1. Overview
These Payment Terms govern all payment-related activities on the Masterlinq platform, including payment processing, fees, payouts, refunds, and chargebacks. These terms supplement our Platform Terms of Service and apply to all Retailers and Suppliers.
By using Masterlinq's payment features, you agree to these Payment Terms and authorize us to process payments on your behalf.
2. Payment Processing
Masterlinq partners with Stripe to provide secure payment processing:
- All customer payments are processed through Stripe's secure infrastructure
- We support major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Additional payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH) may be available
- Payment information is encrypted and never stored on Masterlinq servers
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliance is maintained through Stripe
By using our payment services, you also agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Masterlinq acts as a platform facilitating transactions between Retailers, Suppliers, and Customers. We are not a party to the underlying sale transaction.
3. Subscription Fees
Retailers pay monthly or annual subscription fees based on their selected plan:
- Subscription fees are billed in advance on the first day of each billing period
- Annual subscriptions receive a discount compared to monthly billing
- Plan features and limits vary by tier (see pricing page for details)
- Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades take effect at the next billing period
- No refunds for partial billing periods or unused features
Payment Methods:
- Credit or debit card (stored securely with Stripe)
- ACH bank transfer (for annual plans)
- Invoice billing (available for Enterprise plans)
If your payment method fails, we will attempt to charge it again and notify you. Continued payment failure may result in service interruption or account suspension.
4. Transaction Fees
Transaction fees are charged on sales processed through the platform:
Retailer Transaction Fees:
- Platform fee: percentage of each sale (varies by plan tier)
- Payment processing fee: Stripe's standard rates (currently 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
- Fees are deducted from your payout automatically
Supplier Commission:
- Commission on wholesale price of products sold through Retailers
- Commission rates are specified in your Supplier agreement
- Volume discounts may be available for high-volume Suppliers
Fee rates are subject to change with 30 days notice. Current rates are always displayed in your account dashboard.
5. Payouts
Masterlinq distributes funds to Retailers and Suppliers according to the following schedules:
Retailer Payouts:
- Standard: Weekly payouts (every Monday for the previous week's sales)
- Fast: Daily payouts (available on higher-tier plans)
- Minimum payout threshold: $25 (balances below threshold roll over)
- Payout includes: customer payments minus Supplier costs, platform fees, and processing fees
Supplier Payouts:
- Standard: Bi-weekly payouts (1st and 15th of each month)
- Payouts are processed after orders ship and tracking is confirmed
- 7-day hold period for new Suppliers (first 30 days)
- Payout includes: wholesale price minus platform commission
Payout Methods:
- ACH bank transfer (US accounts): 2-3 business days
- Wire transfer (international): 3-5 business days, fees may apply
- You must provide valid bank account information to receive payouts
Payouts may be delayed or held if there are pending disputes, suspected fraud, or compliance issues. We will notify you of any holds and the reason.
6. Refunds and Chargebacks
Refunds:
- Retailers are responsible for processing refunds according to their return policy
- Refunds are initiated through the Masterlinq dashboard
- Refunds are processed back to the customer's original payment method
- Platform fees on refunded transactions may or may not be returned (see plan details)
- Stripe processing fees are non-refundable
Chargebacks:
A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a charge with their bank or credit card company:
- Chargebacks are deducted from your account balance or future payouts
- A chargeback fee (currently $15) is charged per dispute
- You are responsible for providing evidence to dispute illegitimate chargebacks
- Masterlinq will assist with chargeback responses but cannot guarantee outcomes
- Excessive chargebacks may result in account review or termination
To minimize chargebacks, ensure accurate product descriptions, prompt shipping with tracking, responsive customer service, and clear return policies.
7. Tax Obligations
You are responsible for your own tax obligations:
Sales Tax:
- Masterlinq calculates and collects sales tax on behalf of Retailers where required
- Tax calculations are based on product category and customer shipping address
- Retailers are responsible for remitting collected taxes to appropriate authorities
- Tax reports are available in your dashboard for filing purposes
- Masterlinq is not responsible for tax calculation errors; consult a tax professional
Income Tax:
- You are responsible for reporting income from platform sales
- US users receiving over $600 in payouts will receive a 1099-K form
- International users are responsible for compliance with their local tax laws
We recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific tax obligations.
8. Stripe Terms
Payment processing is provided by Stripe. By using Masterlinq's payment features, you agree to be bound by Stripe's terms:
- Stripe Connected Account Agreement
- Stripe Services Agreement
- Stripe Privacy Policy
Stripe may require additional information or documentation to verify your identity or business. Failure to provide requested information may result in payment holds or account restrictions.
Stripe's terms are available at stripe.com/legal. In the event of a conflict between these Payment Terms and Stripe's terms, Stripe's terms govern payment processing matters.
9. Contact
For questions about payments, payouts, or billing:
- Email: support@masterlinq.io
- Support: support@masterlinq.io
- For urgent payment issues, contact support with "URGENT" in the subject line
For disputes or chargeback assistance, contact us within 24 hours of receiving notification to ensure timely response.
For general terms and policies, visit our Legal Center.