13 More Things To Think About When Setting Your Terms & Conditions

In addition to major terms and conditions like your minimum order and free shipping level, here are 13 more things to think about when setting out your wholesale policies in your catalogue or line sheet.

1. Where stores can sell your work

Can they sell your products online as well as in a bricks and mortar shop, or on a third party marketplace like Not On The High Street?

2. Your privacy policy

Which covers how you take care of retailers’ information.

3. A copyright disclaimer

Which asserts your right to be identified as the owner of your images, logos, designs and trademarks, and that copyright is not transferred with the sale of your goods.

4. A note for international buyers

If you accept international orders, a clause which states that the buyer is responsible for import duties and taxes.

5. A note on insurance

Are goods are insured against loss, damage or delay en route to the buyer?

6. Your cancellation policy

This one will depend on trading standards laws in your part of the world. If you do allow stores to change their mind after you’ve started work on their order, how does that work in practice?

7. A note on product variations

If the colour or detail of your product can vary from those shown on your website or in your catalogue, let your buyer know this is normal and expected.

8. A note on sales tax

If VAT or any type of sales tax applies to the sale of your work, let retailers know.

9. Your lead time

How long will retailers have to wait for their stuff from the point of ordering?

10. Your exclusivity policy

If you want to avoid stocking shops which are geographically near each other, a note saying that this is at your discretion is a good idea. Also consider stating how often a retailer has to place an order if they want to retain their exclusivity.

(There are done-for-you script templates for handling exclusivity issues right here.)

11. A note on protecting your brand

You may want to set out the buyer’s responsibility to ensure your goods are not sold in a manner which may bring your company into disrepute, or through discount houses.

12. Your photography policy

If you don’t want stockists to take pictures of your work for use on websites and in the press without your permission, you can say so. (Although in that case it would be a good idea to let them use yours.)

Finally, you might want to state your right to refuse an order at any time.

Because it’s your wholesale business, and you call the shots.