Vendors are expressly prohibited from circumventing the Buy BLK platform to avoid transaction fees, commission, or other platform obligations. Violations will result in severe financial penalties and immediate account termination.
Purpose
Buy BLK invests significant resources in customer acquisition, platform maintenance, payment processing, dispute resolution, and vendor support. Platform fees sustain these services and ensure a safe, reliable marketplace. Circumvention undermines the ecosystem and harms all community members.
Prohibited Circumvention Activities
The following actions constitute circumvention and are strictly forbidden:
1. Off-Platform Transactions
Soliciting customers to place orders outside the Buy BLK platform
Providing personal phone numbers, email, or external websites to customers with the intent to redirect orders
Encouraging customers to contact you directly instead of using platform messaging
Requesting payment through Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, PayPal, or other methods outside the platform for orders initiated on Buy BLK
Creating parallel ordering systems or "private menus" for repeat customers
Offering discounts or incentives for ordering off-platform
2. Fee Evasion Schemes
Underreporting sales or revenue
Splitting orders to manipulate fee structures
Processing refunds on-platform while accepting payment off-platform
Using platform resources (marketing, traffic) while completing transactions externally
Marking items as "free" or $0 and collecting payment separately
3. Customer Diversion
Including business cards, flyers, or promotional materials in deliveries that redirect customers off-platform
Verbal solicitation during delivery or pickup to bypass the platform
Social media messaging or advertising that encourages direct ordering outside Buy BLK
Building customer databases from platform orders for external marketing without permission
4. Account Manipulation
Creating multiple vendor accounts to avoid fee tiers or restrictions
Using family/friend accounts to process transactions and avoid platform obligations
Misrepresenting business structure to qualify for lower fees
Permitted Activities
Vendors may:
Operate a physical storefront or independent website alongside Buy BLK
Accept walk-in customers at your business location
Maintain separate marketing channels (social media, website) for your overall business
Include general business information (hours, location) in deliveries without soliciting off-platform orders
Encourage customers to follow your social media for updates (not for ordering)
Key Distinction: If a customer relationship was initiated through Buy BLK, all subsequent transactions from that customer must continue through Buy BLK for a minimum of 12 months.
Detection & Monitoring
Buy BLK employs multiple detection methods:
Automated systems monitoring communication patterns
Customer reports and feedback
Mystery shopper programs
Sales pattern analysis and anomaly detection
Cross-referencing with external payment processors
Review of vendor marketing materials and social media
Financial Penalties
Penalty Structure
Circumvention violations incur the following cumulative penalties:
Base Penalty: $500 per violation
Immediate fine for each confirmed circumvention attempt
Transaction Recovery: 3x Platform Fees
If off-platform transaction value can be determined, vendor owes triple the standard platform fee on that amount
Example: $100 order × 15% standard fee = $15. Penalty = $15 × 3 = $45
Estimated Revenue Penalty
If specific transactions cannot be identified, Buy BLK will estimate diverted revenue based on:
• Vendor's average order value
• Duration of circumvention activity
• Customer reports and evidence
• Industry standards and comparable vendors
Vendor will owe 3x platform fees on estimated diverted revenue
Administrative & Legal Fees: $1,000 - $5,000
Costs associated with investigation, enforcement, and collections
Repeat Violations
First Violation: Base penalties + transaction recovery + final warning
Second Violation: Double all financial penalties + 30-day suspension
Third Violation: Triple all financial penalties + permanent account termination
Enforcement Actions
Immediate Account Freeze
Upon detection, vendor account is immediately frozen, and all pending payouts are held
Payout Withholding
All penalties are deducted from held funds. If insufficient, future revenue is withheld until debt is satisfied
Permanent Removal
Vendor account is permanently deleted, and vendor is banned from re-registering
Legal Action & Collections
Buy BLK reserves the right to pursue legal action for breach of contract, fraud, and damages. Unpaid penalties are referred to collections agencies, negatively impacting vendor's credit rating
Payment of Penalties
Penalties must be paid within 14 days of notification. Payment options:
Customer Support: 24/7 support for customers and vendors
Community Growth: Events, resources, and programs supporting Black-owned businesses
When vendors circumvent the platform, they:
Steal from the community by using shared resources without contributing
Undermine trust in the marketplace
Force platform fees higher for compliant vendors
Risk losing Buy BLK as a sustainable marketplace
Commitment to Fairness
Buy BLK is committed to fair, transparent fees that sustain our community marketplace. We invest platform revenue back into services that help all vendors succeed. By complying with this Non-Circumvention Clause, you're supporting the entire Buy BLK ecosystem and ensuring its long-term viability.