Upcycling Studio Terms

Ecodia’s Upcycling Studio is a curated space for independent designers and upcyclers to sell pieces they’ve made or reworked. These terms explain how the studioplace works, what Ecodia is responsible for, and what falls on buyers and sellers.

This page sits alongside our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Community Standards. Think of it as the “extra rules” that apply when you list or buy items through the Upcycling Studio.

• Ecodia provides the rails: we host listings, process payments via third-party providers, and offer tools for messaging and order management.
• Sellers run their own micro-stores: each seller is responsible for what they list, how they describe it, how they price it, and how they fulfil orders.
• Buyers purchase directly from sellers: when you check out, you’re entering a contract with the seller, not Ecodia, subject to any non-excludable consumer guarantees under local law.
• No legal advice: this page is designed to be clear and human, but it isn’t legal advice. If you’re running a business, talk to a professional if you’re unsure about your obligations.

The Upcycling Studio is still small and curated. To keep things safe for buyers and fair for designers, we limit who can sell and how.

• Account required: you need an Ecodia account in good standing to apply and to sell.
• Application & approval: selling is invite / application based. We may approve, decline, or later revoke access at our discretion (for example, due to policy breaches or repeated complaints).
• Age & capacity: sellers should be legally able to enter into agreements in their jurisdiction. If you’re under 18, you must have a parent/guardian who is the real account holder and is legally responsible for the store.
• Local laws still apply: it’s your job to understand and comply with any business, tax, consumer, or trading laws that apply to you (for example, Australian Consumer Law if you’re based in Australia).

We can pause or close a store if we believe there’s a risk of harm, fraud, or serious policy breaches, or where we’re required to by law or a payment provider.

Sellers are the backbone of the Upcycling Studio. When you’re approved as a seller, you’re effectively running a small online store using Ecodia’s rails.

By selling through Ecodia, you agree that you will:

• Only list items you own and are allowed to sell. That includes respecting intellectual property, licensing, and brand/IP rights.
• Focus on genuine upcycling, alteration, or curation. This is not a random dropshipping site. Pieces should be thrifted, altered, handmade, or carefully curated according to the vibe you described in your application.
• Describe pieces honestly. Use accurate photos, measurements, materials, and condition notes. Don’t hide flaws or marks that buyers would reasonably care about.
• Set and honour your prices. Prices shown to buyers should be clear and inclusive of all mandatory charges, except delivery where specified separately.
• Fulfil orders promptly. Ship or arrange pickup within the timeframe you indicate, or communicate delays quickly and clearly.
• Handle customer contact respectfully. No harassment, discrimination, or pressure. Keep communication on-platform where possible.
• Manage refunds/returns in line with law. You’re responsible for any refunds, repairs, or replacements you are legally required to offer.

Ecodia may review stores and listings from time to time. We can request clarifications, ask you to edit listings, or remove content we believe is misleading, unsafe, or against our policies.

When you buy through the Upcycling Studio, you're supporting real humans making and re-working clothes and pieces. We want that to feel personal and safe.

As a buyer, you agree that you will:

• Read listings carefully before you purchase, including measurements, condition, and shipping/pickup details.
• Use correct contact and address details so pieces can be delivered or picked up without drama.
• Respect sellers and their time. No harassment, hate speech, or attempts to bypass the platform in suspicious ways.
• Understand that many pieces are one-offs. There may be small imperfections and quirks consistent with upcycled and handmade work.

Your contract for the item is with the seller, not Ecodia. Ecodia does not own or inspect every piece and can’t guarantee a particular fit or aesthetic outcome. However, we may step in where there are clear policy breaches, scams, or safety concerns, including by restricting accounts or reversing transactions where our partners allow.

Listings are the public face of your store. They should be honest, safe, and aligned with Ecodia’s values.

What you can list

• Upcycled / altered garments and accessories.
• Curated second-hand pieces that you own and have the right to sell.
• Repaired, remade, or embellished items where the upcycling is a meaningful part of the value.

What you can’t list

For safety and compliance, the following are not allowed (this list is not exhaustive; when in doubt, ask us before listing):

• Illegal items, stolen goods, or anything that would violate local law.
• Weapons, dangerous tools, or items that are likely to cause serious harm.
• Counterfeit goods or items infringing trademarks, logos, or copyrights.
• Items with hate symbols or content that targets protected groups.
• Intimate or highly sensitive items that are unsafe or inappropriate for a youth-centred ecosystem.

Photos, text & promotion

• Photos should be yours to use. Don’t upload images you don’t have rights to.
• No misleading edits. You can color-correct, but don’t heavily edit in a way that misrepresents fit or condition.
• Honest condition notes. Clearly call out stains, tears, repairs, or alterations.

Ecodia may archive or remove listings that sit inactive for long periods, or that we believe violate these guidelines or our wider policies.

The Upcycling Studio is built around simple, one-off orders. Once a buyer checks out, the seller is responsible for getting the piece to them as described, or for resolving issues in line with applicable law.

Fulfilment & shipping

• Sellers choose whether they offer shipping, local pickup, or both, and must make this clear in their listings and store profile.
• Sellers are responsible for packaging, addressing, and booking shipping or pickup arrangements.
• Ecodia is not a courier and does not physically handle items. Risk during transit is generally between seller, buyer, and the chosen postal/carrier service, subject to any non-excludable rights under local law.

Delays, lost parcels & problems

• Sellers should communicate proactively about delays and provide tracking where available.
• Buyers should double-check address details and collect items promptly from parcel lockers, post offices, or pickup points.
• If a parcel is lost or damaged, the seller and buyer should first work together (and with the carrier) to resolve it. Ecodia may assist with information, but we are not an insurer.

Refunds, returns & consumer rights

Refunds and returns are generally handled directly between buyer and seller, except where we are required by our payment providers or the law to step in.

• Sellers must honour any non-excludable consumer guarantees that apply to them (for example, under Australian Consumer Law).
• Sellers may also choose to offer more generous policies (e.g. change-of-mind), but must clearly state and honour those policies.
• Ecodia may process chargebacks, partial refunds, or cancellations where a payment provider reverses a transaction or where we believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm or fraud.

Payments on the Upcycling Studio are processed through third-party providers (such as Stripe) on Ecodia’s behalf. We don’t currently support cash payments off-platform for marketplace orders.

How payments work

• When a buyer checks out, they pay Ecodia (via our payment provider) for the item and any applicable shipping charges shown at checkout.
• Once payment is confirmed, we treat that as the buyer's payment obligation being met. The seller then becomes entitled to a payout from Ecodia, minus any agreed fees and charges.
• Payouts to sellers are made to the bank details or payout settings they provide in their dashboard. Sellers are responsible for keeping those details accurate and secure.

Fees & charges

• Ecodia may charge platform fees, commissions, and pass through payment processing costs.
• Current fee structures are explained during onboarding and/or in the seller dashboard and may be updated over time. We'll aim to give reasonable notice before material changes.
• Fees are usually deducted before payouts. We may also offset refunds, chargebacks, or penalties against future payouts where allowed.

Taxes

• Sellers are responsible for their own tax obligations (for example, income tax, GST, or other sales taxes if they apply). Ecodia does not calculate or remit taxes on your behalf unless we explicitly say otherwise.
• Sellers should seek professional advice if they are unsure how marketplace income affects their tax situation.

Upcycling is creative and often informal. We want to be honest about where Ecodia fits, and where the risks sit for everyone using the studio.

What Ecodia is (and isn't)

• Ecodia provides a platform, tools, and payment rails. We are not a party to each individual sale contract between buyer and seller, except to the limited extent required to collect and distribute payments.
• We do not generally inspect or verify every item, nor do we guarantee that a particular piece will match a buyer's personal style, expectations, or fit.
• To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ecodia is not liable for loss arising from the condition, quality, or suitability of items, or from disputes between buyers and sellers, except where we cause harm through our own negligence or breach of contract.

Indemnity (seller responsibility)

If you are a seller, you agree that you are responsible for your listings, conduct, and use of the Upcycling Studio. To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify Ecodia against reasonable claims, losses, or costs that arise because of:

• items you list or sell (for example, counterfeit, unsafe, or infringing goods);
• your failure to comply with applicable consumer, tax, or trading laws; or
• your misuse of buyer data or communications.

This indemnity does not apply where Ecodia has contributed to the harm through our own negligence or breach of our obligations, and it does not limit any non-excludable rights under local law.

Non-excludable rights

Nothing on this page is intended to exclude or limit rights that can't be excluded under applicable law (for example, certain rights under Australian Consumer Law). If there is a conflict, the more protective standard required by law applies.

Most issues in a small marketplace can be solved with honest, respectful conversation. When that doesn't work, we have a few escalation paths.

Step 1 - Talk to each other

• Buyers and sellers should first try to resolve issues directly using the contact details shared in the order or through agreed channels.
• Be specific: share photos, tracking details, and clear proposals (e.g. repair, partial refund, replacement, or return).

Step 2 - Contact Ecodia

• If you believe there has been a scam, serious policy breach, safety issue, or repeated bad behaviour, you can contact Ecodia using the support details on our Community Standards page.
• We may review messages, listings, and order logs on our systems and may take actions such as warnings, listing removals, account limits, or suspensions.

Step 3 - Payment provider or legal avenues

• In some cases, you may also have rights through your bank, card issuer, or local consumer regulator. We’ll cooperate with lawful investigations and required disclosures.
• Nothing in these terms stops you from pursuing legal remedies that are available to you under applicable law. We just ask that you use them proportionately and honestly.

Ecodia’s decision to intervene (or not) in a dispute does not make us a party to the underlying contract between buyer and seller, and does not guarantee a particular outcome.

The Upcycling Studio is still evolving. As we add features, support more regions, or respond to new laws, we may need to update these terms.

• We may update this page from time to time. When changes are significant, we'll aim to highlight them in-app, via email, or through an obvious banner.
• Your continued use of the Upcycling Studio after changes are posted usually means you accept the updated terms, so it's worth checking back occasionally.
• If you don't agree with updated terms, you should stop listing or buying through the studioplace and contact us about closing or withdrawing your store.

For questions about these terms, you can reach us via the contact information in our Privacy Policy or on the Ecodia site.