These Trade Account Terms apply to business customers that apply for, hold or use a Sitex Direct trade account. They are intended to sit alongside the main Sitex Direct Terms and Conditions, the Returns and Refunds Policy, the Delivery and Fulfilment Policy, the Payments and Pricing Policy, and any separate Trade Credit Agreement where credit facilities are approved.
A trade account is a business purchasing account. It may provide access to business account features, quotation support, trade pricing, procurement support, account history, invoice access, multi-user purchasing, business addresses, bulk order handling and other commercial account functions. A trade account does not automatically include a credit facility. Trade credit is a separate arrangement and applies only where Sitex Direct expressly approves credit terms in writing.
Trade accounts are available only to customers purchasing wholly or mainly for business, trade, professional, industrial, procurement, contracting, resale or organisational purposes. By applying for or using a trade account, the applicant confirms that the account is being used for business purposes and that the individual submitting the application has authority to act for the business.
Sitex Direct may request business information before approving or maintaining a trade account. This may include company registration details, VAT information, trading address, delivery address, account contact details, proof of trading, purchase requirements, business category, procurement requirements, trade references or any other information reasonably required to assess the account.
Approval of a trade account is not automatic. Sitex Direct may approve, decline, suspend, restrict or close a trade account where it considers this appropriate for operational, commercial, compliance, fraud-prevention, credit-risk, payment-risk or customer-service reasons.
Sitex Direct may apply different account levels, account permissions, trade pricing access, quotation processes or purchasing controls depending on the customer’s trading history, order volume, product category, account risk, payment history and relationship with Sitex Direct. Approval of a trade account does not guarantee product availability, fixed pricing, credit terms or any particular discount level.
The business account holder is responsible for all users who access or place orders through the trade account. Orders placed by employees, agents, contractors, representatives, subsidiaries, departments, branches or other account users may be treated as authorised by the account holder unless Sitex Direct has received written notice before the order is processed that the relevant user is no longer authorised.
Customers should ensure that access to the trade account is limited to authorised staff and that login credentials are protected. Sitex Direct is not responsible for internal purchasing disputes between the account holder and its staff, departments, agents or representatives where an order has been placed through an active trade account.
Trade pricing may vary by product, category, quantity, supplier, customer status, stock position, marketplace seller, promotional period and commercial arrangement. Trade prices are provided for business purchasing and may be confidential to the account holder. Unless expressly agreed in writing, trade pricing does not create a permanent price commitment and may change without notice before order acceptance.
Where Sitex Direct provides a quotation, the quotation will normally apply only for the period stated on the quotation. If no validity period is stated, the quotation may be withdrawn or updated at any time before order acceptance. Quotations may be subject to stock availability, supplier price changes, delivery charges, VAT treatment, minimum order requirements, product substitutions, lead times and any conditions stated in the quotation.
Orders placed through trade accounts are subject to the Sitex Direct Terms and Conditions and any additional product, supplier, marketplace or written terms that apply to the transaction. A trade account customer is responsible for checking product suitability, quantity, specification, delivery address, delivery timing, VAT treatment and account details before submitting an order.
Sitex Direct may refuse, delay, cancel or verify trade account orders where an order appears unusual, exceeds normal account activity, creates credit risk, includes restricted products, involves high-value goods, triggers fraud checks, exceeds stock availability, depends on supplier approval or appears inconsistent with the customer’s normal purchasing pattern.
Trade account customers may be required to pay at checkout unless separate trade credit has been approved. Available payment methods may include card payment, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, account credit, invoice payment where approved, or other methods shown at checkout. Payment options may vary by account, risk level, order value, product type, delivery address or internal approval.
If trade credit is not approved, the customer must pay using a standard payment method before the order is processed. If trade credit is approved, the Trade Credit Agreement and any invoice payment terms will apply in addition to these Trade Account Terms.
A trade account and a trade credit facility are separate. A customer may hold a trade account without being approved for credit. A customer may also have trade account access withdrawn while a credit balance, invoice or account dispute remains outstanding.
Where trade credit is approved, Sitex Direct may set a credit limit, payment period, invoice process, account hold rules and purchasing controls. Sitex Direct may reduce, suspend, withdraw or amend credit terms where payment history, credit risk, account behaviour or business circumstances justify review.
Business customers may request returns in line with Sitex Direct’s returns process. While statutory consumer cancellation rights do not apply to business purchases, Sitex Direct aims to assess business return requests fairly and reasonably.
Return eligibility may depend on product type, condition, supplier policies, marketplace seller terms, stock status, whether the product was special-order, supplier-direct, made-to-order, clearance, custom, hazardous, installed, opened, used or otherwise unsuitable for resale. Where a return is approved, Sitex Direct will confirm the return method and any applicable handling requirements or costs in advance.
Trade account customers may purchase goods supplied directly by Sitex Direct, by suppliers, by distributors, by manufacturers or by approved marketplace sellers. Different fulfilment models may affect lead times, delivery methods, stock accuracy, cancellation eligibility, return procedure, warranty process and support handling.
Where goods are supplier-direct or marketplace supplied, Sitex Direct may coordinate customer support but may need to obtain information, approval, inspection findings or return instructions from the relevant supplier or seller before confirming the outcome of a support, delivery, return or warranty matter.
Trade accounts must not be used for fraud, misleading activity, unauthorised resale, payment abuse, price scraping, unlawful export, order manipulation, misuse of discount structures, unauthorised procurement, false business information or activity that damages Sitex Direct, customers, sellers, suppliers or payment providers.
Sitex Direct may restrict or suspend account access where misuse is suspected. This may include limiting payment methods, requiring prepayment, cancelling unfulfilled orders, disabling users, withdrawing trade pricing, pausing quotations, reviewing delivery addresses, requesting verification or closing the trade account.
Trade customers are expected to assess product suitability before purchase. This is especially important for industrial, electrical, construction, safety, PPE, battery, lighting, access, workwear, chemical, cable, tool, machinery or specialist products. Product descriptions, specifications, filters, category placement, customer service guidance and AI-assisted support are provided for assistance and do not replace professional judgement, manufacturer guidance or qualified installation advice.
Where a business customer purchases products for a site, project, employee, subcontractor, client, resale channel or regulated environment, the business customer is responsible for ensuring that the product is suitable, lawful, safe and compliant for the intended application.
Sitex Direct may suspend or close a trade account where payment risk, fraud risk, misuse, abusive conduct, repeated returns, excessive cancellations, false information, insolvency risk, breach of terms, suspected unlawful activity or operational risk arises. Sitex Direct may also suspend account services where outstanding invoices, chargebacks, disputes or credit concerns remain unresolved.
Closure of a trade account does not affect outstanding payment obligations, return obligations, warranty rights, liability for orders already placed or Sitex Direct’s right to recover sums owed.
These Trade Account Terms form part of the wider Sitex Direct legal and policy framework. Where a transaction is placed through a trade account, the Sitex Direct Terms and Conditions, Returns and Refunds Policy, Delivery and Fulfilment Policy, Payments and Pricing Policy, Privacy Policy and any applicable marketplace, supplier, quotation or credit terms may also apply.