Sealabid

Terms & Conditions

Please read these terms carefully before using Sealabid. By creating an account, listing an item, placing a sealed bid, or applying for a Premium Storefront, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. For plain-English answers, read our FAQ.

Last updated: 7 January 2026

Sealabid is currently in early launch. These terms are written in plain English to make them easier to understand, but they do not replace independent legal advice.

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will update the date above and, where the changes are material, we will notify registered users by email or in your dashboard. If you continue to use Sealabid after changes take effect, you will be treated as having accepted the updated Terms.

Quick reality check

We provide the platform — we are not the seller or the buyer.
Item condition/quality/authenticity and delivery are between buyer and seller (subject to law).
Listings require admin approval before they become public.
Premium Storefronts are invitation-only and subject to approval. We can decline or remove a storefront to protect platform integrity.
Payments are processed by third-party payment providers (currently Stripe). We don’t store full card details.
Stripe security helps protect payment data — it does not guarantee item quality, authenticity, or delivery.

Definitions

Listing: an item posted for sale on Sealabid.
Draft: a listing only visible to the seller, not live to buyers.
Pending approval: a listing submitted by the seller but not public/visible to buyers until an admin approves it.
Rejected: a listing that an admin has declined to approve. It may include a reason and can usually be edited and resubmitted.
Live listing: an approved listing that is active/visible to buyers (not a draft or pending). We may define, count or classify “live” differently for platform integrity.
Envelope / sealed bid: a buyer’s single sealed offer submitted before the deadline.
Deadline: the time shown on the listing when the sealed-bid window ends.
Decision window: a limited period after the deadline where the seller can choose a buyer (or mark no sale).
Deal / deal in progress: the stage after the seller chooses a winner, where payment and handover steps happen (and time limits may apply).
Sale completes: a deal that reaches completion in the platform flow (for example: payment confirmed and the handover is confirmed/closed in the platform).
Enhanced verification: additional checks and/or requirements we may apply (e.g. phone/address verification, payment method on file, identity checks) to reduce fraud, prevent spam, comply with law, or unlock additional platform capabilities.
Trader: a seller acting in the course of business (even part-time).
Consumer: generally, an individual buying mainly outside their trade/business/profession.
Shop / Storefront: a dedicated page (for example /shops/…) showcasing a brand/retailer, with listings associated to that shop.
Premium Storefront: a shop/storefront offered as part of our invitation-only partner programme for premium suppliers and goods.
Partner: a seller approved to operate a Premium Storefront.
Partner tier: the category we assign to a partner (for example: standard, partner, enterprise), which may affect workflow, fees and approval requirements.
Partner Portal: tools/pages provided to partners to manage branding, content and storefront settings.
Invite / claim link: a one-time link/token used to connect an approved application to an account and enable partner access.

1. Who we are and what we provide

Sealabid (referred to as "Sealabid", "we" or "us") is an online platform that allows users to:

list items they wish to sell; and
invite and receive sealed bids from potential buyers.

We provide the technology and tools for buyers and sellers to find each other. We do not buy or sell items ourselves and we are not a traditional auction house.

The contract for any sale is between the buyer and the seller, not with Sealabid. We are not a party to that contract.

Not escrow / not a guarantee

Sealabid is not an escrow service and does not offer a “buyer protection guarantee”. We use secure payment providers to process payments, but we do not inspect items, verify authenticity, or guarantee delivery/collection.

2. Eligibility and your account

You must be at least 18 years old to use Sealabid.
You must provide true, accurate and up-to-date information when creating your account, placing envelopes, listing items, and (if applicable) applying for a Premium Storefront.
You are responsible for keeping your login details safe and for all activity carried out through your account.
We may require email verification and may require Enhanced verification to reduce fraud, comply with legal obligations, or protect users and the platform.
You must not let others use your account and you must not create multiple accounts to mislead other users, evade restrictions, or manipulate outcomes.
If you believe your account has been compromised, you should change your password immediately and contact us.
We may suspend or close accounts where we reasonably believe there is fraud, abuse, non-payment, repeated breaches of these Terms, or other misuse of the platform.

Your responsibility for actions

You are responsible for your actions on the platform (listings, envelopes, messages, delivery/collection arrangements and payment commitments), including actions taken through your account by someone you allowed access to.

3. Sellers, listings and your obligations

If you create a listing on Sealabid, you confirm that:

you have the legal right to sell the item and to complete the sale if you accept an offer;
your listing (including title, description, photos, category, condition and any other information) is honest, accurate and not misleading;
you will clearly disclose any known faults, damage, missing parts or material issues a reasonable buyer would want to know;
the item is not illegal, stolen, counterfeit, dangerously unsafe, or otherwise prohibited under these Terms or applicable law;
you own, or have the right to use, any images and content you upload, and you grant Sealabid a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display, distribute, translate, format, and use that content in connection with operating and promoting the platform;
you will respond within a reasonable time once you have accepted a buyer so that the transaction can progress without unnecessary delay.

Admin approval (visibility)

When you submit a listing, it enters pending approval and is not public until an admin approves it. Approval helps reduce scams, prohibited items and spam.

If approved, the listing becomes live and a deadline is set.
If rejected, we may provide a reason. You can usually edit and resubmit.
We can approve, reject, pause, or remove listings where necessary for safety, legal compliance, or platform integrity.

Business sellers (“traders”) and consumer rights

If you sell items in the course of a business (even part-time), you may be treated as a trader and the buyer may be a consumer. In that case, you must comply with applicable consumer protection law. Certain consumer rights cannot be excluded, limited or avoided by wording such as “sold as seen”.

If you are a private seller, different rules may apply — but you are still responsible for not misrepresenting items and for complying with the law.

You are responsible for setting out delivery/collection options clearly. Do not publish a full home address publicly on a listing. Share collection details privately only after a buyer is accepted. Where shown publicly, collection location may be limited (for example, outward postcode only).

We reserve the right to edit, hide or remove listings that we consider misleading, inappropriate or in breach of these Terms, or where we are required to do so by law or by a regulator.

No relist cap, but no feed-gaming either

We do not currently cap how many times you can re-submit or re-publish the same item. However, repeatedly doing it purely to manipulate visibility (for example, “bumping” the same listing over and over) may be treated as spam/abuse.

We may apply fairness measures such as ranking adjustments, reduced visibility, removing listings that breach our rules, or requiring Enhanced verification where we reasonably suspect abuse. Serious or repeated misuse may lead to account suspension/closure.

3A. Premium Storefronts and Shops (partner programme)

Sealabid offers an invitation-only Premium Storefront programme for premium suppliers and goods. This is not an automatic right. We can approve, decline, suspend or remove storefront access to protect users, brand integrity, legal compliance and platform quality.

Application + verification

Applying does not guarantee acceptance. We may decline without giving detailed reasons.
We may verify business identity (for example: company registration, website, contact details, trading history, category fit, and risk signals).
We may request additional information or Enhanced verification before approving.
We may keep a record of applications and decisions for platform integrity, abuse prevention, and compliance.

Partner tiers + commercial terms

Approved partners may be assigned a tier (for example: standard, partner, enterprise).
Partner terms (such as commission rate, listing fees, and workflow rules) may differ from standard users, may be negotiated, and may be changed with reasonable notice (except where immediate change is required for safety, fraud prevention, or legal reasons).
Some tiers (for example enterprise) may be allowed to publish listings without admin approval. This is a privilege, not a right, and can be revoked.

Storefront content + branding

Partners are responsible for storefront content, logos, brand assets, and any claims made on their storefront or listings.
You must not use branding/content that infringes third-party rights or misleads users (for example: implying endorsement, using copyrighted materials without permission, or making false authenticity/condition claims).
We may remove or require changes to storefront content that breaches these Terms or creates safety/legal risk.

We can unpublish a storefront

We can suspend, unpublish or remove a storefront (temporarily or permanently) if we reasonably believe there is fraud, repeated rule breaches, prohibited goods, harassment, non-payment, commission avoidance, brand impersonation, or other misuse.

Storefront access is usually enabled by an invite/claim link. You are responsible for keeping any invite token secure and for restricting access to authorised staff only.

4. Item condition, authenticity and “sold as seen” (private sales)

Unless a seller is a trader and consumer law requires otherwise, items sold through Sealabid are typically sold on a “sold as seen / as described” basis.

Buyers are responsible for checking the listing, asking questions, requesting more photos, and doing any checks that matter to them before submitting an envelope.
Sellers are responsible for accurate descriptions and disclosures. If a listing is materially misleading, the buyer may have legal remedies against the seller.
Sealabid does not verify authenticity, provenance, working condition, safety, legality, or fitness for purpose.

No automatic returns policy

Sealabid does not provide an automatic returns policy. Any returns, refunds, exchanges, cancellations, or goodwill gestures are between buyer and seller, subject to the seller’s legal obligations (especially if the seller is a trader).

5. Buyers, sealed bids and "buying is subjective"

Sealabid operates on a sealed-bid model. In summary:

Buyers submit a single sealed offer (an "envelope") on a listing before the deadline shown.
Buyers cannot see other buyers' envelopes. Until the deadline, sellers typically only see the envelope count, not the amounts.
Buyers may update their envelope before the deadline but may not place multiple separate envelopes on the same listing.
Buyers may withdraw their envelope before the deadline. Repeated abuse of withdrawals/manipulation may result in restrictions.
When the sealed-bid window ends, the seller can review all envelopes and choose a buyer based on price and any other factors that matter to them (for example, timing, buyer profile or message).
The highest offer does not automatically win. Buying is subjective, and the seller is free to choose any envelope or decide there is no sale.
If a listing ends with no envelopes, it is treated as no sale.

Decision window

After the deadline, the seller may have a limited period to choose a buyer (the “decision window”). This is typically 2 hours unless we show a different window in the flow.

If the seller does not choose a buyer within that period, the listing may be treated as no sale and may expire.

We may enforce timing rules (including expiring/closing a listing and notifying users) to keep the platform fair and usable.

Submitting an envelope is a serious expression of intent to buy, but it does not by itself create a binding contract. A binding agreement arises only once a seller accepts an offer and both parties proceed under agreed terms (which may include successful payment).

No manipulation

You must not attempt to manipulate outcomes (for example: fake accounts to place/withdraw envelopes, harassment to deter other buyers, or coordinated activity to distort demand or pricing). We may remove content, suspend accounts, restrict features, and/or report conduct where appropriate.

6. Fees, commission and listing safeguards

Our current fees and commission approach and examples are set out on our Fees page. The key points are below.

Submitting is currently free (approval required)

Submitting a listing is currently free. Listings become public only after admin approval.

We may introduce or change fees in future (for example, a listing fee deposit to reduce spam). If we do, we will show it clearly in the submit/publish flow and update these Terms and/or the Fees page.

Commission (only when a sale completes)

We may charge seller commission only when a sale completes through Sealabid (as described in these Terms and the platform flow). Commission is based on the final accepted sale price. Current commission bands are shown on the Fees page.

If a listing ends with zero envelopes, envelopes are rejected, the seller chooses “no sale”, or a deal does not complete, then no commission is due (because no completed sale occurs).
No fixed listing cap: we do not currently enforce a fixed “2 live listings” maximum. However, we still protect the platform from spam and manipulation. We may throttle approvals, reduce visibility, or restrict accounts where activity appears abusive or high-risk.
Enhanced verification: we may require Enhanced verification for higher-volume activity, risk signals, fraud prevention, or legal compliance.
If you fail verification requirements or trigger platform safeguards, we may pause submissions, hide listings, or restrict features until resolved.
We may change fees, commission bands and platform safeguards in future. Changes usually apply to new listings created after the change takes effect (unless we are legally required to apply changes differently).
Where applicable, taxes (such as VAT) and any rounding or calculation method will be shown in the flow or dashboard.

Quick summary:

Free to submit (approval required). No fixed “2 listings” cap. We still apply anti-spam safeguards. Commission only when a sale completes.

7. Payments, Stripe security, authorisations, disputes and “payment protection”

Payments on Sealabid may be handled by third-party payment providers (currently Stripe). By using Sealabid, you may also be agreeing to those providers’ terms, policies and verification requirements.

What Stripe “payment protection” means here

Stripe helps protect payment data and process card payments securely.
Sealabid does not store full card numbers or CVCs.
It does not guarantee that an item is genuine, safe, or as described, and it does not guarantee delivery/collection.
Card/bank dispute rules may apply. Outcomes are decided by payment providers and card networks based on their rules and evidence.

Depending on the payment method, proceeding with a deal may create a temporary authorisation (a pending hold). Your bank controls how long it takes to appear/disappear.
We aim to capture payment when a seller chooses a winner and the buyer proceeds through the checkout flow (unless we clearly state otherwise in the flow).
Payments may require additional verification or authentication (for example, 3D Secure) depending on risk and bank requirements.
If a payment fails, is reversed, or is disputed (including chargebacks), we may pause, reverse, or unwind related transaction states while it is investigated.
You agree not to misuse disputes/chargebacks as a way to avoid paying for legitimate transactions or commission.

Chargebacks and evidence sharing

If a dispute/chargeback occurs, payment providers and card networks may require evidence. You agree that we may retain and share relevant records (for example: listing details, messages, timestamps, delivery/collection confirmations, and transaction logs) with payment providers and, where appropriate, with the parties involved, to manage disputes, prevent fraud, and comply with legal obligations.

We may request additional information from you (e.g. proof of dispatch, proof of collection, photos, or identity verification). Failure to cooperate may affect dispute outcomes and may lead to account restrictions.

8. Deal flow, when a deal becomes binding, and what happens if someone doesn’t follow through

Because Sealabid is a marketplace, the exact legal position can vary depending on whether the seller is a trader, what was agreed, and how payment/delivery is handled. The practical platform flow is:

Envelope submitted: your offer/intent — not a binding sale and it does not guarantee you win.
Seller chooses a buyer: seller may pick any envelope (or choose no sale). This starts the deal in progress stage.
Buyer payment: the buyer is prompted to pay the accepted price through the platform.
Seller dispatch / handover: the seller confirms dispatch (or collection arrangement) and may provide method/tracking where relevant.
Buyer received confirmation: the buyer confirms received (where supported). This helps complete the sale and supports dispute handling.
Sale completes: the sale is treated as completed in the platform flow and commission applies (if any).

When is it “binding”?

In plain English: an envelope on its own is not a binding sale. A deal generally becomes binding when the seller accepts a buyer and both parties proceed under the agreed terms (which may include successful payment). If consumer law applies (e.g. trader-to-consumer), additional statutory rights and rules may apply.

This section is a platform description — it does not remove any legal rights that cannot be excluded.

If no envelopes are received: the listing ends as no sale. The seller may submit/publish again.
If a buyer doesn’t pay or disappears: the seller may mark the deal as failed and may be able to choose another envelope (where available) or relist. We may apply restrictions to buyers who repeatedly fail to complete after being chosen.
If a seller chooses a buyer then refuses to proceed without good reason: we may apply restrictions and treat repeated behaviour as misuse.
No guarantees: Sealabid does not guarantee that any chosen buyer will pay or that any seller will complete. We can restrict accounts, help with reporting, and maintain records — but we can’t force performance.
Notifications: we may send emails and dashboard notifications at key state transitions (for example: listing ended, winner chosen, payment requested, payment confirmed, dispatched, received, completed, failed).

9. Safety and scams (read this — it saves pain)

Marketplaces attract scammers. You are responsible for protecting yourself. We build safety controls, but no system is perfect.

Golden rules

Never move payment off-platform to “save money” or because someone pressures you.
Never share one-time codes, bank login details, card PINs, or remote-access tools. Sealabid will never ask for those.
Keep communications on Sealabid where possible. If you go off-platform, you increase risk and reduce evidence.
Don’t click “payment” links sent in messages. Use your dashboard and official checkout flow.

Collection safety: meet in a well-lit public place where possible, bring someone, and don’t share your home address publicly.
Delivery safety: use tracked services for valuable items and keep proof of posting and tracking.
Suspicious behaviour: pressure to act fast, strange payment requests, refusal to use platform tools, or inconsistent stories are red flags.
We may act fast: we may limit messaging, hide listings, suspend accounts, or block transactions where we suspect fraud or safety risk.

10. Off-platform deals and commission avoidance

You must not use Sealabid to find a buyer or seller and then deliberately complete the transaction away from the platform to avoid commission or to bypass platform rules.

We may monitor for and investigate commission avoidance (including patterns of messaging or repeated “accepted then cancelled” activity).
Where we reasonably suspect commission avoidance, we may restrict features, suspend or close accounts, and/or take other appropriate action.
You must not request or send payment details in order to complete a deal off-platform. If you do, that is at your own risk and may breach these Terms.

Straight talk

If you dodge commission, you’re pushing risk onto both parties and breaking the rules. We will treat repeated commission avoidance as abuse.

11. Delivery, collection and handover

Delivery, collection and handover arrangements are agreed between the buyer and the seller.
Sellers may offer delivery and set delivery charges. Delivery charges are the seller’s responsibility to calculate and communicate clearly.
Collection details should be shared privately after a buyer is accepted (not posted publicly). Public location may be limited (for example, outward postcode only).
Where the platform supports it, sellers should confirm dispatch and provide method/tracking (if applicable).
Where the platform supports it, buyers should confirm received. This helps complete the sale and supports dispute evidence.
Sealabid is not responsible for items lost, delayed or damaged in transit, or for disputes about delivery/collection.
Buyers and sellers should keep records: messages, postage receipts, tracking, and (for collection) confirmation of handover.

12. Behaviour, messages and content rules

We want Sealabid to be safe, respectful and fair. You must not use the platform to:

send abusive, threatening, harassing, hateful or otherwise inappropriate content;
attempt to defraud other users or Sealabid;
upload content that is illegal, misleading, or infringes someone else’s rights;
harvest data, spam users, or interfere with the proper operation of the platform;
circumvent safety features, verification requirements, or restrictions we apply.

We may remove content, limit features, restrict messaging, suspend or terminate accounts, and cooperate with law enforcement where appropriate.

Abuse reporting

If you report abuse, you agree that we may review and retain the relevant messages and share necessary information with payment providers, regulators, or law enforcement where required or appropriate.

13. Prohibited items and restricted categories

You must not list items that are illegal, stolen, counterfeit, dangerous, or restricted by law or courier/postal rules.

Examples (not exhaustive)

weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks;
controlled drugs, drug paraphernalia marketed for illegal use;
stolen goods, counterfeit items, items infringing IP rights;
unsafe goods (including recalled items) where sale would be unlawful or dangerous;
items that require licences/permits you do not have the right to sell.

We may remove prohibited items immediately, cancel related transactions, and restrict accounts.

14. Intellectual property and your content

The Sealabid platform (including branding, design, code, and content we create) belongs to us or our licensors.
You keep ownership of the content you upload, but you grant us a licence to host, store, reproduce, display, distribute and use it in connection with operating, improving and promoting the platform.
You must not upload content you do not have permission to use.

If you believe content infringes your rights, contact us and include enough detail for us to investigate.

15. Platform availability and changes

We aim to keep Sealabid available and running smoothly, but we do not guarantee availability at all times.
We may suspend or limit access for maintenance, security reasons, legal compliance, or to make improvements.
We may change, add or remove features from time to time, including fees/commission models, safeguards, verification requirements, and eligibility rules.
We may correct errors (including pricing/fees, listing data, or status transitions) and may reverse actions where reasonably necessary.

16. Our responsibility and limits on liability

Sealabid provides a platform for buyers and sellers to find each other and agree deals. We do not control, verify or guarantee:

the existence, quality, condition, safety, legality, or authenticity of items listed;
the truth or accuracy of listings, profiles, or messages;
that a buyer or seller will complete a transaction;
delivery outcomes, courier performance, or collection/handover behaviour.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, loss of profits, loss of opportunity or loss of data.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of Sealabid will be limited to the higher of (a) the total fees you have paid to Sealabid in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim; or (b) £100.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law (including for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or fraud), and nothing in these Terms affects statutory rights you may have that cannot be waived.

Force majeure

We are not responsible for failures or delays caused by events outside our reasonable control (for example: outages, cyber attacks, payment provider failures, industrial action, or severe weather).

17. Your responsibility to us

If you misuse Sealabid, breach these Terms, break the law, or violate the rights of another person while using the platform and that causes us loss, you agree to reimburse us for reasonable costs, losses, damages and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from that breach, but only to the extent permitted by law.

18. Privacy and cookies

We explain what personal data we collect, how we use it and the choices you have in our Privacy Policy. Our use of cookies and similar technologies is explained in our Cookies Policy.

19. Changes, suspension and termination

We may update these Terms from time to time and will update the “Last updated” date above.
We may suspend or restrict access where necessary for maintenance, security, legal compliance, or to investigate suspected misuse.
We may close your account where you seriously or repeatedly breach these Terms, misuse the platform, or where we are required to do so by law.
If we close your account, you remain responsible for any outstanding commission, chargebacks, disputes, and obligations connected with your activity.

20. General

Severability: if any part of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
No waiver: if we do not enforce a right immediately, we can still enforce it later.
Assignment: we may transfer our rights/obligations under these Terms as part of a reorganisation, sale, or other change to the business. You may not transfer your rights without our consent.
Third-party rights: these Terms are between you and Sealabid. Except where required, no third party can enforce them.
Entire agreement: these Terms (and referenced policies) form the entire agreement about your use of Sealabid.

21. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales will have non-exclusive jurisdiction.

22. Contacting us

If you have questions about these Terms or using Sealabid, contact us by email at info@sealabid.com.

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