Certify you online business - Local Trader safe shopping network

AGREEMENT
This "Agreement" of Localtrader.info applies to all divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates and identities used by Localtrader.info and referenced hereinafter to LocalTrader. This Agreement is designed to provide a clear understanding of the rules, regulations, and restrictions on the use of the LocalTrader Site Certification Award Gold Star Seal membership. We may, from time to time at the sole discretion of LocalTrader, impose rules, regulations, or restrictions not expressly stated in this Agreement on the use of the Service. We may further, from time to time at the sole discretion of LocalTrader, modify this Agreement and such modification shall become immediately effective upon posting of the modified Agreement to our website or by notification to you of the modified Agreement. This Agreement is not exhaustive. This agreement is between you and LOCALTRADER.INFO.

LOCALTRADER CERTIFIED SEAL
You may not host the LocalTrader Certification Award Seal on your own server. You must follow our installation instructions in order to display the seal from your website. We are able to assist you with the installation, if required.

BILLING
Membership fees will be billed annually until membership is cancelled by the member by signing into the member account on the LOCALTRADER website and cancelling the membership.

REFUNDS
Refunds are available when you cancel your membership before the end of its term for each unused month. No refunds are available for part-used months. No refunds are made for the original registration fee.

MULTI SITE MEMBERSHIPS
LocalTrader memberships are assigned to a website under one domain name. Please make a fresh application for each additional domain name.

MEMBERSHIP ACCEPTANCE
LocalTrader reserves the right to refuse membership and the granting of the LocalTrader Site Certification Award Membership Seal. Upon an initial membership application, a LocalTrader Membership Seal is awarded to the applicant with a three (3) star rating. This is the default star ranking assigned to all new members. A LocalTrader operator will then review your website and the procedures published on your site, based on a 'Yes' or 'No' check list. The Local Trader Gold Star Ranking system has been developed to employ the use of an algorithm based on point scoring. Every Yes or No answer to the operator's checklist will add to a total score, and the member's star ranking will be awarded based on this score. At no time does any human operator make the decision on how many stars to award a member. Site reviews can take up to eight weeks. New members will be notified of the actual star ranking awarded to their domain once their site was reviewed. When this star ranking is less than the three stars initially awarded, assistance will be provided to help the new member regain his initially issued ranking of three stars in the fastest possible time. A star ranking of four (4) stars may be awarded after this review. LOCALTRADER reserves the right to refuse a membership application without giving reason. WEBSITES WHICH ARE OFFERING A PRODUCT OR SERVICE LISTED ON THE LOCALTRADER PROHIBITED LIST, CAN NOT APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP. LOCALTRADER WILL BE THE SOLE JUDGE AS TO WHICH PRODUCTS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

THE GOLD STAR RATING
When a Local Trader Gold Star Rating has been assigned to a new member, a confirmation email will be sent to the member confirming his/hers acceptance into the program and the star rating assigned to their website. If the final calculated star rating ranks lower than the three (3) stars issued during the initial application, guidelines and advice will be included with this acceptance email, to assist the new member in rapidly regaining the three (3) star rating. Also, if the system has calculated that based on your score, you should be awarded four (4) stars instead of the three stars initially awarded, you do not need to do anything as your seal will automatically be changed to display your four (4) star rating. Five (5) star ratings cannot initially be awarded, but are achievable after twelve (12) months unblemished membership. In other words, not a single complaint has been filed against a member over a twelve month period, whilst also passing every site check over the same period of time. Members have the opportunity to gain stars by vigorously adhering to the Local Trader code of practice and avoiding complaints being filed. Star ratings are reviewed automatically, based on an algorithm using point scoring over a period of time. Six or more verified and authenticated complaints filed against a member within one calendar month, will result in the loss of one (1) star. Three or more open issues remaining unanswered or without any correspondence from a member after 30 days of original notification, will result in the loss of one (1) star. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that his contact details, particularly his/her email address, are correct and up to date at all times. Unresolved disputes can cause revocation of membership.

COMPLAINTS
Any consumer filing a complaint must first attempt to resolve the issue with the member. Only after seeking resolution with the member, may a complaint be filed. All complaints filed must be reasonable and professional. Any complaints containing foul language will automatically be disregarded and not taken seriously. If a complaint is filed, Local Trader will serve as an intermediate between the member and the consumer. By participating in the Certification Award program, the member 's obligation is to respond to such mediation. Any participation is voluntary. The member is under no circumstances forced to comply with any demands from the consumer and is ultimately responsible for the outcome of such mediations. Mediation will only serve as a last resort of any conflict between a merchant and a consumer. Member are strongly encouraged to abide by traditional and reasonable Internet business and refund practices. Furthermore, members are not obligated to follow any advice or suggestions from either Local Trader or any consumer but are strongly urged to seek resolution in any matter put forth to them.

INDEMNITY
Members are responsible for their own business and business practices including websites and customer service policies. You agree to indemnify and not hold us responsible for any claims arising from the use of the Local Trader membership. Local Trader will under no circumstance be liable for any damages or losses incurred from the use of this website or from information provided through this website.

TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
A member may terminate this agreement by sending an email to Local Trader stating that membership is cancelled. Local Trader reserves the right to terminate any membership at any moment and for any reason.

OTHER
By using this website you further agree to any other information, including rules and regulations, that are posted on this website but are not included in this agreement.