MEP Central Terms of Use

Effective Date: 1/1/2025
Last Updated: 10/15/2025

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to MEP Central, an online marketplace for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing supplies.

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the MEP Central website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

These Terms of Use work in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions, which govern commercial transactions and purchases made through the Platform. Both documents together form the complete agreement between you and MEP Central.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you are 18 years of age or older.

2.2 Legal Capacity

You must have the legal authority to enter into a binding agreement. If you are using the Platform on behalf of a business or organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

2.3 Prohibited Users

You may not use the Platform if:

You have been previously suspended or banned from the Platform
You are prohibited by law from using the Platform
Your account has been terminated for violation of our policies

3. Account Registration and Security

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of the Platform, you must create an account by providing:

Valid email address
Secure password
Accurate contact information
Business information (for commercial accounts)

3.2 Account Accuracy

You agree to:

Provide true, accurate, current, and complete information
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Keep your information accurate at all times
Notify us immediately if you discover any inaccuracies

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for:

Maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account credentials
All activities that occur under your account
Restricting access to your account
Immediately notifying MEP Central of any unauthorized access or security breach

You must never share your account credentials with anyone.

3.4 Account Types

MEP Central offers different account types:

Individual Buyer Accounts: For homeowners and DIY customers
Business Buyer Accounts: For contractors and commercial customers
Seller Accounts: For approved suppliers listing products on the Platform

Each account type has different features and requirements as outlined in the applicable agreements.

3.5 One Account Per User

You may only maintain one active account. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent Platform rules or abuse services is prohibited and may result in termination of all accounts.

4. License to Use the Platform

4.1 Limited License

Subject to these Terms, MEP Central grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose.

4.2 Restrictions

You may not:

Copy, modify, or create derivative works of the Platform
Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any Platform software
Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
Use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
Sell, rent, lease, or sublicense access to the Platform
Use the Platform to build a competitive product or service

4.3 Reservation of Rights

MEP Central reserves all rights not expressly granted in these Terms. The Platform and its contents are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

5. Platform Features and Functionality

5.1 Available Features

The Platform provides various features, including but not limited to:

Product search and browsing
Product listings and detailed specifications
Shopping cart and checkout functionality
Order tracking and management
Account dashboard and order history
Seller storefronts and profiles
Product reviews and ratings
Wishlist and saved items
Communication tools between buyers and sellers

5.2 Feature Availability

Features may vary by account type and subscription level
MEP Central may add, modify, or remove features at any time
Some features may be in beta or testing phase
Not all features may be available in all locations

5.3 No Guarantee of Availability

MEP Central does not guarantee that the Platform will be available at all times. The Platform may be unavailable due to:

Scheduled maintenance
System upgrades
Technical difficulties
Circumstances beyond our control

6. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

6.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with these Terms and all applicable laws and regulations.

6.2 Prohibited Conduct

When using the Platform, you may NOT:

Technical Abuse:

Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform
Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation or servers
Use any automated tools, bots, or scripts to access the Platform (except with express written permission)
Scrape, data mine, or harvest information from the Platform
Bypass any measures we use to prevent or restrict access
Probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Platform
Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code

Content Violations:

Post false, inaccurate, misleading, or fraudulent information
Post content that infringes intellectual property rights
Post content that is illegal, obscene, defamatory, or harassing
Post spam, advertising, or promotional content (except where authorized)
Impersonate any person or entity
Misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity

Commercial Abuse:

Manipulate prices, reviews, ratings, or rankings
Engage in fraudulent transactions or payment schemes
Create fake accounts or use multiple accounts to abuse the Platform
Coordinate with others to manipulate the Platform
Use the Platform to compete with MEP Central
Solicit users to transact outside the Platform to avoid fees

Harassment and Abuse:

Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse other users
Discriminate against users based on protected characteristics
Engage in cyberbullying or targeted harassment
Share private information of others without consent

Seller-Specific Prohibitions:

List prohibited, illegal, counterfeit, or stolen products
Misrepresent product condition, specifications, or availability
Fail to fulfill orders or honor stated terms
Engage in bait-and-switch tactics
Artificially inflate prices or engage in price gouging

6.3 Consequences of Violations

Violations may result in:

Warning or account suspension
Permanent account termination
Removal of content or listings
Forfeiture of funds or credits
Legal action and reporting to authorities
Liability for damages

7. User-Generated Content

7.1 Types of Content

Users may submit various types of content to the Platform, including:

Product reviews and ratings
Questions and answers
Profile information
Photos and videos
Comments and messages

7.2 Content Standards

All user-generated content must:

Be accurate and truthful based on your experience
Comply with all applicable laws
Not infringe on any third-party rights
Not contain prohibited content (as described in Section 6)
Be relevant to the product or topic
Follow community guidelines

7.3 Content Ownership and License

You retain ownership of content you submit, but you grant MEP Central:

A worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license
The right to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute your content
The right to sublicense your content to third parties
The right to use your username in connection with your content

7.4 Content Monitoring and Removal

MEP Central reserves the right to:

Monitor all user-generated content
Remove content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable
Edit or modify content for formatting or technical reasons
Use automated tools to detect inappropriate content

We are not obligated to monitor content but may do so at our discretion.

7.5 Reviews and Ratings

Review Guidelines:

Reviews must be based on actual product experience
You may not post fake, fraudulent, or incentivized reviews
You may not review your own products (sellers)
Competitors may not post negative reviews to harm others
Reviews must not contain personal attacks or profanity
Compensation for reviews must be disclosed

Review Removal: MEP Central may remove reviews that:

Violate review guidelines
Contain prohibited content
Are suspected to be fake or fraudulent
Are primarily about shipping or customer service (not the product itself)

7.6 Questions and Answers

Questions should be relevant to the product
Answers should be helpful and accurate
Do not use Q&A for customer service issues
Sellers are encouraged to respond promptly to questions

7.7 Content Representations

By submitting content, you represent and warrant that:

You own or have the right to submit the content
The content does not violate any third-party rights
The content complies with these Terms
You have obtained any necessary permissions or releases
The content is not confidential or proprietary to others

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 MEP Central Intellectual Property

All Platform content, features, and functionality are owned by MEP Central and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property laws.

This includes:

Website design and layout
Software and source code
Logos, trademarks, and branding
Product photography and descriptions created by MEP Central
Compilations and arrangements of data
Original content created by MEP Central

8.2 Trademarks

"MEP Central" and related logos are trademarks of MEP Central. All other trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

8.3 Copyright Infringement Policy

MEP Central respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same.

DMCA Notices: If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, submit a notice to our designated Copyright Agent including:

Your physical or electronic signature
Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
Identification of the infringing material and its location on the Platform
Your contact information (address, phone, email)
A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorized
A statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate
A statement that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner

Copyright Agent: MEP Central Legal Department
[Address]
Houston, TX [Zip Code]
Email: copyright@mepcentral.com

Counter-Notices: If you believe your content was wrongly removed, you may submit a counter-notice as provided by the DMCA.

8.4 Repeat Infringer Policy

MEP Central will terminate accounts of users who are repeat copyright infringers in appropriate circumstances.

9. Privacy and Data Collection

9.1 Privacy Policy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

9.2 Information Collection

We collect information you provide directly, information collected automatically, and information from third parties. Details are in the Privacy Policy.

9.3 Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to:

Remember your preferences and settings
Provide personalized content and recommendations
Analyze Platform usage and performance
Deliver targeted advertising
Authenticate users and prevent fraud

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but some Platform features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

9.4 Communications

By creating an account, you consent to receive:

Transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping notifications, etc.)
Account and security notifications
Customer service communications
Marketing and promotional emails (you may opt out)
Surveys and feedback requests

10. Third-Party Services and Links

10.1 Third-Party Services

The Platform may integrate with or link to third-party services, including:

Payment processors
Shipping carriers
Social media platforms
Analytics services
Advertising networks
Business Central and other ERP systems

10.2 Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites. MEP Central:

Does not control or endorse third-party websites
Is not responsible for third-party content or practices
Makes no warranties regarding third-party services
Is not liable for your use of third-party services

10.3 Your Interactions with Third Parties

Your interactions with third parties are solely between you and the third party. MEP Central is not responsible for any issues arising from those interactions.

11. Mobile Applications

11.1 Mobile App License

If you access the Platform through a mobile application, MEP Central grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to download and use the app on your mobile device.

11.2 Mobile App Terms

Additional terms may apply for mobile apps distributed through:

Apple App Store (Apple's terms apply)
Google Play Store (Google's terms apply)

11.3 Mobile Data

Using the mobile app may consume data from your mobile plan. You are responsible for any data charges from your carrier.

11.4 Updates and Modifications

We may release updates to the mobile app. You should keep your app updated to the latest version for optimal performance and security.

2. Disclaimers

12.1 Platform Provided "As Is"

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
Warranties of accuracy, completeness, or reliability
Warranties of uninterrupted or error-free operation
Warranties regarding security or absence of viruses

12.2 No Guarantee of Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy, we do not warrant that:

Platform content is accurate, complete, or current
Product information is error-free
The Platform will meet your requirements
Results obtained from the Platform will be reliable

12.3 Third-Party Content

Product listings, descriptions, and images are provided by independent Sellers. MEP Central does not verify or guarantee the accuracy of Seller-provided information.

12.4 Technical Issues

We do not guarantee that the Platform will be:

Available at all times
Free from errors, bugs, or defects
Compatible with all devices or browsers
Secure from unauthorized access or cyberattacks

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MEP CENTRAL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
Loss of use, goodwill, or other intangible losses
Damages resulting from Platform access or inability to access
Damages from unauthorized access to your account
Damages from errors, viruses, or other harmful components

IN NO EVENT SHALL MEP CENTRAL'S TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED $100 OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO MEP CENTRAL IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability, so these limitations may not apply to you.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MEP Central and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your use or misuse of the Platform
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any rights of third parties
Your violation of applicable laws
Content you submit to the Platform
Your interactions with other users

15. Modifications to the Platform and Terms

15.1 Platform Changes

MEP Central reserves the right to:

Modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Platform
Change Platform features, functionality, or availability
Update Platform design and user interface
Modify or terminate services with or without notice

15.2 Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting with an updated "Last Updated" date. We will provide notice of material changes through:

Email notification
Platform announcement
Login notification

Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

16. Account Termination

16.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

Contacting customer support
Using account deletion features in your settings
Sending written notice to MEP Central

16.2 Termination by MEP Central

MEP Central may suspend or terminate your account immediately if:

You violate these Terms
You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
You abuse Platform services
You harm MEP Central's reputation or business
Required by law or legal process
We discontinue the Platform

16.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

Your right to access the Platform ends immediately
You remain liable for any outstanding obligations
Provisions that should survive termination remain in effect
We may delete your data (subject to legal requirements)
You may not create a new account without permission

16.4 Survival

The following provisions survive termination: Intellectual Property, User Content License, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Dispute Resolution.

17. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

17.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17.2 Informal Resolution

Before filing any legal action, you agree to contact MEP Central to attempt informal resolution of any dispute.

17.3 Arbitration

Most disputes are resolved through binding arbitration as described in our Terms and Conditions. Please review the complete arbitration provisions in that document.

17.4 Jurisdiction

For matters not subject to arbitration, you agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Harris County, Texas.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and other referenced policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and MEP Central regarding use of the Platform.

18.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

18.3 Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it in the future.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

18.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for failure or delay due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

18.6 Relationship

These Terms do not create any partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and MEP Central.

18.7 Electronic Communications

You consent to receive electronic communications from us, and agree that such communications satisfy any legal requirement for written communication.

18.8 Feedback

If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Platform, you grant us the right to use them without compensation or obligation to you.

19. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Use, please contact:

MEP Central Support
[Street Address]
Houston, TX [Zip Code]

Email: support@mepcentral.com
Phone: [Phone Number]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time

20. Acknowledgment

BY ACCESSING OR USING THE PLATFORM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS OF USE, UNDERSTAND THEM, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM.

Last Updated: 10/15/2025
Version: 1.0

MEP Central - Your Complete MEP Supply Solution