THE GYM MARKET

SELLER PROTECTION POLICY

Last Updated: 09/08/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Gym Market's Seller Protection Policy is designed to provide additional protection and clarity for sellers completing eligible transactions through The Gym Market's integrated payment functionality.

When a buyer purchases through The Gym Market, payment is processed securely through our third-party payment provider. The seller will generally receive payment once the buyer confirms that they have received the item and are happy with their purchase, subject to the payment provider's processes and any applicable dispute, fraud or payment checks.

Seller Protection is designed to help ensure that sellers are treated fairly where a buyer raises a dispute or claim.

This Policy does not guarantee payment in every circumstance and does not protect sellers who breach The Gym Market's Terms & Conditions or other policies.

Transactions where buyers and sellers arrange payment directly outside The Gym Market are not covered by The Gym Market's payment protection or Seller Protection process.

This Policy should be read alongside The Gym Market's Terms & Conditions, Buyer Protection Policy and Returns & Disputes Policy.

1. ELIGIBILITY

Seller Protection applies to eligible transactions where:

  • The buyer completed payment through The Gym Market's integrated payment functionality;
  • The transaction is recorded through the Platform;
  • The seller has complied with The Gym Market's Terms & Conditions and applicable policies;
  • The seller has accurately described the item;
  • The seller has fulfilled the transaction as agreed;
  • The seller cooperates with reasonable dispute investigations.

Seller Protection does not apply to transactions completed entirely outside The Gym Market.

2. SELLER PAYMENT

For eligible on-platform purchases:

  1. The buyer completes payment through The Gym Market;
  2. Payment is processed securely through our third-party payment provider;
  3. The seller fulfils the transaction;
  4. The buyer receives or collects the item;
  5. The buyer inspects the item;
  6. The buyer confirms that they are happy with the purchase;
  7. Subject to any applicable dispute, fraud or payment-provider checks, the relevant funds are released to the seller.

The seller should not assume that a buyer's payment has been successfully completed based solely on a screenshot, email or message.

Sellers should rely on the transaction and payment status shown through the Platform.

The timing of seller payouts is subject to the payment provider's processes and requirements.

3. BUYER CONFIRMATION

Once the buyer confirms through the Platform that they are happy with their purchase, the transaction may be treated as completed.

Subject to the payment provider's processes, the relevant funds will generally then be released to the seller.

Buyers should not be permitted or encouraged to confirm completion before they have received and inspected the item.

Sellers must not pressure buyers into confirming completion before they have had a reasonable opportunity to inspect the item.

4. WHAT SELLER PROTECTION MAY COVER

Seller Protection may apply where a buyer raises a claim that the seller reasonably believes is inaccurate, misleading or unsupported by the available evidence.

Examples may include:

4.1 False "Not Received" Claims

Where the seller can provide reasonable evidence that the item was delivered or collected.

4.2 False "Not as Described" Claims

Where evidence indicates that the item substantially matches the listing.

4.3 Buyer-Caused Damage

Where evidence suggests that damage occurred after the buyer received or collected the item.

4.4 Undisclosed Buyer Modifications

Where the buyer has modified, dismantled, repaired or altered the equipment after receiving it.

4.5 Fraudulent Claims

Where there is evidence that a buyer has knowingly provided false information or manipulated evidence.

4.6 Return Abuse

Where a buyer attempts to return:

  • A different item;
  • An item with additional damage;
  • An item missing components;
  • An item that has been materially altered.

5. SELLER RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain eligibility for Seller Protection, sellers should:

  • Accurately describe the item;
  • Provide clear and recent photographs;
  • Disclose known damage and defects;
  • Clearly state the item's condition;
  • Provide accurate measurements and specifications;
  • Provide accurate delivery information;
  • Package items appropriately where delivery is offered;
  • Keep evidence of the item's condition before dispatch or collection;
  • Keep relevant communications with the buyer;
  • Cooperate with reasonable investigations.

For higher-value or larger equipment, sellers are encouraged to retain photographs or videos showing the condition of the item immediately before dispatch or collection.

6. EVIDENCE

Where a dispute is raised, The Gym Market may request evidence from the seller.

Useful evidence may include:

  • Photographs of the item before dispatch;
  • Videos showing the item's condition or functionality;
  • Photographs of packaging;
  • Delivery receipts;
  • Tracking information;
  • Collection confirmation;
  • Messages with the buyer;
  • Serial numbers;
  • Proof of ownership;
  • Maintenance or service records;
  • Other relevant documentation.

Sellers should retain relevant evidence until the transaction has been completed and, where possible, for a reasonable period afterwards.

Providing false, manipulated or misleading evidence may result in account suspension or removal from the Platform.

7. DELIVERY

Where the seller is responsible for arranging delivery, sellers should:

  • Package the item appropriately;
  • Use a suitable delivery service;
  • Provide accurate delivery information;
  • Retain proof of dispatch;
  • Retain tracking information where available.

For large or heavy gym equipment, sellers and buyers should agree in advance who is responsible for:

  • Transportation;
  • Loading;
  • Unloading;
  • Specialist lifting;
  • Installation.

The Gym Market does not provide transportation or delivery services unless expressly stated otherwise.

8. LOCAL COLLECTION

Seller Protection may apply to local collection where the buyer has paid through The Gym Market's integrated payment functionality.

Sellers should:

  • Ensure the correct item is provided;
  • Allow the buyer a reasonable opportunity to inspect the equipment;
  • Allow appropriate testing where reasonably possible;
  • Keep evidence of the item's condition;
  • Confirm the collection through the Platform where required.

The buyer should only confirm that they are happy with the item once they have inspected it.

Where payment is made directly between the buyer and seller outside The Gym Market, Seller Protection does not apply.

9. DISPUTES

If a buyer raises a dispute, The Gym Market may:

  1. Notify the seller;
  2. Request information and evidence;
  3. Review the original listing;
  4. Review communications between the parties;
  5. Consider evidence provided by both parties;
  6. Facilitate communication;
  7. Determine whether the matter falls within the relevant Platform protection processes.

The seller will generally be given an opportunity to respond before a decision is made regarding the application of The Gym Market's policies, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary.

10. SELLER PAYOUTS DURING A DISPUTE

Where an eligible dispute is raised before the buyer confirms completion, The Gym Market may request or facilitate a delay in releasing the relevant funds to the seller where permitted by the payment provider.

This is intended to allow the circumstances of the dispute to be reviewed.

The Gym Market does not guarantee that funds can always be withheld, recovered or reversed once a payment has been processed.

Where the available evidence supports the seller's position, the relevant funds may be released to the seller, subject to the payment provider's processes.

11. BUYER CLAIMS THAT MAY NOT BE UPHELD

A buyer's claim may not be upheld where evidence indicates that:

  • The item substantially matched the listing;
  • The relevant defect or damage was disclosed;
  • The buyer caused the damage;
  • The buyer modified the item;
  • The buyer misused the equipment;
  • The buyer's claim is unsupported;
  • The buyer provided false or misleading evidence;
  • The buyer is attempting to return a different item;
  • The buyer's complaint relates solely to a change of mind;
  • The buyer paid outside The Gym Market.

12. RETURNS

Returns are generally at the seller's discretion unless applicable law requires otherwise.

Where an eligible Buyer Protection claim is upheld, The Gym Market may facilitate a return.

Sellers may be required to accept a return where:

  • The wrong item was supplied;
  • The item was materially misrepresented;
  • Significant undisclosed damage was identified;
  • Another circumstance covered by Buyer Protection applies.

Where a return is required, sellers should provide reasonable cooperation.

The Gym Market may determine an appropriate approach to return shipping costs depending on the circumstances.

13. RETURNED ITEM CONDITION

Where a buyer returns an item, sellers should inspect it promptly upon receipt.

If the returned item:

  • Is materially different from the item sent;
  • Has additional damage;
  • Is missing components;
  • Has been modified;
  • Has been used in a manner that caused damage;

the seller should notify The Gym Market promptly and provide supporting evidence.

The Gym Market may review the evidence before determining the appropriate outcome under its applicable policies.

14. FRAUD AND ABUSE

The Gym Market takes fraudulent Buyer Protection claims seriously.

Examples of prohibited buyer behaviour include:

  • Falsely claiming an item was not received;
  • Falsely claiming an item was damaged;
  • Deliberately damaging an item after receipt;
  • Returning a different item;
  • Removing components before returning an item;
  • Manipulating photographs or videos;
  • Attempting to obtain both a refund and retain the item;
  • Making duplicate claims through multiple payment or dispute channels.

Where suspected fraud is identified, The Gym Market may:

  • Reject a claim;
  • Restrict Buyer Protection access;
  • Suspend the buyer's account;
  • Permanently ban the buyer;
  • Cancel transactions;
  • Provide information to the payment provider;
  • Report suspected criminal activity where appropriate.

15. CHARGEBACKS

Where a buyer initiates a chargeback or payment dispute with their bank or payment provider, The Gym Market may provide relevant transaction information and evidence to the payment provider.

The Gym Market may request evidence from the seller to support the transaction, including:

  • Proof of delivery;
  • Proof of collection;
  • Listing information;
  • Photographs;
  • Communications;
  • Evidence of the item's condition.

The outcome of a payment-provider chargeback process may be determined by the relevant payment provider or financial institution and is not necessarily determined by The Gym Market.

16. OFF-PLATFORM TRANSACTIONS

Seller Protection does not apply where the buyer and seller complete payment outside The Gym Market.

This includes:

  • Cash;
  • Bank transfer;
  • Mobile payment services;
  • Direct payment links;
  • Other private payment arrangements.

Where payment occurs outside The Gym Market:

  • The Gym Market does not hold the payment;
  • The Gym Market cannot guarantee payment;
  • The Gym Market cannot reverse the payment;
  • The Gym Market cannot recover money from a buyer;
  • The Gym Market cannot guarantee a resolution to a dispute.

Any dispute must generally be resolved directly between the buyer and seller.

The Gym Market may still investigate suspected fraud, prohibited activity or breaches of Platform policies.

17. SELLER SAFETY

Sellers should prioritise their own safety when arranging collections.

We recommend:

  • Meeting during daylight hours where possible;
  • Having another person present where practical;
  • Informing someone of the collection;
  • Keeping valuable personal information private;
  • Confirming payment through the Platform before releasing equipment;
  • Avoiding unusual payment arrangements.

Sellers should never release an item based solely on a screenshot or message claiming that payment has been made.

18. SELLER PROTECTION DOES NOT GUARANTEE PRODUCT SAFETY

Seller Protection does not mean that The Gym Market guarantees the safety or condition of an item.

Sellers remain responsible for:

  • Accurately describing equipment;
  • Disclosing known defects;
  • Complying with the Prohibited Items Policy;
  • Complying with applicable laws;
  • Providing safe and accurate information.

The Gym Market does not inspect, certify or approve equipment before it is listed.

19. LIMITATIONS

Seller Protection does not apply where:

  • The seller has materially misrepresented the item;
  • The seller has failed to disclose significant defects;
  • The item is prohibited;
  • The seller has breached The Gym Market's Terms & Conditions;
  • The seller has provided false or misleading information;
  • The seller has engaged in fraudulent activity;
  • The transaction was completed entirely outside The Gym Market.

The Gym Market may also consider other relevant circumstances when determining whether Seller Protection applies.

20. LIMITATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

Seller Protection is intended to provide an additional layer of protection for eligible marketplace transactions.

It does not constitute:

  • Insurance;
  • A guarantee of payment;
  • A warranty;
  • A guarantee that every dispute will be resolved in the seller's favour.

The Gym Market is not the buyer, seller, manufacturer or owner of the equipment.

Nothing in this Policy excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

21. LEGAL RIGHTS

This Policy does not replace or remove any legal rights or obligations that apply to buyers or sellers.

Where a seller is acting as a business or trader, they remain responsible for complying with applicable consumer protection legislation.

Nothing in this Policy is intended to restrict any legal right that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

22. POLICY CHANGES

The Gym Market reserves the right to update this Policy from time to time.

Where material changes are made, we may notify users through the Platform or by email.

The latest version will be published on the Platform.

23. RELATED POLICIES

This Policy should be read alongside:

  • The Gym Market Terms & Conditions;
  • Buyer Protection Policy;
  • Returns & Disputes Policy;
  • Marketplace Safety & User Protection Policy;
  • Safety & Equipment Disclaimer Policy;
  • Prohibited Items Policy;
  • Community Standards Policy;
  • Privacy Policy;
  • Cookie Policy.

In the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and the Terms & Conditions, the Terms & Conditions shall take precedence.

24. CONTACT

If you are a seller and require assistance with a transaction or dispute, please contact:

Email: info@thegym-market.com

Please provide your transaction or order reference and any relevant photographs, videos, delivery information or other evidence.