Folio Vault – Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: 12 June 2026 

1. About Us

Folio Vault operates through separate legal entities in different regions:

• Folio Vault Limited (United Kingdom)

• Folio Vault North America Inc. (United States)

The contracting entity for each transaction will depend on the location of the transaction, payment, and fulfilment, and will be confirmed during the ordering or quoting process. Both entities are able to ship orders worldwide. 

Folio Vault is an independent bookseller specialising in pre-owned and collectible editions. We are not affiliated with The Folio Society Ltd.

For enquiries, please contact: info@thefoliovault.com (UK) or info@foliovaultnorthamerica.com (US)

How to Use These Terms & Conditions

Folio Vault works with both buyers and sellers of books. These Terms & Conditions are therefore divided into two separate sections:

Part A – Buying Books from Folio Vault
Applies to customers purchasing books directly from Folio Vault or through third-party marketplaces.

Part B – Selling Books to Folio Vault
Applies to individuals or businesses selling books to Folio Vault.

If you are purchasing books from us, please refer to Part A.

If you are selling books to us, you may proceed directly to Part B.

The General Terms at the end of this document apply to both buyers and sellers unless stated otherwise.

PART A – SALES (BUYERS)

2. Orders & Acceptance

Orders Placed Through Third-Party Marketplaces

Where books are purchased through eBay or another third-party marketplace, the policies, procedures, buyer protections, delivery estimates, dispatch requirements, returns process, refund procedures, and dispute resolution rules of that marketplace shall apply to the transaction.

Folio Vault will comply with all applicable marketplace requirements. Where there is any inconsistency between these Terms & Conditions and the policies of the marketplace through which the order was placed, the marketplace policies shall prevail to the extent required for that transaction.

Orders Placed Directly with Folio Vault

For orders placed directly with Folio Vault, an order is accepted once payment has been received or, where agreed, once Folio Vault confirms acceptance of the order.

We reserve the right to refuse, decline, or cancel any order before acceptance.

3. Pricing & Payment

For orders placed through eBay or another third-party marketplace, pricing, payment processing, and related transaction procedures are governed by the applicable marketplace.

For orders placed directly with Folio Vault:

• Prices may be quoted in GBP or USD depending on the contracting entity and transaction.

• Payment must be made in full before dispatch unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Ownership of the books remains with Folio Vault until payment has been received in full.

4. Shipping & Delivery

For orders placed through eBay or another third-party marketplace, dispatch times, delivery estimates, tracking requirements, returns procedures, and buyer protections are governed by the applicable marketplace policies.

For orders placed directly with Folio Vault, we will dispatch books as soon as reasonably possible after payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed.

Where Folio Vault arranges shipping, all shipments are sent using fully tracked services. We will provide tracking information to the buyer once the shipment has been dispatched. We will use reasonable care in selecting suitable courier services and remain responsible for the shipment until delivery to the buyer. In the unlikely event of loss, damage, or delivery issues, we will provide reasonable assistance in resolving the matter.

Buyers may alternatively collect books by appointment from the location where the purchased books are held. Depending on the books purchased, collection may be available from our United Kingdom or United States location. Collection arrangements must be agreed in advance.

Buyers may also arrange their own courier collection. Where the buyer instructs a courier or shipping agent directly, the contract for transportation shall be between the buyer and the courier. Folio Vault's responsibility for delivery ends when the books are collected by the buyer's nominated courier or agent. Any loss, damage, delay, customs issue, or other shipping-related matter occurring after collection shall be the responsibility of the buyer and their courier.

International Orders

Orders shipped internationally (from the UK or the US) may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and handling fees upon arrival.

• Books are generally duty-free, although import taxes such as VAT, GST, or similar local charges may still apply.

• Any charges are set by the destination country’s authorities and are the responsibility of the buyer.

• These charges are typically calculated based on the total value of the order, including shipping.

• The courier may contact the buyer directly to arrange payment of any applicable charges before delivery, as these are handled locally.

• The buyer is responsible for providing any information reasonably requested by the courier, customs authority, or other government agency to facilitate customs clearance. 

We always declare the contents and value of shipments accurately and carefully so that any duties, taxes, or other charges are assessed on the true value of the order. 

5. Holding Policy

We may, at our discretion, agree to hold books for a limited period after payment has been received. 

• Where a hold period is agreed at or before the time of payment, books may normally be held for up to 30 days free of charge unless otherwise agreed. 

• Storage fees of £2 per day per parcel (for transactions with Folio Vault Limited) or $2 per day per parcel (for transactions with Folio Vault North America Inc.) may apply where books remain unshipped, uncollected, or where delivery arrangements have not been completed. 

• We reserve the right to request shipping instructions or a delivery address at any time.

• If a buyer does not provide the required information within a reasonable period, we may apply storage charges, cancel the order, or take other reasonable steps in accordance with these Terms & Conditions. 

6. Non-Response & Uncollected Orders

If a buyer fails to provide delivery instructions, collection arrangements, or otherwise respond within a reasonable timeframe, Folio Vault may request instructions and set a deadline for response. 

If no response is received, we may:

• • continue to hold the books and apply any applicable storage charges;

  • deduct reasonable storage, administrative, shipping, or other costs incurred as a result of the delay;

  • cancel the order and issue a full or partial refund after deduction of any applicable costs; and

  • take such other reasonable steps as may be necessary to complete, cancel, or otherwise resolve the transaction.

7. Returns & Refunds

For orders placed through eBay or another third-party marketplace, returns, refunds, cancellations, and buyer protections are governed by the applicable marketplace policies.

For orders placed directly with Folio Vault:

• We offer a 30-day return period from the date of delivery.

• Where a buyer changes their mind, orders the wrong item, purchases by mistake, or otherwise wishes to return a book that is as described, the buyer is responsible for the cost of return shipping.

• If a book is materially different from its description, Folio Vault may, at its discretion, arrange or reimburse reasonable return shipping costs.

• Items must be returned in the same condition as received.

• Refunds will be issued after the returned books have been received and inspected, provided they are in the same condition as when dispatched.

• We reserve the right to adjust or refuse a refund if the returned items show signs of use, damage, or are not in their original condition.

• For international returns, the sender is responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, or administrative fees. We recommend clearly marking returned items to avoid unnecessary charges.

• We recommend using a tracked and insured service for returns, as we are not responsible for items lost in transit back to us.

8. Condition of Books

Books are sold as described. As pre-owned items, minor wear may be present. Buyers are responsible for reviewing descriptions and images before purchase.

9. Limitation of Liability

We are responsible for supplying the books as described and for arranging delivery using reputable courier services.

If any issues arise, we will always do our best to assist in resolving them.

However, we are not responsible for delays or issues caused by events outside our control, including courier delays or customs processing.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for:

• failure to deliver the goods as described

• loss or damage caused by our negligence

• any rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects any statutory rights that consumers may have under applicable law. 

PART B – PURCHASES (SELLERS)

10. Quotes & Assumptions 

All quotes are based on the information provided by the seller and on the assumption that the books and slipcases are in very good condition or as described.

For the purposes of these terms, “very good condition” means books with only light shelf wear and no significant defects, including foxing, inscriptions or markings, smoke or other odours, ex-library plates, sun damage, stains, or tears.

Sellers may either inspect the books in advance or choose to send them without detailed inspection. In such cases, Folio Vault will carry out its own inspection, focusing in particular on the most valuable items, and the offer may be adjusted if the condition of the books differs materially from the assumptions above.

11. Validity of Quotes

Quotes are valid for a limited period (typically 14–30 days unless otherwise stated). After this time, offers may be revised to reflect current market conditions.

12. Condition & Discrepancies

If books differ materially from the description provided:

• We may revise the offer accordingly, or

• return the books to the seller

Return shipping in such cases will be at the seller’s expense.

13. Shipping to Us

Unless otherwise agreed, sellers are responsible for packing books securely for transit.

Folio Vault will provide packing guidance and instructions designed to help protect books during shipment. Sellers are encouraged to contact us if they require clarification or assistance with packing, and we will make reasonable efforts to provide support by email or telephone.

Where a seller chooses not to follow the packing instructions provided, or otherwise packs the books inadequately, Folio Vault accepts no responsibility for any loss of value resulting from damage sustained during transit.

If books arrive damaged due to inadequate packaging, Folio Vault reserves the right to reduce or revise any offer to reflect the condition of the books as received.

Where Folio Vault assists with arranging courier collection, responsibility for packing the books securely remains with the seller unless Folio Vault has expressly agreed in writing to undertake the packing itself.

If a seller believes that damage was caused by the courier rather than by inadequate packaging, Folio Vault will provide reasonable assistance with any claim or investigation. However, Folio Vault does not guarantee that any claim will be accepted, and any compensation will remain subject to the courier's terms, conditions, and claims process.

14. Collection Offers & Partial Shipments

Where an offer is made for a collection of books, the offer is conditional upon receipt of the complete collection described by the seller.

Where only part of an agreed collection is received, Folio Vault reserves the right to treat the original offer as withdrawn and to issue a revised offer based solely on the books received.

Where books are to be sent in multiple shipments, or where additional books are expected as part of the same transaction, the seller should dispatch all remaining books within 30 days unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Folio Vault reserves the right to withdraw or revise any offer where shipment is not completed within this period.

15. Ownership & Payment

Ownership of books transfers to Folio Vault only after the books have been received, inspected, and payment has been made.

Payment is typically made promptly following inspection and confirmation.

16. Unresolved or Abandoned Transactions

Where books have been received and we are unable to complete the transaction due to lack of response from the seller, including failure to send the remainder of an agreed collection or failure to respond to a revised offer, Folio Vault will make reasonable attempts to contact the seller.

For the purposes of this section, written requests and notices may be sent by email to the address provided by the seller and shall be treated as sent on the day of transmission unless Folio Vault receives a delivery failure notification.

If no response is received within 14 days of our first written notice, Folio Vault may:

• charge storage and administration fees of £2 per day per parcel (UK sellers) or $2 per day per parcel (US sellers) until instructions are received or the matter is otherwise resolved;

• continue to hold the books at the seller's risk and expense;

• recover and deduct any reasonable storage, administration, shipping, legal or other costs incurred in connection with the unresolved transaction; and

• take such steps as are reasonably necessary and permitted by law to recover its costs and resolve the matter, including seeking legal advice and, where permitted by law, arranging for the sale of the books.

17. Consignment Arrangements

Where books are offered for sale on a consignment basis, a separate Consignment Agreement will be provided by Folio Vault.

The consignment arrangement will only take effect once the agreement has been accepted by the seller, including by email confirmation.

For collections being sold on consignment, Folio Vault will normally begin issuing monthly sales statements and payments only after all books included in the consignment have been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Where books are expected in multiple shipments, Folio Vault reserves the right to delay statements, payments, and the commencement of the consignment period until the complete collection has been received.

In the event of any inconsistency, the terms of the Consignment Agreement shall prevail over these Terms & Conditions.

GENERAL TERMS

18. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms & Conditions at any time.

The version published on our website at the time a transaction is agreed shall apply to that transaction. Updated terms will apply only to future transactions.

19. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales where the contracting entity is Folio Vault Limited. Where the contracting entity is Folio Vault North America Inc., these Terms & Conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Alabama. 

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior discussions or communications.

21. Privacy

We process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website:

https://www.thefoliovault.com/about/further-information/privacy-policy