Terms & Conditions

Welcome to The Provenance. By accessing or using our website and marketplace platform, you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before browsing, purchasing, or registering as a vendor. These terms govern the relationship between The Provenance, its registered vendors, and its customers.

If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions in full, you must discontinue use of the platform immediately.

1. About The Provenance

The Provenance is a curated online marketplace specialising in authentic natural history specimens, including fossils, minerals, rare artefacts, crystals, and related collectibles. The Provenance operates as a platform connecting approved vendors ("Vendors") with collectors, educators, and enthusiasts ("Buyers").

The Provenance does not itself manufacture, hold, or dispatch products listed on the platform. All items are listed, fulfilled, and dispatched directly by the individual Vendors who have agreed to The Provenance's Vendor Standards and Authenticity Guidelines.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By using this platform, you confirm that you:

Are at least 18 years of age, or are accessing the platform under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
Have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.
Acknowledge that your use of the platform constitutes a legally binding agreement with The Provenance.

3. Accounts & Registration

3.1 Creating an Account

To purchase items or register as a Vendor, you must create an account on The Provenance platform. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to keep your account details up to date at all times.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must notify The Provenance immediately if you suspect any unauthorised use of your account.

3.2 Vendor Accounts

Vendor registration is subject to approval by The Provenance. We reserve the right to accept or decline any application at our discretion. Approved Vendors must comply with The Provenance Vendor Guidelines at all times, including our Authenticity & Disclosure Standards and Photography Requirements.

The Provenance reserves the right to suspend or permanently remove any Vendor account found to be in breach of these Terms or the Vendor Guidelines, without prior notice.

4. Listings & Product Authenticity

The Provenance is built on a foundation of authenticity and trust. All Vendors are contractually required to ensure that every item listed on the platform is genuine, accurately described, and ethically sourced.

4.1 Vendor Obligations

Each Vendor warrants and represents that all listed items:

Are genuine, natural specimens and not forgeries, replicas, or artificially created items (unless clearly listed under a dedicated 'Replicas' category).
Have been ethically and legally sourced, with documented provenance where available.
Are described accurately, with full disclosure of any restoration, repair, stabilisation, or enhancement.
Are accompanied by accurate photography that represents the actual item being sold.

4.2 The Provenance's Role

While The Provenance undertakes a vetting process for all Vendors and moderates the platform, we do not independently verify the authenticity of every individual item listed. The primary responsibility for the accuracy of listings lies with the Vendor. The Provenance accepts no liability for items that are subsequently found to be inauthentic, misdescribed, or misrepresented by a Vendor.

Important: If you have concerns about the authenticity of an item you have received, please contact the Vendor directly in the first instance. If the matter remains unresolved, you may contact The Provenance and we will endeavour to assist where possible.

5. Purchases & Payments

5.1 Placing an Order

When you place an order on The Provenance, you are entering into a direct purchase agreement with the individual Vendor listing that item. The Provenance facilitates the transaction but is not a party to the sale contract between Buyer and Vendor.

All prices displayed on the platform are set by the individual Vendor and are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated. Prices are inclusive of any applicable taxes unless explicitly noted otherwise.

5.2 Payment Processing

Payments made through The Provenance platform are processed securely via our designated payment gateway. The Provenance does not store card details. By submitting a payment, you confirm that you are authorised to use the payment method provided.

Orders are confirmed only upon successful payment authorisation. The Provenance and the relevant Vendor reserve the right to cancel any order where payment cannot be verified or where suspected fraud is identified.

5.3 Commission

The Provenance charges Vendors a commission on each completed sale. Commission rates are set out in the Vendor Agreement and may be applied on a global, per-seller, or per-category basis as outlined in the Vendor Guidelines. Buyers are not charged any additional platform fees beyond the listed product price.

6. Shipping & Delivery

All items are dispatched directly by the individual Vendor. Shipping costs, delivery timeframes, and available shipping methods are determined by each Vendor and displayed at checkout. The Provenance is not responsible for delays, losses, or damage that occur during transit.

Vendors are required to dispatch all orders within 3 business days of receiving confirmed payment.
Tracking information must be provided to the Buyer via the platform upon dispatch.
International shipments may be subject to customs duties, taxes, or import fees levied by the destination country. These charges are the sole responsibility of the Buyer.
For orders placed using the Purpletree Shipping Table Rate method, shipping costs are calculated per Vendor and displayed as a combined total at checkout.

Packaging: Vendors are required to pack all items to museum-quality standards, using appropriate protective materials. If an item arrives damaged, please contact the Vendor within 48 hours of delivery with photographic evidence.

7. Returns Policy

Please Note: The Provenance operates as a curated marketplace platform. Returns are managed independently by each Vendor and are not administered by The Provenance. The Provenance does not intervene in, adjudicate, or process returns on behalf of any Vendor or Buyer.

7.1 Vendor-Managed Returns

Each Vendor on The Provenance sets and manages their own individual returns policy. Before completing a purchase, Buyers are strongly encouraged to review the Vendor's returns policy, which is accessible on the Vendor's store page.

Return eligibility, timeframes, conditions, and any associated costs (such as return postage) are determined entirely at the discretion of each Vendor. The Provenance makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee regarding the terms of any individual Vendor's returns policy.

7.2 How to Initiate a Return

To initiate a return, Buyers must:

Contact the Vendor directly through the platform's messaging system or via the "Contact Seller" function on the relevant store page.
Provide clear details of the reason for the return, along with supporting photographs where relevant.
Agree to any return conditions stipulated by the Vendor, including packaging requirements and return shipping arrangements.

Important: The Provenance is not responsible for return postage costs, lost return shipments, or disputes arising from a Buyer's failure to follow a Vendor's stated returns procedure. In the event of an unresolved dispute, please contact The Provenance support team and we will endeavour to assist where reasonably possible.

7.3 Items Damaged in Transit

If an item arrives damaged, the Buyer must contact the Vendor within 48 hours of delivery. Clear photographic evidence of both the damaged item and the packaging must be provided. The Vendor will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include a replacement, partial refund, or return, subject to their individual policy.

8. Refund Policy

Please Note: Refund policies are set independently by each Vendor on The Provenance platform. The Provenance does not set, enforce, or process refunds on behalf of any Vendor or Buyer. All refund requests must be directed to and resolved with the relevant Vendor.

8.1 Vendor-Set Refund Terms

Each Vendor is solely responsible for determining and communicating their refund eligibility criteria, timeframes, and processes. Refund terms may vary between Vendors and between individual listings. The Provenance strongly encourages Buyers to review a Vendor's refund policy prior to making any purchase.

Where a Vendor agrees to issue a refund, the Vendor is responsible for processing that refund in a timely manner. The Provenance is not a party to the refund transaction and bears no financial liability for any refund owed by a Vendor to a Buyer.

8.2 Non-Refundable Circumstances

Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the relevant Vendor, refunds will generally not apply in the following circumstances:

Change of mind after an order has been dispatched.
Minor variations in colour, texture, or appearance that are consistent with the natural character of organic specimens.
Items described as sold as-is, with condition notes clearly disclosed in the listing.
Customs delays, duties, or import issues outside the Vendor's control.

8.3 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute regarding a refund, Buyers should first attempt to resolve the matter directly with the Vendor. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, the Buyer may contact The Provenance support team, who will review the matter and may, at their discretion, assist in facilitating communication between the parties. The Provenance's involvement in any such dispute is advisory only and does not constitute any acceptance of liability.

9. Intellectual Property

All content on The Provenance platform, including but not limited to the website design, branding, written content, photography, logos, and trademarks, is the intellectual property of The Provenance or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

Vendors retain ownership of their own listing content, photographs, and descriptions. By listing on the platform, Vendors grant The Provenance a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display, reproduce, and promote their listing content for the purposes of operating and marketing the platform.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content from The Provenance platform for commercial purposes without prior written consent from The Provenance.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, The Provenance shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of or in connection with:

The purchase, use, or inability to use any item sold through the platform.
Any act or omission of a Vendor, including misrepresentation of a listed item.
Delays, losses, or damage occurring during shipping or transit.
Disputes between Buyers and Vendors regarding returns, refunds, or product condition.
Any unauthorised access to or use of your account.
Technical failures, interruptions, or errors affecting the platform.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable Australian Consumer Law.

11. Privacy

The Provenance is committed to protecting your personal information. The collection, use, and storage of your data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms and Conditions and is available on our website. By using the platform, you consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.

12. Reviews & Community Conduct

The Provenance welcomes honest and constructive feedback from Buyers. All reviews submitted on the platform are subject to moderation and must comply with our community standards. Reviews must be based on genuine purchase experiences and must not contain defamatory, offensive, or misleading content.

Where Vendor review approval is enabled, reviews will only be published following moderation by The Provenance. We reserve the right to remove any review that violates these standards.

Users must not engage in any conduct on the platform that is unlawful, fraudulent, threatening, abusive, or otherwise objectionable. The Provenance reserves the right to suspend or terminate the account of any user found to be in breach of these conduct standards.

13. Changes to These Terms

The Provenance reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be published on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the platform following the publication of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria, Australia.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact The Provenance team at:

Email: admin@theprovenance.store
Website: theprovenance.com.au

The Team at The Provenance