Rules for users of Art2Bank Art Market Platforms

Art2Bank is a marketplace for buying and selling quality art and providing art market services relating to this endeavour. Our mission is to enable art promoters to reach a wider art market globally. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and promote the numerous benefits of investing in art.

Please read this page with care, as it explains the rules for being a member of the Art2Bank community. If you still have questions after reading these policies, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or feel free to contact us at contact@art2bank.com . 

Membership

We expect all members of Art2Bank to treat each other with respect and kindness (including Art2Bank's staff). Remember that behind every username is a real person with feelings. Your username on Art2Bank is your identity. You are responsible for your conduct and all content submitted under your username on Art2Bank.

By joining Art2Bank, all members agree to abide by the policies outlined here and in the Terms and Conditions.
 

·         You must be at least 18 years of age to hold an account on Art2Bank. If you are under 18, you must have the permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age; that adult is responsible for the account.
 

·         You may not use profane or racist language or images in your username, userpic and/or Art Market Platform.

·         You may not transfer ownership or sell your Art2Bank account to another party.

·         Usernames and Display Names cannot be changed except in the event of documented legal action (such as trademark infringement) at Art2Bank's discretion. Choose your username carefully.

·         An Art2Bank account cannot be used for the sole purpose of redirecting traffic to another web location, even if it is another Art2Bank account. Please contact us to have your account closed if you are no longer using it.

·         Keep your account information updated and accurate. Your account must have a valid email address at all times. Art2Bank will use the email address on file in your account information to contact you when necessary.
 

·         Art2Bank encourages all members to resolve their own disputes. As a venue, Art2Bank cannot mediate disputes between members or other parties.

Breaking any of Art2Bank's policies may result in suspension of account privileges and/or account termination. This includes all of your accounts by virtue of association. In other words, Art2Bank reserves the right to suspend the use of the site for a person and all username(s) he/she operates under.

Transactions

Art2Bank's role is to connect the buyer and the Art Partner, seller, art market expert or related service provider - user of the Art2Bank Art Market Platform; we are a venue, not a retailer. This means when you place an order on Art2Bank, you are entering into a direct transaction and personal relationship with an individual Art Partner (facilitated by Art2Bank).

Communication is the key to a smooth transaction, and we encourage buyers and Art Partners to use email communication to work out any details or problems that may arise.

Additionally, Art Partners should post important information in their Art Market Platform as an announcement, the Art Market Platform policy page, Art Market Platform or listing description to better inform buyers. Art Partners will generally have individual policies for shipping, returns/exchanges and refunds posted on their Art Market Platform policy pages.

Outlined below are the site-wide policies for transactions.

Purchasing an item

Art2Bank is a marketplace for galleries and dealers to sell quality art, and providers of art market services. Below are the site policies for the buyer in a transaction:

·         When you purchase an item on Art2Bank, you agree to pay the Art Partner for the item. Do not purchase items for which you do not intend to pay.
 

·         The buyer must send payment directly to the Art Partner (not to Art2Bank).

·         It is the buyer's responsibility to pay the Art Partner. If you choose to pay via PayPal, please send payment right away. If you are paying by check or money order (or other mailed payment), send an email to the Art Partner to make arrangements for payment.

Problems with a transaction

We hope that your purchasing experience on Art2Bank is smooth and hassle-free. If there is a possible issue with a transaction, Art2Bank encourages the buyer and Art Partner to communicate with each other about the problem via email. Since the transaction is between buyer and Art Partner, it is best for the two parties to work it out together.

There are a few reasons a transaction may be reported to Art2Bank:

• If payment is not sent within a reasonable amount of time and the buyer has not responded to the Art Partner's attempts at communication, then the Art Partner may cancel the transaction (i.e., cancellation for non-payment, reported by the Art Partner).
  
  
• If the Art Partner cannot authenticate the buyer's identity, then the Art Partner may cancel the transaction (i.e., suspected fraud, reported by the Art Partner).

• If the buyer does not receive the item in a timely manner and the Art Partner has not responded to the buyer's attempts at communication, then the buyer may file a report  about the transaction (i.e. non-delivery, reported by the buyer).

Defaulting on transactions may result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.

Selling

Art2Bank provides a marketplace for galleries, dealers and suppliers of art market services.

Art Market Platform set-up

We encourage all Art Partners to provide information about their skills, qualifications and experience in your opening text and  Art Market Platform. We encourage all Art Partners to explain your individual Art Market Platform's policies on your Art Market Platform Policies page, but this may also be included in your item listings.

Please keep the following things in mind as you set up your Art Market Platform and create listings:

·         An individual Art Market Platform's policies must not contradict Art2Bank's site-wide policies. Art2Bank reserves the right to ask Art Partners to modify unreasonable policies at Art2Bank's discretion.

·         Do not make illegal use of photographs or written text, as this is in violation of Art2Bank's Terms and Conditions. Contact the owner and ask permission.

·         Use of profane and/or racist language or images in the public areas of your Art2Bank Art Market Platform is not permitted. This includes your username, Art Market Platform, item titles, tags, userpic, banner, announcement and/or Art Market Platform sections.

·         You must pay your Art2Bank bill on time to avoid penalties which include suspension or account termination.

·         You may not use the public areas of your account to demonstrate or discuss disputes with others.

·         You may not engage in any activity by which you avoid Art2Bank's fees ("fee avoidance").

Listing an item

All listings on Art2Bank must be for a tangible object (note: a digital file is considered a tangible object) or services related to the art market. The item description should be clear, accurate and detailed. Some items require special attention to comply with Art2Bank's policies, such as mature content.

Listings that do not comply with Art2Bank's policies may be reported to us for review. See Reporting an Item for more details.

Describe your items accurately

Accurate titles, tags, photos and descriptions are a critical to selling on Art2Bank. Tags are very important, as Art2Bank's search system relies on tags to find your items for buyers. Check out the FAQ  for more info on how to list and tag your items. Keep these policies in mind as you describe your items:

·         Listing descriptions and photos must clearly describe the item for sale so buyers know what is included in the purchase.

·         Only use accurate and relevant tags.

·         The shipping price should be reasonable for the item.

Mature content

Mature content is defined as: sexual activity or content, profane language or graphic violence.

Items containing mature content must be tagged "mature".

The first thumbnail image should be kept appropriate for general audiences; additional images in the listing may show the item in its entirety.

Artful representation of the nude human figure is allowed. The context of the nudity determines if it is a mature content item.

Items are subject to review on a case-by-case basis. If Art2Bank evaluates the content to be mature, you will be asked to edit the listing to comply with these policies or remove the listing entirely.

Mature content listings will remain in all public searches by default; users can restrict results by using the exclusionary search term "NOT mature" ("opt-out" search status).

Prohibited items

Some items are inappropriate for Art2Bank's marketplace, even though they could possibly be handmade or vintage.

You may not list the following types of items on Art2Bank:

• Alcohol
   
• Tobacco
  
  
• Drugs
  
  
• Pornography
  
  
• Firearms and/or weapons
  
  
• Recalled Items
  
  
• Real estate
  
  
• Motor vehicles (automobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc.)
  
  

Additionally, an Art Partner may not list any item that violates the Art Partner's local laws, including shipping restrictions, per Art2Bank's Terms and Conditions .

Reporting an Item

Report an Item is like Art2Bank's neighbourhood watch. It's your way to alert the Art2Bank of potential problems. Use the Report an Item link to Art2Bank on any item page or use our form. This is a confidential process. The member whose listing is reported will not know who reported it. Additionally, Art2Bank's investigation will be handled privately; you will not receive a personal response to your Report an Item message.

·         Report an Item should be used to report any item listing or Art Market Platform that violates any of Art2Bank's policies.
 

·         Do not report a single violation multiple times.

·         Since Reporting an Item is a private matter, members should not discuss reports in any of Art2Bank's community spaces.

In most cases, Art2Bank will work with a user privately to remedy the problem. If an Art Partner does not respond to Art2Bank's communication or requests in a timely manner, the item may be removed and the Art Market Platform's selling privileges may be suspended and/or terminated. In some extreme cases, listings will be removed immediately. Abuse of the Report an Item system by means of raising repeated, unjustified flags may result in the suspension and/or termination of your account.

Art2Bank reserves the right to alter these policies at any time.