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
- Customer payments are charged directly to your own Stripe account, which you connect during onboarding
- 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 provides the technology that facilitates transactions between Retailers, Suppliers, and Customers. We are not a party to the underlying sale transaction, and we do not receive, hold, or disburse your sales proceeds.
3. Subscription Fees
Retailers pay a flat monthly subscription fee based on the plan they select, as shown at signup and in the account dashboard:
- Your first month is charged when you subscribe; subscription fees then recur monthly, in advance, on the anniversary of your subscription start date
- Plan tiers are based on order volume (see pricing page for details)
- Add-ons, such as additional store locations and optional services, are billed monthly alongside your plan
- Fees are non-refundable, including for partial billing periods or unused features
Annual Agreement:
- An annual plan is a 12-month commitment that you accept at checkout, in exchange for a discounted flat monthly rate
- Annual plans are billed monthly, not in a single up-front payment
- During the commitment, downgrades and cancellation are unavailable until the final 30 days of the term
- You may request cancellation at any time, but service and billing continue until the end of the 12-month term, at which point the cancellation takes effect
- Upgrading to a higher annual plan takes effect immediately and starts a new 12-month commitment from the date of the upgrade
- No pro-rata refund or credit is provided for the remainder of a commitment term
Monthly Plans:
- The monthly option has no commitment and is priced higher than the annual rate
- Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades take effect at the next billing period
- You may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period
Payment Methods:
- Credit or debit card (stored securely with Stripe)
- ACH bank transfer (for annual plans)
- Invoice billing (available for Enterprise plans)
If a subscription charge fails, we retry it and send reminder notices. For accounts using a Masterlinq-hosted storefront: if the balance is 10 days past due, access to your Masterlinq dashboard is restricted until it is paid (your online store stays live); if it remains unpaid 30 days past due, your online store is taken offline. For Shopify-connected accounts: if the balance is 10 days past due, your Masterlinq product sync and order feed are paused. In all cases, paying the outstanding balance restores access and service promptly. Continued non-payment may result in termination of your account.
You must dispute any charge within 30 days of the charge date. Charges not disputed within that period are deemed accepted.
4. Transaction Fees
Masterlinq does not charge transaction fees, platform fees, or commissions on sales processed through the platform. This applies to both Retailers and Suppliers.
Stripe charges its own payment processing fees for each transaction. These fees are set by Stripe, are deducted by Stripe from your Stripe balance, and are governed by your agreement with Stripe. Masterlinq does not set, collect, or receive any portion of Stripe's fees.
5. Payouts
Payments from your Customers are deposited into your own Stripe account. Stripe pays out your balance to your bank account on the payout schedule configured in your Stripe account. Masterlinq does not receive, hold, or disburse your sales proceeds, and does not control your payout timing, amounts, or holds.
Questions about payout schedules, holds, or bank account details should be directed to Stripe through your Stripe dashboard.
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
- Refunded amounts are debited from your Stripe balance
- Whether Stripe returns its processing fees on a refund is governed by Stripe's terms
Chargebacks:
A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a charge with their bank or credit card company:
- Chargebacks are handled through your Stripe account, and Stripe debits disputed amounts from your Stripe balance
- Stripe charges a dispute fee per chargeback under its own pricing; Masterlinq does not charge any additional chargeback fee
- 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:
- The platform calculates sales tax at checkout where configured, and the tax is collected with the Customer's payment into your Stripe account
- 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
- Stripe issues Form 1099-K for your Stripe account as required by applicable IRS reporting thresholds
- 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 or billing:
- Email: support@masterlinq.io
- For urgent payment issues, include "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.