1. Service Provider
The Localize platform (hereinafter “Platform”) is operated by:
- Owner: Daniele Pratesi
- Address: Turin, Italy — [full address — TO BE COMPLETED]
- VAT Number: [TO BE COMPLETED]
- Tax Code: [TO BE COMPLETED]
- Certified Email (PEC): [TO BE COMPLETED]
- Email: daniele@l0calize.com
In accordance with Italian Legislative Decree 70/2003 (E-Commerce) and Legislative Decree 206/2005 (Consumer Code), the above information is provided permanently, easily accessible, and kept up to date.
2. Definitions
- Platform: the Localize website (l0calize.com) and all related digital services.
- User: any individual who registers on the Platform to purchase or receive Gift Cards.
- Merchant: any individual or legal entity operating a commercial business that uses the Platform to issue and manage Gift Cards.
- Gift Card: a multi-purpose digital voucher issued through the Platform, redeemable at the designated Merchant, with a face value expressed in Euros.
- Consumer: any individual acting for purposes unrelated to their business, trade, craft, or professional activity (Art. 3(1)(a), Italian Consumer Code).
- Account: the personal profile created by a User or Merchant upon registration on the Platform.
- Service: the set of features offered by the Platform, including the purchase, sale, and management of digital Gift Cards.
3. Purpose and Nature of the Service
Localize is a digital gift card marketplace for independent Italian shops. The Platform enables Users to purchase Gift Cards redeemable at participating Merchants.
Localize acts as a technology intermediary. The Platform does not directly sell goods or services, is not a party to the contractual relationship between the User and the Merchant regarding the provision of goods or services redeemed with the Gift Card, and does not in any way substitute the Merchant in fulfilling their obligations to the consumer.
The Merchant is solely responsible for providing the goods and services purchasable through Gift Cards, in compliance with applicable consumer protection laws.
4. Registration and Account
4.1 Requirements
To use the Platform’s services, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Provide truthful, complete, and up-to-date information.
- Have a valid email address (verification required).
- Accept these Terms and the Privacy Policy.
4.2 Account Types
- User Account: allows you to purchase, receive, and manage Gift Cards.
- Merchant Account: allows you to create and manage stores, configure Gift Cards, and redeem them. Requires completion of the onboarding process (tax and business information).
4.3 Security and responsibility
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities conducted through your Account. In case of unauthorized access, you must immediately notify Localize at supporto@l0calize.com.
4.4 Suspension and closure
Localize reserves the right to suspend or close an Account in case of violation of these Terms, fraudulent use of the Platform, or conduct that may harm other users or the Platform itself.
5. Gift Card — Specific Conditions
5.1 Nature
Gift Cards issued through Localize are multi-purpose vouchers within the meaning of EU Directive 2016/1065. VAT is applied at the time of redemption at the Merchant, not at the time of purchase.
5.2 Validity and expiration
Each Gift Card has an expiration date indicated at the time of purchase and stated in the confirmation email. The validity period is set by the Merchant. After the expiration date, the Gift Card can no longer be used and any remaining balance is non-recoverable.
5.3 Partial redemption
Gift Cards may be used for amounts less than the available balance. The remaining balance stays available until the expiration date.
5.4 Code safekeeping
Each Gift Card is identified by a unique code. You are responsible for keeping the code secure. Localize is not liable for unauthorized use resulting from disclosure of the code to third parties.
5.5 Automatic linking
If a Gift Card recipient registers on the Platform with the same email address provided by the purchaser, the Gift Card is automatically linked to their Account.
5.6 Store closure
If a Merchant is removed from the Platform or ceases operations, active Gift Cards remain valid and the obligation to honor them rests with the Merchant. Localize will endeavor to inform affected Users and facilitate resolution, though it cannot guarantee redemption in the event of the Merchant’s permanent closure.
6. Purchasing Gift Cards
6.1 Pre-contractual information
Before completing a purchase, the User receives the following information pursuant to Art. 49 of the Italian Consumer Code:
- Identity of the Platform owner (Section 1)
- Main characteristics of the Gift Card (store, value, expiration)
- Total price in Euros (equal to the Gift Card face value)
- Payment method (credit/debit card via Stripe)
- Conditions for exercising the right of withdrawal (Section 7)
6.2 Price
The price paid by the User equals the face value of the Gift Card, expressed in Euros. No additional costs are charged to the User.
6.3 Payment
Payments are processed through Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment service provider. Localize does not store, collect, or have access to the User’s credit card data.
6.4 Contract formation
The Gift Card purchase contract is formed upon successful completion of payment, as confirmed by Stripe. The User receives a confirmation email with the Gift Card code, value, expiration date, and store details. If a recipient was specified, they also receive an email with the Gift Card information.
7. Right of Withdrawal
Pursuant to Articles 52 et seq. of the Italian Consumer Code, the Consumer has the right to withdraw from a Gift Card purchase within 14 days of the purchase date, without providing any reason.
7.1 Conditions
The right of withdrawal may only be exercised if the Gift Card has not been used, not even partially. If the Gift Card has been used (even for a partial amount), the right of withdrawal is excluded pursuant to Art. 59(1)(o) of the Italian Consumer Code, as the digital service has been performed.
7.2 How to exercise withdrawal
To exercise the right of withdrawal, the Consumer must send an explicit communication to supporto@l0calize.com stating:
- Full name
- Email address associated with the Account
- Gift Card code
- Date of purchase
- Explicit declaration of the intention to withdraw
7.3 Refund
Upon valid withdrawal, Localize will issue a refund within 14 days of receiving the request, using the same payment method used for the purchase, unless otherwise agreed with the Consumer.
8. Refund Policy
Outside the withdrawal period described in Section 7, Gift Cards are non-refundable and have no cash value.
Exceptionally, Localize may consider a refund in cases where a Merchant permanently closes without the possibility of redeeming the Gift Card. Such cases will be handled on an individual basis.
9. Disputes and Chargebacks
In case of issues with a purchase, the User is encouraged to contact supporto@l0calize.com before initiating a dispute through their bank or card issuer.
If a chargeback is initiated through Stripe:
- The Gift Card in question will be frozen (non-usable) for the duration of the dispute.
- If the dispute is resolved in favor of the User: the Gift Card is cancelled and the amount is refunded.
- If the dispute is resolved in favor of the Merchant: the Gift Card is reactivated with its previous balance.
10. Pricing and Fees
10.1 For Users
The purchase price of a Gift Card equals its face value. No additional costs, fees, or charges are applied to the User.
10.2 For Merchants
In accordance with EU Regulation 2019/1150 (P2B), Localize discloses its fee structure:
- Platform fee: 5% of the face value of each Gift Card sold.
- Payment processing fees (Stripe): 1.4% + €0.25 per transaction.
The net amount credited to the Merchant is the Gift Card face value minus the fees listed above. Fees are always visible in the Merchant’s dashboard.
11. Role of the Platform — Limitations
Localize operates as a technology intermediary (marketplace) within the meaning of EU Regulation 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act). As such:
- It does not directly sell goods or services and is not a party to the relationship between User and Merchant.
- It does not guarantee the quality, safety, or conformity of goods and services offered by Merchants.
- It is not liable for defaults, delays, or failures by Merchants.
- It verifies Merchant identity during onboarding (business name, VAT number, tax code) and removes manifestly illegal content from the Platform upon notification.
12. User Obligations
The User agrees to:
- Provide truthful, complete, and up-to-date personal information upon registration and during use of the Service.
- Not use the Platform for unlawful purposes, including but not limited to: money laundering, fraud, terrorism financing, or any activity in violation of applicable law.
- Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform, its systems, or other users’ accounts.
- Comply with these Terms and all applicable laws.
Use of the Platform is restricted to individuals aged 18 or older. By registering, the User represents that they are of legal age to enter into binding contracts.
13. Merchant Obligations
The Merchant agrees to:
- Honor all valid Gift Cards issued through Localize, accepting them as a means of payment at their establishment.
- Keep their store information accurate and up to date (address, hours, contacts, description, images).
- Comply with all applicable tax and regulatory obligations, including those related to VAT number, tax code, and invoicing.
- Accept the Platform’s fee structure (Section 10.2).
- Not use the Platform to sell goods or services that are illegal or infringe upon third-party rights.
14. Intellectual Property
All Platform content — including text, graphics, logo, design, source code, and structure — is the exclusive property of Localize and is protected under Italian and international intellectual property laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use is prohibited.
Content uploaded by Merchants (images, descriptions, logos) remains the Merchant’s property. The Merchant grants Localize a non-exclusive, free, and revocable license for publication and promotion on the Platform.
15. Limitation of Liability
The Platform is provided “as is.” Localize endeavors to ensure continuous operation but cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability of the Service.
Localize is not liable for:
- Technical interruptions, scheduled maintenance, or issues arising from third-party services (Stripe, Supabase, Vercel).
- Actions, omissions, defaults, or conduct of Merchants.
- The quality, safety, or conformity of goods or services purchased at Merchants using Gift Cards.
- Loss or disclosure of Gift Card codes by the User.
- Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.
Localize’s maximum liability to the User is in all cases limited to the face value of the Gift Card that is the subject of the dispute.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes Localize’s liability for intentional misconduct or gross negligence, or in any case where a limitation of liability is not permitted by applicable law.
16. Force Majeure
Localize shall not be liable for delays or failures due to force majeure events, including but not limited to: natural disasters, network or third-party service outages, government actions, pandemics, or other events beyond Localize’s reasonable control.
17. Suspension and Termination
Localize may suspend or close an Account, in whole or in part, if it detects:
- Violation of these Terms.
- Fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of the Platform.
- Conduct that may cause harm to the Platform, other users, or third parties.
In case of suspension or closure, Gift Cards already purchased by the User remain valid and redeemable at the Merchants.
18. Changes to the Terms
Localize reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions. Changes will be communicated with at least 30 days’ notice via email and a notice on the website.
Continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. If the User disagrees, they may close their Account before the changes take effect.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by Italian law.
For Consumers: pursuant to Art. 66-bis of the Italian Consumer Code, any dispute arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the court where the Consumer resides or is domiciled.
For Merchants and B2B relationships: the Court of Turin shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute.
20. Dispute Resolution
In case of a dispute, we encourage the User to contact us for an amicable resolution at supporto@l0calize.com. We commit to responding within 15 business days.
The Consumer may also refer to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body accredited under Italian Legislative Decree 130/2015. The list of ADR bodies is available on the website of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT).
Note: the European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform was discontinued on July 20, 2025 pursuant to EU Regulation 2024/3228.
21. Contact
For any questions, requests, or complaints regarding these Terms:
- Email: daniele@l0calize.com
- Support: supporto@l0calize.com
- Certified Email (PEC): [TO BE COMPLETED]