Terms of Service - Milni Collective

1. Introduction

Milni Collective ("we", "us", "our") operates a platform that facilitates the rental and resale of South Asian clothing between users ("you", "your"). By using Milni Collective, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any other agreements or guidelines we may provide.

Our Terms may change at any time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting an updated version on our website or app.

2. Definitions

"Item" means any article of clothing listed for sale or rental through the Services.
"Transaction" means any sale, purchase, or rental of an Item between Users.
"User Content" means all text, photos, images, listings, and other material submitted by Users to the Services.
"Service Fee" means the fee charged by Milni Collective to lenders and sellers for facilitating a Transaction.
"Payment Processing Fee" means the 3% fee passed through to the lender from our payment processor (Stripe) to cover non-refundable transaction processing costs.
"Final Price" means the agreed-upon price for a Transaction between Users.
"Managed Closet" means a Lender arrangement in which Milni stores, photographs, and fulfills orders for Items on behalf of the Lender from Milni's NYC showroom.

3. Eligibility

You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and reside in the United States. By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.

4. Services

Milni Collective is a peer-to-peer online marketplace where users can buy, sell, or rent South Asian clothing directly with one another.

Through the Services, you can negotiate transaction details with other users. You can:

Submit an Offer with your proposed price.
Accept or reject another user's Offer.
Submit a new Offer if your previous Offer was rejected.
Agree with another user on a Final Price for the Transaction.

Offers remain open for seventy-two (72) hours. If the receiving party does not respond within that window, the Offer expires automatically and the authorization hold on the buyer's payment method is released.

When a buyer or renter submits an Offer, Milni places a temporary authorization hold on the payment method for the Full Payment Amount (Final Price plus applicable taxes and shipping). This is not a charge; it is a hold to verify the payment method and reserve funds. Buyers and renters may withdraw an Offer at any time before it is accepted, with no charge or penalty; the authorization hold is released automatically. Once an Offer is accepted, the authorization is captured and the buyer's or renter's payment method is charged. Cancellation after acceptance is governed by Section 12.

Milni's sister brand, Aayka Fashion, may also list Items on the platform as a Lender. Aayka Fashion listings are subject to the same Terms as peer listings, except where explicitly noted.

While we facilitate these peer-to-peer Transactions, Milni Collective is not a party to them, unless explicitly stated otherwise at the time of the sale or rental.

5. Eligible Items

Milni currently accepts full-set South Asian formalwear listings only:

Womenswear: Lehengas, Anarkalis/Shararas/Suits, Saris (with or without blouses), Indo-Western pieces
Menswear: Sherwanis, Kurtas (with or without vests), Jodhpuris/Bandhgalas, Indo-Western pieces

We do not currently accept individual pieces (such as blouses or dupattas sold or rented separately) or jewelry.

Designer Items: Listings claiming a designer brand must include a clear photograph of the brand label or tag. If a buyer or renter receives a designer Item that is later determined to be inauthentic, they have the right to return the Item for a full refund. The lender is responsible for round-trip shipping in such cases.

6. User Obligations & Code of Conduct

When using the Services, you agree that you will not:

List, sell, or rent counterfeit, stolen, or otherwise unauthorized Items.
List prohibited or restricted Items, including items prohibited by law.
Upload inaccurate, false, misleading, or deceptive descriptions or images.
Use the Services for any fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful purpose.
Harass, threaten, or abuse other Users.
Circumvent or attempt to circumvent our fees, systems, or protections.

All Items must be clean, wearable, and accurately represented on our platform at the time of delivery.

7. Listings & Photo Standards

Lenders and sellers are responsible for uploading a minimum of three (3) clear photos from multiple angles, including detail shots of any embroidery or embellishments. Listings must include all required fields, including measurements and item details, as prompted in the listing flow.

Milni's team reserves the right to rearrange listing photos, remove listings that do not meet our quality standards, or use AI to generate cover images derived from the lender's uploaded photos, for visual consistency across the platform.

Listings are reviewed periodically. If an Item appears outdated, in poor condition, or inconsistent with our standards, our team may remove it.

8. Alterations

Renters may not make any alterations to a rented Item, temporary or permanent, without the lender's prior written consent. This includes but is not limited to: hemming, taking in or letting out seams, dyeing, or cutting fabric. Pinning, tucking, and basic threadwork that can be undone without damage may be allowed if the lender consents in advance.

9. Cleaning & Item Preparation

Lenders are responsible for dry cleaning Items between rentals. Renters return Items as-is, in the condition received. Milni's suggested rental pricing factors in an estimated $50 dry cleaning cost, so cleaning is already accounted for in the lender's rate.

Items must arrive at the renter clean and ready to wear. If an Item is sent out unclean or with undisclosed damage, the lender may be liable for the Final Price and round-trip shipping.

10. Rental Terms

Rental periods range from one (1) day to one (1) month. The standard rental period is seven (7) days. Lenders set their own pricing and approve every booking individually. Lenders are not obligated to accept overlapping date requests if a prior booking has been confirmed.

Milni does not hold a separate security deposit. The renter's payment method remains on file via Stripe and may be charged for damage, late returns, or non-returns in accordance with these Terms.

11. Pricing, Payment, and Fees

All prices are listed in USD. You agree that all payment information you provide must be accurate, current, and complete, and that you are legally authorized to use the payment method you provide.

When you purchase or rent an Item, you agree to pay the Final Price plus shipping and applicable taxes. You authorize us or our payment processor to charge your selected payment method.

11.1 Service Fee and Payment Processing Fee

Milni charges the following fees on each Transaction, deducted from the seller or lender's proceeds:

20% Service Fee on online transactions, or 30% on managed closets handled at our NYC showroom.
3% Payment Processing Fee, passed through from our payment processor (Stripe), to cover the non-refundable processing cost charged on every Transaction.

Total deduction from lender proceeds is 23% on online transactions and 33% on managed closets. Fees apply only to completed Transactions. Lender earnings become available in the lender's Stripe balance 24 hours after the rental is marked complete (Item returned and damage reporting window passed). Lenders may cash out anytime from their profile thereafter.

11.2 Payment Processing Fee on Cancellations and Refunds

Because our payment processor (Stripe) does not refund its processing fee on refunded Transactions, the 3% Payment Processing Fee is treated as follows on cancellations and refunds:

For buyer- or renter-initiated cancellations, Milni retains 3% of the Final Price from the refund issued to the buyer to cover the non-refundable processing cost.
For cancellations or refunds attributable to the lender (lender-initiated cancellation, failure to ship by the agreed date, late shipping causing the renter to lose use of the Item, lender unresponsiveness after acceptance, Item arriving not as described, missing components, or designer Items determined to be inauthentic), the buyer receives a full refund with no processing fee retained. The lender absorbs the 3% Payment Processing Fee, which Milni deducts from the lender's account balance or future earnings.
For no-fault scenarios (such as no-fault courier delays or loss in transit, or fit issues where measurements were listed accurately), the 3% is retained from the buyer's refund.

11.3 Refund Timing

Where a refund is approved, Milni processes the refund within 48 hours. Stripe then takes 5 to 10 business days to return the funds to the original payment method.

11.4 Sales Tax

Milni collects and remits applicable sales tax in jurisdictions where required by law as a marketplace facilitator. In jurisdictions where Milni does not collect tax, the buyer is responsible for any applicable sales, use, or transaction taxes related to the purchase.

12. Cancellations

12.1 Buyer/Renter Cancellation

The following defaults apply to cancellations initiated by the buyer or renter:

Cancellations made 72 or more hours before the rental start date: refund of the Final Price, less the 3% Payment Processing Fee retained per Section 11.2.
Cancellations made within 72 hours of the rental start date: refund only if the lender agrees. The 3% Payment Processing Fee is retained from any approved refund.

Once the Item has shipped, the order cannot be cancelled. Any refund at that point is subject to the policies in Sections 14.2 (Item Not As Described), 14.3 (Late Shipping), or 14.4 (Missing Items).

Resale transactions are final once shipped, unless the seller agrees otherwise.

12.2 Lender/Seller Cancellation

Lenders may cancel an accepted booking up to seventy-two (72) hours before the rental start date with no account penalty (no strikes or listing restrictions). The buyer receives a full refund. The 3% Payment Processing Fee is charged to the lender per Section 11.2. Within 72 hours of the rental start date, lender cancellation requires Milni mediation and a valid reason (such as documented emergency or an Item being damaged in a prior rental). Last-minute lender cancellations without a valid reason may result in account restrictions, including listing suspension or removal.

12.3 Lender Unresponsive After Acceptance

If a lender accepts an Offer but does not communicate or ship the Item by the agreed ship-by date, the renter may escalate to support@milnicollective.com. After 24 hours of no lender response, Milni will cancel the order and issue the renter a full refund.

13. Shipping & Handling

Shipping is available across the United States. Renters and buyers cover round-trip shipping or courier charges.

All shipments must use Milni's shipping flow. Users may not arrange shipping outside Milni's flow. Lenders and sellers generate shipping labels through Milni's shipping flow, which includes declared value insurance equal to the listed retail value of the Item, tracking, and signature confirmation. Local NYC deliveries may be coordinated through an approved courier service (such as Uber Delivery or DoorDash) or by in-person hand-off.

Risk of loss transfers to the courier once the Item is accepted. Milni is not liable for Items lost, delayed, or damaged in transit. We will assist Users in connecting with the courier to file a claim, provided the claim is initiated within 30 days of the loss being reported.

13.1 If an Item is Lost in Transit

Outbound (lender to renter): The renter receives a refund of the Final Price and shipping, less the 3% Payment Processing Fee per Section 11.2. The lender files the courier claim for the declared retail value, with Milni's assistance.
Inbound (renter to lender): The renter is not liable for loss in transit when shipping the Item through Milni's shipping flow. The lender files the courier claim.

14. Returns, Damage, and Lender Protection

14.1 Renter Reporting

Renters must inspect Items upon receipt. Any condition issue, damage, missing component, or material discrepancy from the listing must be reported to support@milnicollective.com within 24 hours of receipt, with photographic proof. Reports made outside this window cannot be processed.

14.2 Item Not As Described

If an Item arrives in noticeably worse condition than described, or with material discrepancies from the listing (such as incorrect measurements, color, or composition), the lender is responsible for the Final Price and round-trip shipping. The renter receives a full refund.

Slight variations in color, fit, or appearance that fall within reasonable expectations of the listing are not grounds for refund. If the Item matches the measurements provided in the listing, fit is not considered a material discrepancy. Renters may still request a courtesy fit refund directly from the lender, but return shipping remains the renter's responsibility.

14.3 Late Shipping or Failure to Ship by Lender

Milni provides a "ship by" date and shipping label. If the lender does not ship by the agreed date, the order is cancelled and the renter receives a full refund. If the lender shipped past the deadline and the renter no longer needs the Item, the lender is liable for return shipping of any Item in transit once it comes back to them. If the Item does not arrive in time due to courier delay rather than lender fault, the renter remains eligible for a full refund of the Final Price, and the renter covers return shipping of any Item in transit. The lender may pursue a claim with the courier separately.

14.4 Missing Items or Components

If part of an order is missing on receipt (for example, a dupatta missing from a lehenga set), the renter should contact the lender directly. The lender is responsible for shipping the missing component. If the issue is not resolved within 24 hours of the renter's notice, the renter is eligible for a full refund and the lender covers round-trip shipping.

14.5 Lender Inspection on Return

Lenders must inspect the returned Item and report any damage to support@milnicollective.com within 48 hours of receiving the Item back. Reports made outside this window cannot be processed.

14.6 Wear and Tear vs. Damage

Normal signs of wear and tear are expected with rentals and are not considered damage. These include:

Deodorant marks and minor washable stains
Light creasing and wrinkles
Perfume residue
Minimal pilling or fabric softening

Damage subject to compensation includes, but is not limited to:

Large rips or tears
Stains that cannot be removed through standard dry cleaning
Loss or removal of embellishments, beadwork, or zardozi
Broken or missing ties, clasps, hooks, or straps
Permanent deformation or fabric damage
Burn marks or chemical damage

14.7 Damage Reimbursement

If a returned Item is damaged beyond normal wear and tear, the renter is responsible for repair costs. The lender must:

Notify the renter directly to attempt resolution.
If unresolved, contact support@milnicollective.com within 48 hours of return.
Provide photographic evidence of damage and a written quote from a tailor, cleaner, or other qualified professional outlining the cost to repair, within seven (7) days of Milni's response.

Milni will charge the renter's payment method on file for the repair cost upon receipt of the tailor's invoice.

14.8 Damage Beyond Repair

If an Item is determined to be damaged beyond repair, the lender must provide:

Photographic evidence of the damage.
A written note from a tailor, cleaner, or qualified professional confirming that the Item cannot be repaired.

Milni will charge the renter's payment method for the listed retail value of the Item, adjusted for the Item's condition prior to the rental, and reimburse the lender. Renter liability is capped at the listed retail value of the Item plus the Service Fee at the time of rental. The renter retains the damaged Item.

Damage beyond repair must be reported to support@milnicollective.com within 48 hours of return.

15. Late Returns and Non-Returns

If a renter does not return an Item by the agreed return date, Milni applies the following:

Day 1+ past the agreed return date: A daily late fee, calculated as the rental fee divided by the rental period, is automatically charged to the renter's payment method on file each day until the Item is returned.
Day 7+ past the agreed return date: If the Item has not been returned and the renter has not communicated with the lender about the delay, the Item is considered lost. Milni will charge the renter's payment method for the full listed retail value of the Item, and a police report may be filed.

Lenders may waive late fees at their discretion after the fact.

Documented emergencies (medical, family, severe weather, or similar circumstances) should be communicated to the lender immediately and may be eligible for late fee waiver at the lender's discretion.

15.1 Late Return After Non-Return Charge

If a renter returns the Item after the day-7 non-return charge has been processed, the renter is refunded the retail value charged, less daily late fees for each day from day 7 through the actual return date. Late fees collected during days 1-6 remain with the lender.

16. User Accounts

To use our Services, you must create an account using your Google account and a verified U.S. phone number. You can view, edit, or update your account through the "My Closet" tab and the Settings menu.

You are responsible for all activity that occurs on your account and for keeping your login credentials secure. We are not responsible for any actions taken on your account as a result of your failure to safeguard your login information.

If you suspect that your account has been stolen, compromised, or used without your permission, you must notify us immediately at support@milnicollective.com.

You may not maintain multiple accounts on the platform. You may not create a new account if we have previously banned or removed you, unless we provide written permission.

17. Reviews

Users may leave reviews following each Transaction. Reviews must reflect the actual Transaction experience and may be moderated or removed by Milni for abuse, profanity, harassment, or false information. Submitting fraudulent reviews may result in account suspension.

18. User Content & License

You retain ownership of any User Content you submit. By submitting User Content, you grant Milni Collective a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, transferable license to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute such content in connection with operating, marketing, and promoting the Services.

You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise have the necessary rights to submit your User Content, and that it does not infringe any third party's rights.

19. Intellectual Property

All content and materials made available through the Services (excluding User Content and third-party content) are owned by Milni Collective or our licensors, and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or exploit any portion of the Services without our prior written consent.

19.1 Rights Holder Reporting

If you are a rights holder and believe a listing on Milni infringes your trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights, please contact support@milnicollective.com with a description of the infringing material, the rights you hold, your contact information, and a statement made under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the rights holder. Milni reviews such reports and will remove or restrict listings as appropriate under applicable law.

20. Taxes & Reporting

You are solely responsible for reporting and paying all taxes associated with your use of the Services, including income received from sales or rentals. Stripe issues 1099-K forms directly to qualifying sellers and lenders. Milni Collective does not provide tax advice.

21. Dispute Resolution

Disputes between Users should be resolved directly between the parties whenever possible. If no resolution is reached, either party may contact support@milnicollective.com for mediation.

If Milni mediates a dispute between Users, both parties agree to accept Milni's conclusion as final for purposes of platform action (including charges, refunds, and account standing). This in-platform resolution does not preclude either party from pursuing further legal remedies.

21.1 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services that is not resolved through the in-platform process shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. You waive your right to a jury trial and to participate in a class action.

22. Termination of Accounts

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraud, or created potential legal exposure for us or other Users.

Upon termination, you remain responsible for outstanding obligations from Transactions conducted before termination.

23. Indemnification

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

Your use of the Services;
Your User Content;
Your violation of these Terms.

24. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Services are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We make no representations or warranties regarding the quality, authenticity, safety, or legality of any Item, or the conduct of any User. Your interactions with other Users are solely your responsibility.

25. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Milni Collective shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues. Our total liability to you shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to Milni Collective in the six (6) months preceding the claim.

26. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

27. Force Majeure

Milni Collective shall not be liable for delays or failures in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, labor disputes, internet outages, or similar events.

28. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@milnicollective.com. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM EST.

Milni Collective

Terms & Conditions