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Business Decisions Checklist

All 27 pending decisions from the compliance documents. All decisions have been made (2026-02-28). Hand this document and the five compliance docs to the attorney.

Status: ALL DECISIONS COMPLETE

Decided by: Owner Date: February 28, 2026 Deviation from defaults: 1 of 27 (D25: email + web form instead of email only)

Timing What
Owner decided (DONE) All 27 decisions below. The attorney has the answers to write final language.
Attorney decides The 18 ATTORNEY REVIEW flags already in the documents (enforceability, CCPA compliance, arbitration clauses, etc.).

Quick Start: Accept All Defaults

If you want to move fast, here are the recommended defaults for all 27 decisions. Review this table, change anything you disagree with, and skip to the bottom to confirm.

# Decision Choice
1 Age requirement 18+
2 Buyer's remorse returns No returns on shipped orders (change of mind)
3 Payment methods at launch BTC + Lightning + ACH only (no cards yet)
4 Sales tax approach Avalara or TaxJar, automated multi-state
5 BTC refund method USD via ACH at original purchase amount
6 Lost package timeframe 10 business days domestic
7 Stolen package policy Require police report, then reship once
8 Signature threshold $150+ requires signature
9 P.O. Box deliveries Allow for USPS shipments
10 U.S. territory shipping No at launch (50 states + DC only)
11 International shipping No at launch
12 State-level shipping restrictions Defer to product-by-product review before catalog goes live
13 Shipping carriers & pricing USPS Priority + UPS/FedEx, real-time calculated rates
14 Free shipping threshold $200+ gets free standard shipping
15 Cold-chain products & fees Flag at product level, $15 surcharge for cold-chain packaging
16 Hazmat product identification Defer to product-by-product review before catalog goes live
17 Arbitration provider & venue JAMS, Los Angeles, CA
18 Physical address disclosure Northwest RA address for required disclosures
19 DNT signals Honor them (disable non-essential tracking)
20 International orders (privacy) US-only at launch, no GDPR needed yet
21 Support email support@research-relay.com
22 Compliance email compliance@research-relay.com
23 Legal/dispute email legal@research-relay.com
24 Privacy email privacy@research-relay.com
25 Privacy request method Email + web form at launch (privacy@research-relay.com + web form on site)
26 Payment processors to name Defer until contracts are signed
27 Third-party providers to list Defer until vendor contracts are signed

Decisions by Category

Product & Customer

Decision 1: Minimum Age Requirement

  • Question: Should the minimum buyer age be 18 or 21?
  • Affects: RUO Disclosure (section 4), Terms of Service (section 3.1), Checkout Acknowledgment
  • Options:
    • 18+ -- Industry standard for RUO suppliers. Lower barrier to university researchers.
    • 21+ -- Extra legal protection. May exclude some legitimate student researchers.
  • Decided: 18+ (2026-02-28)

Decision 2: Buyer's Remorse / Change-of-Mind Returns

  • Question: Allow returns on unopened products when the buyer simply changed their mind?
  • Affects: Refund Policy (section 3.1), Terms of Service (section 6)
  • Options:
    • No returns -- Once shipped, no change-of-mind returns. Simplest, safest for contamination concerns.
    • 14-day unopened returns with 15% restocking fee -- More customer-friendly, but creates reverse logistics for research chemicals.
  • Decided: No returns (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Attorney to confirm language is compliant with California consumer protection law.

Payments

Decision 3: Payment Methods at Launch

  • Question: Which payment methods to accept at launch?
  • Affects: Terms of Service (section 4.2)
  • Options:
    • BTC + Lightning + ACH only -- Launch lean. Cards require 3+ months of bank history anyway.
    • BTC + Lightning + ACH + Credit/Debit cards -- Better conversion, but card processing requires separate approval process (Gate 12).
  • Decided: BTC + ACH only at launch (2026-02-28)

Decision 4: Sales Tax Approach

  • Question: How will sales tax be collected and remitted?
  • Affects: Terms of Service (section 4.5)
  • Options:
    • Automated service (Avalara / TaxJar) -- Handles multi-state nexus calculation and filing. ~$50-300/month.
    • Manual, CA-only at launch -- Collect CA sales tax only, expand as nexus is triggered. Cheapest but risky if you hit economic nexus thresholds in other states.
    • Defer to accountant -- Have your CPA determine nexus obligations first.
  • Decided: Avalara/TaxJar automated (2026-02-28)

Decision 5: BTC Refund Method

  • Question: When a customer paid in BTC and needs a refund, how is it returned?
  • Affects: Refund Policy (section 5.1)
  • Options:
    • Option A: Always refund in USD via ACH -- Simplest. No BTC price exposure. Customer must provide bank details.
    • Option B: Always refund in BTC at current rate -- Customer-friendly for BTC users, but you bear exchange rate risk.
    • Option C: Let the buyer choose -- Most flexible, but operationally complex.
  • Decided: USD via ACH (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Attorney should review for California consumer protection compliance.

Shipping

Decision 6: U.S. Territory Shipping

  • Question: Ship to U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, etc.)?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 2.1)
  • Options:
    • No -- 50 states + DC only at launch. Simplest.
    • Yes -- Broader coverage, but different carrier rates and some regulatory differences.
  • Decided: No — 50 states + DC only (2026-02-28)

Decision 7: International Shipping

  • Question: Offer international shipping?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 2.2), Privacy Policy (section 11)
  • Options:
    • No -- US-only at launch. Avoids customs, import restrictions, GDPR, and international research chemical regulations.
    • Yes -- Larger market, but significant compliance burden.
  • Decided: No — US only (2026-02-28)

Decision 8: State-Level Shipping Restrictions

  • Question: Are there specific states where certain products cannot be shipped?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 2.3)
  • Options:
    • Defer to product-by-product regulatory review -- Do this before the catalog goes live. Check each product against state scheduling lists.
    • Block specific states now -- If you already know of restrictions, list them.
  • Decided: Defer to product review (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Must be resolved before the site goes live.

Decision 9: P.O. Box Deliveries

  • Question: Allow shipments to P.O. Boxes?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 2.4)
  • Options:
    • Allow for USPS shipments -- Standard approach. USPS delivers to P.O. Boxes; UPS/FedEx require physical address.
    • Require physical address for all orders -- Some RUO suppliers do this for compliance/verification purposes. Reduces fraud risk.
  • Decided: Allow for USPS (2026-02-28)

Decision 10: Shipping Carriers & Pricing Model

  • Question: Which carriers to use and how to price shipping?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 3.1)
  • Options:
    • Real-time calculated rates (USPS, UPS, FedEx) -- Most accurate, rates vary by weight/destination.
    • Flat-rate tiers -- Simpler for customers (e.g., $8 standard, $15 expedited, $30 overnight).
    • Hybrid -- Calculated rates with a free shipping threshold.
  • Decided: Real-time calculated rates (2026-02-28)

Decision 11: Free Shipping Threshold

  • Question: Offer free standard shipping above a certain order value?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 3.1)
  • Options:
    • No free shipping -- Every order pays shipping.
    • Free standard shipping over $150 -- Common e-commerce threshold.
    • Free standard shipping over $200 -- Higher threshold, less margin impact.
    • Free standard shipping over $___ -- Custom amount.
  • Decided: $200+ free standard shipping (2026-02-28)

Decision 12: Cold-Chain Shipping Products & Fees

  • Question: Which products need temperature-controlled shipping and what surcharge?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 4.2)
  • Options:
    • Flag per product in catalog, flat surcharge -- e.g., $15 per order for cold-chain packaging.
    • Flag per product, pass through actual cost -- Varies by destination and season.
    • Include in product price -- No separate surcharge, bake it into the price.
  • Decided: $15 flat surcharge per cold-chain order (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Specific products requiring cold-chain shipping to be identified during catalog finalization.

Decision 13: Hazmat Product Identification

  • Question: Which products are classified as hazardous materials for shipping?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 4.3)
  • Options:
    • Defer to product-by-product review -- Check each product against DOT 49 CFR and carrier hazmat lists before catalog launch.
    • Identify specific products now -- If you already know which products are hazmat, list them.
  • Decided: Defer to product review (2026-02-28)

Decision 14: Signature Requirement Threshold

  • Question: At what order value should signature be required on delivery?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 6.1)
  • Options:
    • All orders -- Maximum protection but inconvenient for customers.
    • $100+ -- Low threshold, more signatures.
    • $150+ -- Moderate threshold.
    • $250+ -- Higher threshold, fewer signatures.
  • Decided: $150+ requires signature (2026-02-28)

Decision 15: Stolen Package Policy

  • Question: What happens when tracking shows delivered but customer says they did not receive it?
  • Affects: Shipping Policy (section 7.3)
  • Options:
    • Option A: Reship once as courtesy -- Good customer service, but easy to abuse.
    • Option B: Require police report, then reship once -- Deters fraud while still helping honest customers.
    • Option C: Refer to carrier insurance claim -- Least cost to you, worst customer experience.
  • Decided: Police report + reship once (2026-02-28)

Decision 16: Lost Package Timeframe

  • Question: How long after estimated delivery before a package is considered "lost"?
  • Affects: Refund Policy (section 2.4)
  • Options:
    • 7 business days past estimated delivery (domestic)
    • 10 business days past estimated delivery (domestic)
  • Decided: 10 business days (2026-02-28)

Decision 17: Arbitration Provider & Venue

  • Question: Which arbitration service and what city for dispute resolution?
  • Affects: Terms of Service (section 12.2)
  • Options:
    • JAMS, Los Angeles, CA -- Major provider, well-established rules. LA is a common venue for CA businesses.
    • AAA (American Arbitration Association), Los Angeles, CA -- Alternate major provider.
    • JAMS, [other CA city] -- If you prefer a different venue.
  • Decided: JAMS, Los Angeles (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Attorney will draft the specific arbitration clause.

Decision 18: Physical Address Disclosure

  • Question: California may require a physical address on the website. What address to use?
  • Affects: Terms of Service (section 15), Privacy Policy (section 13)
  • Options:
    • Northwest Registered Agent address -- Already your registered agent. Keeps home address private.
    • Home address -- Required for some filings, but not ideal for website display.
    • Virtual office address -- Additional cost but clean separation.
  • Decided: Northwest RA address (2026-02-28)
  • Note: Attorney should confirm this satisfies California's Business and Professions Code disclosure requirements.

Decision 19: DNT (Do Not Track) Signals

  • Question: Will the site honor browser Do Not Track signals?
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (section 7.3)
  • Options:
    • Honor DNT -- Disable non-essential tracking when DNT is detected. California law requires you to disclose your DNT practice either way.
    • Do not honor DNT -- Ignore DNT signals but disclose this in the privacy policy.
  • Decided: Honor DNT (2026-02-28)

Decision 20: International Orders (Privacy Implications)

  • Question: Will international orders be accepted? (Privacy policy implications)
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (section 11)
  • Options:
    • US-only at launch -- No GDPR or international privacy law compliance needed.
    • Accept international orders -- Requires GDPR disclosures for EU customers, possibly other jurisdictions.
  • Decided: US-only (2026-02-28)

Operations (Email Addresses & Vendor Details)

These are straightforward confirmations. The recommended addresses match the aliases already planned in Gate 5 (Zoho Workplace setup).

Decision 21: Support Email

  • Question: Confirm the support email address.
  • Affects: Refund Policy, Shipping Policy, Terms of Service
  • Recommended: support@research-relay.com
  • Confirmed
  • Decided: support@research-relay.com (2026-02-28)

Decision 22: Compliance Email

  • Question: Confirm the compliance email address.
  • Affects: RUO Disclosure (contact section)
  • Recommended: compliance@research-relay.com
  • Confirmed
  • Decided: compliance@research-relay.com (2026-02-28)
  • Question: Confirm the email address for legal and dispute contacts.
  • Affects: Terms of Service (section 12.1)
  • Recommended: legal@research-relay.com
  • Confirmed
  • Decided: legal@research-relay.com (2026-02-28)

Decision 24: Privacy Email

  • Question: Confirm the privacy request email address.
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (sections 6.7, 9, 13)
  • Recommended: privacy@research-relay.com
  • Confirmed
  • Decided: privacy@research-relay.com (2026-02-28)

Decision 25: Privacy Request Web Form

  • Question: Will a web form be available for CCPA privacy requests, or email only?
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (section 6.7)
  • Options:
    • Email only at launch -- Simpler. Add a web form later when the site is built.
    • Email + web form at launch -- Better UX, but requires building the form.
  • Decided: Email + web form at launch (privacy@research-relay.com + web form on site) (2026-02-28)
  • Note: This is the only deviation from recommended defaults. Web form to be built as part of MedusaJS storefront.

Decision 26: Name Payment Processors in Privacy Policy

  • Question: Which payment processors to list by name?
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (sections 2.4, 4.1)
  • Options:
    • BTCPay Server (self-hosted) for BTC/Lightning, Paycron for ACH -- Name them now.
    • Defer until contracts are signed -- Use generic "third-party payment processor" language until vendors are confirmed.
  • Decided: Defer until contracts signed (2026-02-28)

Decision 27: List Third-Party Service Providers

  • Question: Which third-party service providers to name in the privacy policy?
  • Affects: Privacy Policy (section 4.1)
  • Options:
    • Name all providers now -- Most transparent, but list will change as vendors are finalized.
    • Defer until vendors are confirmed -- Use category descriptions (e.g., "our shipping carrier") until contracts are signed.
  • Decided: Defer until vendor contracts signed (2026-02-28)

Summary: What the Attorney Needs

All 27 decisions have been made. Hand the attorney:

  1. This checklist with all choices marked
  2. The five compliance documents (they already contain 18 ATTORNEY REVIEW flags pointing to the sections that need legal review)
  3. Your budget: $500-1,500 for the review

The attorney will:

  • Draft final language around your business choices
  • Address the 18 attorney-review items (enforceability, CCPA, arbitration, liability caps, etc.)
  • Flag anything in your choices that creates legal risk

Sign-Off

  • I have marked my choices above (see individual decisions)
  • Deviation from defaults: 1 of 27 (D25: email + web form instead of email only)

Reviewed by: Owner Date: February 28, 2026