Marketplace Conduct Rules

How organizers, vendors, and attendees are expected to treat each other on TentPole.

Effective: June 23, 2026 · Version: 1.0

1. Core Principles

1. Respect. Treat all users with courtesy, regardless of role or background.
2. Honesty. Represent yourself, your business, and your event truthfully.
3. Reliability. Honor commitments — show up, pay on time, respond to messages.
4. Compliance. Follow applicable laws and TentPole policies.
5. Safety. Don't endanger others, on-platform or in-person.

2. Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors will result in account actions ranging from warning to termination:

2.1 Harassment & Discrimination

• No harassment, threats, hate speech, or discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or any protected class
• No bullying or intimidation of any party
• No targeted negative campaigns against specific vendors or organizers

2.2 Fraud & Misrepresentation

• No fake accounts or impersonation
• No false reviews, fake applications, or chargeback abuse
• No "ghost events" (events with no intent to occur)
• No misrepresenting products, services, or qualifications

2.3 Off-Platform Circumvention

You may not use TentPole to solicit users to transact off-platform with the intent to avoid platform fees. Examples:

• Asking a vendor to pay booth fees via direct Venmo/Zelle to dodge the 5% platform fee
• Promoting competing platforms in messages to other users
• Using TentPole's vendor list to recruit vendors to a different platform you control

Repeat or egregious circumvention will result in immediate termination and possible legal action.

2.4 Spam & Unsolicited Messaging

• Don't send unrelated promotional messages
• Honor opt-outs immediately
• Stay on-topic in event messaging threads

2.5 Intellectual Property

• Don't infringe trademarks, copyrights, or other IP
• Don't sell counterfeit goods
• If you receive a takedown notice, see our DMCA Policy

3. Event-Specific Rules (Organizers)

• Publish accurate event details and update promptly if changes occur
• Apply vendor selection criteria consistently
• Respond to vendor messages within reasonable time (recommended: 48 hours)
• Honor your published refund policy
• Operate the event safely (security, sanitation, ADA accessibility)

4. Vendor Conduct

• Apply only to events you intend to attend
• Once approved, show up — repeated no-shows will trigger account review
• Honor the organizer's terms you accepted
• Settle payments promptly
• Treat customers, organizers, and other vendors with respect on event day

5. Reporting Violations

If you witness a violation:

• Document with screenshots when possible
• Email abuse@thetentpole.com with details
• For urgent safety issues, contact local emergency services first, then notify us

6. Enforcement

TentPole's enforcement actions are at our sole discretion and may include:

• Private or public warning
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent account termination
• Refund of recent transactions to harmed parties
• Reporting to law enforcement
• Civil action

We strive to be fair but reserve the right to act swiftly when user safety or platform integrity is at risk.

7. Appeals

If you believe an enforcement action was made in error, email appeals@thetentpole.com within 30 days with relevant evidence. We will review within 14 business days.

8. Updates

These rules may be updated. Material changes will be communicated by email or in-app notification.