Terms of Service

Effective date: October 15, 2026

By creating an account or using the Collectoria platform you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

1. Who we are and our role

Collectoria is operated by —, identification code —, registered address —. Contact: —, —.

Collectoria runs a marketplace, auctions, a community board, an encyclopedia, collector tools and an outfitters directory for minerals, gems, fossils, coins, banknotes, trading cards, postal marks and related collectibles. Our role depends on the kind of sale:

• Items sold by Collectoria (official store, consignments we sell on the owner's behalf): Collectoria is the seller.
• Items sold by other sellers through Collectoria (seller listings, auctions, community board deals): the seller is the person or business who listed the item. Collectoria acts as the intermediary: the buyer pays Collectoria through our payment provider, the seller sends the item to Collectoria, we inspect it and send it to the buyer, and we pay the seller the sale price minus the platform fee after delivery and the dispute window. Buyers never pay sellers directly.
• Outfitters directory: outfitters sell their own goods and services. Orders are placed with the outfitter and paid to the outfitter; Collectoria is not a party to those sales and does not handle their payments.

2. Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old and capable of forming a binding contract to register. You are responsible for keeping your password secure and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access. Accounts are personal and may not be transferred without consent.

3. Seller obligations

• List only items you own or are legally authorized to sell.
• Describe the exact item for sale, including its condition, treatment, weight, dimensions, locality, provenance, certificates, damage, and any material uncertainty.
• Assign correct media roles (item photo, scale photo, gallery, certificate, 3D model, video) and use clear, accurate photographs.
• Do not misrepresent synthetic, treated, dyed, repaired, assembled, imitation, or enhanced material as natural or untreated.
• Ship within the time stated in the listing, use tracked shipping where required, and cooperate fully with dispute review.
• Comply with all applicable export, import, cultural-heritage, customs, and permit requirements for your jurisdiction.

4. Buyer obligations

• Review all listing photos, certificates, measurements, condition notes, locality information, treatment disclosures, shipping costs, taxes, and return windows before purchasing.
• Complete payment only through platform-approved flows when marketplace buyer protection is expected.
• Do not abuse disputes, chargebacks, offers, reviews, or messaging systems.
• Report delivery issues, condition discrepancies, or authenticity concerns promptly with photographic evidence.

5. Prohibited items and conduct

The following are not permitted on Collectoria:

• Stolen, illegally collected, or improperly exported specimens.
• Protected cultural heritage objects without documented legal authority.
• Items regulated under CITES, sanctions law, or subject to export/import controls the seller does not satisfy.
• Radioactive, asbestos-bearing, mercury-bearing, or otherwise hazardous material without adequate disclosure and legal compliance.
• Counterfeit, forged, or materially misrepresented items.
• Shill bidding, bid manipulation, fake scarcity, off-platform payment pressure, or coordinated price manipulation.
• Spam, harassment, hate content, fraudulent messages, private data exposure, and attempts to bypass moderation.

6. Auctions and offers

A placed bid or accepted offer is a binding commitment to complete the transaction on the listed terms. Bids are accepted only until the end time shown on the lot; a bid in the final minutes may extend the end time (anti-sniping) when the lot says so. The hammer price plus the buyer's premium shown on the lot is what the winner pays, plus delivery. The winner must pay within the payment deadline shown after the auction (72 hours unless stated otherwise); an unpaid win is cancelled and may restrict the account. Sellers may not bid on or buy their own lots. Collectoria may cancel bids, reverse offers, or remove lots where platform rules or applicable law are violated.

7. Fees and payments

Sellers pay the platform fee shown in the Seller Hub (Fees & Shipping) for the sale type and their country; it is deducted from the payout. Buyers pay the item price, delivery and, for auctions, the buyer's premium shown on the lot — no other platform fee is charged to buyers. Fees may change with notice and never change for a sale already made.

Every purchase of an item found on Collectoria is paid through Collectoria. Asking for or making payment outside the platform for such an item is not allowed and removes buyer protection. Card payments are processed by our payment provider; Collectoria does not store card data. Buyer payments are held in Collectoria's account until the item is delivered and the dispute window has passed, then the seller's share is paid to the seller's verified bank account in the seller's own name.

7a. Returns and right of withdrawal

Returns, the 14-day right of withdrawal for consumers and refunds are described in the Returns and Refund Policy, which forms part of these terms.

8. Disputes

Buyers should first attempt to resolve issues with the seller directly. If resolution fails, a dispute may be opened through the platform's dispute intake. Evidence requirements, timelines, and possible outcomes are described in the Dispute Policy. Collectoria decisions on marketplace disputes are final for platform-held funds but do not affect rights under applicable consumer law.

9. Intellectual property

You retain ownership of content you upload. By submitting content you grant Collectoria a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and distribute that content on the platform and in associated materials. You may not use platform content, encyclopedia text, design elements, or trademarks outside the platform without written permission.

10. Encyclopedia and AI tools

Encyclopedia entries, identification tools, AI-assisted results, geological data, price history, and guides are provided for informational purposes only. They are not professional appraisals, certifications, legal advice, financial advice, or customs guidance. Users rely on these tools at their own risk. For high-value or legally sensitive items, obtain professional review.

11. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Collectoria is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages arising from use of the platform, including failed transactions, item authenticity disputes, shipping losses, data loss, or third-party service failures. Total liability to any user for direct damages shall not exceed the fees Collectoria received from that user in the three months preceding the claim.

12. Termination

Either party may terminate at any time. Collectoria may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, pose fraud risk, or where required by law — with or without prior notice depending on severity. On termination, outstanding obligations (pending orders, active disputes, payout holds) will be resolved under these terms. Sections on intellectual property, limitations of liability, and dispute resolution survive termination.

13. Changes to these terms

Collectoria may update these terms. Continued use of the platform after notice of changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not accept a material change, you may close your account before the effective date.

14. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Georgia. We will first try to settle any dispute by negotiation (contact us below). Disputes that cannot be settled are decided by the competent courts of Georgia, Tbilisi City Court as the court of first instance. This does not limit any mandatory right a consumer has under the law of their country of residence.

15. Contact

—, —. Email: —. Phone: —. You can also use the contact page.