Terms of Service
1. Scope and platform operator
ValueMatch is an online marketplace under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act, "DSA") for second-hand goods, collectibles and original artworks. These Terms govern the relationship between ValueMatch and anyone using the platform as a buyer or seller. The operator is the person named in the Impressum (sole trader, not a registered company).
By using the app or website you accept these Terms and our Privacy Policy. We may change these Terms with reasonable notice (at least 15 days in-app); if you object you may close your account.
2. Identity and verification
Buyers may use the platform pseudonymously — your identity stays a cryptographic key until shipping addresses are exchanged after a successful purchase. Sellers fall into two classes:
- Private: occasional sellers below the DAC7 threshold (30 sales or €2 000 / calendar year). Pseudonymous OK.
- Business: traders in the sense of § 14 BGB. Before the first listing they must complete Stripe Connect verification (name, address, tax ID, trade-register entry where applicable, bank account) — DSA Art. 30 trader traceability.
If a private seller crosses the DAC7 threshold, Stripe verification becomes mandatory. We reserve the right to request further information under the German Anti-Money-Laundering Act when irregularities or statutory thresholds are reached.
3. Price discovery and auction mechanics
A listing opens at a seller-chosen price. While no one bids the price drops automatically according to the seller's parameters (Dutch phase). Once someone strikes or a standing offer fires the auction flips into a short English window where others may raise the price. Bids are held as card pre-authorisations and captured only on a successful close.
4. Fees
- Seller success fee: 7 % of the final price, minimum €3, capped at €150 per closed deal.
- Seller commitment hold: 10 % of the opening price held on the seller's card. Released on clean close; forfeited if the seller cancels after buyers engaged.
- Buyers pay no fee to ValueMatch.
5. Consumer rights on B2C sales
When a consumer buys from a business seller, statutory consumer rights apply: 14-day right of withdrawal from the date of delivery (§§ 312g, 355 BGB) plus the 2-year statutory warranty. The platform surfaces the right of withdrawal in the listing and the checkout screens; settlement is between the consumer and the business seller. Private-to-private sales carry no withdrawal right or warranty, but the platform offers a dispute process (see § 8).
6. Prohibited content and items
The following are not allowed on ValueMatch:
- Weapons, ammunition, dual-use goods
- Illegal drugs, prescription-only medication
- Live animals
- Counterfeit brand goods or anything infringing copyright / trademark
- Child sexual exploitation material, terrorist content, glorification of violence
- Personal data of third parties
- Election-manipulation content or clearly deceptive material
7. Notice & Action — DSA Art. 14
Anyone may report illegal or prohibited content directly from the app ("Report" on any listing) or by email to up@pries.me. A report should include a category and a specific reason. We review reports promptly, take a reasoned decision and provide the reporter (where contact details are given) and the affected seller a Statement of Reasons in line with DSA Art. 17. Decisions can be appealed — see § 9.
8. Dispute resolution between buyer and seller
If something goes wrong with handover or the goods, either party can open a dispute in the app. The platform reviews and decides on settlement (rollback, hold, partial refund). Consumers may also turn to the EU ODR platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. We are not obliged to participate in ADR proceedings.
9. Complaints and appeals — DSA Art. 20
If your listing was rejected, your account restricted, or a report against you actioned, you may appeal within six months by emailing up@pries.me. We respond within ten business days with reasoned arguments. You may also turn to an out-of-court dispute settlement body under DSA Art. 21.
10. Recommender system — DSA Art. 27
Listings on the home feed, the market page and in search are ordered by — no personalisation, no paid placements:
- Recency: most recently posted first
- Tag filter: listings matching all active filters preferred
- Status: only listings with "awaiting bid" status are shown
11. Liability
ValueMatch is an intermediary between buyers and sellers and is neither owner of the goods nor party to the sales contract. We are liable for our own intentional wrongdoing, gross negligence and breach of cardinal duties up to foreseeable damages. The pseudonymity of private sellers does not release them from their statutory responsibility — we will release the data on file (Stripe account, payment trails) in response to a legitimate request from authorities or aggrieved parties to the extent permitted by law.
12. Termination
You can leave your account at any time via "Settings → switch identity". We reserve the right to suspend accounts for serious breaches of these Terms, applicable law, or where there is reasonable suspicion of fraud.
13. Governing law and venue
German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Consumers benefit from the mandatory protections of their home country to the extent applicable. Place of performance and venue for disputes with merchants is Munich.