Site Approval Seal Program

Last updated: 11/2007 @ 3:45PM EST.  We look forward to serving online consumers and Web sites. Please take the time to fully read and understand this legal repository.

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Guardian eCommerce, (hereinafter: G.E., our, and we) is an independently owned Canadian organization serving the global Internet community through online consumer protection initiatives which includes exposing trustworthy Web sites. This legal disclaimer applies to every applicable entity, including all Web sites, Internet business, homepages, site operators, site owners, and G.E. Privacy Seal Program participants, (hereinafter: you, your, Web site, site owner).

All G.E. site seals, (privacy seals), logos, and other provisions, are for Web site security, privacy, and safety identification purposes only, and are not designed to be used in any way which is deemed illegal or deemed harmful to you as an approved Web site or Internet business participating in the Privacy Seal Program. It is your responsibility to determine the laws regarding your Web site or homepage in your area and whether or not your Web site's content is of an illegal nature. It is further your responsibility to determine if our Privacy Seal Program will cause you any mental, physical, and/or financial harm. As a Web site or Internet business owner or operator, you release G.E. from all claims, damages, or losses suffered, or declared to be suffered, as a result of your participation as a member Web site, a participant in the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program.

The following governs your use of this Web site and participation in the Privacy Seal Program. By using this Web site or participating in the Privacy Seal Program, you agree to be, and are, bound by the terms, conditions, and legal statements set forth in this legal disclaimer. This page may be updated from time to time, please check this page periodically for updates. You acknowledge and agree that your Web site's continued use of this Web site, your site seal, and program participation after any such update(s) are implemented, signifies your acceptance of such modified terms, conditions, and statements in this legal disclaimer. Because this is a legal agreement between you and G.E., we recommend you to print out and retain a copy of this disclaimer for your records, (use the print button, bottom or top of page - it works with most browsers, depending on browser settings). If you do not agree to these terms, conditions, and/or statements set forth in this legal disclaimer, you are not authorized and forbidden to access or use this Web site and/or participate in the Privacy Seal Program. This legal disclaimer is divided into SECTIONS as per the following:

Guardian eCommerce is a registered Trademark (TM). Any duplication, mis-representation, reproduction, or otherwise of trademarks, logos, or Web site content is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Guardian eCommerce. Site seal instruments, coding, related graphical images, trademarks, logos, site approval seals, privacy seals, and all other content displayed on this Web site, (hereinafter: the Marks), belong to G.E. You or anyone else has no right whatsoever to the Marks. You may not use, reproduce, change, or display Marks, without prior written consent from G.E. You may only use or display the official Guardian eCommerce Privacy seal, as issued to you, only in conjunction with your Privacy Seal Program participation. Unless expressly stated in this Web site, you should assume that all content, images, and materials appearing on this Web site, (collectively, the 'Content') are the property of G.E. Such Content is protected by both U.S. and international copyright laws and existing treaties. You may not use, reproduce, display, or sell any Content without prior express written consent from G.E. We retain ownership and all rights to guardianecommerce.net (domain name), site seals, seal logos, software, databases, reports, Web site, and information. All materials contained in this Web site are copyrighted, (2002-2006) by G.E. The content presented herein may not under any circumstances be distributed in any way, shape, or form without exclusive prior written permission from G.E.

You agree and understand that the G.E. Privacy Seal Program, and all graphic designs (including Privacy Seal Program instruments and code), certain icons, tags, HTML code, computer programming, and other elements incorporated herein this Web site are the exclusive sole property of G.E. In addition, you acknowledge that G.E. owns all rights, titles, and interests to trademarks, trade names, service marks, inventions, seal instruments, seal code, copyrights, trade secrets, patents, technology, software, and know-how related to the design, function, or operation of its Privacy Seal Program. Your rights to our services or programs are strictly limited to the rights expressly granted in these terms, conditions, and statements outlined in this legal repository.

The Guardian eCommerce Web site will contain links to other 'approved' member Web sites, or Web sites that display our site seal as part of their participation in the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program. As well, the Guardian eCommerce Web site may contain links to recommended safe sites, and/or other online resources.  You agree that we are not responsible or liable in any way for (a) the availability or accuracy of such sites or online resources, or (b) the content, advertising, or products on, whether existing or lack of, or available from such sites or online resources. The inclusion of any link in our Web site does not necessarily imply that we endorse any of such linked or 'featured' Web sites. Links (a.k.a. 'hyper-links') posted in this Web site will be based on those Web sites that G.E. believes to be safe, secure, and legitimate. However, use of these links is at your own risk, should any exist. Links in the Guardian eCommerce Web site will only be posted once reviewed and approved by the G.E. evaluation committee.

To register into the Privacy Seal Program, you must submit: (a) the online registration form, and (b) the fee payment, as prescribed in the payment information page, a copy which can be found in this Web site. Registration data shall include, but will not be limited to, your name, physical business operating address, email address, applicable URL and domain name, and other required information pertinent to the site registration and approval evaluation process. Information submitted to Guardian eCommerce will be secured and bound by the G.E. privacy policy, a copy which can be found in this Web site. In addition, you may be required to separately submit a completed and signed 'participation agreement', (mailed to all Web site applicants, post-registration) in order to maintain qualification for Web site registration forms that have been submitted. We reserve the right to securely discard registration forms submitted to Guardian eCommerce without the proper accompanying fee payment. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse or reject any registration form, for any reason or no reason at all, and shall not be obligated to provide reasoning in such cases. However, in most cases, Guardian eCommerce will disclose reasons for site refusals and rejections of Web site registration forms submitted, by way of email communication. Our use of your registration information is governed by our privacy policy, at ALL TIMES.

You agree to pay Guardian eCommerce a one time registration and approval fee as prescribed in this Web site in our 2006 Pricing information page. Unless stated otherwise, registration fees paid are non-refundable. Approval evaluation fees are refundable ONLY, when we deem a submitted Web site application fails to meet our Privacy Seal Program site requirements and code of ethics. IN NO OTHER CASE WILL REFUNDS BE ISSUED. All fees are DUE in advance of Web site registration and approval evaluation, and such fees paid are for your participation in our Privacy Seal Program. Site seal program participation periods are in effect for one year only. After one year, a renewal fee will become due to Guardian eCommerce. This does NOT apply to Web sites that have registered for the two year site seal option. G.E. will cease the participation of any member Web site that has failed to submit their renewal fee. Guardian eCommerce will advise member Web sites when site seal renewal is due, usually in advance of seal status expiry. Any failure to pay the registration, approval, and/or renewal fee amounts due under the terms of your participation, and as set forth in our pricing page of this Web site, will be a material breach of your obligations under these legal conditions. Without limiting any other remedies available to G.E., YOU AGREE TO FULLY REIMBURSE G.E. FOR ANY COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH COLLECTING OR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ANY SUCH UNPAID OR OVERDUE FEE PAYMENT AMOUNTS.

Guardian eCommerce may change its fees, at any time, by updating the applicable pricing page, a copy which can be found in this Web site.  Furthermore, existing seal program participants may be notified of such pricing changes, for information purposes only, (price changes apply to new site seal applicants only, and are not applicable to existing site seal program participants). New pricing terms will become effective ONLY after G.E. publicly posts such pricing changes on its Web site. Changes to pricing will become effective five (5) days after such notification and posting of price changes. As noted, such pricing changes WILL ONLY AFFECT NEW site seal applicants, and will in no way pertain or apply to existing approved member Web sites, until and only when their current seal status term has expired or is terminated; in which case, renewals will be subject to the current or applicable price schedule at time of renewal. By continuing to participate in the G.E. Privacy Seal Program deems your acceptance of any such prices changes, as they occur.

Site seal program status will be provided on a one year term basis, measured from the time and date a Web site was approved. At any time after the seal activation of a Web site, Guardian eCommerce may cancel the Privacy Seal Program, in whole or in part, by providing written notice to affected parties, such as our approved member Web sites. In such cases, program termination will commence on the date specified in the cancellation notice. If no date is specified, the Service will terminate at the end of your seal status participation period, (of one year). G.E. also reserves the right to cancel any site's Privacy Seal Program participation, immediately and without notice, in the event that it is in breach of any provisions of this legal disclaimer, or any other conditions that apply to Privacy Seal Program participants, including, but not limited to our site requirements, and our code of ethics, a copy of which may be found in this Web site.  NO REFUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY PROGRAM CANCELLATION, BY EITHER PARTY, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN SECTION #4.

You agree that any information you provide to G.E., in response to Web site applications for Privacy Seal Program participation, will be true, accurate, current, and complete. In particular, you agree not to misrepresent your identity to G.E. By submitting any information to G.E., you grant us the right to use this information in our extensive Web site evaluation process, whereas such information will be governed by our privacy policy, a copy of which can be found in this Web site.

The terms and conditions set forth in this legal disclaimer will begin on the date that G.E. accepts your initial Web site registration for Privacy Seal Program participation, and will continue in force until that participation has been terminated or has expired. Upon cancellation of your Privacy Seal Progam participation, all seal installation code and related graphics must be surrendered and returned back to G.E. In such case, SECTION #1 will be in enforced and will be in FULL EFFECT. G.E. reserves the right to terminate your Privacy Seal Program participation and participation agreement immediately and without notice in the event that you breach any provisions or terms set forth on this page, the participation agreement, or throughout this Web site. No refunds will be issued in such cases. Remaining sections of these terms and conditions shall survive and remain in effect, notwithstanding any termination of this agreement. Where G.E. believes that a Web site applicant fails to conform to the guidelines set forth in the code of ethics, their site seal status will not be approved. Guardian eCommerce WILL ALLOW Web site applicants to re-apply, without having to re-pay registration fees. We reserve the right NOT TO APPROVE Web site applications, at our discretion. Explanations of such decisions will be provided, at our discretion, to all rejected Web site seal applicants. Furthermore, an opportunity to address such decisions will be clearly communicated in order to enable the rejected Web site applicant to remedy, correct, and reverse such decisions.

AS A CONDITION OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SAFE SITE APPROVAL AND PRIVACY SEAL PROGRAM, YOU PROMISE, REPRESENT, AND WARRANT THE FOLLOWING:  (a) All of the registration information you supply to Guardian eCommerce is true, complete, and accurate, and you will notify Guardian eCommerce of any changes to the information previously submitted during the term of your participation, whereby updated information will be submitted within twenty (20) days of any such changes; (b) You will not copy, sell, change, alter, redistribute, license, sublicense, or otherwise transfer site seal information, including all related matter, seals, code, and content provided to you, or any other materials provided to you in connection with your site seal program participation without written consent from G.E.; (c) You will comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing your actions under this legal disclaimer; and (d) You have full power and authority to perform your obligations hereunder as per the conditions set forth in this legal disclaimer.  Without limiting its other remedies, G.E. may refuse or cancel your site seal status at any time, for any violation of the foregoing promises.  To assure compliance with the criteria in Subsection (b) above, G.E. reserves the right to to monitor all Web site activities, including actions that are non-compliant with the conditions set forth in this legal disclaimer.

If you do not agree with the terms set forth on this page, or if you are not satisfied with this Web site, or any of the services or programs that G.E. provides, your sole remedy is to discontinue your use of this Web site, it's services, and your participation in the Privacy Seal Program. GUARDIAN ECOMMERCE WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, WHETHER DIRECT (EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS LEGAL DISCLAIMER), INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE THE G.E. WEB SITE OR SERVICES, AND WHETHER YOUR CLAIM MIGHT BE BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT G.E. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS AN EXPRESS PRECONDITION TO YOUR USE OF G.E.'s WEB SITE AND SITE SEAL PROGRAM SERVICES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE DISCLAIMER OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

If you are dissatisfied with any portion of any G.E. program or service, your sole and exclusive remedy is to immediately cease use of this Web site, and terminate or cancel your participation in our Privacy Seal Program.

Additional changes or modifications to these legal terms and conditions may be made in special circumstances, but only if approved in advance, signed in writing on G.E. letterhead, by an executive vice president or higher-level officer of Guardian eCommerce. Other non-executive personnel are not permitted nor authorized to waive or modify any provisions of these legal terms and conditions.  No failure by Guardian eCommerce to enforce any term or conditions of this legal disclaimer shall be construed as a waiver thereof, nor shall it affect your obligations, G.E.'s rights, and remedies hereunder.  No modification to this legal disclaimer will be effective unless: (a) posted by Guardian eCommerce in this legal disclaimer page; or (b) expressly agreed to in writing on Guardian eCommerce letterhead and signed by an executive vice president or higher-level officer at G.E. Any modification to this Web site or legal disclaimer will become effective immediately (5 days), and your continued use of G.E.'s Web site or site seal program offered will signify your acceptance of such modifications.

You acknowledge and agree that your use of our Web site, the services and programs we offer, is at your own risk.  Without limiting any other provision contained in these legal statements and conditions, everything in the Web site and the services we offer are provided to you 'AS IS' AND 'AS AVAILABLE,' WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXCEPT AS DICTATED BY G.E.  G.E. HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND QUIET ENJOYMENT.  G.E. MAKES NO WARRANTIES THAT THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN ANY WEB SITE IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE, OR THAT THE WEB SITE, OR SERVICES, OR PROGRAM WILL OPERATE ERROR-FREE OR WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, OR WILL BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR NEEDS OR WEB SITE'S INTENDED APPLICATION.

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless G.E., its officers, directors, employees, agents, and partners, from and against any third-party claims, actions, demands, damages, liabilities, expenses, and costs, including without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, arising from or related to your use of this Web site, or participation in the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program, your violation of this legal disclaimer, or your violation of any laws, regulations, or third-party rights.

Guardian eCommerce may modify or discontinue this Web site, or the services, or the programs, it provides at any time, and for any reason, with or without notice to site operators or owners.  Guardian eCommerce will not be liable to you, or to your Web site, or any third party, as a result of such modification or discontinuation of our Web site, or services, or program.  The provisions of these legal statements and conditions will survive any termination of this Web site, or any services, or programs provided by Guardian eCommerce.  Be advised, Guardian eCommerce will exercise its full intention and sufficient capability to operate this Web site and service, uninterrupted, for at least eight (8) years consecutively (as of December 5th 2002, 11:59 PM EST to 2010).

These terms will be governed by and construed solely in accordance with the laws of United States, Canada, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, excluding that body of law governing conflict of laws.  Both you and G.E. agree that any legal action or proceeding relating to or arising out of these legal terms and conditions, or your use of G.E.'s Web site, or services will be brought forth exclusively in a federal or state court in Ontario, Canada, and by agreeing to these terms and conditions, you submit to the personal jurisdiction of, and venue in, such courts.  Therefore, you hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of, and venue in, such courts for any action commenced by you against G.E.  The prevailing party in any dispute relating to the conditions of this legal disclaimer will be entitled to recover its costs, expenses and reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with such dispute.  If any provision of these legal terms and conditions is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the greatest extent of the law possible and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.  Subsection headings found on this page are for reference purposes only and in no way define, limit, or describe the scope or extent of such sections within these legal terms and conditions.  Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches, nor does it affect your obligations or G.E.'s rights and remedies under these legal terms of conditions in any other way.  These terms and conditions set forth here is the fundamental basis for agreement between you and Guardian eCommerce regarding the subject matter herein.

The G.E. privacy policy, a copy which can be found in this Web site, is governed by Provincial, State, and Federal law.  Any claim related to the privacy shall be brought forth in a federal or state court in Toronto, Ontario within one year after the claim arises.  Approved Guardian eCommerce member Web sites and any site visitors consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such court as the most convenient and appropriate for the resolution of disputes concerning the G.E. privacy policy.  Guardian eCommerce is controlled, operated and administered entirely within the boundaries of governing law.  The privacy policy outlined herein this Web site are not intended to, do not create any contractual, or other legal rights, in or on behalf, of any party. No party shall be liable for failure or delay in performing its obligations hereunder if such failure or delay is due to circumstances beyond the party's reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of any governmental body, or failure of the software, or equipment of third parties.  Except as provided otherwise herein, any notice given under the legal terms and conditions will be made in writing by email and will be effective on the business day after it is sent.  You may not assign or refer this legal disclaimer, and any attempt to do so is void.  You acknowledge that your Guardian eCommerce Safe Site And Privacy Seal Program account is part of the Guardian eCommerce network, and, consequently, you will receive periodic announcements and information updates (12 times or less - per year), from G.E. as part of a Web site's participation in the site seal program.

Member Web sites MUST NOT sell, redistribute, loan, or give out our program content, or seal, or other related services to non-subscribers.  Those requiring to register their Web site can please contact us.  As a G.E. Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program participant, only you are the rightful payee of your participation in the Guardian eCommerce site seal program and have the legal right to receive G.E. product and services ONLY.  Participants or approved member Web sites found selling, or redistributing G.E. site seal program content or marks to unregistered entities or persons will have their site seal status cancelled immediately, with all privileges revoked.  There will be no refunds surrendered under these circumstances of proprietary theft, and there will be NO exceptions made to this rule.

We reserve the right to track IP addresses, and implement other measures necessary for the sole purpose of fraud detection and security management administration of our Web site and program content.  All program material sent to program participants are confidential and are for paid participants only.

All Web site applications received for G.E. Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program participation are final, and no refunds will be issued, once a submitted Web site has been registered and approved, (except as expressly provided in SECTION #4).  There will be no exceptions made to this rule.  Those interested in participating in the G.E. site seal program are urged to FIRST examine and assess G.E., the Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program, and all participation elements, before proceeding to submit their site registration form.  Submission of a Web site registration form is a demonstration of acceptance to these terms, conditions, and statements of this legal disclaimer.

Guardian eCommerce FULLY respects the privacy of ALL site visitors and approved Web site members.  Guardian eCommerce WILL NOT sell, redistribute, or use any personal information collected.  All information obtained from a Web site will be protected and treated with the strictest level of confidentiality.  Please review our privacy policy for more information.

Although Guardian eCommerce will make every attempt to serve our site seal program participants in a satisfactory manner, we make no guarantees that this will take place due to the existence of unpredictable factors including, but not limited to: acts of God, downed Internet servers, Internet congestion, or otherwise (i.e. terrorist acts, war, earthquakes, etc.).

Guardian eCommerce is not responsible for ensuring your browser or software compatibility.  We do not provide technical support for browser or email software difficulties, please contact your ISP administrator or software manufacturer.  In case of technical difficulty, please contact the appropriate party.  We are not responsible, nor will we be liable for email or browser software problems our approved Web site members may encounter preventing them from receiving critical Guardian eCommerce updates, communications, and service.

Guardian eCommerce shall in no event be liable for any damages or losses resulting from or caused by this Web site or its content, including delays in operation or transmission, communication lines failure, or any errors or omissions in content, or outright failure to transmit program communications to all participants, at any given time.  Guardian eCommerce reserves the right to cancel or discontinue, cease, or even transfer Web site and program ownership, in whole or in part, at any given time.

Although we are a professional and reputable organization, it is solely the Web site's responsibility to examine and evaluate whether using Guardian eCommerce is free from risk (financial or physical harm), and is appropriate to use in any given situation.  It's also the privacy seal program participant's responsibility to FULLY accept all the risks (if any), if he or she proceeds to use our Web site privacy seal program.

PLEASE NOTE:  G.E. is governed by all applicable state, provincial, and federal law.  This site adheres to all governing law.  Your intention to participate in the G.E. privacy seal program, (registration form submission) and your participation in our Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program is grounds for accepting and understanding the terms and conditions in this legal disclaimer.

We offer online consumers a means to build trusting and credible relationships with our approved member Web sites.  By identifying those approved Web sites that respect online consumer privacy and security, we enable people to enjoy safer online experiences.  When you see our seal of approval on a Web site, you can be assured that the site has been examined and verified by Guardian eCommerce for trustworthiness, privacy, and security.  Our approved member Web sites have made a commitment to stand behind our drive for building trust and credibility on the Internet.

However, it is important for you to remember that a Web site's participation in our Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal program does not necessarily guarantee you, the consumer, will be satisfied with its product or service.  While our approved member Web sites have satisfactory complaint handling records, this does not mean that they have never experienced complaints, nor that they won't experience complaints in the future.  However, a Web site's participation in the Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program insures they are committed to online trust and credibility as we are.  Furthermore, our approved member Web sites must pass very strict evaluation procedures before they are verified and approved.

Verified Guardian eCommerce member Web sites have agreed to meet our site requirements and code of ethics, of which copies can be found in this Web site.

Although Web sites are verified for credibility, honesty, e-commerce security, and online safety, consumers should still be cautious in what they do when they are on the Internet.  A Web site's participation in the Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program does not guarantee consumers are protected in terms of privacy and security.  While seal program participants have met our strict code of ethics and our site requirements, this does not guarantee a Web site's compliance now or in the future.  Therefore, online consumers should always exercise common sense and caution during their online experience with Guardian eCommerce member Web sites.

Guardian eCommerce DOES NOT endorse any one particular Web site, goods, and/or services.  A Web site that has been verified by Guardian eCommerce means that they have met the strict requirements and guidelines that need to be followed in order to become (and remain) an approved member Web site.  Hyper-links found in our Web site have been featured as part of our G.E. safe site approval and privacy seal program.  Our Web site will continue to feature links to other Web sites or online resources.  You acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible or liable in any way for (a) the availability or accuracy of such sites or resources, or (b) the content, advertising, or products on or available from such sites or resources.

Should a Web site registered by Guardian eCommerce fail to meet our standards, upon reviewe, their Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal status will be revoked immediately (pending investigational outcome).  We do not guarantee any Web site's performance.  ONLY registered and approved Web sites that have met our strict site requirements and e-commerce code of ethics guidelines will be approved by Guardian eCommerce.

To date, Guardian eCommerce has not encountered complaints about its registered and approved member Web sites.  If G.E. finds that a member Web site is in violation of our code of ethics and/or our site requirements, then necessary action will be taken.  Such action will include, but is not limited to the termination of the member Web site's site seal status.

Our approved member Web sites have agreed to meet our site seal program standards, including resolving customer disputes, if any, in a manner that meets our e-commerce code of ethics.  We encourage online consumers to voice their concerns about our verified member Web sites or non-member Web sites.  Consumers can file a complaint by clicking here.  We will validate all complaints received.  In our investigation and complaint review process, we may contact the complaintee in an effort to resolve disputes against G.E. approved member Web sites.

It is the consumer's responsibility to determine the laws regarding e-commerce in their local area and whether or not the Web sites they visit, whether approved by G.E. or not, is of an illegal nature.  It is further the responsibility of consumers to determine if any such Web sites may cause any mental, physical, and financial harm.  In ALL cases, SECTION #10, SECTION #13, and SECTION #14 of this legal disclaimer will APPLY TO ALL consumers.

We reserve the right to track IP addresses, and implement other measures necessary for the sole purpose of fraud detection and site security management.  Guardian eCommerce FULLY respects the privacy of ALL online consumers and site visitors.  We WILL NOT sell, redistribute, or use any personal information provided by consumers.  All Guardian eCommerce information obtained from consumers (i.e. complaints filed, etc.) shall remain confidential as per our strict privacy policy.

It's also the consumer's responsibility to FULLY accept all the risks (if any), if he or she proceeds to use or visit an approved member Web site.  If an online consumer chooses to make an online purchase, then it's the online consumer's responsibility to purchase responsibly as outlined in this Web site.  We make no unlimited warranties as to ANY consumer online purchases from approved member Web sites.

Consumer Protection Warranty:  Guardian eCommerce utilizes insurance protection for online consumers, (for claims filed against member Web sites that cannot be resolved).  Therefore, in the highly unlikely case an online consumer is financially impacted, in a negative manner, by an active Guardian eCommerce member Web site, consumers are assured the protection under a limited warranty provided by Guardian eCommerce International.

Should an online consumer suffer financial loss as a direct result of relying on the information, product(s), and/or service(s) provided by an active member Web site, Guardian eCommerce may provide consumers with an insurance settlement of up to a maximum of $500.00 USD.

Some conditions do apply. Our limited consumer protection warranty DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL WEB SITES. Insurance settlements will be awarded to consumers ONLY in the rare case where the Guardian eCommerce consumer dispute resolution process has clearly failed and our liability statement does NOT apply.

(Please Note: this consumer warranty protection program has been instituted by Guardian eCommerce International to provide online consumers with the added assurance that ALL Guardian eCommerce member Web sites are safe to transact with.  A 'member Web site' is one that clearly displays an authentic and functional Guardian eCommerce approval seal logo or trustmark, and is an active current site participating in the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Approval And Privacy Seal Program.)

This limited consumer protection warranty is the insurance taken by Guardian eCommerce to protect itself AND the online consumer, in the event a member Web site is found to be non-compliant with Guardian eCommerce site requirements and/or e-commerce code of ethics, and the dispute resolution process fails.  How likely is it that a claim could be filed against a Guardian eCommerce member Web site?  It is highly unlikely that an approved member Web site will be subjected to a claim filed by an online consumer because all member Web sites have passed strict site evaluations and are monitored continuously to ensure they remain compliant with Guardian eCommerce site requirements.

Guardian eCommerce offers its limited consumer protection warranty as an assurance to consumers that member Web sites can be trusted.  Member Web sites found to be non-compliant with our site standards or misusing the Guardian eCommerce approval seal logo or trustmark will be investigated and penalized on a case by case basis only.  To qualify for the limited consumer protection warranty, consumers must first file a complaint within 25 days (post-transaction).  Guardian eCommerce will then first initiate a dispute resolution process.  Upon failure of the dispute resolution process, Guardian eCommerce may provide consumers with an insurance settlement equal to the amount of the financial loss claimed (which will be validated).  Such insurance settlement payouts are governed by the sole discretion of Guardian eCommerce International, and will be based solely on documents and case matter obtained from the investigation process of the claim. Guardian eCommerce reserves the right to limit payout amount, regardless of financial loss claimed. Please ensure you understand the limitations of our consumer protection warranty.