Terms of Service

2.1 Eligibility

To create an account and transact on the Platform, you must be at least 18 years of age, or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction, and capable of forming a legally binding contract. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

Minors. Competitive swimming includes many athletes who are minors. SuitCycle accounts may only be created and held by adults aged 18 or older. A person under 18 may not create or hold their own account. A parent or legal guardian may create and hold an account and permit a minor to use the Platform under their supervision; in that case the parent or guardian is responsible for all activity under the account, including all purchases, sales, payments, and communications, and accepts these Terms on the minor’s behalf.

Children under 13. The Platform is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13, consistent with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). See our Privacy Policy for how we handle children’s information.

2.2 Account Creation

To list items, make purchases, or access certain features, you must create an account. When you register, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep that information updated. You may register using an email address and password or through a supported third-party authentication provider (such as Google).

2.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. SuitCycle offers email-based two-factor authentication, and we may require identity verification on new devices or after a period of inactivity. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to or use of your account. SuitCycle is not liable for any loss arising from your failure to safeguard your credentials.

2.4 One Account Per User

You may not maintain more than one account without our express permission, and you may not create an account using false information or on behalf of someone other than yourself. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate duplicate or fraudulent accounts.

3.1 SuitCycle Is a Marketplace and Intermediary

SuitCycle is not the seller of the items listed on the Platform (except where expressly identified as a first-party listing). The actual contract of sale for any item is formed directly between the buyer and the seller. SuitCycle is not a party to that transaction.

Except as expressly stated in these Terms (for example, with respect to our Buyer Protection program), SuitCycle does not take ownership of, take possession of, inspect, or guarantee any item listed on the Platform. We do not manufacture, store, or ship items except where we expressly offer such a service.

3.2 Services We Provide

To facilitate transactions, SuitCycle provides services that may include: listing and search tools; a condition-grading framework (“SuitScore”); payment processing through our third-party payment processor, Stripe; shipping label generation and tracking through our third-party shipping provider, Shippo; in-platform messaging; dispute resolution support; and seller payout facilitation.

3.3 Changes to the Platform

We may add, modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature of the Platform at any time without liability to you, subject to any rights you have already accrued in a pending transaction.

4.1 Creating Listings

Sellers may list eligible items for sale by providing accurate information, including brand, model, size, suit type, gender fit, age category (12 & Under or 13 & Over), primary stroke, primary distance suitability, what is included (suit only, bag, box), condition (SuitScore tier), price, photographs, and a description. You represent and warrant that all information you provide about an item is accurate, complete, and not misleading.

4.2 Seller Representations

By listing an item, you represent and warrant that: (a) you own the item or are otherwise authorized to sell it; (b) the item is authentic and not counterfeit; (c) the item is accurately described, including its condition and SuitScore tier; (d) the sale of the item does not violate these Terms or any applicable law; and (e) the photographs depict the actual item being sold.

4.3 Prohibited and Restricted Items

You may not list any of the following on the Platform: counterfeit or replica tech suits (including fake Arena, Speedo, TYR, or other brands); suits that have been chemically treated or structurally altered; suits listed under an inaccurate SuitScore tier; suits banned by World Aquatics (formerly FINA) from any era; stolen or unsafe items; and non-swimwear items of any kind. We reserve the right to remove any listing that violates these Terms or that we determine, in our sole discretion, to be inappropriate for the Platform. Violations may result in immediate listing removal and may result in account suspension.

4.4 Seller Address and Shipping Capability

To create a listing, a seller must have a valid shipping origin address on file, as it is required for shipping rate calculation. Sellers are responsible for shipping sold items promptly and in accordance with Section 7 (Shipping).

4.5 Listing Accuracy and the SuitScore Grading System

SuitCycle provides the SuitScore framework as a standardized way for sellers to describe an item’s competitive condition across five tiers (Gold, Podium, Prelim, Backup, and Practice). Each tier is evaluated across three criteria: label and logo condition, elasticity and compression recovery, and water repellency. The SuitScore tier assigned to a listing is self-reported by the seller and is not independently verified by SuitCycle. SuitCycle does not guarantee the accuracy of any self-reported SuitScore tier and is not responsible for a seller’s misgrading of an item, except as provided under our Buyer Protection program in Section 9.

5.1 Placing an Order

When you purchase an item, you agree to pay the listed price plus any applicable shipping charges, buyer-side perk costs, and other disclosed fees. Submitting an order constitutes a binding offer to purchase the item from the seller, subject to the item’s availability.

5.2 No Reservation Until Purchase

Adding an item to your cart or saving it as a favorite does not reserve the item or guarantee its availability or price. Items remain available to all buyers until a purchase is completed. Prices and availability may change at any time before purchase.

5.3 Payment Authorization and Escrow

When you place an order, your payment is processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe, and held pending completion of the transaction. Funds are not released to the seller until the conditions described in Section 8 (Payments, Fees, and Payouts) are satisfied. By placing an order, you authorize SuitCycle and Stripe to charge your payment method for the full order total.

5.4 Buyer Responsibilities

You are responsible for reviewing the listing, including the description, photographs, and SuitScore tier, before purchasing. You are also responsible for providing an accurate shipping address. SuitCycle is not responsible for losses arising from inaccurate shipping information you provide.

5.5 All Sales Final; No Returns for Fit or Preference

Except as provided under our Buyer Protection program (Section 9), all sales on the Platform are final. SuitCycle does not support buyer-initiated returns for fit, sizing, or change of mind. We strongly recommend that buyers message a seller with any sizing or condition questions before purchasing. Once the dispute window described in Section 9 closes without a valid dispute, the sale is final.

6.1 Marketplace Fee

SuitCycle charges sellers a marketplace fee calculated as a percentage of the item’s sale price. The standard marketplace fee is 10% of the listing price. The marketplace fee is calculated on the item’s listing price only and is never charged on shipping costs. The fee is deducted from the seller’s payout.

6.2 Optional Perks

Sellers and buyers may purchase optional perks, including Priority Listing. Perk costs are disclosed at the point of selection. Seller-side perk costs are deducted from the seller’s payout. Where a valid voucher is applied, the associated perk cost may be waived.

6.3 Vouchers

SuitCycle may issue single-use voucher codes that waive the cost of certain perks. Vouchers are non-transferable, have no cash value, and are subject to any additional terms stated at issuance. A voucher is consumed when redeemed and is not refunded if the associated listing does not result in a completed sale.

6.4 Changes to Fees

We may change our fees or perk costs at any time. Changes will not affect transactions already in progress, and we will provide notice of material changes as required by law.

6.5 Referral Program

SuitCycle may offer a referral program that lets you invite others using a personal referral link or code. When a person you refer creates an account and completes the qualifying step we specify (such as verifying their email address), both you and the referred person may receive a reward in the form of a perk voucher (for example, a Priority Listing voucher). Referral rewards are vouchers only; they have no cash value, are not account credit, and are subject to Section 6.3. We grant at most one referral reward per referred user, and we may withhold rewards and disable referral codes for self-referrals, duplicate or fake accounts, or other abuse. We may modify or discontinue the referral program at any time.

7.1 Shipping Arrangement

Sellers select whether the buyer or the seller bears the cost of shipping for a given listing. Shipping rates are calculated through our third-party shipping provider, Shippo, and shipping labels and tracking may be generated through the Platform. Manual shipping (entering your own tracking number) is available as a fallback. Domestic U.S. shipping only is supported at this time.

7.2 Shipping Charges

Where shipping is charged to the buyer, the shipping amount displayed at checkout is the amount the buyer agrees to pay.

7.3 Seller Shipping Obligations

Sellers must ship sold items within three (3) business days of purchase and enter a valid tracking number. If a seller does not provide valid tracking within three (3) business days of purchase, the order is automatically cancelled and the buyer receives a full refund to their original payment method. The seller is notified before cancellation. Sellers who ship without valid tracking assume full responsibility in the event of a delivery dispute. Domestic U.S. shipping only is supported at this time.

7.4 Risk of Loss and Delivery Disputes

Tracking information serves as the record of shipment and delivery. Where tracking confirms delivery to the buyer’s address, disputes claiming non-delivery will generally be resolved in the seller’s favor, and the buyer may be directed to file a claim with the shipping carrier. SuitCycle does not assume responsibility for items lost, stolen, or damaged in transit, except as expressly provided under Buyer Protection.

8.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. By transacting on the Platform, you also agree to Stripe’s terms and acknowledge that SuitCycle does not collect or store full payment card information; card details are entered directly into Stripe.

8.2 Seller Payouts and Connected Accounts

Sellers receive payouts through Stripe Connect accounts; new sellers onboard via Stripe Connect Express. To receive funds, a seller must complete Stripe’s onboarding and identity-verification process, which Stripe uses to collect the seller’s payout and tax information. SuitCycle uses a separate-charges-and-transfers model: the buyer’s payment is collected by SuitCycle, and the seller’s portion is paid to the seller’s connected account by a transfer once the payout conditions in Section 8.3 are met.

Sellers may list and sell items before completing onboarding, but payout of any funds from a completed sale requires completed onboarding. If a seller is not yet able to receive payouts when a sale completes, SuitCycle holds the seller’s funds and releases them automatically once the seller finishes onboarding. After SuitCycle initiates a transfer, the time for funds to reach the seller’s bank account is governed by Stripe’s standard payout schedule.

8.3 Release of Funds (Escrow Logic)

Funds for a completed purchase are held by SuitCycle and released to the seller after a delivery event: when the buyer confirms delivery, when the shipping carrier reports the item as delivered, or automatically seven (7) days after the item is shipped if the buyer does not confirm delivery sooner. If a buyer opens a valid dispute within the dispute window described in Section 9, SuitCycle may resolve it by issuing a refund and, where a payout has already been initiated, by recovering the corresponding amount from the seller. SuitCycle facilitates these movements of funds through Stripe and does not itself hold funds as a bank or escrow agent; references to funds being “held” describe this hold-and-release process, not a bank escrow account.

8.4 Taxes

You are responsible for determining and paying any taxes applicable to your transactions, including any income tax on your sales proceeds. Because seller payouts are processed through Stripe, Stripe collects sellers’ tax information during onboarding and issues any required tax forms (such as IRS Form 1099-K) directly to sellers who meet the applicable reporting thresholds; SuitCycle does not itself file these forms. SuitCycle does not provide tax advice, and you should consult a tax professional regarding your obligations.

SuitCycle does not currently collect sales tax on purchases. This may change as the Platform grows or as applicable law requires, in which case any tax will be shown at checkout.

9.1 Buyer Protection Coverage

SuitCycle offers a Buyer Protection program under which a buyer may be eligible for a full or partial refund in the following circumstances:

• the delivered item does not match its listed SuitScore tier;
• the item is significantly different from the listing photographs or description;
• the item is counterfeit or prohibited; or
• the item is not received, where tracking shows no movement for ten (10) or more business days after the expected delivery window.

Buyer Protection does not cover fit or size preference, change of mind, or non-delivery where tracking confirms delivery to the buyer’s address.

9.2 Dispute Window and Finality

A buyer must open a dispute within forty-eight (48) hours after delivery is confirmed (the “dispute window”). For an item that never arrives, a buyer may instead open a dispute where tracking shows no movement for ten (10) or more business days after the expected delivery window. To open a dispute, a buyer submits it through the Platform with a description and any supporting photos. SuitCycle reviews all disputes and supporting evidence, typically within three (3) business days, and resolves them in its reasonable discretion in accordance with our Policies. Because a seller payout may be initiated when delivery is confirmed, opening a dispute does not necessarily reverse a payout already in progress; where SuitCycle approves a dispute, it remedies it by refund as described in Sections 8.3 and 9.3. If the dispute window closes without a valid dispute, the sale is final.

9.3 Refunds

Approved refunds are returned to the buyer’s original payment method through Stripe, typically within five to ten (5-10) business days. Refund eligibility and amounts are determined under the Buyer Protection program and these Terms. Refunds are also issued automatically where a seller cancels before shipping or fails to ship within three (3) business days.

9.4 Chargebacks

If you are a buyer and you have a problem with an order, you agree to first use SuitCycle’s Buyer Protection and dispute process described in this Section 9 before asking your bank or card issuer for a chargeback or payment reversal. Filing a chargeback instead of using our dispute process, or filing a chargeback for a transaction you are not entitled to reverse, may result in suspension or termination of your account and may require you to reimburse SuitCycle for resulting losses, fees, and costs. SuitCycle will cooperate with legitimate chargeback investigations and may provide transaction and delivery records to the card network or issuer.

10.1 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to: (a) violate any law or these Terms; (b) post false, misleading, or fraudulent content; (c) infringe the intellectual property or other rights of others; (d) harass, threaten, or abuse other users; (e) circumvent the Platform to complete or solicit off-platform transactions in order to avoid fees; (f) use the Platform to launder money or facilitate illegal payments; (g) interfere with or disrupt the Platform’s operation or security; (h) use automated means to scrape or harvest data; or (i) impersonate any person or entity.

10.2 Messaging

In-platform messaging is provided to facilitate legitimate transactions. You agree to use messaging in accordance with our messaging guidelines, including refraining from sharing personal contact information prematurely, sending spam or unsolicited promotions, or soliciting off-platform transactions.

10.3 Reviews and Ratings

Users may leave reviews and ratings reflecting genuine transaction experiences. Reviews must not be false, defamatory, or manipulated. SuitCycle may remove reviews that violate these Terms.

10.4 Reporting and Enforcement

We provide tools to report listings, messages, profiles, and reviews. We typically review reports within 48 hours and may investigate and take action, including issuing warnings, restricting features, suspending or terminating accounts, removing content, and cancelling transactions, in our discretion and in accordance with our Policies. We do not disclose the identity of a user who submits a report, and a reported user is not notified of who filed a report. You may be required to be signed in to submit a report.

11.1 SuitCycle’s Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its design, text, graphics, logos, the SuitCycle and SuitScore marks, and all related software, is owned by SuitCycle or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without our permission.

11.2 User Content

You retain ownership of the content you submit, including listing photographs and descriptions. By submitting content, you grant SuitCycle a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, host, display, reproduce, and distribute that content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform. You represent that you have the rights necessary to grant this license.

12.1 “As Is” Provision of the Platform

The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SuitCycle disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.

12.2 No Warranty as to Items or Users

Because SuitCycle is a marketplace and not the seller of items (except where expressly stated), we do not warrant the existence, quality, safety, authenticity, legality, or accuracy of any item listed, nor the truth or accuracy of any user’s content or identity, except as expressly provided under Buyer Protection.

16.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.

16.2 Agreement to Arbitrate; Class-Action Waiver

You and SuitCycle agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. There is no judge or jury in arbitration, and court review of an arbitration award is limited.

Class-Action Waiver. You and SuitCycle each agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. If this class-action waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration agreement shall be null and void.

Exceptions. Either party may bring claims in small claims court if the claims qualify. Either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

Opt-Out. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to SuitCycle within thirty (30) days of creating your account. If you opt out, neither you nor SuitCycle will be required to arbitrate, and disputes will be resolved in court as described in Section 16.1.

16.3 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute against SuitCycle, you agree to first contact us at support@suitcycle.shop or through the support channels on the Platform and attempt to resolve the matter informally.

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and our Policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and SuitCycle regarding the Platform and supersede any prior agreements.

18.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, that provision will be limited or severed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

18.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our right to do so later.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

18.5 Relationship of the Parties

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between you and SuitCycle.

18.6 Contact

Questions about these Terms may be directed to SuitCycle at support@suitcycle.shop or through the contact channels provided on the Platform.