Shop Agreement

(Merchant Terms & Conditions)

Last updated: [insert date]

This Shop Agreement (“Agreement”) sets out the terms under which food businesses (“Shop”, “you”, “your”) may list and sell discounted food items (“Meals”) via the AskUp platform (“AskUp”, “we”, “us”, “our”).

By creating a Shop account, uploading listings, or using the platform, you agree to this Agreement, together with the AskUp General Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Refund & Dispute Policy, and Food Safety Notice.

1. About AskUp

AskUp operates an online marketplace that allows Shops to list food items they expect or believe may be available for same-day or next-day collection.

AskUp:

does not prepare, cook, store, or handle food;

does not guarantee sales;

acts only as an intermediary for requests, ordering, and payment processing;

facilitates payments and payouts via Stripe.

The contract for the sale of a Meal is between the Shop and the Customer, and is formed only when the Shop confirms a Customer’s request.

2. Eligibility Requirements

To join and remain on AskUp, you must:

Be a legitimate UK-registered food business;

Be registered with your local authority;

Hold a valid food hygiene rating;

Comply with all applicable food safety and consumer protection laws;

Provide accurate and up-to-date business information.

AskUp may request evidence of registration, hygiene ratings, or compliance at any time.

3. Shop Responsibilities

3.1 Food Safety & Legal Compliance

You are solely responsible for:

Safe preparation, handling, storage, and packaging of all Meals;

Compliance with the Food Safety Act 1990, Food Hygiene Regulations, and all related legislation;

Maintaining appropriate storage temperatures;

Ensuring food is safe and fit for consumption at the time of pickup;

Providing accurate allergen and ingredient information as required by law.

AskUp accepts no responsibility for illness, allergic reactions, food poisoning, or adverse effects arising from your food.

3.2 Accuracy of Listings

You must ensure that all listings:

Use images that fairly represent the Meal;

Are not misleading or deceptive;

Display genuine discounts compared to normal selling price;

Show realistic and achievable pickup windows;

Reflect quantities you reasonably expect to have available.

Misleading or inaccurate listings may result in suspension or removal.

3.3 Handling Requests & Confirmed Orders

You agree to:

Review incoming requests promptly;

Only confirm requests when the Meal is actually available;

Prepare and set aside confirmed Meals;

Provide the correct Meal to the Customer during the pickup window;

Ensure staff understand how to identify and fulfil AskUp orders.

Repeated failure to honour confirmed requests may result in penalties, suspension, or removal.

3.4 Allergen Information

Under UK law, you must provide accurate allergen information upon request.

You agree to:

Provide clear and truthful allergen information;

Not misrepresent ingredients;

Comply with Natasha’s Law where applicable.

Failure to comply with allergen requirements is grounds for immediate removal from the platform.

4. Permitted & Prohibited Items

You may list:

Surplus or leftover food;

End-of-day items;

Baked goods;

Slow-moving or overstocked items;

Mixed or bundled Meals;

Non-perishable food extras where lawful.

You must not list:

Expired or unsafe food;

Food that has been temperature-abused;

Items that breach hygiene regulations;

Alcohol or age-restricted products;

Any illegal or prohibited items.

AskUp may remove listings that appear unsafe, unlawful, or misleading.

5. Pricing & Fees

You may set your own prices, provided that:

Prices represent a genuine discount;

Prices are displayed clearly and honestly;

No additional in-store fees are charged to Customers.

AskUp charges:

A platform fee of [X]% per confirmed Meal;

Stripe payment processing fees.

All fees are deducted automatically from your payout.

6. Requests, Confirmations & No-Shows

When a Customer submits a request:

No sale is formed until you confirm availability;

You are under no obligation to confirm a request.

Once you confirm a request:

The order becomes binding;

You must provide the Meal within the stated pickup window.

If a Customer fails to collect a confirmed Meal:

The order is treated as fulfilled;

The Customer is not refunded;

You are paid in full.

7. Payments & Payouts

Payments are processed via Stripe.

7.1 Payment Flow

Customer payment methods are authorised at request stage;

Funds are captured only upon your confirmation;

Payouts are released to you when:

the Customer confirms pickup, or

24 hours after the pickup window, provided no issue has been reported.

7.2 Paused Payouts

If a Customer reports an issue before payout:

The payout is paused;

AskUp will investigate;

You may be asked to provide clarification or evidence.

7.3 Resolution Outcomes

Possible outcomes include:

Release of payout to the Shop;

Full or partial refund to the Customer;

Order cancellation;

Platform-issued goodwill compensation (at AskUp’s discretion).

Nothing in this Agreement limits a Customer’s statutory rights.

8. Disputes & Complaints

Customers may report issues including:

Wrong or missing item;

Refusal to provide a confirmed Meal;

Unsafe or unfit food;

Allergen misinformation.

AskUp may:

Pause payouts;

Request evidence;

Issue warnings;

Apply penalties;

Suspend or remove your Shop.

AskUp is not liable for losses arising from disputes related to your food or operations.

9. Platform Conduct

You agree not to:

Misuse or manipulate the platform;

Artificially inflate prices;

Post misleading listings;

Harass Customers or AskUp staff;

Circumvent platform payments;

Encourage off-platform transactions.

10. Suspension & Termination

AskUp may suspend or terminate your access if:

You breach this Agreement;

Repeated complaints are received;

Food safety or allergen issues arise;

Hygiene ratings fall below acceptable standards;

Fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful behaviour occurs.

Serious breaches may result in immediate termination.

11. Liability & Indemnity

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

You are solely responsible for your food, listings, and business operations;

AskUp is not liable for illness, allergic reactions, food safety breaches, lost revenue, or reputational damage;

You agree to indemnify and hold AskUp harmless from claims arising from your food, listings, or conduct.

12. Data Protection

You must:

Comply with UK GDPR;

Use Customer data only to fulfil orders;

Not contact Customers outside the platform except for pickup-related issues;

Not store or misuse Customer personal data.

13. Changes to This Agreement

AskUp may update this Agreement at any time.
Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact

AskUp Ltd
Email: support@AskUp.co.uk