Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of The Boat Shop, the online marketplace at theboat.shop (the “Platform”), operated by The Boat Shop (“we”, “us”, “our”). By accessing the Platform, creating an account, or posting a listing, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Definitions

“User” means anyone who accesses the Platform. “Seller” means a User who posts a listing. “Buyer” means a User who responds to a listing. “Listing” means an advertisement for a boat, item of equipment, or service placed on the Platform.

2. Our role — a marketplace, not a party to sales

The Boat Shop is an advertising platform that connects Buyers and Sellers. We are not a party to any sale, and we do not buy, sell, inspect, own, or take custody of any vessel or item advertised. Any contract for sale is made directly between the Buyer and the Seller. We give no warranty as to the accuracy of any listing, the condition, description, seaworthiness, legal title, or value of any item, or the conduct of any User.

3. Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. You are responsible for keeping your login details secure and for all activity under your account. Provide accurate information and keep it up to date. We may suspend or close accounts that breach these Terms.

4. Listings & paid advertising

Posting a listing is a paid service. Prices, durations and photo limits are shown at the point of purchase and on the post a listing page. You must only advertise items you own or are authorised to sell, and your listing must be accurate, lawful, and not misleading. You are responsible for the content of your listing, including all descriptions, prices and images, and you confirm you hold the rights to any images you upload. We may edit, refuse, or remove any listing at our discretion.

5. Payments & refunds

Payments are processed securely by our payment provider. Listing fees are charged at the time of purchase. Because advertising is delivered as soon as your listing goes live, listing fees are non-refundable once a listing is published, except where required by law or where we have failed to provide the service. A listing runs for the period selected and then expires automatically.

6. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• post false, misleading, fraudulent or unlawful content;
• advertise stolen goods or items you have no right to sell;
• infringe anyone's intellectual property or privacy;
• upload malware or attempt to disrupt or gain unauthorised access to the Platform;
• harvest other Users' data or send unsolicited marketing.

7. Buyer & seller responsibility

Buyers should satisfy themselves as to the condition, title and specification of any vessel or item — we strongly recommend an independent survey and sea trial before purchase, and verifying ownership and any finance or liens. Never send payment before you are satisfied. We are not responsible for any loss arising from dealings between Users. See our sale agreement template for a starting point for private sales.

8. Intellectual property

The Platform, its branding and content (excluding User listings) are owned by us or our licensors. By posting a listing you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display and promote that content on and in connection with the Platform.

9. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for any indirect or consequential loss, and for any loss arising from a transaction between Users or from reliance on any listing. Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for anything that cannot lawfully be excluded.

10. Privacy

We process personal data in accordance with applicable data-protection law (including the UK GDPR). We use the details you provide to operate your account, process payments, and respond to enquiries.

11. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version will always be posted on this page with the “last updated” date. Continued use of the Platform means you accept the updated Terms.

12. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England & Wales, and the courts of England & Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, unless mandatory local law provides otherwise.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Visit our contact page or email support@theboat.shop.