Terms of Service – Marketplates Pty Ltd

12 October 2025

About These Terms

These Terms of Service (Terms) govern your use of the Marketplates online platform (Marketplates, we, our or the platform) and any services made available to you by Marketplates (Services).

By creating an account, accessing the platform and making use of any Marketplates Services you agree to be bound by these Terms which form a binding contract between you and Marketplates Pty Ltd ABN 14 687 870 524.

A reference to Services in these Terms is a reference to the services available to you through our platform and website, and any associated services we may offer.

When you create an account with Marketplates and utilise the Services you will also be required to create an account with certain third-party service providers of Marketplates, including Escrow.com, and in doing so agree to the terms of service and applicable policies of those parties.

These Terms apply in conjunction with other policies of Marketplates, including our Privacy Policy and Acceptable Use Policy.

Marketplates is a marketplace platform only. We do not buy, sell, or possess ownership of any plate listed for sale. Marketplates is not a party to any contract of sale between a buyer and seller; we merely facilitate access to plate sales.

1. Use of the Marketplates Platform

Eligibility

By creating an account and using the Marketplates Services you represent and warrant that you are over the age of 18 years old, or you are accessing the platform on behalf of someone under the age of 18 years as a parent or guardian and you consent to use of the platform by that person.

If you access the platform on behalf of a company or organisation you represent and warrant that you have the necessary authority from that company or organisation to bind it to these Terms.

You must not access the platform and any Marketplates Service if you have previously been suspended or prohibited from using the platform for any reason, or if you wish to access the platform on behalf of a company or organisation but do not have the necessary authority to do so.

User Accounts

If you wish to take advantage of the Services of Marketplates you will need to sign up and register for an account. Account signup requires you to provide certain personal information, such as your first and last name, email address, a secure password, billing, postal and physical addresses, mobile phone number, and other information as may be determined by us in our discretion from time to time. Personal information that you provide to us will be handled in accordance with the Marketplates Privacy Policy – available here.

When signing up to a Marketplates account you represent and warrant that any information you provide to Marketplates is truthful, accurate and up to date. Marketplates reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account that contains false or inaccurate information, including where a user seeks to impersonate another individual or provides information which is misleading (for example for purposes of fraudulent conduct).

Personal information you provide to us, and account log-in details, must not be shared with other users. Marketplates accepts no liability whatsoever in the event you share personal information with other users.

Marketplates reserves the right not to accept you as a registered user of our Services, and we may, in our absolute discretion, suspend or cancel your account for any reason, including for any failure to comply with these Terms.

2. Identity Verification

Marketplates may use the services of a third-party provider, Escrow.com, to verify your identity. Any personal information you provide to a third-party will be handled in accordance with that third-party’s policies (for example a privacy policy).

(a) Marketplates is in no way liable for any loss, costs, damages or other harms you may suffer as a result of any act or omission of a third-party engaged by Marketplates to verify your identity.
(b) Marketplates may confirm your identity with any third-party engaged by us to verify your identity, and in doing may receive from that third-party personal information of yours. In such case any personal information of yours shared with us will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
(c) Marketplates is entitled to rely on the information provided by a third-party identity verification service and to the full extent permitted by law we disclaim all warranties that the verification service is accurate in carrying out its services.

3. User Obligations

(a) act lawfully and honestly at all times when using the Marketplates Services;
(b) not violate any laws or regulations that apply to the sale and purchase of number plates;
(c) not share your account details with any other person, or allow other people to use your account;
(d) notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorised use of your account and/or account details;
(e) not interfere with the operation of our platform, attempt to hack the platform or transmit malware or viruses, or do anything else which might disrupt our Services;
(f) only use our platform and Services strictly in accordance with the purpose for which they are provided, and not for any other purpose including those that are illegal or fraudulent;
(g) not threaten, impersonate, harass, bully or endanger any other user of Marketplates;
(h) not disseminate unsolicited content such as spam, or post content which may be defamatory or discriminatory of any other person;
(i) not engage in conduct which has the potential to, or actually does, harm the reputation of Marketplates in any way;
(j) not reproduce, copy, adapt, modify and amend the Marketplates platform;
(k) not breach any of our terms or policies, including our Acceptable Use Policy and Privacy Policy;
(l) not pursue the sale of a number plate listed on Marketplates off-platform in order to avoid any fee payable by you; and
(m) acknowledge that Marketplates may cancel your account at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, if we believe you are in breach of these Terms.

4. Seller Responsibilities (Listing Plates for Sale)

(a) we may not accept a plate listing you try to make, or may limit the number of your listings;
(b) you are the lawful holder of the rights to that plate (or are otherwise authorised by the holder of the rights to that plate) and may commit to its sale;
(c) you acknowledge there are restrictions in each state and territory which apply to the legal transfer of number plates;
(d) you agree to provide any proof of right to a plate that we reasonably request;
(e) you will provide complete and accurate details about a plate listed by you for sale, including the exact plate combination and any conditions which apply to it (for example, if the plate is registered to a vehicle);
(f) you agree to use the Escrow.com service to complete the sale of any plate you list on Marketplates. Your agreement to use the Escrow.com service will require you to set up an Escrow.com account and act pursuant to its policies and terms of service, including as they relate to payment, fees and timeframes. If you do not act in accordance with the requirements of Escrow.com the transaction may be cancelled;
(g) you will provide the listed plate, if sold, in the condition described in your listing;
(h) you will not misrepresent or make false claims about the listed plate;
(i) you are responsible for setting a selling price and acknowledge Marketplates does not guarantee a sale or any particular price;
(j) a buyer’s offer is a legal offer; a contract forms when you accept the offer;
(k) you will not breach any of our terms or policies;
(l) you agree to Marketplates verifying the status of your plate with relevant authorities; and
(m) if sold, you will do all things necessary to effect transfer and pay any government fees for which you are liable.

5. Buyer Responsibilities (Purchasing a Plate)

(a) making an offer or agreeing to purchase commits you to a binding agreement if the seller accepts;
(b) do not make offers unless you intend to complete the transaction;
(c) you agree to use Escrow.com to complete payment and to comply with its policies and timeframes;
(d) if you purchase a plate, you must do all things necessary to effect transfer and pay any applicable government fees;
(e) confirm with Escrow.com that all transfer requirements are satisfied before authorising release of funds;
(f) do not request release of funds unless all requirements of Marketplates and Escrow.com are satisfied;
(g) you may be required to pay costs such as Escrow.com fees, a Marketplates commission and government charges; and
(h) Marketplates has no responsibility to you as to the accuracy or reliability of a plate listed for sale.

6. Transactions via Escrow.com

Marketplates uses Escrow.com to facilitate secure payments in relation to plate sales. When you buy or sell a plate Escrow.com holds and facilitates the transfer of funds and releases them to the seller once both parties have met the required conditions.

Both parties must create an Escrow.com account and agree to Escrow.com’s policies and terms. Marketplates is not a party to your agreement with Escrow.com.

Escrow.com will outline the requirements to complete the transaction. If either party fails to comply, the matter is handled under Escrow.com’s policies: Escrow.com Instructions.

Escrow.com may require identity verification and bank details. Parties must promptly comply.

Disputes between buyer and seller are handled under Escrow.com’s dispute resolution process. You release Marketplates from any liability arising from Escrow.com’s services.

7. Fees

Marketplates

(i) Listing: no fee to list a plate.
(ii) Buyer’s fee: 4% of the sales price (min $50, max $7,500) added at finalisation via Escrow.com.
(iii) Seller’s fee: 4% of the sales price (min $50, max $7,500) deducted from proceeds and remitted by Escrow.com.

(b) Escrow.com – fees are included within the buyer’s and seller’s fees above.
(c) Other Marketplates charges – none currently, subject to change at our discretion.
(d) Other charges – users are responsible for government charges or taxes applicable to transfers.
(e) Card charges – Escrow.com card/PayPal processing fee of 3.05% (up to $5,000 AUD).
(f) International transfer – international wire transfer fee of AUD$25.00 payable by the buyer.
(g) Refund of Marketplates commission – generally no refunds on cancellations; Marketplates may, at its sole discretion, refund or waive its commission. Escrow.com refunds are subject to Escrow.com policies.

8. Tax

You are responsible for the collection and remission of any taxes which may apply to your use of the Marketplates platform. We are not liable in relation to any tax that applies to transactions between users.

9. Limitation of Liability

(b) Platform – we are a marketplace only and are not a party to any sale. We do not guarantee quality, legality, suitability, listing accuracy, or likelihood of sale.
(c) Cancellation – we have no liability if a seller cancels a listing; cancellations are handled via Escrow.com.
(d) Warranty – Services are provided “as is” and “as available”, without guarantees of uptime, accessibility, error-free operation, or absolute security/accuracy.
(e) Third-Party Services – failures or breaches by third parties (including Escrow.com) are not our responsibility.
(f) Exclusion of Liability – to the fullest extent permitted by law we are not liable for disputes between users.
(g) State/Territory Decisions – we are not liable for decisions by authorities (e.g., refusal to transfer plates).
(h) Limitation of damages – if we are liable, our liability is limited to the greater of (a) total fees paid to us in the preceding 6 months (if any) or (b) AUD$100.00.
(i) Consequential Loss – we are not liable for incidental, special or consequential loss to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(j) Exclusion – all non-mandatory warranties are excluded to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(k) Australian Consumer Law – nothing here excludes your non-excludable rights under the ACL.
(l) No representation or warranty – we don’t endorse users, warrant their conduct, or their solvency.

10. Intellectual Property and Plate Rights

Number plates and combinations are the property of state/territory governments. A seller possesses a right to display, subject to law. Purchase does not confer ownership or IP rights beyond those conferred by law.

We cannot guarantee a plate can be sold or transferred. If a sale cannot complete due to a government decision, the sale will be cancelled and the buyer refunded (minus non-recoverable fees).

Except for rights attaching to listed plates, all IP associated with the platform and Services is owned by Marketplates or our licensors. You must not reproduce or exploit our content.

Third-party content is their responsibility; we make no guarantees about it.

You grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, worldwide, royalty-free licence (including sublicensing) to use any IP you provide/upload for the purpose of operating and improving the Services and you waive (to the extent permitted) moral rights claims.

You indemnify Marketplates against losses arising from claims that your material infringes third-party IP.

11. Termination and Suspension

Termination by you

You may deactivate your account at any time. If you are in an active transaction, you must first discharge all obligations (including fees) and comply with Escrow.com requirements.

Termination or suspension by us

We may suspend or terminate access if you breach these Terms or our policies, break the law, or pose a risk to users or our business. Grounds include illegal/prohibited content, fraud, non-payment, repeated cancellations, harassment, or attempts to circumvent the platform.

Effect of Termination

You will lose platform access. Agreements with other users may still require completion. We may retain or delete data in line with our policies. Clauses that should survive termination will continue to apply.

12. Dispute Resolution

Disputes between users

Refer to Escrow.com dispute processes: Escrow.com Instructions.

Disputes with Marketplates

13. Confidentiality

You must keep Marketplates’ Confidential Information strictly confidential and not disclose it without our prior written consent.

Confidential Information includes information about our business, operations, products, processes, systems, transactions, trade secrets, plans, finances, organisation and personnel, except where it is public (without breach), or already lawfully in your possession.

All personal details of, and communications between, users of Marketplates are confidential and must be kept so.

14. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and handle your personal information. By using the Services you agree to be bound by it.

15. Security

You are responsible for taking precautions against viruses, malware and other malicious software. We are not responsible for loss or damage to systems/devices arising from your use of the platform.

16. Updates to the Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use after an update means you accept the amended Terms.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and any other policies or terms we provide, constitute the entire agreement between you and Marketplates.

18. No Waiver

If we do not enforce a provision, that is not a waiver of our right to do so later.

19. Severability

If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, it will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary and the remainder will continue in full force.

20. Records and Auditing

We may retain records of transactions and communications (offers, comments, feedback, cookies, IP addresses, etc.) for administrative, audit and legal purposes.

21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales and the Commonwealth of Australia. Each party submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

22. Joint and Several Liability

Obligations and rights applying to two or more persons bind or benefit them jointly and severally.

23. Contact Us

Questions or concerns: hello@marketplates.com or marketplates.com/support.