Terms of Service & Master Vendor Agreement

ALOT CAFÉ is a business engaged in operating an integrated design experience centre and commercial marketplace for architecture, interior design, construction materials, furniture, lighting, décor, lifestyle products, and allied services, having its principal place of business at:

By accessing or using the ALOT website, online shop, or vendor portal, or by submitting goods for display and sale, you agree to be legally bound by these terms.

1. Using the Service

You agree to use the ALOT website and customer applications lawfully, fairly, and with integrity. You shall not disrupt the platform, attempt unauthorised access, circumvent security measures, misrepresent your identity, or harvest user data.

2. Product Listings & Pricing

All prices are stated in Indian Rupees (₹) and include applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST) unless explicitly noted otherwise. While we strive for complete accuracy, obvious pricing or typographical errors may be corrected prior to order confirmation.

3. Orders & Payment Collection

ALOT acts as the commercial facilitation and authorised payment collection platform. When you order products through the ALOT store or via in-cafe QR codes, payment is collected directly by ALOT on behalf of the empanelled vendor.

4. Shipping, Delivery & In-Store Pickup

• In-Store Pickup: Ready at the ALOT Café counter within 15 minutes of order confirmation during operating hours.
• Local Delivery (Kochi): Dispatched within 1-2 business days.
• Domestic Shipping (Rest of India): Delivered within 4-7 business days. Packing, transit insurance, and safe transport are ensured by our verified makers and logistics partners.

5. Customer Cancellations, Exchanges & Warranty

• Cancellations: Order modification or cancellation requests may be accommodated before dispatch or commencement of production. Custom, made-to-order, or bespoke commissions cannot be cancelled once manufacturing has commenced.
• Exchanges: Retail items in unused condition with original tags and receipt may be exchanged within 7 days of purchase.
• Warranty & Craft Quality: Every piece is covered by the artisan's warranty against manufacturing defects. Any defective or non-conforming item will be repaired, replaced, or refunded promptly upon notice.

6. Vendor Empanelment & Scope of Services

ALOT appoints approved vendors on a non-exclusive basis to display, market, and sell approved products through ALOT's physical experience centre and digital platforms. ALOT functions as a business facilitation and marketing ecosystem, introducing customers, architects, interior designers, and project owners, coordinating demonstrations, and managing payments.

Nothing in this relationship creates an employer-employee, principal-agent, partnership, joint venture, or franchise relationship. Each party remains an independent contracting entity.

7. Product Approval & Quality Standards

Vendors may only display and sell products approved by ALOT. The Vendor represents and warrants that all products supplied shall:

• Be genuine, new, unused, merchantable, and free from manufacturing defects or legal encumbrances.
• Strictly conform to technical specifications, drawings, and agreed dimensions.
• Comply with applicable Indian statutory standards, including Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications, safety standards, and environmental regulations.

The Vendor shall maintain sufficient inventory and production capacity and must immediately notify ALOT if any listed product is discontinued or temporarily unavailable.

8. Display Samples & In-Store Inventory

The Vendor may place approved display samples, mock-ups, catalogues, and brochures at the ALOT Café premises. All display materials remain the exclusive property of the Vendor. ALOT exercises reasonable care in handling display items but is not liable for normal wear and tear arising from customer interaction.

Upon termination of empanelment, the Vendor shall remove all display samples within thirty (30) days, failing which ALOT may relocate, return, or dispose of them at the Vendor's risk and cost after giving fifteen (15) days' written notice.

9. Commercial Terms & Settlement

In consideration of ALOT's marketing, promotional, customer acquisition, and commercial facilitation services:

• Commercial Facilitation & Commission: ALOT is entitled to an agreed Commission on each sale as set forth in the Vendor Empanelment Schedule (Schedule 1) or onboarding agreement. Specific commercial terms and commission structures are confidential and provided directly to empanelled vendors.
• Vendor Settlement: The Vendor receives the balance sale consideration, less applicable GST on the facilitation commission and statutory Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
• Payment Collection: The Customer pays ALOT directly. Vendors shall not demand, accept, or collect payments directly from ALOT-introduced customers.
• Payout Schedule: ALOT remits the Vendor's balance within seven (7) Business Days following receipt of full customer payment, receipt of a valid GST invoice from the Vendor, and confirmation that products have been delivered.

10. Pricing Policy & Price Revision Notice

The Vendor must offer competitive pricing that does not discriminate against ALOT. Any revision to product pricing requires a minimum of fifteen (15) days' prior written notice to ALOT. Orders confirmed prior to the effective date of revision remain at the previously agreed price.

11. Invoicing & GST Compliance

Each party must strictly comply with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) laws. The Vendor must issue compliant tax invoices and timely file GST returns to ensure input tax credit availability for customers and ALOT. Any tax liability or loss of input credit attributable to Vendor default shall be indemnified by the Vendor.

12. Delivery Responsibility & Transfer of Title

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Vendor bears full responsibility for packing, loading, transportation, transit insurance, and safe delivery of approved products directly to ALOT Café or the customer's designated project location.

Title & Risk: Legal title passes directly from the Vendor to the Customer upon physical delivery. The risk of loss, theft, or transit damage remains with the Vendor until successful delivery and acceptance.

13. Order Confirmations & Refund Reimbursement

• The Vendor must confirm acceptance of each Order Confirmation within one (1) Business Day.
• Where refunds become payable to customers, the Vendor shall reimburse ALOT for its corresponding share within five (5) Business Days of demand.
• If cancellation or return occurs due to delay, defect, or default attributable to the Vendor, all costs, compensations, and refund liabilities shall be borne exclusively by the Vendor.

14. Non-Circumvention & Protection of Leads

Every customer, architect, designer, builder, or client introduced to the Vendor through ALOT's premises, website, digital campaigns, or events constitutes an ALOT Café Generated Customer.

During the subsistence of empanelment and for a period of twenty-four (24) months after termination, the Vendor shall not bypass ALOT, induce customers to transact directly, or accept orders outside of ALOT to avoid payment of Commission.

Any sale concluded in violation of this clause renders the Vendor liable to pay the full Commission plus interest at 18% per annum from the due date until payment, without prejudice to damages or injunctive relief.

15. Intellectual Property Rights

All trademarks, designs, photographs, and content remain the intellectual property of their respective owners. The Vendor grants ALOT a royalty-free, non-exclusive, revocable licence to display, publish, photograph, and market the Vendor's products across in-store displays, digital catalogues, social media, and advertising.

16. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Each party agrees to maintain the strict confidentiality of trade secrets, commercial terms, pricing, and operational information. Confidentiality obligations survive for two (2) years following termination.

Customer data received through ALOT is confidential commercial property. The Vendor shall not copy, sell, or distribute customer details, nor utilise them for any purpose other than fulfilling the specific order.

17. Indemnity & Limitation of Liability

The Vendor shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless ALOT and its partners against any claims, losses, damages, or legal expenses arising from product defects, delivery delays, IP infringement, breach of warranties, or violation of applicable laws.

Except for gross negligence or wilful misconduct, ALOT's aggregate liability under this agreement shall not exceed the total Commission actually received by ALOT for the specific transaction giving rise to the claim.

18. Term, Suspension & Termination

• Term: Empanelment is entered into for an initial period of three (3) years, renewing automatically for successive one-year terms unless 90 days' prior written notice is given.
• Termination for Convenience: Either party may terminate the agreement without assigning reasons upon giving sixty (60) days' prior written notice.
• Termination for Cause: ALOT may terminate immediately if the Vendor fails to cure a material breach within fifteen (15) Business Days, or immediately in cases of counterfeit products, fraud, circumvention, or insolvency.
• Suspension: ALOT reserves the right to suspend empanelment, display rights, or payouts in the event of repeated delays, quality disputes, or conduct prejudicial to the brand.

19. Ethics, Anti-Corruption & Statutory Compliance

The Vendor must conduct its business with the highest standards of integrity and comply with all applicable statutes, including the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. Offering bribes, kickbacks, or falsified documentation is strictly prohibited and results in immediate termination and legal action.

20. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

Any dispute shall first be referred to amicable resolution within thirty (30) days. Failing amicable resolution, the dispute shall be resolved through arbitration by a sole arbitrator under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The seat and venue of arbitration shall be Ernakulam, Kerala, conducted in the English language.

These terms are governed by the laws of India. The courts at Ernakulam, Kerala have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising out of or in connection with this agreement.

21. Notices & Official Communications

Official notices, inquiries, or legal communications may be directed to: