Terms of Service

Last updated: May 3, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Flow Auctions. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Flow Auctions platform, including our auction house management system, marketplace website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Platform"). By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Platform.

Flow Auctions provides a comprehensive platform that enables auction houses to manage their operations and connect with buyers through our marketplace. We facilitate the auction process but are not a party to transactions between auction houses and buyers.

2. Eligibility

To use our Platform, you must be at least 18 years old and capable of forming a binding contract. If you are accessing or using our Platform on behalf of an auction house or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

Some features of our Platform may be subject to additional eligibility requirements, such as verification of identity, business credentials, or auction house qualifications. We reserve the right to refuse access to our Platform to anyone at any time for any reason.

3. Accounts

To access certain features of our Platform, you must create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if any information provided during the registration process or thereafter proves to be inaccurate, not current, or incomplete.

For auction house accounts, you must maintain accurate business information, settings, and configurations. This includes but is not limited to bid increments, buyer's premiums, payment terms, and shipping policies.

4. Platform Services

Our Platform provides the following key services:

For Auction Houses

  • Auction management dashboard
  • Lot creation and management
  • Bidder registration and verification
  • Real-time auction monitoring
  • Payment processing and invoicing
  • Image optimization and management
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Marketing tools and integrations

For Buyers

  • Browse and search auctions
  • Place bids and track items
  • Receive notifications
  • View purchase history
  • Manage payment methods
  • Access auction results

5. Auctions and Bidding

Our Platform enables auction houses to list items for auction and allows buyers to place bids. By placing a bid, you are making a binding offer to purchase the item at the bid price. If you are the winning bidder, you are obligated to complete the purchase according to the auction house's terms.

Auction houses are responsible for:

  • Providing accurate item descriptions and conditions
  • Setting appropriate reserves and starting bids
  • Configuring bid increments and buyer's premiums
  • Managing shipping and handling
  • Processing payments and fulfilling orders
  • Handling customer service inquiries

We do not guarantee the authenticity, condition, or availability of any item listed on our Platform. Buyers should review all information provided by the auction house before placing a bid. We are not responsible for any discrepancies between the item description and the actual item.

6. Fees and Payments

We charge fees for various services on our Platform. All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise specified. Fee structures may vary based on subscription level and services used. We reserve the right to change our fees at any time with notice to users.

For auction houses, fees may include:

  • Platform subscription fees
  • Transaction processing fees
  • Premium feature fees
  • Marketing service fees
  • Image optimization fees

For buyers, auction houses may charge:

  • Buyer's premium (typically 15-25% of hammer price)
  • Sales tax where applicable
  • Shipping and handling fees
  • Payment processing fees

Payments are processed by third-party payment processors. By using our Platform, you agree to comply with the terms and conditions of these payment processors.

7. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

  • Violating any applicable laws or regulations
  • Infringing on the intellectual property rights of others
  • Interfering with the operation of our Platform
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to our Platform or other users' accounts
  • Using our Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
  • Engaging in any activity that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair our Platform
  • Collecting or harvesting any information from our Platform without our permission
  • Creating multiple accounts to manipulate auctions or evade restrictions
  • Listing or selling counterfeit or stolen items
  • Engaging in shill bidding or other forms of auction manipulation
  • Misrepresenting your identity or authority
  • Circumventing our security measures
  • Abusing our support services

8. Intellectual Property

Our Platform and its contents, features, and functionality are owned by Flow Auctions and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store, or transmit any of the material on our Platform without our permission.

Auction houses retain ownership of their content, including images and descriptions. By uploading content to our Platform, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute that content in connection with our services.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

OUR PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND TITLE.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT OUR PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. WE DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON OUR PLATFORM.

10. Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL FLOW AUCTIONS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR PLATFORM.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR OUR PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF $100 OR THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO US IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Flow Auctions and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to your violation of these Terms or your use of our Platform.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or our Platform shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Delaware.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes to these Terms, we will provide notice through our Platform or by other means. Your continued use of our Platform after the effective date of the revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at legal@flowauctions.com.