Effective Date: September 2026 • Platform Version: 2.0 (B2B Manufacturing GA)
TheLokals operates an industrial B2B marketplace. All accounts registered on the platform represent commercial entities (corporations, LLPs, partnerships, sole proprietorships). Consumer protection statutes governing retail e-commerce do not apply to commercial production orders negotiated on this platform.
Manufacturing facilities undergo verification of business licenses, GSTIN, factory plant footprints, and physical machinery. While TheLokals audits physical plants and on-site evidence, suppliers are legally responsible for all technical capabilities, MOQ compliance, and lead-time guarantees stated in their published catalog and formal quotation agreements.
When a supplier issues a formal quotation with unit pricing tiers and milestone schedules, that quotation represents a legally binding offer valid until the specified expiry date. Acceptance of a quotation by the buyer generates a binding Purchase Order governed by the agreed milestone terms.
Milestone payments (e.g. 30% advance on sample approval, 70% on final dispatch) are logged into the platform financial ledger. Funds held in milestone escrow are disbursed upon confirmed pre-shipment quality inspection or buyer acceptance, subject to platform dispute resolution mechanisms.
Reviews may only be submitted by verified buyers who completed an actual transaction (production order or paid sample). Any attempt at review manipulation, identity spoofing, duplicate business creation, or cross-collusion will result in immediate suspension, listing de-indexing, and legal audit under our fraud prevention hooks.