App terms

Last updated: 13 October 2026

These terms apply to the VanStock.trade app. Part A applies to everyone. Part B (Seller Terms) also applies once you set up to sell. The website and the Founding 500 are covered by our separate website terms.

Jump to: Part A: App Terms · Part B: Seller Terms · Prohibited items

Part A: App Terms

1. Who we are

1.1 The VanStock.trade app ("VanStock", "we", "us") is run by VAN STOCK TRADE LTD, a company registered in England and Wales (company no. 17464436), registered office 16 Heronsgate Trading Estate, Paycocke Road, Basildon SS14 3EU. Contact: [email protected].

1.2 These terms apply whenever you use the app. By creating an account you agree to them. If you don't agree, don't use the app.

2. Words we use

• Request (also called a "ping"): a post asking nearby trades and shops for a part.
• Offer: a reply to a request with a price.
• Buyer: the account that posts a request and accepts an offer.
• Seller: the account that makes an offer and hands over the part.
• Collection: the buyer collecting the part from the seller in person.
• Service fee: our fee for connecting buyer and seller, paid by the buyer.
• Pilot: the first, limited-area launch of the app, while paid plans are not yet available.

3. Who can use VanStock

3.1 VanStock is for business use only. You must be 18 or over and using the app for your trade or business (sole trader, partnership, LLP or company). You confirm this at signup. You're not a consumer when you use VanStock.

3.2 Your account is for the business you name. The person who signs up is the account owner and is responsible for everything done on the account.

3.3 You must verify a UK mobile number. Give accurate details and keep them up to date. One business may not open several accounts to get round limits, strikes or suspensions.

3.4 During the pilot, requests can only be posted in the areas we've switched on. Anyone can sign up; if you're outside those areas we'll tell you, and let you know when your area goes live.

3.5 Keep your phone and login secure. Tell us straight away at [email protected] if you think someone else has used your account.

4. What VanStock does (and doesn't do)

4.1 VanStock connects businesses that need a part with nearby businesses that have one. We act as a neutral introducer for both sides and provide the payment and invoicing tools in the app. We do not buy, sell, own, store, inspect or deliver any parts.

4.2 The contract for the part is between the buyer and the seller only. We are not a party to it. Any issue with the part itself (quality, fit, description, warranty) is between buyer and seller.

4.3 We don't check or guarantee that any part is genuine, safe, legal, fit for purpose or as described, or that any user is who they say they are, beyond the checks described in these terms.

5. How a request works

5.1 Posting. You describe the part, add a photo if you can, and set your area. We send the request to nearby users who have switched availability on (and to shops during their opening hours). New accounts can post up to 3 requests a day.

5.2 Offers. Sellers who have the part reply with a price. During the pilot, offers are limited to £250 per part. An offer is an invitation, not a binding sale, until the seller confirms it (5.4).

5.3 Choosing an offer. When you pick an offer, you add a payment method and we check the seller still has the part.

5.4 Seller confirms. The seller must confirm "Still got it" within the time shown. When they do, we authorise (hold) the full amount on your card, including 3D Secure checks, and share both phone numbers with just the two of you so you can arrange collection. If the seller says no or doesn't answer in time, your request reopens to other offers.

5.5 Collection. You arrange the time and place by phone or text. Use the numbers only for this collection; they're hidden when the request closes.

5.6 Handover. At collection, the buyer checks the part, ticks "I've inspected the part and it's correct" and taps "Confirm and pay". That takes the payment. The seller sees it's paid and hands over the part. This confirmation is the only way to complete a collection. Parts are sold as seen, between businesses, and by confirming you accept the part.

5.7 If it doesn't happen. An unused payment hold is cancelled after 24 hours. If a hold expires after numbers were shared, we'll ask the buyer "Did the collection happen?": Yes, collected (pay in the app now), No, it didn't happen (request closes), or Wrong part (request reopens).

5.8 Cancelling. A buyer can cancel a request before paying, giving a reason. Repeated cancellations after numbers are shared, or repeated no-shows by either side, can lead to the steps in section 8.

5.9 Price. The price agreed in the app is the price paid. No changes at collection.

5.10 Same business. If buyer and seller are the same business account, no card payment is taken; the collection is recorded as internal.

6. Fees and payment

6.1 Buyers pay the seller's price plus our service fee. Before you pay, the app shows both amounts: "Part" and "VanStock service fee", each including any VAT. You see the exact amounts before you confirm. Posting a request and making offers are free during the pilot.

6.2 Payments are processed by Stripe. When you pay in the app, your payment is made to the seller through Stripe and our service fee is paid to us. Once your payment is taken, you have paid the seller in full for the part and don't owe them anything more for it.

6.3 VAT. Our service fee carries VAT at the current rate once we are VAT-registered. VAT on the part depends on the seller: the app shows whether the part price includes VAT. A VAT invoice for the part must come from the seller if they are VAT-registered.

6.4 Refunds. The app has no refund button during the pilot. If the seller agrees to a refund (for example, the part turns out wrong), contact us and we'll process it through Stripe. Our service fee is non-refundable, unless the problem was caused by VanStock (for example a double charge or a technical fault), in which case we refund it too.

6.5 Chargebacks. If you dispute a card payment with your bank after confirming a collection, we'll give Stripe and your bank the timestamped in-app confirmation that you inspected the part and confirmed it was correct. Raising a chargeback without good reason is a breach of these terms.

6.6 Unclaimed seller payments. If a seller has not completed their payout set-up within 60 days of your collection, we cancel their payment and refund you the part price. Our service fee is not refunded, because the collection was completed. If a payment is wrong because of our mistake, we refund the service fee too.

7. Paying outside the app

7.1 Payment for any collection arranged through VanStock must be made in the app. Users may deal directly with each other on future, separate transactions.

7.2 There's no option to pay outside the app. If someone asks you to, you can report it in the app ("Asked to pay outside the app").

7.3 We track payment holds that expire after numbers were shared. If a matched collection isn't paid in the app, the steps in section 8 apply.

8. Rules, reports and strikes

8.1 You must not: list or ask for anything on the Prohibited items list; give false details; use another person's or business's details; harass, threaten or abuse anyone; use shared phone numbers for anything other than the collection; post misleading offers or offers for parts you don't have; try to get round fees, limits, strikes or suspensions; scrape, copy, reverse-engineer or overload the app; or use it for anything unlawful.

8.2 Reporting. You can report a request, offer or user in the app, including "Asked to pay outside the app" and "Suspected stolen". We review reports and may act on them.

8.3 Stolen goods. We will co-operate with the police and other authorities, including sharing account and transaction details where the law allows or requires.

8.4 Strikes for matched collections not paid in the app:

We run similar checks for repeated no-shows and late cancellations, counted over a rolling 90 days. Thresholds and durations can change; the current ones are shown in the app's Help.

8.5 Suspension and closure. We can limit, suspend or close an account, or remove a request or offer, if we reasonably believe you've broken these terms, put other users at risk, or acted unlawfully. Where it's safe to, we'll tell you why and give you a chance to respond. Payments already taken for completed collections are still paid out unless we suspect fraud.

8.6 Leaving. You can delete your account in the app at any time. We keep some records after deletion (see our App privacy notice), including tax, invoice and payment records for 6 years.

9. No guarantees on availability

9.1 VanStock is a pilot service. We don't promise that anyone will answer a request, that a part will be found, or how quickly. Don't rely on VanStock as your only way to get a part for urgent or safety-critical work.

9.2 We aim to keep the app running but it may be unavailable, slow or changed at times, including for maintenance.

10. Our liability

10.1 Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for anything else the law doesn't allow us to limit.

10.2 We're not responsible for the parts, or for what buyers and sellers do or don't do, including the condition, fit, safety or legality of any part, or anything that happens at a collection.

10.3 We're not liable for loss of profit, revenue, business, contracts or goodwill, for lost time or downtime on a job, or for any indirect or consequential loss.

10.4 Otherwise, our total liability to you in any 12 months is limited to the greater of £100 and the service fees you paid us in that period.

10.5 You're responsible for, and will cover our reasonable costs from, any claim caused by your breach of these terms, your parts, or your conduct at a collection.

11. Your content and our app

11.1 You keep ownership of the photos and descriptions you post. You give us a free, non-exclusive licence to use them to run the app (for example, showing your request to responders). We may remove any content at any time.

11.2 The VanStock.trade name, logo, beacon mark and app belong to us. You may use the app for your business, but not copy, resell or build on it.

11.3 Apple and Google. These terms are between you and us, not Apple or Google. Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these terms for iOS users and may enforce them. Apple and Google have no duty to provide support for the app, and aren't responsible for claims about it.

12. Privacy

12.1 Our App privacy notice explains what we collect and why, including your location while you use the app, your phone number being shared with the other party to a matched collection, and seller details we must report to HMRC.

13. Changes, complaints and law

13.1 We may change these terms. For material changes we'll give at least 14 days' notice in the app or by email; continuing to use the app after that means you accept them. Changes needed for legal or safety reasons may apply straight away.

13.2 Complaints about content or another user: use the in-app report, or email [email protected]. Other complaints: email us and we'll reply within 10 working days.

13.3 If part of these terms can't be enforced, the rest still applies. We can transfer our rights under these terms to another business that takes over VanStock.

13.4 These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and disputes go to the courts of England and Wales.

Part B: Seller Terms

Accepted at seller setup, the first time you send an offer. These add to Part A.

B1. Setting up to sell

B1.1 You can send offers and make sales before you complete seller setup. To be paid, you must complete seller setup: payout set-up with Stripe (identity and bank details) and your seller tax details. Until then, payments for your sales are held for you and the app reminds you that money is waiting. You can do this early from your Profile.

B1.2 Stripe. Payment processing services for sellers on VanStock are provided by Stripe and are subject to the Stripe Connected Account Agreement, which includes the Stripe Terms of Service (together, the "Stripe Services Agreement"). By agreeing to these terms or continuing to sell on VanStock, you agree to be bound by the Stripe Services Agreement, as modified by Stripe from time to time. As a condition of VanStock enabling payment processing services through Stripe, you agree to provide VanStock accurate and complete information about you and your business, and you authorise VanStock to share it and transaction information related to your use of the payment processing services provided by Stripe.

B2. Tax details and HMRC reporting

B2.1 UK law requires us to collect details about sellers and report their sales to HMRC each year (digital platform reporting). We ask for: your business type, legal name and address, and an ID (company number for a Ltd or LLP; National Insurance number, date of birth and home address for a sole trader; or partnership UTR for a partnership), plus your payout details.

B2.2 We report, per seller, what we paid you each quarter after deductions, the number of sales, fees we kept, and your VAT number if you have one. We send you a copy of what we report by 31 January each year. We keep these records for 5 years, even if you delete your account.

B2.3 You must give accurate details and update them if they change. We may ask you to re-confirm your address every 36 months. If details are missing or don't match Stripe's checks, we may pause your selling until it's sorted.

B2.4 You're responsible for your own tax and VAT on your sales. If you're VAT-registered, you must give the buyer a VAT invoice for the part on request.

B2.5 Invoices in your name. From the date we tell you invoices are switched on, you authorise VanStock to prepare and issue VAT invoices and credit notes in your name for your sales through the app. Each invoice is marked "self-billing", numbered from our sequence, and shows your VAT number if you have one. You must not issue another invoice for the same sale, and you must tell us straight away if your VAT registration changes. You can end this authority by written notice at any time. We keep copies for 6 years and send you a copy of each. Until then, B2.4 applies.

B2.6 VAT number. If you give us a VAT number, we check it with HMRC and show it on your offers and invoices.

B3. Your promises as a seller

Every time you make an offer, you promise that:

• you own the part, or have the right to sell it, and it isn't stolen, borrowed or subject to anyone else's claim;
• it matches your description and photo, including whether it's new, used or ex-display;
• it isn't on the Prohibited items list and you're allowed by law to sell it to this buyer;
• you still have it when you confirm "Still got it", and you'll hand it over at the agreed place and time.

B3.1 Parts are sold as seen, between businesses, and the buyer inspects before paying.

B4. Fees and payouts

B4.1 Pilot: you keep 100% of your price. The buyer pays our service fee on top. Offers are limited to £250 per part during the pilot.

B4.2 After the pilot: when paid plans launch, sellers without a plan will pay 10% of the part price. We'll give at least 30 days' notice before this starts. Seed sellers get 12 months free, counted from the day paid plans launch.

B4.3 Payments go through Stripe. Payments are taken through Stripe under the Stripe Connected Account Agreement you accepted. Once the buyer has paid in the app, the buyer has paid you, and the payment is passed on to you through Stripe.

B4.4 Payouts are made by Stripe to your bank account, normally daily. Your first payout may take longer while Stripe completes its checks. We or Stripe may hold a payout if we suspect fraud or a breach of these terms.

B4.5 Unclaimed payments. If you have not completed seller setup within 60 days of a collection, the payment for that sale is cancelled and the buyer is refunded the part price. You will not receive payment for that sale. We will remind you in the app and contact you before this happens.

B5. Refunds and payment protection

B5.1 If you agree to refund a buyer, tell us and we'll issue it through Stripe. The refunded amount is taken from your future payouts, or you repay it to us.

B5.2 Pilot payment protection. During the pilot, if a collection the buyer confirmed in the app is later reversed by the buyer's bank (a chargeback), we won't recover the amount from you, as long as:

• you confirmed "Still got it" in the app and handed over only after the app showed "Payment received – payout pending";
• the part matched your offer and these terms;
• there was no fraud, collusion or attempt to get round the app.

B5.3 We may change or end pilot payment protection with 30 days' notice; it never applies to collections already completed. When paid plans launch, protection will depend on your plan.

B5.4 After the pilot. When pilot payment protection ends under B5.3, if a collection is reversed by the buyer's bank because the part did not match your offer or you did not follow the app flow, you agree that VanStock may deduct the reversed amount and Stripe's dispute fee (currently £20) from your payouts or balance. You consent to Stripe debiting your balance for this, and we will give you 30 days' notice before this starts.

B6. Stopping selling

B6.1 You can stop selling at any time by switching availability off or deleting your account. Offers you've confirmed must still be honoured or cancelled in the app.

Prohibited items

You must not request, offer or hand over through VanStock:

1. Stolen goods, or anything you can't show you have the right to sell.
2. Refrigerant gases, to anyone who doesn't hold the F-gas certification the law requires to buy them.
3. Anything containing asbestos.
4. Products subject to a safety recall.
5. Gas appliances or gas-safety parts that haven't been safety-checked, or that the seller isn't allowed to supply.
6. Anything illegal to sell or possess in the UK, including counterfeit or fake-branded items.
7. Weapons, including firearms and their parts and knives that aren't normal trade tools. Everyday trade tools and cutting tools are fine.
8. Anything that needs a licence or registration to sell or buy (for example, controlled chemicals or explosives, including cartridge-tool charges), unless both sides hold what the law requires.

We may add to this list; the current version is always in the app's Help and on this page.