DormSell Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the DormSell platform (the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and DormSell.

1.1 Eligibility

You must be a current, verified MIT student with a valid .edu email address to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet this requirement. While we strive to verify all users, we do not guarantee the identity or student status of any user.

1.2 Minimum Age

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Platform. If you are under the age of 18, you represent that you have reviewed these Terms with your parent or legal guardian and have received their consent to use the Platform.

2. Platform Description and Intermediary Role

DormSell is a peer-to-peer marketplace connecting MIT students to buy and sell items within the campus community.

2.1 Intermediary Role

DormSell is strictly an intermediary and facilitator. We provide the technology to connect buyers and sellers, communication tools, and a framework for reputation. DormSell is NOT a party to any transaction between users. We are not a seller, buyer, or financial institution.

2.2 Disclaimer on Items and Transactions

DormSell makes NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR GUARANTEES about the quality, safety, legality, authenticity, or condition of items listed on the Platform. We do not inspect items or verify seller claims. You interact and transact with other users entirely at your own risk.

3. User Accounts and Security

3.1 Registration and Verification

Account creation requires a valid MIT email address for verification. You agree to provide accurate, complete, and truthful registration information.

3.2 Account Security Responsibility

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password, which we secure using bcrypt hashing (12 rounds). You are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your account. You must notify DormSell immediately of any unauthorized use of your password or account.

3.3 Account Termination Rights

DormSell reserves the right, in its sole discretion and without liability, to suspend, ban, or terminate your account, access to the Platform, or remove your listings at any time, with or without notice, if we suspect you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent activity, or if we deem your activity harmful to other users or the Platform's integrity.

4. Prohibited Conduct and User Content

You are solely responsible for all content you upload, post, transmit, or otherwise make available (collectively, "Post") on the Platform. Your Content includes listings, chat messages (even though they are AES-256-CBC encrypted in storage), reviews, profile information, profile pictures, and watchlist data.

4.1 Prohibited Content and Listings

You agree NOT to Post or transmit any content or listings that:

• Are Illegal, Fraudulent, or Misleading: Items that are stolen, counterfeit, or listings that contain false, inaccurate, or deceptive information about the item's condition, price, or availability.
• Are Inappropriate or Harmful: Content that is hateful, harassing, libelous, sexually explicit, obscene, discriminatory, or promotes violence or illegal acts.
• Are Prohibited Items: Including but not limited to weapons, illegal drugs, controlled substances, stolen property, alcohol (unless legally permissible and compliant with MIT policy), or items that violate any MIT or governmental law or policy.
• Violate Intellectual Property: Content that infringes upon the copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other proprietary rights of any third party.
• Compromise Security: Malicious code, viruses, or attempts to circumvent the Platform's security or rate limits.

4.2 Content Moderation and Enforcement

DormSell has the right, but not the obligation, to monitor and review all content and activity on the Platform.

• We use automated systems and manual review to detect and address violations of these Terms.
• Content or accounts reported by users or identified by administrators as violating these Terms may be immediately removed, suspended, or banned.
• DormSell reserves the right to review communications if required for legal compliance or critical safety investigations.

4.3 User Liability for Content

You indemnify and hold DormSell harmless from any claims, demands, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with your Content or your breach of these Content provisions.

5. Transactions, Payments, and Refunds

5.1 No Payment Processing

DormSell does NOT process payments, hold funds, or offer escrow services. All financial transactions occur OFF-PLATFORM and are conducted directly between the buyer and seller using third-party methods (e.g., Venmo, Cash, Zelle).

5.2 User Responsibility

You are solely responsible for:

• Verifying the condition, authenticity, and legal standing of items before payment.
• Verifying the identity and integrity of the counterparty.
• Verifying payment receipt before handing over an item.
• Ensuring your personal safety during in-person meetings.

5.3 No Refunds or Disputes

DormSell does not offer refunds, returns, exchanges, buyer protection, or seller guarantees. Since DormSell is not involved in the financial transaction, we have no mechanism to process refunds or chargebacks. Any disagreement or dispute regarding a transaction must be resolved directly between the buyer and the seller. DormSell will not act as a mediator in transaction disputes.

5.4 Transaction Completion Requirements

To maintain platform integrity and encourage timely transaction completion, DormSell enforces a 4-day transaction completion policy. Users with incomplete transactions older than 4 days are restricted from creating new listings or starting new chats until their pending transactions are completed. Users may continue to send messages within existing chat rooms related to their active transactions, regardless of the 4-day restriction. This policy applies to all transactions and helps ensure a fair and responsive marketplace environment.

6. Watchlist and Notifications

6.1 Watchlist Feature

DormSell offers an optional watchlist feature that allows users to save search interests (categories, keywords, price ranges) for personalized notifications. By using the watchlist feature, you consent to receive email notifications when items matching your saved interests are listed on the marketplace. You may manage, edit, or delete your watchlist preferences at any time through your account settings.

6.2 Notification Preferences

Users can manage their notification preferences for watchlist updates, transaction updates, and other platform communications. While we strive to deliver accurate and timely notifications, DormSell does not guarantee the delivery of any notification or assume responsibility for missed notifications or delays.

7. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

7.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. DormSell does not warrant that the Platform will be secure, uninterrupted, available at any time or location, or free of errors or viruses.

7.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DORMSELL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• Your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Platform.
• Any conduct or content of any third party or other user on the Platform, including without limitation, any fraudulent or defamatory statements.
• Any unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content.
• Any personal injury, death, or property damage resulting from in-person user meetings.
• Any dispute or transaction between users.

7.3 Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless DormSell, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your violation of these Terms; (b) your use of the Platform; (c) your Content; or (d) your transactions or interactions with other users.

8. Privacy and Data

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which details our data collection, use, storage, and security practices, including the use of AES-256-CBC encryption for chat messages, bcrypt hashing for passwords, image processing and storage (profile pictures and listing images are stored on Supabase Storage and converted to WebP format), watchlist data collection, transaction completion tracking, and the sharing of contact information via the Ping System. By agreeing to these Terms, you also acknowledge and agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy.

9. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

9.1 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

9.2 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, you agree to first attempt to resolve the matter informally by contacting DormSell at help@dormsell.com.

10. Modifications and Termination

10.1 Right to Modify Terms

DormSell reserves the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. By continuing to access or use the Platform after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.

10.2 Termination

You may stop using the Platform at any time by requesting account deletion. DormSell may terminate or suspend your account as outlined in Section 3.3. Upon termination, certain data may be retained for audit and legal purposes as defined in the Privacy Policy.

11. Miscellaneous

11.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is deemed unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

11.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms and the Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and DormSell relating to the subject matter herein.

11.3 Contact Information

Questions about these Terms of Service should be sent to us at help@dormsell.com.