Payments, Refunds & Payout Policy

This Payments, Refunds & Payout Policy explains how payments, refunds, and payouts are handled on the eBuy.store platform. It is designed to manage financial risk, ensure regulatory alignment, and explain how eBuy.store holds buyer payments until sellers are paid.

1. Purpose of this policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Clarify how payments are processed on the Platform
• Define refund and payout handling principles
• Explain how buyer payments are held until the seller is paid
• Allocate financial responsibility appropriately

This policy does not guarantee payments, refunds, or payouts.

2. Payment processing

• All payments must be completed through Platform-approved payment gateways.
• eBuy.store does not accept direct payments outside approved systems.
• eBuy.store does not store full card details, CVVs, or banking credentials.
• Payment authorization and settlement are subject to third-party gateway terms.

Failed or reversed payments do not create transaction obligations.

3. How buyer payments are held

• When a buyer pays for an order, the payment is collected by eBuy.store through its payment gateway partner.
• For items sold by independent sellers, eBuy.store holds the payment until the order is delivered and the payout hold period has passed, and then pays the seller as described in section 6. Holding the payment this way protects the buyer while the item is in transit and during the return and dispute window.
• If an order is cancelled, or a refund is approved before payout, the refund is paid from the held amount.
• eBuy.store holds these payments itself as the marketplace operator. It is not a bank or a licensed escrow agent, held amounts are not deposits, and they do not earn interest for buyers or sellers.
• eBuy.store does not guarantee successful completion of any transaction.

4. Refunds

• When a refund is due is set out in the Dispute, Returns & Refund Policy.
• Refunds go back to the original payment method. Once started, banks usually take 5 to 7 working days to show a refund.
• Where only part of an order is affected, the refund covers that part.

5. Chargebacks and reversals

• Chargebacks initiated through banks or payment providers are handled separately from Platform disputes.
• eBuy.store reserves the right to recover chargeback costs from sellers where applicable.
• Chargebacks may result in account enforcement or payout holds.

6. Seller payouts

• Buyer payments are collected through our payment gateway partner. A seller's payout for an order becomes due after the order is delivered and the payout hold period has passed, and is the amount paid by the buyer less the platform fee, payment processing fee and any tax required to be deducted.
• Seller payouts are processed only after internal checks and controls.
• Payouts may be delayed, held, adjusted, or cancelled due to disputes, compliance issues, or risk concerns.
• No payout timelines are guaranteed, even if indicative dates are shown.

7. Expert payouts

• Expert compensation, where applicable, follows internal approval and processing workflows.
• Expert payouts are discretionary and subject to platform controls.
• No fixed payout schedules are promised.

8. Expert review charges

Expert review charges apply only in specific cases, including when a seller deletes an expert-approved listing before a successful sale. These charges are assessed based on the listing details at the time of expert approval and are settled manually via platform support.

Platform commissions apply only to completed sales.

9. Taxes and GST

• Sellers are responsible for their own income tax and, where they are registered for GST, for charging and paying GST on their sales.
• Where Indian law requires eBuy.store, as an e-commerce operator, to collect tax at source under GST or deduct tax at source under income tax law on a seller's sales, eBuy.store will deduct that amount from the seller's payout, deposit it with the government, and show it on the seller's payout statement.
• Sellers must provide a valid PAN, and their GSTIN if they are registered, so that any tax collected or deducted can be credited to them.
• eBuy.store's platform fees are subject to GST as required by law.
• Any tax information shown is indicative and does not constitute tax advice.

10. Payout holds and adjustments

eBuy.store may place holds or adjustments on payouts in cases including:

• Active disputes or investigations
• Suspected fraud or policy violations
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Chargebacks or reversals

Such actions are taken at admin discretion and may occur without prior notice.

11. Third-party dependencies

Payments and payouts rely on third-party service providers, including payment gateways and banking systems. eBuy.store is not liable for delays, errors, or failures caused by such third parties.

12. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• eBuy.store is not liable for payment delays, gateway failures, or banking errors
• Financial liability, if any, is limited to Platform service fees for the affected transaction
• Users agree to indemnify eBuy.store against financial claims arising from their conduct

13. No waiver and final authority

• Failure to process or enforce a payment rule in one instance does not waive future enforcement.
• All financial decisions within the Platform are subject to final admin authority.

14. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated to reflect:

• Platform process changes
• Financial risk management updates
• Legal or regulatory requirements

Revised versions become effective upon publication.