Terms of Use & Localist Policies

Last updated October 6, 2026

This page has four parts: the Terms of Use that apply to everyone, the Creator (Seller) Terms, the Host Terms, and the Localist Policies (the practical rules for the marketplace). How we handle your information is in our Privacy Policy.

1. Terms of Use

Applies to everyone who uses localistclt.com.

These Terms of Use ("Terms") are an agreement between you and Localist, LLC ("The Localist," "we," "us"), a North Carolina company, which operates the marketplace at localistclt.com (the "Site"). By browsing the Site, creating an account, or buying or selling through it, you agree to these Terms, the Localist Policies, and our Privacy Policy. If you're a Creator or Host, the Creator (Seller) Terms or Host Terms also apply to you. If you don't agree, please don't use the Site.

1.1 Defining The Localist

The Localist is an online marketplace for Charlotte-area makers ("Creators"), neighborhood businesses that hold orders for pickup ("Hosts"), and the people who buy ("Customers"), collectively “users”. We provide the Site, the ordering and payment system, and tools for communication and pickup.

We are not the seller of Creator products, and we don't make, inspect or guarantee them. Creators are independent businesses or individuals, not our employees or agents. Hosts are independent businesses that hold orders as a convenience; they are not sellers and aren't our employees or agents. A sale is between the Customer and the Creator, with The Localist providing the platform and payment processing.

1.2 Who can use the Site

You must be 18 years or older to use the Localist. Minors under 18 who are at least 13 years of age are only permitted to use the Localist through an account owned by a parent or legal guardian with their appropriate permission and under their direct supervision. Children under 13 years are not permitted to use the Localist. You are responsible for any and all account activity conducted by a minor on your account. Products sold on the Localist must be approved by an administrator, but there may be commercial products available that are unsuitable for a minor.

Users must provide accurate information about themselves. It’s prohibited to use false information or impersonate another person or company through your account. Tell us right away at info@localistclt.com if you think someone else is using your account.

You're responsible for your account. You’re solely responsible for any activity on your account. If you’re sharing an account with other people, then the person whose financial information is on the account will ultimately be responsible for all activity. If you’re registering as a business entity, you personally guarantee that you have the authority to agree to the Terms on behalf of the business. Accounts are generally not transferable.

Protect your password. As we mentioned above, you’re solely responsible for any activity on your account, so it’s important to keep your account password secure.

These Terms don't create any agency, partnership, joint venture, employment, or franchise relationship between you and the Localist. We may refuse, suspend or close an account at our discretion, especially for violations of these Terms or the Policies.

1.3 Account types

Approval is at our discretion and is not a guarantee that a shop, product or location will stay listed.

1.4 Orders and payment

Pickup only. Nothing is shipped. When you check out you choose a pickup location for each Creator's items. If your cart has items from more than one Creator, you may have multiple pickup locations.

Prices are set by Creators. The price you see is the price before tax. Applicable sales tax is calculated automatically at checkout by Stripe and shown before you pay.

Payment is processed by Stripe. We never see or store your full card number. By paying, you agree to Stripe's terms for payment processing. If your cart has items from more than one Creator, you will have to do separate checkouts.

An order is placed when your payment succeeds. You'll get an email confirmation.

Pickup: when the Creator drops the order at the pickup location you'll get an email with a pickup codename and the Host address, hours and instructions. Give that codename when you collect your order. Please collect it within the pickup window shown, which we expect to be about 3 days. If an order isn't collected within 7 days, we'll contact you to arrange pickup. If it still hasn't been collected within 10 days, a Localist team member will collect it from the Host for holding, and after 20 days it will be returned to the Creator, who may choose to issue a refund minus fees (see Localist Policies §4.3).

Changes: If you need to request a different pickup location or update an item note, please do so as quickly as possible. Changes cannot be guaranteed. The Creator must approve the change before the order is updated. If an item has been delivered, you are responsible for pickup.

Custom orders (commissions): some products are "starting at" prices and are arranged directly with the Creator. The final price and details are agreed with the Creator, who then sends a private order link for that item. A custom order is a separate agreement between you and the Creator; see Localist Policies §4.4.

1.5 Problems, returns and refunds

Because every product is handmade and sold by an independent Creator, refunds and replacements are handled case by case under the Localist Policies §4.5. To report a problem, open the order in My Purchases and choose Report Issue, or email info@localistclt.com. Please do not take order problems to a Host's counter or staff; Hosts are not customer service for The Localist.

1.6 Messages

You can message Creators, Hosts, and our support team through the Site. You agree to keep communication respectful and about orders, products and pickups. To keep the marketplace safe, and to investigate reports, authorized Localist administrators may review messages sent through the Site. Don't share any private information, including credit card numbers or passwords, in messages.

1.7 What you can't do

You agree not to:

1.8 Your content

Creators and Hosts upload photos, descriptions, names, bios and logos ("Content"). You keep ownership. You give The Localist a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, reproduce and promote that Content on the Site, in emails, and in our own marketing (for example, social posts). This license ends when you delete the Content or close your account, except for copies in backups or already published materials, and orders already placed.

Content shared with the Localist must be an accurate representation of the actual product. Images edited or created with AI may not be approved if they are not deemed accurate representations of your product.

You promise that you own or have permission to use everything you upload and that it doesn't infringe anyone else's rights. If you believe something on the Site infringes your copyright, email info@localistclt.com with the item, your contact details and a description of your rights.

1.9 Our rights

The Site, our name, logo and design belong to The Localist. We may update, change or pause any part of the Site, and remove any product, shop or Content that violates these Terms or the Policies, with or without notice.

1.10 Disclaimers

The Site and everything on it are provided "as is" and "as available." To the fullest extent the law allows, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including that products are safe, accurate as described, or fit for a purpose. We don't guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.

1.11 Limit of liability

To the fullest extent the law allows, The Localist, its owners, employees and contractors are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for lost profits or data, arising from your use of the Site or from a transaction between users. Our total liability to you for anything related to the Site won't exceed the amount you paid us through the Site in the 12 months before the claim. Nothing here limits liability that can't be limited by law.

1.12 Indemnity

You agree to defend and reimburse The Localist, and its owners and employees, for claims, losses and costs (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from your content, your products or services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of someone else's rights.

1.13 Ending your account

You can close your account any time by emailing info@localistclt.com. Creators can also deactivate their shop from Account settings, which hides it from public viewing without deleting order history. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms. Sections that by their nature should survive (payment obligations, content licenses, disclaimers, liability limits, indemnity, disputes) survive termination. Because past orders are linked to accounts, we may keep transaction records as required by law or for accounting.

1.14 Disputes and governing law

These Terms are governed by North Carolina law. Before filing a claim, please email info@localistclt.com so we can try to resolve it informally.

1.15 Changes and contact

We may update these Terms as the Site changes. We'll update the date at the top, and for significant changes we'll email account holders. Continuing to use the Site after a change means you accept it. Questions: info@localistclt.com.

2. Creator (Seller) Terms

Additional terms for approved Creators. If anything here conflicts with the Terms of Use, these Terms control for Creators.

2.1 Defining a Creator

You're an independent seller, responsible for your own business, products, taxes, licenses and legal compliance. You're not an employee, partner or agent of The Localist. If you're 13–17, a parent or legal guardian must set up and manage the account and agree to these terms for you.

2.2 Applying and approval

You must apply and be approved before opening a shop. The application asks about you, your products and where you work. You promise it's accurate. We may decline or remove a Creator for any reason, including not fitting the marketplace. Approval doesn't mean we've verified your products, permits or insurance. Products are also individually approved.

2.3 Fees and payments

The following fees are valid through December 31, 2026. Fees will be re-evaluated for 2027. Changes will be emailed to all Creators.

Annual shop (membership) fee: $10 per year, charged by Stripe when you sign up. It renews automatically each year at the then-current price until you cancel; we'll email you 30 days before your renewal. Membership fees are nonrefundable after you are approved as a Creator.

You must pay the fee before you can list products. If the subscription is canceled, or a renewal payment still can't be collected after Stripe's automatic retries, your shop will be temporarily deactivated (hidden from shoppers, with your products turned off) until you renew your membership from your dashboard. Current orders at the time of deactivation are still valid and must be fulfilled.

Per-sale fees: The Localist keeps 3.5% of each sale as its platform fee. Stripe's payment processing fee (currently about 2.9% + $0.30) is also deducted from your payout. The rest of the sale goes to you. Fee rates may change; we'll update this page and notify you.

Payouts go through Stripe Connect. To be paid you must complete Stripe's onboarding, including identity and bank details. Stripe's terms for connected accounts apply to you, and Stripe may delay or hold payouts for its own reasons. Stripe may ask for a business website. You can use your Localist Creator page. We don't control Stripe's timing or approvals.

Taxes: you're responsible for your own income taxes. Sales tax on purchases made through the Site is calculated at checkout by Stripe and collected through The Localist, so you don't add it to your prices or remit it separately.

Refunds, chargebacks and negative balances: if a refund or chargeback happens on one of your sales, you agree that the amount (and any related Stripe fees) will be taken from your sales or payouts. If you can't cover it with your existing balance, you agree to promptly reimburse The Localist. We may offset what you owe against future payouts.

2.4 What you can sell

Made by you: products must be made, designed, grown, baked, produced or meaningfully transformed by you or your business. No resale of purchased or mass-produced goods, dropshipping, consignment, or preloved items.

Categories we welcome: art, home goods, gifts, paper, jewelry, accessories, plants and flowers, books by local authors, and shelf-stable local food that can be stored safely at room temperature.

Prices: at this time, individual products may be priced between $20 and $300 per item.

Limit: up to 15 active products at a time. You can deactivate products you aren't selling right now. Each product also has the option for three variants.

Not allowed: see the Prohibited Items list in the Localist Policies §4.1.

Commissions: you may offer custom-priced products once you've created at least one product. See Localist Policies §4.4.

Review: every product is reviewed before it goes live, and we may take down or ask you to change a listing at any time.

2.5 Accurate listings and honest practices

Describe your product honestly: materials, size, what's included, ingredients and allergens for food, and any limits.

AI disclosure: if AI tools helped create the product, its images or its description, you must turn on the "made with the help of AI tools" disclosure on the listing. Products created with AI assistance are allowed, but must be disclosed.

Photos must show your actual product (or a fair representation of it).

Keep quantities accurate, and turn off or deactivate items you can't fill.

Set a realistic turnaround time and keep your delivery calendar current. Estimated pickup windows shown to Customers are based on these.

Don't pad prices to cover fees in a way that misleads customers about the real price.

2.6 Fulfilling orders

Make, package and label each order clearly for pickup. Packages should be fully concealed in a bag, paper, or other wrap. Orders must have a Localist sticker with the order code and date of delivery. For privacy purposes, do not include customer name, price, or other private information.

Deliver completed orders to the pickup location the Customer chose, within the Host's business hours, and mark the order delivered so the Customer gets their confirmation email.

If it's your own pickup spot, you will have the option to mark it picked up.

If you can't fill an order on time, tell the Customer through the Site promptly and work out the best outcome (new date, substitute, or a refund).

Order changes: respond to Edit Order requests reasonably promptly. If you are able to accommodate a change, approve it on the website to update our system.

Customer information: you may use a customer's name, order details, notes or messages only to fulfill that order or pickup. You may not use it for your own marketing, share it with anyone else, or contact the Customer outside the Site for anything unrelated to their order.

Off-platform sales: don't use the Site to find customers and then sell to them outside the Site to avoid fees. You may of course tell people about your shop in general.

2.7 Food, plants and other regulated products

You're responsible for every permit, license, inspection, labeling rule or safety requirement that applies to what you sell. That includes North Carolina cottage food or food-handling rules, and rules for plants, flowers and pet products, and local zoning for home businesses. We may ask for proof. Food must be securely packaged and safe at room temperature during storage and pickup. Include any required labels (ingredients, allergens, "made in a home kitchen" statements where the law requires them).

2.8 Your intellectual property

You're responsible for having the right to sell what you sell: your designs, brand names, characters and images must be yours or properly licensed. No counterfeit, knockoff or unlicensed fan-art merchandise. If someone makes a valid infringement claim, we may remove the listing.

2.9 Insurance and risk

You're responsible for your own business insurance, if you carry any. You're responsible for your product during creation and while it's in transit to the Host. Once it's at the Host location, the Host will use reasonable protections to secure the product until the customer picks it up.

2.10 Removal and ending

We may remove products, deactivate a shop, or terminate a Creator account if you violate these terms, the Terms of Use or the Policies, receive repeated complaints, or put customers or Hosts at risk. If you want to leave, deactivate your shop or email info@localistclt.com. Open orders must still be fulfilled or refunded.

3. Host Terms

Additional terms for approved Hosts.

3.1 Defining a Host

A Host is a local business that agrees to hold Localist orders for Customers to pick up. Hosts are independent businesses, not employees, agents, sellers, contractors, or customer-service representatives of The Localist.

3.2 Applying, approval and fee

You must apply and be approved by the Localist admin. You confirm that the application is accurate.

There is no Host fee before January 1, 2027. Fees will be re-evaluated for 2027. Changes will be emailed to all Hosts.

Annual Host (membership) fee: $50 per year, starting January 1, 2027, charged by Stripe. It renews automatically each year at the then-current price until you cancel; we'll email you 30 days before your renewal.

This fee is refundable if you have no pickups within six months of application approval.

If you want to host at more than one location, each additional location must be approved by the Localist admin and has its own annual membership fee of $50 per year. Each location sets its own address, hours and pickup instructions.

3.3 What you agree to do

3.4 What you don't have to do

You don't sell Creator products, handle payments, inspect, open or evaluate products, or handle refunds and complaints. Customers with order problems are sent to The Localist site. This information is in their confirmation emails.

You aren't responsible for the quality, safety or accuracy of what's inside a package.

No refrigeration is required: only products that can be safely stored at room temperature are accepted.

3.5 Care of orders, loss and damage

You agree to use reasonable care, as you would with your own property, to keep orders secure and handed to the right person. You're not an insurer of the products. If an order is lost, stolen or damaged while in your care, you are only liable if you were found to be grossly negligent. In this instance, you are responsible for the cost of the order.

3.6 Promoting your business

You're welcome to promote your own business to Customers who come to pick up (a discount on a purchase, a menu handout, etc.). You may not sell or promote Creator products as your own, or use Customers' contact information for marketing.

3.7 Capacity and ending

The Localist team will monitor your orders during the first few months to ensure the process is working smoothly. If we need to limit how many orders you accept, we'll work with your available space. You may stop being a Host with reasonable notice so open orders can be moved. We reserve the right to end your Host status for breaking these terms, repeated problems, or safety concerns.

4. Localist Policies

Practical rules for how the marketplace works. These are part of the Terms of Use, Creator (Seller) Terms, and Host Terms.

4.1 Prohibited items and services

These can't be listed, sold, stored or distributed through The Localist at this time:

Creators remain responsible for any extra state or county rules, especially for food, plants and pet products. We may remove listings or Creators that don't comply.

4.2 Product and shop standards

Products should match their photos and descriptions. Shops and listings must be truthful, include required disclosures (such as the AI disclosure), and respect the 15-active-product limit. We reserve the right to ask for changes, hide a listing, or remove it.

4.3 Pickup and unclaimed orders

How pickup works: the Creator drops the order at the pickup location clearly labeled with the delivery date and an order code. The Host receives the package and registers the order in our system. The Customer gets an email with their codename and pickup details.

Window: we expect pickup within about 3 days of the "ready" email.

When dropping off or picking up packages, Creators and customers may not skip the line of customers, if one exists at that time.

Unclaimed orders: after 7 days, the Localist team will contact the customer to resolve the pickup. If the customer cannot collect the order within 10 days, a Localist team member collects the order from the Host for holding. After 20 days, the order will be returned to the Creator. The Creator may choose to issue a refund minus fees.

Wrong pickup location: If a mistake was made during the checkout process, a customer may request a change from My Purchases before pickup. The Creator must approve.

Order issues: should be reported through Report Issue on the Site or emailed to info@localistclt.com.

4.4 Custom orders (commissions)

Creators may offer a custom-priced option on a product, shown as "Starting at." Customers message the Creator to agree on the details and final price.

When agreed, the Creator creates a private one-off listing and the Customer pays through the Site. This payment protects both sides and keeps the order on The Localist.

Custom orders are made to your specification. Unless otherwise mentioned, custom orders are non-refundable once work has started. If the Creator doesn't deliver or the item is materially different from what was agreed, report the issue through the website.

Custom listings are reviewed by The Localist after creation, and we may cancel or refund an order that breaks the Prohibited Items list.

4.5 Refunds and problem orders

Start by reporting the issue through our website on the order page (or email info@localistclt.com). Please include photos if the item is damaged or inaccurate.

Report problems within 3 days of pickup.

We'll work with the Customer and Creator to decide the outcome: repair or replace, partial refund, or full refund. The Localist team will make the final call if they can't agree.

Refunded orders: the Creator is responsible for the refund amount as described in Creator (Seller) Terms §2.3. Processing fees may not be refunded, in accordance with Stripe’s policy.

Not covered: normal variations in handmade items, a Customer changing their mind after a custom order is started, or items damaged after pickup.

Chargebacks (a Customer disputing the payment with their bank) are handled through Stripe. Please contact us first. We can usually fix a problem faster than a chargeback can.

4.6 Conduct

Be kind and honest. The Localist is made up of local Creators, business owners, and supporters. We don't tolerate harassment, discrimination, threats or fraud, in messages, listings, reviews, or in person at pickup locations. Customers must be respectful to Host staff; Creators and Hosts must respect Customers' privacy. We may warn, suspend or remove anyone who doesn't.

4.7 Reporting a problem or someone

Use Report Issue, Contact Support in your Inbox, or email info@localistclt.com. For emergencies or crimes, call 911 first.

4.8 Changes

We may update these Policies as the marketplace grows. We'll update the date above and let account holders know about important changes.