# Thai Market Finds — policy and copy readiness pack

Internal planning draft for the low-risk Thai import MVP. This is **not legal advice** and is not ready for publication until Alex reviews the wording, real supplier/product evidence is checked, and any required legal/accounting advice is obtained.

## 1. Operating position for MVP

- **Purpose:** validate demand for small-batch Thai accessories and giftable home/stationery items before meaningful stock buying.
- **Status:** waitlist/product-vote only; no checkout, no payment capture, no delivery promises.
- **Low-risk starting categories:** woven bags, textile pouches, scarves/scrunchies, paper/stationery, decorative non-food gift items.
- **Avoid for first MVP:** food, drink, cosmetics/skincare, supplements, medicines, toys/children’s products, electricals, candles/fragrance, branded goods with unclear authenticity, anything requiring health/safety/performance claims.
- **Core rule:** only say what we can evidence with photos, measurements, invoices, supplier confirmation, packaging labels, and sample checks.

## 2. Privacy and waitlist wording

### Short privacy line for forms

> We’ll only use your details to record your product vote, send Thai Market Finds launch updates, and contact you if the product you voted for becomes available. We will not sell your details or share them with unrelated third parties.

### Consent checkbox copy

> I agree to Thai Market Finds storing my details for product-vote and launch-update purposes. I understand this is a waitlist only and not a purchase.

### Internal data-handling notes

- Collect the minimum needed: first name, email, product vote, optional postcode area, optional notes.
- Do not collect payment data in the MVP waitlist.
- Do not collect special-category data, date of birth, or unnecessary demographic details.
- Keep CSV/database exports local and access-limited.
- Add an unsubscribe/removal route before any real email updates are sent.
- If using a form tool later, check its data location, retention, access controls and privacy wording before connecting it.

### Email footer draft for future updates

> You’re receiving this because you joined the Thai Market Finds waitlist or voted on a first-drop product. Reply “remove” and we’ll delete you from the launch list.

## 3. Delivery and returns placeholder

### Internal preview wording

> Delivery and returns information is not final yet. We are currently validating demand and checking samples before taking orders. Any future public launch page should state confirmed delivery costs, delivery areas, dispatch estimates, return windows, product condition requirements and customer support contact details before checkout is enabled.

### Future public-sale skeleton, not yet active

- **Dispatch estimate:** confirmed after samples and packing process are tested.
- **Delivery method:** UK tracked postage preferred for first paid drop.
- **Delivery cost:** calculated after packed item weight/size is known.
- **Returns:** customer return process to be written before checkout; include timeframe, item condition, exclusions if any, return postage responsibility, refund timing and contact method.
- **Damaged/incorrect item:** ask customer to contact support with order number and photos so the issue can be reviewed.

## 4. No-checkout disclaimers

Use these anywhere a product, price or CTA appears before launch.

### Product page notice

> Product-vote preview only. This is not a live shop, checkout or offer to sell. Prices, specifications, materials, dimensions, availability and delivery details are placeholders until real samples are checked and launch approval is given.

### Price label

> Indicative vote range, not a final sale price.

### Waitlist CTA helper text

> Joining the waitlist does not reserve stock and does not create an order. We’ll use votes to decide what to sample first.

### Admin rule

Do not add Stripe/PayPal, carts, “buy now”, “limited stock”, “guaranteed delivery”, “pre-order now” or “reserved for you” language until the product, fulfilment and legal readiness gates are complete.

## 5. Product claims guardrails

### Allowed when true and evidenced

- “Sourced through family contacts in Thailand.”
- “Small-batch candidate product.”
- “Sample being checked before launch.”
- “Indicative dimensions/price range for product-vote testing.”
- “Woven-style bag” or “textile pouch” when visually accurate.
- “Inspired by Thai market finds.”

### Only use with evidence

- **Handmade / handwoven / artisan-made:** require supplier confirmation and process evidence.
- **Rattan / straw / water hyacinth / silk / cotton / leather:** require material confirmation.
- **Made in Thailand:** require origin evidence for that exact product batch.
- **Eco / sustainable / ethical / fair trade:** avoid unless there is credible documented substantiation.
- **Limited edition:** only if stock quantity and reorder position are known.
- **Authentic / traditional:** use carefully; avoid cultural overclaiming unless specific provenance is known.

### Never use for MVP

- Medical, wellness, body, skin, allergy, therapeutic or performance claims.
- “Guaranteed authentic” unless brand/provenance evidence is strong.
- “Official”, “designer-inspired”, “dupe”, “replica” or brand-comparison language.
- Claims about safety suitability for children unless legally checked and product-tested.

## 6. Customer FAQ draft

### Is this a real shop?

Not yet. This is a product-vote and waitlist preview. There is no checkout and no payment is being taken.

### Why are prices shown?

Prices are indicative vote ranges to understand what customers might expect to pay. Final pricing will depend on confirmed product cost, shipping, packaging, fees, returns allowance and sample quality.

### Are the products handmade?

Some candidate items may be handmade, but we will only publish that claim when the supplier confirms it and we have evidence for the exact product.

### Where do the products come from?

The concept is to source small-batch market finds through family links in Thailand. Exact origin details will be confirmed product by product before any public sale.

### Can I reserve an item?

No. Joining the waitlist helps decide which items to sample first, but it does not reserve stock or create an order.

### When will delivery be available?

Delivery is not available yet. If the first drop goes ahead, UK delivery costs and dispatch estimates will be confirmed before checkout opens.

### What if I change my mind after joining the waitlist?

You can ask to be removed from the list at any time. Before any live email system is connected, a clear removal/unsubscribe route should be added.

### Why avoid food, skincare, supplements, toys and electricals?

Those categories have higher compliance, safety, labelling or claims risk. The MVP starts with lower-risk visual accessories and gift items so the business can test demand carefully.

## 7. Product-page copy rules

Each product page/card should include:

1. Internal status: `Vote candidate`, `Sample needed`, `Evidence pending`, or `Public-ready`.
2. Product type in plain language.
3. Indicative vote price range, clearly marked as not final.
4. Placeholder dimensions/weight only if labelled as estimated.
5. Evidence checklist: material, origin, supplier, batch photos, measured dimensions, care notes, packaging, landed cost.
6. Risk notes: IP/brand, child safety, material claims, sharp parts, dye transfer, fragile components, returns complexity.
7. CTA: waitlist/vote only until checkout approval.

### Product copy template

> **[Product name]** is a candidate first-drop item for the Thai Market Finds waitlist. We are checking sample quality, dimensions, materials and landed cost before deciding whether to stock it. The price shown is an indicative vote range only, not a final sale price.

### Product spec template

- Status: Vote candidate / sample pending.
- Indicative vote range: £X–£Y.
- Materials: To be confirmed from supplier/sample.
- Origin: To be confirmed for exact batch.
- Dimensions: To be measured from real sample.
- Care notes: To be confirmed before public sale.
- Delivery/returns: Not available until checkout is approved.

## 8. Public-readiness checklist

Before any external launch, confirm:

- Real sample photos replace placeholder/AI visuals.
- Product names avoid protected brands and misleading comparisons.
- Material/origin/handmade claims have evidence.
- Product dimensions, weight, care notes and defects/variation notes are checked.
- Final price includes landed cost, packaging, postage, platform/payment fees, returns allowance, VAT/tax assumptions and margin target.
- Delivery and returns wording is final.
- Privacy wording, unsubscribe/removal process and form data handling are ready.
- Checkout/payment provider is approved by Alex.
- No higher-risk categories have slipped into the first drop.

## 9. Recommended preview-site placement

- Link this pack from the local preview nav as “Policies”.
- Add a simple `policies.html` page with the public-facing draft notices and FAQ.
- Keep this markdown pack as the internal working source of truth.