value of goods, shipping costs, Stripe fees, or other third-party charges.
Any claim must be filed individually within 12 months of the event. Bee Market’s dispute decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
When using the Bee Market Platform, you agree that you will not:
Bee Market may suspend, restrict, or terminate access without prior notice where it believes these Terms have been violated or where necessary to protect the community.
The Bee Market Platform and all materials on it (the “Bee Market IP”) are owned by or licensed to Bee Market Ltd and protected by IP laws.
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform solely for its intended purpose. Except as expressly permitted, you may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, display, perform, scrape, extract, or reverse-engineer any part of the Bee Market IP.
User Content: You retain ownership of your content (e.g., listings, photos, reviews), but grant Bee Market Ltd a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence (with sublicensing rights) to host, reproduce, display, distribute, and use that content to operate and improve the Platform.
Branding: “Bee Market”, our logos, and related brand identifiers are proprietary. Do not use them without prior written permission.
Infringement: Report suspected infringement to support@bee-market.co.uk with sufficient details.
Bee Market may amend or update these Terms at any time. Changes take effect upon posting unless specified otherwise. For material changes, we may notify you via email or platform notification.
Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, stop using Bee Market.
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes.
Any legal claim must be brought individually and within twelve (12) months of the event.
For questions, contact us at: support@bee-market.co.uk
