Terms of Service

Last updated: January 2026

Important Notice

Reptimorph operates as an intermediary platform connecting independent sellers and buyers. We do not sell animals or products directly. These Terms of Service govern your use of the Reptimorph platform. Transactions between users are subject to separate agreements between buyers and sellers.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Reptimorph (accessible at reptimorph.io), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use our platform.

These Terms of Service constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Reptimorph. By creating an account or using our services, you confirm that you:

Are at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent
Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
Will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
Have read and understood our Privacy Policy and Legal Notice

2. Platform Role and Responsibilities

Reptimorph is an intermediary marketplace platform

Reptimorph provides a platform that allows independent sellers to list reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and related products for sale, and allows buyers to browse and purchase these items. Reptimorph:

Does NOT act as a seller, buyer, or agent for either party
Does NOT take possession, ownership, or custody of listed items
Does NOT directly handle shipping, delivery, or transport of animals
Is NOT a party to the sales contract between buyer and seller
Provides tools and infrastructure to facilitate transactions between independent parties

The sale contract is formed directly between the buyer and seller. Reptimorph facilitates payment processing through third-party providers (such as Stripe) but is not responsible for fulfilling the obligations arising from sales contracts.

3. Nature of Service - Online Auction Brokerage

Legal Qualification of the Service

Reptimorph is not a public auction house. In accordance with Article L321-3 of the French Commercial Code, Reptimorph operates as an online auction brokerage platform characterized by the absence of automatic adjudication to the highest bidder and the absence of third-party intervention in the description of goods and the conclusion of sales between parties.

Reptimorph connects sellers and buyers but does not intervene in the conclusion of sales, which remains a direct relationship between seller and buyer. In accordance with Article L321-3 of the French Commercial Code, online auction brokerage operations do not constitute public auction sales within the meaning of Book III of said Code.

3.1 Absence of Automatic Adjudication

Unlike traditional public auctions, Reptimorph's auction system does not perform any automatic adjudication. At the end of the auction period:

The seller remains free to choose the buyer with whom they wish to complete the sale
No automatic transfer of ownership occurs at the end of the countdown
Payment is not automatically charged: the potential buyer has a payment button that they activate voluntarily
The sale is only concluded after explicit or implicit acceptance by the seller and completion of payment by the buyer

3.2 Seller's Freedom

The seller retains full decision-making freedom regarding the conclusion of the sale. At the end of the auction period, if the reserve price is met, the highest bidder is invited to complete the purchase. However:

The seller has 48 hours to accept or refuse the transaction for legitimate reasons
In the absence of explicit refusal within this period, the sale is deemed accepted by the seller
Once the seller accepts (explicitly or implicitly) the bidder's offer, the provisions of French law apply to the sale

3.3 Legitimate Grounds for Refusal

The seller may refuse to complete the sale with the highest bidder for legitimate reasons, including:

Recently created account or no transaction history on the platform
Reasonable doubt about the buyer's ability to honor the transaction
Geographical location incompatible with the seller's delivery conditions
Clear non-compliance with the terms of sale stated in the listing
Founded suspicion of undeclared commercial resale or illegal trafficking

Abusive or discriminatory exercise of the right to refuse may result in sanctions from Reptimorph.

3.4 No Intervention in Item Description

Reptimorph does not intervene in writing the descriptions of items for sale. Each seller is solely responsible for their item descriptions, including:

Descriptive texts and animal characteristics
Photographs and media accompanying the listing
Terms of sale, shipping, and warranty conditions
Setting the starting price and any reserve price

3.5 Good Faith Commitment

Buyers and sellers commit in good faith to conclude and complete transactions initiated through the auction system.

For buyers: Winning an auction constitutes a commitment to complete the purchase if the seller accepts the transaction. Failure to honor this commitment without legitimate reason may result in administrative sanctions up to and including suspension or permanent closure of the account.
For sellers: Listing an item for auction constitutes a commitment to sell to the highest bidder who has met the reserve price, except for legitimate grounds for refusal. Repeated or abusive cancellation of sales may result in sanctions.

3.6 Reserve Price

The seller may set a reserve price (minimum price) below which they are not required to sell. If this price is not reached at the end of the auction period, the sale is not concluded and neither party is bound.

4. User Accounts and Registration

To access certain features of Reptimorph, you must create an account. You agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials
Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
Not create multiple accounts or use accounts registered by others
Not impersonate any person or entity

Reptimorph reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or engage in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activities.

5. Seller Obligations and Responsibilities

Sellers using Reptimorph agree to:

5.1 Legal Compliance

Comply with all applicable laws regarding breeding, sale, and transport of animals
Possess all required permits, licenses, and documentation (CITES, I-FAP, breeding permits, etc.)
Verify buyer eligibility to purchase and own the species being sold
Not offer protected, endangered, or illegally sourced species for sale
Comply with national and international wildlife trade regulations

5.2 Accurate Listings

Provide truthful, accurate, and complete descriptions of items
Include clear, recent, and representative photographs
Accurately identify species, morphs, genetics, sex, and age
Disclose any known health issues, defects, or behavioral concerns
Clearly state terms of sale, including health guarantees if offered
Set reasonable and legal prices

5.3 Animal Welfare

Ensure animals are healthy and fit for sale at time of shipment
Use appropriate, safe, and humane shipping methods and packaging
Ship only under suitable weather conditions
Provide care instructions and relevant documentation to buyers
Maintain high standards of animal husbandry and ethics

5.4 Transaction Fulfillment

Ship items within agreed timeframes
Communicate promptly with buyers
Provide tracking information when available
Handle refunds and returns according to agreed terms and applicable law
Respond to buyer inquiries and disputes in good faith

Sellers are solely responsible for all aspects of their sales, including legal compliance, animal welfare, accurate representation, and customer satisfaction. Reptimorph is not liable for seller actions or omissions.

6. Buyer Obligations and Responsibilities

Buyers using Reptimorph agree to:

Verify they are legally permitted to purchase and own the species in their jurisdiction
Obtain any required permits or licenses before purchasing
Provide accurate shipping and contact information
Be available to receive live animal shipments promptly
Inspect animals immediately upon receipt and report issues within agreed timeframes
Provide appropriate housing, care, and environment for purchased animals
Complete payment as agreed with the seller
Communicate in good faith with sellers
Not use purchased animals for illegal purposes

Buyers acknowledge that purchasing live animals carries inherent risks and responsibilities. Buyers must conduct their own research and due diligence before making purchases.

7. Prohibited Activities

Users are strictly prohibited from:

Listing or selling protected, endangered, or illegally sourced species
Listing or selling wild-caught animals - ONLY captive-bred and captive-born animals are accepted on the platform
Listing animals that are sick, injured, or unfit for sale
Misrepresenting species, morphs, genetics, health status, or other characteristics
Engaging in fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading practices
Using the platform to facilitate illegal wildlife trafficking
Harassing, threatening, or abusing other users
Manipulating prices, reviews, or ratings
Circumventing platform fees or payment systems
Scraping, data mining, or unauthorized automated access
Uploading malware, viruses, or harmful code
Violating intellectual property rights
Creating fake accounts or engaging in shill bidding
Any activity that violates applicable laws or regulations

Violation of prohibited activities may result in immediate account suspension or termination, content removal, and potential legal action. Serious violations will be reported to appropriate authorities.

8. Payments, Fees, and Commissions

Reptimorph uses third-party payment processors (such as Stripe) to facilitate secure transactions between buyers and sellers.

8.1 Platform Fees

Reptimorph charges sellers a commission on completed sales.

Commission percentage as displayed at checkout

8.2 Payment Processing

All prices are displayed in euros (€) unless otherwise specified
Payment is processed at time of purchase through Stripe
Buyers pay the full listing price plus any applicable shipping fees
Sellers receive payment after commission deduction and applicable hold periods
Payment processors may charge additional processing fees

8.3 Taxes and VAT

Prices may include or exclude VAT depending on seller status and buyer location. Sellers are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable taxes. International buyers may be subject to customs duties and import taxes in their jurisdiction.

Reptimorph reserves the right to modify fee structures with 30 days notice to users.

9. Shipping and Delivery

Shipping and delivery are arranged directly between sellers and buyers. Reptimorph does not handle shipping or logistics.

Seller Responsibilities:

Select appropriate shipping methods and carriers
Package animals securely and humanely
Ship only under suitable weather conditions
Provide accurate shipping estimates and tracking information
Comply with carrier regulations and shipping restrictions

Buyer Responsibilities:

Provide accurate shipping address
Be available to receive live shipments promptly
Inspect animals immediately upon receipt
Follow agreed procedures for reporting shipping issues

Live Arrival Guarantee: Many sellers offer live arrival guarantees. Terms vary by seller and must be clearly stated in listings. Reptimorph does not provide or guarantee live arrivals - this is between buyer and seller.

10. Returns, Refunds, and Cancellations

Return and refund policies are determined by individual sellers and must comply with applicable consumer protection laws.

10.1 EU Consumer Rights

Under EU Directive 2011/83/EU, consumers have a 14-day right of withdrawal for distance purchases. However, this right does NOT apply to:

Live animals (explicitly excluded due to their perishable nature)
Custom or personalized items
Items that deteriorate rapidly

10.2 Dead on Arrival (DOA) and Health Issues

Most sellers offer protections for animals that arrive dead or in poor health. Buyers must:

Inspect animals immediately upon receipt
Document issues with clear photographs and videos
Report problems within the timeframe specified by seller (typically 24-48 hours)
Follow seller's specific DOA procedures

10.3 Dispute Resolution

Disputes regarding returns and refunds should first be resolved directly between buyer and seller. If resolution cannot be reached, users may:

Contact Reptimorph support for mediation assistance
Initiate a payment dispute through their payment provider
Use the European ODR platform for cross-border disputes
Seek legal remedies through competent courts

Reptimorph may assist in dispute resolution but is not obligated to provide refunds or compensation as we are not party to the sales contract.

11. User Content and Intellectual Property

Users retain ownership of content they upload (listings, photos, descriptions, reviews). By posting content on Reptimorph, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable license to:

Display, reproduce, and distribute your content on our platform
Use content for marketing, promotional, and operational purposes
Create derivative works for platform optimization
Sublicense content to service providers supporting our operations

You represent and warrant that:

You own or have rights to all content you upload
Your content does not infringe third-party intellectual property rights
Photos accurately represent the items being sold
You will not use copyrighted material without authorization

Reptimorph's platform, design, logos, trademarks, and proprietary content are protected by intellectual property laws and remain the exclusive property of Reptimorph.

12. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Reptimorph and its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
Damages arising from transactions between users
Quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of user listings
Actions or omissions of sellers or buyers
Shipping delays, damages, or losses
Animal health, genetics, or characteristics
Compliance with laws by users
Platform downtime, technical issues, or data loss
Unauthorized access to user accounts or data
Content posted by users
Disputes between users

Our aggregate liability for any claims arising from your use of Reptimorph shall not exceed the greater of (a) €100 or (b) amounts paid by you to Reptimorph in the 12 months preceding the claim.

The platform is provided 'AS IS' and 'AS AVAILABLE' without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Reptimorph, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your use of the platform
Your violation of these Terms of Service
Your violation of any laws or regulations
Your listings, sales, or purchases
Content you post on the platform
Infringement of third-party intellectual property rights
Disputes with other users
Animal welfare issues arising from your actions

14. Account Suspension and Termination

Reptimorph reserves the right to suspend or terminate user accounts at any time, with or without notice, for:

Violation of these Terms of Service
Fraudulent, illegal, or abusive activity
Failure to comply with applicable laws
Repeated user complaints or disputes
Non-payment of fees
Inactive accounts (at our discretion)
Any reason at Reptimorph's sole discretion

Upon termination, you will lose access to your account and associated data. Outstanding financial obligations remain due. You may not create new accounts after termination without our express permission.

You may voluntarily close your account at any time by contacting support. Closing your account does not relieve you of obligations arising from completed transactions.

15. Modifications to Terms of Service

Reptimorph reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to the platform with an updated 'Last Updated' date. Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent platform notice. Continued use of Reptimorph after changes constitutes acceptance of modified terms. If you do not agree to changes, you must stop using the platform and may close your account.

16. Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service are governed by French law and, where applicable, European Union law, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

16.1 Dispute Resolution Process

In the event of any dispute, controversy, or claim arising from these Terms or your use of Reptimorph:

Contact Reptimorph support to attempt informal resolution
If unresolved within 30 days, parties may pursue mediation
For EU consumers: Use the European Commission ODR platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

16.2 Jurisdiction

If disputes cannot be resolved through the above methods, they shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of France. EU consumers retain the right to bring proceedings in their country of residence.

16.3 Consumer Protection Rights

Nothing in these Terms affects statutory consumer rights that cannot be waived or limited by contract under applicable law.

17. General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and other referenced policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and Reptimorph.

Severability: If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

No Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. Reptimorph may assign these Terms without restriction.

Force Majeure: Reptimorph is not liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control.

Language: These Terms may be translated for convenience. In case of discrepancies, the French version prevails.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

General inquiries: contact@reptimorph.io
Legal matters: contact@reptimorph.io
Support: contact@reptimorph.io

Acknowledgment

BY USING REPTIMORPH, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT USE THE PLATFORM.