Hub234 Customer Terms and Conditions

Section A — General Terms (Applies to All Users)

A1. Introduction & Scope
A1.1. Hub234 operates a marketplace connecting customers with independent vendors and provides warehousing, order collation, bulk shipping, and last‑mile delivery tools.
A1.2. Unless explicitly stated on a product page, Hub234 is not the seller of products listed by independent vendors.
A1.3. Fulfilment pathways supported:

UK Fulfilment: Vendors bulk‑ship to Hub234’s UK warehouse and sell from UK‑held stock.
Nigeria Fulfilment / Pre‑Order Model: Vendors list items for pre‑order, collate confirmed orders in Nigeria, bulk‑ship to the UK, then Hub234 performs last‑mile delivery.

A2. Acceptance of Terms & Electronic Consent
A2.1. By creating an account, registering as a vendor, placing an order (including guest checkout), or using the site, you accept these Terms.
A2.2. Acceptance is captured via user actions (e.g., “Register,” “Create Account,” “Place Order,” “Checkout”).
A2.3. If you do not agree, do not use Hub234.

A3. Definitions
A3.1. Customer: Any person placing an order via Hub234 (including guest checkout).
A3.2. Vendor: Any person or entity listing products for sale on Hub234.
A3.3. UK Fulfilment: Storage and dispatch from Hub234’s UK warehouse.
A3.4. Nigeria Fulfilment / Pre‑Order Model: Inventory remains in Nigeria until pre‑orders are collated and bulk‑shipped to Hub234 for onward dispatch.
A3.5. Last‑Mile Delivery: Delivery leg from Hub234’s UK warehouse to the final customer address (UK & Europe).
A3.6. Return Window: The period during which returns may be initiated per the vendor policy or Hub234’s default policy.

A4. Account Registration & Security
A4.1. Customers and vendors must provide accurate, complete information during registration or checkout; vendors must provide valid business, identification, and pay-out details.
A4.2. Users are responsible for safeguarding credentials and all activity under their accounts.
A4.3. Guest checkout: Guest buyers are deemed to accept these Terms upon order placement.
A4.4. Hub234 may suspend or terminate accounts for breach, fraud, or platform risk.

A5. Prohibited Conduct
A5.1. No illegal, harmful, or infringing products/content.
A5.2. No misuse of the site (fraud, spam, scraping, reverse engineering, security circumvention).
A5.3. No manipulation of reviews, ratings, or marketplace features.

A6. Confidentiality
A6.1. Parties shall keep proprietary/sensitive information confidential (pricing, customer data, operational strategies), except as required by law.

A7. Data Protection & Privacy
A7.1. Hub234 and vendors shall comply with applicable data‑protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and UK GDPR where applicable.
A7.2. Hub234 will share only data necessary for fulfilment; vendors must use it solely for fulfilment and apply appropriate technical and organizational measures.
A7.3. In case of a personal‑data breach, the affected party must promptly notify the other and cooperate with investigations/notifications.
A7.4. See Hub234’s Privacy Policy for further details.

A8. Shipping Insurance (General Statement)
A8.1. No automatic insurance for vendor‑arranged shipments from Nigeria to the UK; optional insurance may be purchased at extra cost.
A8.2. Hub234 provides insurance only for last‑mile delivery from its UK warehouse to customers and for products stored and shipped under the UK Fulfilment model, subject to insurer terms.

A9. Limitation of Liability (General)
A9.1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hub234 disclaims liability for vendor errors (incorrect listings, shipping delays, product defects), uninsured shipments (Nigeria to UK without purchased insurance), third‑party delays (customs, carriers), and indirect/consequential damages (lost profits, reputational harm, business interruption).
A9.2. Hub234 is liable only for loss or damage caused by gross negligence or where Hub234 has explicitly assumed responsibility, including last‑mile delivery and UK‑warehouse storage/dispatch (to the scope of available insurance).

A10. Force Majeure
A10.1. Hub234 is not liable for failures or delays due to events beyond reasonable control (natural disasters, pandemics, strikes, government actions, transport/communication disruptions).

A11. Termination & Suspension
A11.1. Hub234 may suspend or terminate accounts for breach, platform risk, or nonpayment of fees.
A11.2. For vendor relationships, either party may terminate with 30 days’ notice; immediate termination is permitted for material breach. Upon termination, vendors must arrange product removal or risk disposal per storage rules.

A12. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
A12.1. These Terms apply to all users (customers—including guests—and vendors).
A12.2. Governing Law: Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A12.3. Exclusive Jurisdiction: Courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A13.4. Users waive objections to jurisdiction or venue in Nigerian courts.

A13. Changes to Terms
A13.1. Hub234 may update these Terms at any time. Continued use constitutes acceptance. Users may be prompted to re‑accept.

A14. Severability & Waiver
A14.1. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder remains in force.
A14.2. No waiver is continuing unless stated in writing; failure to enforce a right is not a waiver.

A15. Entire Agreement
A15.1. These Terms are the entire agreement governing site use and the vendor relationship; they supersede prior drafts. Amendments are effective when posted or explicitly agreed via the platform.

A16. Contact
A16.1. Questions (refunds, returns, vendor support): info@hub234.co.uk.

Section B — For Customers Only (Including Guest Users)

B1. Eligibility & Customer Obligations
B1.1. Provide accurate, complete information at checkout (including guest checkout).
B1.2. Comply with platform rules and prohibited‑conduct clauses (see Section A5).

B2. Order Placement & Acceptance
B2.1. Guest checkout: By placing an order, guest buyers accept these Terms.
B2.2. Orders may be fulfilled via UK Fulfilment (faster delivery, UK‑held stock) or Nigeria Pre‑Order Model (longer timelines tied to scheduled dispatch).
B2.3. Nigeria Pre‑Order Model—Non‑Cancellable: Orders placed under Nigeria Fulfilment are non‑cancellable once placed.

B3. Delivery & Fulfilment
B3.1. Last‑mile delivery: Hub234 dispatches from its UK warehouse to customer addresses in the UK & Europe.
B3.2. Timelines: UK Fulfilment generally offers shorter delivery timelines; Nigeria Pre‑Order timelines are tied to bulk‑shipping schedules and may be longer.
B3.3. Tracking and notifications will be provided for last mile dellivery; delays may occur due to customs or third‑party logistics during Nigeria‑based fulfilment.

B4. Pricing, Shipping Fees & Taxes
B4.1. Prices are typically displayed in GBP, unless otherwise indicated.
B4.2. Shipping fees vary by destination and fulfilment model; Hub234 may adjust fees at its discretion, with changes reflected at checkout.
B4.3. Taxes and duties may apply and will be shown or communicated during checkout where applicable.

B5. Returns & Refunds

B5.1. Vendor-Specific Policies: If a vendor sets a return policy, that policy governs the product and will be displayed on the product page. Hub234 will follow the vendor’s stated policy for returns and refunds.

B5.2. Hub234 General Policy (Default): Where no vendor-specific policy is provided, Hub234’s general return policy applies:
Customers may return items within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused, undamaged, and in its original packaging.

B5.3. Cost Allocation Under Hub234’s General Policy
When Hub234’s default policy applies, return costs are allocated as follows:

Customer pays return postage where the correct item was sent and is undamaged.
Vendor pays where the wrong or damaged item was sent by the vendor (and the issue is not due to Hub234’s negligence).
Hub234 pays where Hub234 dispatched the wrong item due to Hub234’s own negligence.

B5.4. Resolution Process: Customers should first contact the vendor to resolve return issues. If no resolution is reached, Hub234 may assist as a mediator but does not guarantee enforcement of vendor-specific policies.

B5.5. Refund Processing: Refunds will be processed according to the applicable policy (vendor-specific or Hub234’s default) once returned items are received and validated.

B6. Customer Communication
B6.1. Hub234 provides order updates and delivery notifications.
B6.2. Vendors are responsible for product quality, description accuracy, and timely replies to customer queries routed to them.

B7. Limitation of Liability (Customer Perspective)
B7.1. Hub234 is not liable for vendor mislistings, product defects, uninsured bulk‑shipping losses (Nigeria to UK), third‑party delays, or indirect/consequential damages.
B7.2. Hub234 accepts liability only for loss/damage caused by Hub234’s gross negligence or explicit responsibility (last‑mile delivery; UK‑warehouse stock), subject to insurance terms.

Section C — For Vendors Only

C1. Vendor Obligations
C1.1. Accurate Listings: Titles, descriptions, images, specifications, pricing, sizing, variants, and shipping classes (UK vs Nigeria) must be accurate.
C1.2. Fulfilment Model Declaration: Vendors must set the correct Shipping Class (UK Fulfilment vs Nigeria Pre‑Order) per product; if in doubt, contact Hub234.
C1.3. Packaging Compliance: Follow Hub234 packaging instructions to ensure safe transit and storage.
C1.4. Legal Compliance: Comply with consumer, customs, export, labeling, and safety laws applicable to the product and destination markets.
C1.5. Insurance: Carry insurance for stored goods if required and consider optional insurance for Nigeria to UK transit legs.
C1.6. Branding: Include “Powered by Hub234” where Hub234’s platform or logistics are featured; do not use Hub234 trademarks in a misleading or unauthorized manner.
C1.7. Return Policy: Set and honour a clear return policy; by default, Nigeria Pre‑Order orders are non‑cancellable once placed.
C1.8. Account Maintenance: Keep contact and pay-out details up to date; respond promptly to Hub234 notifications.

C2. Fulfilment Options
C2.1. UK Fulfilment (Bulk Shipping & Storage):

Bulk‑ship to Hub234’s UK warehouse; sell from UK‑held stock for cheaper shipping and faster delivery.
Comply with UK storage rules, labeling, packaging, and applicable UK regulations.
Monitor inventory and replenish to maintain availability.

C2.2. Nigeria Fulfilment / Pre‑Order Model:

Keep inventory in Nigeria; list products as pre‑order.
After the pre‑order period, collate confirmed orders and bulk‑ship to Hub234 for onward dispatch.
Delivery timelines are tied to scheduled dispatch dates; longer than UK Fulfilment.

C3. Order Processing, Notifications & Collation
C3.1. Vendors will receive email notifications for every order; vendors must monitor inboxes and dashboards.
C3.2. Vendors must collate all confirmed orders for bulk shipment by the advertised date;
C3.3. Delays in collation/shipping may cause missed dispatch schedules, longer customer delivery timelines, and potential penalties or storage fees.
C3.4. Hub234 will provide guidance on packaging standards and courier recommendations.

C4. Bulk Shipping to Hub234 & Last‑Mile Delivery
C4.1. Vendors bulk‑ship confirmed pre‑orders (Nigeria to UK) or ship directly to the UK warehouse (for UK Fulfilment).
C4.2. Upon arrival in the UK, Hub234 performs last‑mile delivery across the UK & Europe.
C4.3. Shipping Insurance:

No automatic insurance for Nigeria to UK transit; optional insurance available at extra cost.
Hub234‑provided insurance applies only to last‑mile and to UK‑warehouse shipments under UK Fulfilment, subject to courier terms.
C4.4. Vendors are responsible for uninsured transit losses.

C5. Storage & Abandonment

C5.1. Storage Period & Fees: Hub234 provides 30 days of free storage for vendor products. After this period, storage fees apply as outlined in Hub234’s Charges & Fees.

C5.2. Fee Deduction from Sales: Storage fees will be automatically deducted from the vendor’s sales income before pay-out.

C5.3. No Sales for 3 Months:

If a vendor does not make any sale within three consecutive months, Hub234 will issue an invoice for the accumulated storage fees for that period.
Vendors must make a direct credit payment within 14 days of the invoice date.
Failure to pay will place the vendor account in overdue status, which may lead to account suspension and disposal procedures.

C5.4. Overdue Notices & Payment Terms: Hub234 will issue two (2) overdue notices at its discretion after the free storage period ends and fees remain unpaid. Vendors will be given a reasonable grace period to settle outstanding fees or arrange return shipment.

C5.5. Lien & Right to Hold Goods: Hub234 retains a lien on stored goods for all outstanding fees, in compliance with warehouse lien principles.

C5.6. Abandonment Declaration: If vendors fail to respond or pay after notice, goods are deemed abandoned. Hub234 will send a final notice before disposal or sale.

C5.7. Disposal, Sale, or Recycle Procedure: Upon abandonment, Hub234 may:

Sell goods at public auction, applying proceeds to unpaid fees; any surplus will be returned to the vendor within 30 days.
Donate or recycle items of low value per environmental best practices.
Dispose of hazardous or unsellable goods following health and environmental regulations.

C5.8. Vendor Notices & Record-Keeping: Hub234 will provide at least 14 days’ notice before sale or disposal, using the vendor’s last known contact details. Records of notices, sale, and disposal will be retained for 1 year.

C5.9. Legal Compliance: All actions comply with applicable warehouse and abandoned goods laws, including lien and disposal regulations. For cross-border shipments, Hub234 will address customs and jurisdiction requirements as necessary.

C6. Returns, Refunds & Impact on Payouts
C6.1. Vendors must honor their stated return policies or default to Hub234’s 7‑day return policy where none is set.
C6.2. Return cost allocation follows Section B5.3.
C6.3. Payouts mature only after the applicable Return Window closes for the relevant campaign/listing.
C6.4. Vendors can track matured funds on their dashboard and must click “Withdraw” to initiate payout.

C7. Payments, Payouts & Withdrawals
C7.1. Sales proceeds are credited to the vendor account net of applicable fulfilment and processing fees which can be found here.
C7.2. Payout maturity occurs after the Return Window closes.
C7.3. Payout options:

NGN accounts: Free transfers at prevailing exchange rate on the day of sending.
UK GBP accounts: Free transfers in GBP.
Nigerian domiciliary accounts: Transfers subject to vendor bank’s third‑party fees.
C7.4. Processing times: Standard payment‑processor timelines apply; optional early‑payout services (if offered) may attract additional delays or fees.

C8. Intellectual Property & Marketing License
C8.1. Hub234 platform content (text, graphics, logos, software) is protected by applicable IP laws; no reproduction or derivative use without written consent.
C8.2. Vendor branding obligations: Where Hub234’s platform or logistics are featured, vendors must include “Powered by Hub234” and must not use Hub234’s trademarks in a misleading or unauthorized manner.
C8.3. License to Hub234: Vendors grant Hub234 a royalty‑free, worldwide, non‑exclusive license to use vendor brand names, product images, descriptions, and related content for marketing/promotion.
C8.4. Revocation / Removal: Vendors may request removal of specific marketing assets with reasonable notice; Hub234 will comply within a reasonable timeframe (typically within 14 business days), subject to active campaign constraints. Requests: info@hub234.co.uk.

C9. Indemnity
C9.1. Vendor indemnity: Vendors shall indemnify and hold Hub234 harmless from claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Vendor‑side errors (incorrect listings, product defects, misrepresentation).
Non‑compliance with laws, customs, or safety standards.
Fulfilment failures (delays, non‑delivery by vendor or selected logistics providers).
Loss/damage during uninsured Nigeria to UK shipment legs.
Breach of confidentiality or data‑protection obligations by the vendor.
C9.2. Customer claims: Vendors are responsible for resolving disputes regarding product quality, returns, or refunds per their policy or Hub234’s default policy.
C9.3. Hub234 indemnity: Hub234 will indemnify vendors only for losses caused by Hub234’s gross negligence or operational errors, such as wrong item dispatched during last‑mile delivery or damage to products stored under UK Fulfilment.

C10. Termination & Suspension
C10.1. Hub234 may suspend or terminate vendor accounts for breach, platform risk, or non-payment of fees.
C10.2. Either party may terminate the vendor relationship with 30 days’ notice; immediate termination for material breach.
C10.3. Upon termination, vendors must promptly remove products or arrange return/shipment; non‑removed goods may be disposed of per storage rules.

C11. Limitation of Liability (Vendor Perspective)
C11.1. Hub234 disclaims liability for vendor errors, uninsured shipments, third‑party delays, and indirect/consequential damages.
C11.2. Hub234’s liability is limited to losses caused by Hub234’s gross negligence or explicit responsibilities (last‑mile delivery; UK‑warehouse storage/dispatch), subject to available insurance.