Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Thrifting TV live auction platform, including the website at thrifting.co.uk, the bidding console, the Thrifting TV apps on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, and all associated services (collectively, the "Platform").

The Platform is operated by Thrifting LTD, a company registered in England & Wales (Company No. 16367770), with its registered address at 12 King Edward Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RZ.

By using the Platform, registering to bid, or placing a bid, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

2. How these Terms apply

Not every section below works the same way for every sale. Please read this summary first.

• Platform use (always): When you use the bidding console, register, place bids, use live chat, enter giveaways, or use related features, you agree to these Terms with Thrifting LTD as the operator of that technology — including acceptable use, how timing and bid records work, and our Privacy Policy.
• Purchases from an independent seller (most live sales): The person or business running the live sale is usually your seller for the goods. They (or their payment provider) take payment, set postage where applicable, and handle returns in line with consumer law and what they tell you on stream or at checkout. Thrifting LTD is not the seller unless we clearly say so for that item or your invoice or pay page names Thrifting LTD as the trader. For those purchases, contact the seller first (or use the links on your order or payment email).
• Purchases where Thrifting LTD is the retailer: Where we identify ourselves as the seller or your order confirmation or invoice shows Thrifting LTD as the trader, the subsections below marked Thrifting LTD retail describe payment, delivery, descriptions, and returns with us.
• Running your own auctions (software licence): If you subscribe or sign up to use seller tools (e.g. Mission Control) to host your own sales on the network, additional commercial / licence terms apply to that relationship (provided at signup or on request). Those terms are between you and the licensor. They do not change the fact that your buyers normally contract with you for their items unless you agree otherwise.

You do not need to know our internal group structure to use the Platform; the company responsible for operating this consumer-facing site and software is Thrifting LTD as stated in section 1.

3. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age to register, bid, or purchase items through the Platform.
• By registering, you confirm that you are 18 or over and are legally capable of entering into a binding contract.
• We reserve the right to request proof of age and to refuse service to anyone who cannot verify their eligibility.

4. Registration

• To participate in live auctions, chat, giveaways, or purchases through the bidding console, you must register with your screen name, a valid email address, and a full delivery address (including first and last name). You must tick the box to confirm you accept these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
• You are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide is accurate and up to date.
• Each person may only register one account. Duplicate or fraudulent registrations may result in suspension or a permanent ban.
• We reserve the right to refuse or revoke registration at our sole discretion.

5. Bidding

• All auctions begin at the starting price set by the presenter (typically £1).
• Bids are placed in real-time via the bidding console. Each bid must exceed the current highest bid by the minimum increment displayed.
• Once a bid is placed, it cannot be retracted.
• Server time is final. The time at which a bid is received by our servers (and the time at which the auction closes) is determined solely by our platform. Your device clock or what you see on screen does not override this. The auction ends when the server countdown reaches zero (subject to any extension below). The highest bidder at that moment, as recorded by our system, wins the item.
• Anti-snipe extension. If a bid is accepted in the final seconds of an auction, the countdown may be extended (e.g. by 10 seconds) so other bidders can respond. This is applied automatically by our server. The auction does not close until the server timer reaches zero after any such extensions.
• We keep a timestamped record (bid log) of all bids for each auction. In the event of a dispute (e.g. about whether a bid was in time or who won), we will rely on this log and our server records. We reserve the right to review these records and make a final and binding determination at our sole discretion.
• We reserve the right to cancel, void, or re-run any auction at any time if we believe there has been an error, technical issue, or suspicious activity.

6. Payment

Independent seller sales

• Payment terms (amount, deadline, methods) are those shown at checkout, in the seller’s communications, or on the payment link you receive.
• Payment is typically processed by the seller’s chosen provider (e.g. Stripe) or their checkout. Card data is handled by that provider. Thrifting LTD does not receive your full card details for those sales unless we are clearly named as the payee.
• If you do not pay the seller as required, they may cancel the order; we or they may also restrict your ability to bid on that seller’s channel or the Platform, in line with these Terms and any notice you receive.

Thrifting LTD retail

• Where Thrifting LTD is the retailer, winning bidders will receive an invoice or payment link as we describe in the sale.
• Payment must be completed within 48 hours of receiving the invoice unless we state otherwise.
• Payment is processed securely via Stripe. We accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• We do not store your full payment card details — payment data is handled by Stripe in accordance with PCI DSS standards.
• If payment is not received within the specified timeframe, we may cancel the order, relist the item, and restrict your account.

Non-payment (Platform-wide)

Persistent failure to pay for won items (whether the seller is independent or Thrifting LTD) may result in a formal warning, temporary suspension from bidding, or a permanent ban from the Platform, at our discretion where we operate the account system.

7. Pricing & Fees

• All prices are displayed in British Pounds (GBP) and include VAT where applicable.
• The winning bid price is the total price for the item. There are no buyer's premiums or additional auction fees.
• Postage costs are charged separately where applicable and shown at checkout. Shipping rates may vary depending on item size and weight.
• For independent seller sales, postage and collection follow the seller’s checkout and stream. For Thrifting LTD retail, delivery is normally by post to the address you provide at registration unless we state otherwise.

8. Delivery

Independent seller sales

• Dispatch times, carriers, and delivery areas follow what the seller states on stream, at checkout, or in their order communications.
• Collection or other arrangements are between you and the seller if they offer them.
• Questions about delays, lost parcels, or tracking should go to the seller in the first instance.

Thrifting LTD retail

• Items are dispatched within 3 working days of payment being received, unless otherwise stated.
• We use Royal Mail and other UK courier services for delivery.
• Delivery is to the UK mainland only unless otherwise specified.
• We are not responsible for delays caused by the postal service, courier, or events outside our control.
• If an item is lost in transit, please contact us within 14 days of the expected delivery date and we will investigate with the courier.

9. Item Descriptions & Condition

• Items sold through the Platform are typically preloved, secondhand, or vintage unless explicitly stated otherwise.
• Independent seller sales: Descriptions and condition are those given by the seller during the stream and at checkout. Ask questions in that seller’s live chat before you bid or buy.
• Thrifting LTD retail: We aim to describe and display each item accurately during the live stream, including notable flaws or defects.
• Minor signs of wear consistent with preloved items (e.g. light bobbling, gentle creasing) are often normal and may not constitute a fault — use the stream and seller information to judge.

10. Returns & Refunds

Independent seller sales

• Follow the seller’s return instructions and any policy shown at checkout or in their emails.
• If you cannot resolve an issue with the seller, you may still have statutory rights against them; you can also contact [email protected] for good-faith help with Platform-related problems (we are not obliged to refund another trader’s sale).

Thrifting LTD retail

Where Thrifting LTD is the retailer, you have the right to return an item within 30 days of receipt for a full refund in many circumstances, subject to the conditions below.

• Items must be returned in the same condition they were received — unworn, unwashed, and with any tags still attached.
• The buyer is responsible for the cost of return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We recommend a tracked service; we are not responsible for items lost in return transit.
• To initiate a return, email [email protected] with your order number within 30 days of receiving the item.
• Refunds will be processed to your original payment method within 14 days of us receiving the returned item.
• Items returned in a different condition to how they were sent (e.g. worn, washed, damaged, missing tags) may not be eligible for a refund and may be returned to you at your cost.

Faulty or significantly not as described (Thrifting LTD retail)

If an item arrives damaged in transit or is significantly not as described on our stream, contact us within 48 hours of receipt with photographs. Where we agree, we will cover reasonable return postage and issue a full refund or other remedy as required by law.

11. Buy It Now (BIN) Items

• Some items may be offered as "Buy It Now" (BIN) at a fixed price during the live stream.
• BIN purchases are subject to the same structure as auction wins: payment, delivery, and returns depend on whether the seller is an independent trader or Thrifting LTD, as described in sections 2, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
• BIN items are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

12. Live Stream Content & Chat

• Platform branding and software: The bidding console, apps, and Thrifting TV / network branding we provide are protected by intellectual property rights. You may not copy or misuse our software or trade marks except as allowed by law or with our permission.
• Seller streams: Video, audio, product shots, and branding shown during a seller’s own broadcast usually belong to that seller (or their licensors). You may not record, redistribute, or commercially use their stream without their permission (and any ours that may apply).
• Thrifting LTD–hosted streams: Where we host promotional or retail content, our usual IP and publicity rights apply unless we say otherwise.
• We may use anonymised or representative screenshots or clips for promotional purposes where permitted by law and our agreements with sellers.
• By participating in live chat, you agree your messages may be visible to other viewers and on the broadcast. You grant us and the relevant seller a licence to display and reproduce those messages only as needed to operate the stream and Platform.

13. User Conduct

When using the Platform, you agree not to:

• Place bids you do not intend to honour
• Use abusive, threatening, or discriminatory language in the live chat
• Attempt to manipulate auctions (e.g. shill bidding, collusion)
• Register multiple accounts to circumvent a ban or restriction
• Interfere with the technical operation of the Platform
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the Platform

Sellers hosting a channel may also apply their own chat or participation rules consistent with these Terms. Violation of these rules may result in suspension or a ban from the Platform and/or that seller’s channel, at our discretion and/or the seller’s reasonable policy where we support it technically.

14. Account Suspension & Bans

• We may suspend or permanently ban any user who violates these Terms, engages in fraudulent activity, or repeatedly fails to pay for won items (including where the payee was an independent seller).
• Restrictions may apply to your use of the whole Platform or only specific sellers’ channels, depending on how we implement enforcement.
• If your account is banned, any outstanding orders must still be paid for.
• Serious or repeated breaches may be enforced at Platform level; other decisions may be guided by seller reports where appropriate.

15. Limitation of Liability

• The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available". We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.
• We are not liable for losses arising from technical issues, service interruptions, or connectivity problems during a live auction, including missed bids or disconnections, except where the law does not allow that exclusion.
• For claims about goods bought from an independent seller, your remedies are primarily against that seller. Our role is the operation of the Platform unless we were the retailer.
• Where Thrifting LTD is not the seller, any liability we have for losses connected only with the Platform (for example software availability or bid timing), excluding liability that cannot be limited by law, is limited to the maximum extent permitted by applicable UK law for a consumer using the service. This does not remove or reduce your statutory rights against the party who sold you the goods.
• Where Thrifting LTD is the retailer for the item, our liability for that sale follows consumer law and the limits in sections 6, 8, and 10 above, and is not restricted beyond what the law allows.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

16. Privacy

Your personal data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By using the Platform, you consent to such processing.

17. Third-Party Services

The Platform integrates with third-party services including Stripe (payments), Roku (TV app), Amazon (Fire TV app), and Cloudflare (security). Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms and conditions. We are not responsible for the availability or performance of third-party services.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

For material changes that significantly affect your rights, we will endeavour to provide notice via email or on-screen announcement during a live broadcast.

19. Governing Law & Disputes

• These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England & Wales.
• Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England & Wales.
• We encourage you to contact us first at [email protected] to resolve any issues informally before pursuing legal action.

20. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

21. General

• If any part of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
• You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our consent; we may assign ours where we reorganise the business or use group service companies, provided your consumer rights are not reduced.
• These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any extra terms shown at checkout for a specific sale, are the agreement between you and Thrifting LTD regarding use of the Platform. They do not create rights for third parties except where the law says otherwise.