TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated: March 2026

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the SILIEX platform ("Silicon Exchange", "we", "us", "our"). By creating an account, listing items, or making purchases on SILIEX, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use our services.

1. Eligibility

To use SILIEX, you must be at least 18 years of age, reside in the United States, provide accurate and truthful registration information, complete identity verification (email, phone, and selfie), and maintain only one account per person. Multiple accounts, fake identities, or misrepresentation will result in immediate account termination.

2. Account Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You must not share your account with others, and you are liable for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access. SILIEX reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

3. Identity Verification

SILIEX requires identity verification to maintain marketplace trust. This includes email verification via a one-time code, phone verification via SMS, and a facial photograph (selfie) to confirm you are a real person. Sellers must complete additional onboarding steps before listing items. Verification does not guarantee the identity of users beyond the scope of our verification process.

4. Listing Rules

All listings must accurately represent the item being sold. Sellers must provide a minimum of 3 photographs and 1 video of the actual item, assign an honest condition grade reflecting the item's true state, disclose all known defects, damage, or cosmetic issues, set pricing consistent with the item's condition and market value, and not solicit transactions outside the SILIEX platform.

Sellers may edit a listing up to 2 times after publication. The pricing type (fixed price, offers, or auction) cannot be changed after the listing is created.

5. Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited from sale on SILIEX: stolen property or items of questionable origin; counterfeit, replica, or misbranded hardware; items not related to computer hardware; hazardous materials or items with safety recalls; software, digital goods, or activation keys (unless bundled with hardware); items that violate any applicable law or regulation.

SILIEX reserves the right to remove any listing at our discretion.

6. Fees

Buyer Fee: 2.75% of the item price, added to the buyer's total at checkout.

Seller Fee: 2.75% of the item price, deducted from the seller's payout.

Total Platform Fee: 5.5% (split equally between buyer and seller).

Fees are non-refundable in cases of partial refund disputes. In full refund disputes, all platform fees are returned. Payment processing fees charged by our payment provider (Stripe) are separate from platform fees.

7. Payments & Payouts

All payments are processed through Stripe. Buyers pay at the time of purchase. Funds are held securely until the transaction is complete. Sellers receive payouts after the following timeline:

Day 0: Buyer purchases. Day 0–2: Seller ships (2-day shipping deadline). Day 2–9: Buyer confirms delivery or auto-confirmed after 7 days. Day 9–10: 1-day dispute window. Day 10: If no dispute, payout released to seller.

Sellers must have a connected Stripe account to receive payouts. SILIEX does not handle cash, checks, or external payment methods.

8. Shipping & Delivery

Sellers must ship items within 2 days of purchase. A valid tracking number and carrier must be provided when marking an order as shipped. Buyers have 7 days after shipping to confirm delivery. If the buyer does not confirm within 7 days, delivery is auto-confirmed. Local pickup is available as an alternative to shipping, at the buyer's choice during checkout.

9. Disputes

Buyers may file a dispute within 1 day (24 hours) after delivery confirmation. Disputes open a chat between the buyer, seller, and a SILIEX administrator. Each party may propose up to 5 resolutions. The other party must accept or reject each proposal. If all 10 proposals (5 per party) are exhausted without agreement, the dispute is auto-cancelled: the buyer receives a refund of the item price and shipping fee, and SILIEX retains the platform fees.

Full Refund: Buyer receives the full amount paid (item + shipping + buyer fee). Seller fee is also returned. SILIEX retains no fees.

Partial Refund: A negotiated amount is refunded to the buyer from the seller's payout. SILIEX retains both buyer and seller fees.

Dismissed: No refund. Seller receives full payout. The buyer may receive a strike for filing a frivolous dispute.

10. Strikes & Account Holds

Users who violate platform rules receive strikes. Buyers who accumulate 3 strikes receive a 30-day account hold. Sellers who accumulate 5 strikes receive a 30-day account hold. During a hold, the user cannot create listings, make purchases, or participate in the community. After the hold period, the account is reactivated and strikes are cleared.

11. Techie Stars Program

SILIEX operates a tiered reputation system (Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on verified transactions, exam certifications, and community participation. Higher tiers unlock benefits such as reduced fund hold periods and priority listing visibility. Tier status is earned and cannot be purchased.

12. Community Guidelines

Community posts and comments must be respectful and relevant to computer hardware. Prohibited content includes harassment, hate speech, or personal attacks; spam, advertising, or off-platform solicitation; sexually explicit or violent content; misinformation about products or sellers; and any content that violates applicable law. SILIEX may remove content and apply strikes at our discretion.

13. Intellectual Property

Users retain ownership of content they create (photos, descriptions, posts). By posting content on SILIEX, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and distribute that content on the platform for the purpose of operating the marketplace. SILIEX branding, design, and code are the property of SILIEX and may not be reproduced without permission.

14. Limitation of Liability

SILIEX is a marketplace facilitator. We do not own, inspect, or guarantee the quality of items listed on the platform. We provide tools for identity verification, condition grading, and dispute resolution, but we are not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers. SILIEX is not liable for item quality, accuracy of listings, shipping damage, or losses incurred through transactions. Our total liability to any user is limited to the platform fees collected on their transactions in the 12 months preceding the claim.

15. Tax Obligations

As a marketplace facilitator, SILIEX is responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax in states that require it. Sellers are responsible for reporting their income from sales on SILIEX for income tax purposes. SILIEX does not provide tax advice.

16. Termination

SILIEX may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, repeated disputes or strikes, or at our discretion for the safety of the community. Users may delete their account at any time through their profile settings. Account deletion does not void any pending transactions or obligations.

17. Modifications

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes via email at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

18. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved in the courts located in Cook County, Illinois.

19. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at: support@siliex.com