B2B & B2C
For Resellers operating across the UK, EU, US, Canada, and Australia
- Accessibility Statement
- API/Data Syncing 🟣⚫
- Assembly Policy
- B2B Warranty
- Base Camp âš«
- Community Charter 🟡⚫
- Content Stiudio âš«
- Content Stiudio
- Customer Services (Country Option) 🟡⚫
- Delivery & Surcharges ⚪⚫
- Dropship & On-Demand âš«
- Dropship Glossary âš«
- Dropship Program âš«
- Dropship Pros & Cons âš«
- E - Commerce 🟣⚫
- Eco Sustainability 🟢⚫
- Escalation Procedure 🟡🔴
- Fulfilment Program âš«
- GenZ Furniture âš«
- GenZ Story âš«
- Global Framework âš«
- Global Pricing
- Hybrid Whoesale Program âš«
- Interior Projects ⚪⚫
- IP Digital Assets
- Mango Wood Ageing ⚪🟢
- No RRP Policy ⚫🔵
- Packaging Returns
- Plant a Tree 🟢⚫
- Policy Incorporation Framework 🔵⚫
- Product Categorisation
- Replacement Parts Guide ⚪
- Reseller Fit Guide
- Reseller Growth 🟡⚫
- Reseller Guidance
- Reseller Invoicing âš«
- Smart Talk 🟡⚫
- Supplier Registration âš«
- Sustainability Governance
- Swatch Guidance ⚪
- Timber White ITW âš«
- Trade Programe âš«
- Virtual Assistant 🟣⚫
- Wholesale Programe âš«
- Work Framework âš«
- Account Security 🔵🔴
- B2B & B2C 🔵⚫
- Cancellation Policy 🔵🔴
- Chargeback Policy 🔵🔴
- Compliance Playbook 🔵🔴
- Content Usage Policy 🔵
- Cookie Policy 🔵
- CTPAT Statement 🔵
- Digital Products Returns Policy 🔵🔴
- Engagement Framework 🟡🔵
- Ethical AI 🟣🔵
- Methyl Bromide Dossier 🟢🔵
- Modern Slavery Policy 🟢🔵🔴
- Our Accrediation 🟢🔵
- pEPR Framework 🟢🔵
- Privacy Policy 🔵🔴
- Protecting Employees 🟢🔵
- Reseller Guidence 🟡🔵
- Reseller Restrictions 🔵🔴
- Reseller Tax Guidance 🔵
- Returns Policy 🔵🔴
- SBTi Commitment 🟢🔵
- Social & Environmental 🟢🔵
- Sustainability 🟢🔵
- Terms & Condition 🔵🔴
- Transit Impact Policy 🟢🔵
- Wholesale Returns 🔵🔴
- Wood Movement Advisory 🟢🔵
1. Introduction
This document is a guidance docket for resellers, not a consumer-facing policy. It explains the fundamental differences between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, focusing on how long-distance selling laws apply (or don’t apply).
2. What is B2B?
B2B (Business-to-Business) means transactions where one business sells goods or services to another. Example: A wholesaler sells furniture to a retailer, who then resells it. Characteristics include higher volumes, logistics infrastructure, and trade-focused marketing. Artisan Furniture operates primarily under a B2B model.
3. What is B2C?
B2C (Business-to-Consumer) means businesses selling directly to end-consumers. Example: a coffee shop serving customers or an online retailer selling clothing. These sales are governed by strict consumer protection laws, including cooling-off periods, change-of-mind returns, and intervention by consumer rights agencies.
4. Returning Items: B2B vs B2C
B2B returns: Exempt from consumer protection regulations. Refunds and cancellations are dictated by Terms of Service. B2C returns: Covered by consumer protection regulations. Key features: cooling-off period (7–14 days), full refunds, and exceptions for bespoke/perishable goods.
5. Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations
Consumer protections apply to B2C, not B2B. Exemptions include B2B contracts, financial services, land sales, vending machines, and auction purchases. Enforcement by agencies: Trading Standards (UK), FTC (US), Provincial bodies (Canada), ACCC (Australia), and EU national regulators.
6. Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002
These apply to both B2B and B2C online sales. Businesses must provide company name, address, VAT/tax numbers, registration details, and clear pricing. Marketing communications must be clearly identified as commercial. Ordering systems must allow corrections and printable T&Cs.;
7. Global Jurisdiction Highlights
Australia: ACL excludes goods bought for resupply or commercial use. Canada: Consumer laws apply only to personal use. Provincial acts exclude business buyers. US: FTC Cooling-Off Rule applies only to specific consumer sales, not B2B. No 14-day law. EU/UK: 14-day cooling-off applies only to consumers outside trade/profession. Businesses excluded.
8. Reseller Responsibility
Consumer laws do not apply to B2B transactions. The contract is the law. Business form is irrelevant: sole trader, partnership, company, or listed entity — if you buy for resale, you are B2B. Misrepresentation: We do not sell to the public. False declarations or misrepresenting yourself as a business buyer when you are not makes the transaction void of consumer protections and governed solely by contractual Terms of Service.
9. Summary Table: B2B vs B2C
| Aspect | B2B | B2C |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Framework |
Contractual terms, E-Commerce Regs |
Consumer law + E-Commerce Regs |
|
Cooling-off rights |
Not applicable |
Yes, 7–14+ days |
|
Refunds |
As per contract |
Full refund within 30 days |
|
Returns |
Contractual |
Legal right (exceptions apply) |
|
Enforcement |
Civil/commercial law |
Consumer protection agencies |
Aspect B2B B2C Legal Framework Contractual terms, E-Commerce Regs Consumer law + E-Commerce Regs Cooling-off rights Not applicable Yes, 7–14+ days Refunds As per contract Full refund within 30 days Returns Contractual Legal right (exceptions apply) Enforcement Civil/commercial law Consumer protection agencies
10. Final Takeaway
When you buy from Artisan Furniture (or any B2B supplier), you do so as a business. Your rights and obligations come from your contract, not consumer law. When you sell to your customers, you must comply with B2C consumer laws — but those apply only between you and the end-customer. In short: consumer law stops at your shop door. From supplier to reseller, it’s B2B. From reseller to customer, it’s B2C.
Published January 2026 | Effective from January 2026 until Superseded or Amended