The purpose of these General Terms of Use (hereinafter referred to as “GTU”) is to define the framework for accessing and using the “The Source” Platform, available on the website www.thesourceworldconnection.com (hereinafter referred to as “the Platform” or “The Source”), operated by The Source World Connection GmbH. We invite you to read these terms carefully.
1. PURPOSE
The company The Source World Connection GmbH (hereinafter referred to as The SWC), headquartered at Baarerstrasse 14, 6300 Zug, Switzerland, operates a Platform that connects potential buyers and sellers who are enthusiasts, collectors, or lovers of exceptional objects and goods (artworks, iconic cars, watches, rare items, etc.) to allow them to buy and sell directly between individuals, with The SWC acting as the sole intermediary.
By registering on our Platform and paying the annual membership fee, you become a member of the private club “The SWC” and gain a personal account once your registration is validated by our internal services. From that moment, you can access all the content of the Platform. The members of the private club The SWC are hereinafter referred to as “Members” or “you.”
By posting your listing on the Platform, you allow your exceptional item to gain maximum visibility while better targeting potential buyers and sellers, all within a confidential and anonymous approach. The SWC network enables its Members to access exceptional goods thanks to its selection process, choosing Members who represent a privileged/wealthy clientele spread mainly across twenty countries.
2. ROLE OF THE SWC
The Platform connects Members (who have paid the annual membership fee) who are potential buyers and sellers and who can then create and post listings of exceptional objects and goods in the Platform’s online catalog. These listings can be viewed by other buyer Members to become familiar with and, if interested, make direct offers to the seller Members who posted the listings on the Platform.
Before any listings are published, The SWC’s research teams verify the motivations of buyers and sellers, as well as the traceability of the goods offered for sale. An introduction commission allocated by The SWC will be proposed to the different referrers who have identified and connected with potential buyers/sellers.
In case of formalized interest, a seller and a buyer—having been connected through The SWC—can proceed with the sale and acquisition of the selected item from The SWC’s catalog, directly between themselves, without further intervention from The SWC, whose role is to facilitate introductions between buyers and sellers. Fees for this service, contractually agreed upon beforehand between the parties and The SWC, will be charged by The SWC, represented by a percentage of the transaction, when the acquisition/sale contract is concluded between Platform Members (Article 5.2).
You acknowledge that The SWC is not a party to the contracts concluded between Members.
For each transaction carried out between a buyer and a seller, a percentage set by The SWC will be deducted as a commission, and at the end of each year, an amount will be donated to a charity or shared between several charities selected by our “philanthropy” committee.
You acknowledge and accept that The SWC cannot guarantee the truthfulness or legality of the listings posted. As a facilitator, The SWC provides no services concerning the contractual relationships that may result from the connections it facilitates, and its role is limited to providing access to the Platform for potential buyers and sellers sharing the same passion.
As an intermediary, The SWC cannot be held liable for any purchase or sale between Members, especially in cases of :
- (i) incorrect information provided by a Member in a listing or by any other means regarding the item offered, its financial situation, or the accompanying documents;
- (ii) the cancellation or modification of a listing on the Platform;
- (iii) the behavior of its Members during, before, or after the introduction.
3. REGISTRATION AND ACCOUNT CREATION
3.1. Conditions for Registering on the Platform
The use of the Platform is reserved for individuals aged 18 or older. Any registration on the Platform by a minor is strictly prohibited. By accessing, using, or registering on the Platform, you declare and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have full civil rights without restriction.
3.2. Account Creation
The SWC allows private club Members to be directly connected via the secure online Platform, offering them the ability to post listings of exceptional objects and goods they own in a catalog—with the assistance of Department Heads who have extensive knowledge of their field of expertise—and to become buyers and sellers. However, users cannot view the catalog of items for sale, post a listing, express interest, or make an offer on an item without first creating a user account and becoming Members.
To use the Platform and become a “Member” of the private club The SWC (hereinafter “Member”), you must register on the Platform and pay the annual membership fee (Art. 5.1), which will result in the creation of your personal account.
To register on the Platform, you must read and accept these GTU and the Data Protection Declaration.
When creating your account, regardless of the method chosen, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and truthful information and to update it via your registered profile on the site or by notifying The SWC to ensure its relevance and accuracy throughout your contractual relationship with The SWC.
During registration, you will be asked for a password. This will be used to validate your account. You are solely responsible for the use of your account.
You agree not to create or use, under your own identity or that of a third party, any other account than the one initially created.
You are informed of your right not to receive newsletters or advertisements. To exercise this right, you may email us at contact@thesourceworldconnection.com and notify us of your request.
Please refer to The SWC’s Data Protection Declaration for information regarding the processing of your personal data.
3.3. Verification
For the purposes of transparency, trust improvement, or fraud prevention or detection, The SWC may implement a system for verifying certain information you provide in your profile. To this end, The SWC may, at any time, request additional information.
Any reference on the Platform or services to so-called “verified” information or any similar term only means that our internal identification service has successfully completed the verification formality using analysis procedures and tools.
The SWC does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, validity, or completeness of information published on the Platform.
4. USE OF SERVICES
In the case of formalized interest, a seller and a buyer—having been connected through The SWC—can proceed with the sale and acquisition of the selected item from The SWC’s catalog directly between themselves, without any further intervention from The SWC, whose role is solely to connect buyers and sellers.
As a Member, you have the opportunity to post listings for the sale of your items for a period of 6 months by submitting your request to the relevant department head. The department head will inform you of the procedure to follow to obtain the necessary documents and images for publishing your item on our Platform.
You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for the content of the listing you request to be published on the Platform. As a result, you declare and guarantee the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of all information you provide to The SWC for the publication of your listing.
Your listing will be published on the Platform and thus visible to Members conducting searches on The SWC for a period of 6 (six) months. The SWC reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without notice, to refuse to publish or to remove any listing at any time that does not comply with the GTU or is deemed harmful to its image, the Platform, or the services.
5. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Access to and registration on the Platform, as well as searching, consulting, and posting listings, are subject to fees as described below.
5.1. Annual Membership Fee
An annual membership fee of CHF 1,000 (for the launch year, subject to revision in subsequent years) is required upon registration. Payment of this fee will result in the creation of your personal account and your membership in the private club “The SWC,” making you a full Member.
5.2. The SWC's Fees
For any transaction facilitated by the Platform, or any other transaction between a buyer and seller connected by The SWC, The SWC will charge introduction fees. These fees are defined in separate contracts signed between The SWC and the buyer, and The SWC and the seller. The SWC’s fees are divided between the buyer and the seller according to the terms defined in the contracts before each transaction.
You agree to limit your use of the Platform to conclude purchases and sales of exceptional objects and goods listed in The SWC’s catalog, exclusively through The SWC.
5.3. Payment Terms
To use the Platform and become a Member, you must pay the annual membership fee of CHF 1,000 (for the launch year, subject to revision in subsequent years) through the STRIPE France payment system.
Payment of this fee occurs during the subscription to the Platform via the membership form. Any unpaid fee will result in no access to the Platform.
Once your subscription is accepted, The SWC collects the full amount paid by the Member. The membership fee can be paid using one of the following authorized methods :
American Express
Mastercard
- Visa
No validation will take place before full and effective payment of the fee. If the payment is irregular, incomplete, or not made for any reason, the membership is immediately canceled, and membership is not possible.
Validation of membership as a Member is confirmed by sending an email to the member, including the invoice corresponding to the fee payment. You are invited to check the configuration of your inbox, particularly to ensure that the confirmation email has not been directed to your spam folder.
Membership validation as a Member is final. It is your responsibility to ensure that the chosen services meet your needs and expectations.
You agree to respond diligently to any request from The SWC or any competent administrative or judicial authority, particularly concerning the prevention or fight against money laundering. You also agree to provide, upon simple request, any useful proof of address and/or identity. You are responsible for the accuracy of the personal information you enter, except in the case of proven failure by The SWC in collecting, storing, or protecting this information.
If you fail to respond to these requests, The SWC may take any measures it deems appropriate, including suspending or closing your account.
6. Non-Commercial and Non-Professional Purpose of Service and Platform Use by Members :
You agree to use the services offered by the Platform (hereinafter referred to as “Services”) solely for non-professional and non-commercial purposes, within the context of connecting with individuals seeking to buy or sell an item via the Platform.
The SWC reserves the right to suspend your account or limit your access to the Services in the event of non-compliance with these GTU or the site’s Ethical Charter.
7. Renewal, Cancellation, and Termination :
Renewal : The membership to the platform will not be automatically renewed in the first year, but this may change in the future. Membership will be renewed annually unless terminated with 1 months’ notice.
Account Deletion : You can terminate your membership at any time, without cost or reason, by sending a termination letter. No refund will be made after the annual membership fee has been paid.
SWC’s Measures : If you violate the GTU or if your behavior is deemed inappropriate, The SWC may terminate your membership without notice, limit your access to the platform, or suspend your account. You will be informed of these measures and given an opportunity to explain. Excluded persons may not rejoin without authorization, and no refunds will be given if measures are taken by The SWC.
8. User Behavior :
You are responsible for complying with laws and regulations while using the platform. It is prohibited to provide false or misleading information, infringe the rights of The SWC or third parties, or bypass the platform’s connection system.
You may only post listings for goods that you have the right to sell and that do not violate laws or moral standards. If you are buying or selling on behalf of someone, you must ensure that they comply with the GTU. If not, The SWC may suspend or terminate your account.
9. Exclusivity Clause :
The SWC’s fees are due for any sale concluded through the platform or following a connection made by The SWC. Even if a sale is completed after the relationship with The SWC has ended, the fees remain due. You must not circumvent these rules to avoid paying fees, and you cannot disclose the contact details of buyers or sellers met through the platform.
10. Personal Data :
The SWC collects and processes your personal data in accordance with the law and its privacy policy.
11. Intellectual Property :
The SWC owns the rights to the platform and its content, except for content provided by Members. You have a personal, non-transferable license to use the platform for non-commercial purposes.
You grant The SWC an exclusive license to use the content you post (photos, texts) in connection with the use of the platform. The SWC may reproduce, distribute, modify, and adapt this content.
12. Modifications to the GTU :
The SWC may modify the GTU at any time. Changes will be announced before they come into effect and will be considered accepted if you do not object. The French version of the GTU prevails in case of a discrepancy with the English version.
13. Applicable Law – Legal Venue : Geneva
Any dispute related to these GTU and a Member is subject to Swiss law. Unless otherwise required by law, the legal venue is Geneva, Switzerland.
14. Contact
If there is an issue you would like to bring to our attention, please write to contact@thesourceworldconnection.com.
15. Legal notices
The Platform is published by the company The Source World Connection.
Company name: The Source World Connection GmbH
Company form: Société à Responsabilité Limitée (S.A.R.L.) (private limited company)
Company identification number (IDE): CHE-459.245.813
Registered office: Baarerstrasse 14, 6300 ZUG, Switzerland
Director of publications: Olivier Pichot
Website and Applications Host: O2Switch, Chemin de Pardiaux, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Payment system provider: Stripe France, 10 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 PARIS 09, France
Electronic signature: DocuSign France, 9 Rue Maurice Mallet, 92130 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France
Phone number : (+41) 41 561 33 99