What is a merchant of record?
A merchant of record is the company that legally sells a product to you and takes responsibility for the sale. Dodo Payments, the merchant of record NotchStar uses, describes the role this way: it assumes legal responsibility for sales transactions and handles VAT, GST and sales tax, along with tax liability and compliance. The app developer is paid by the merchant of record afterwards.
Why it matters
For a small developer, tax rules differ by country, and a merchant of record takes that work on. For you as the buyer, it means the seller on your purchase is the payment company, and your payment details go to it and not to the app.
How it works for NotchStar
NotchStar is sold through Dodo Payments, which is its merchant of record. Dodo handles your payment details and email under its own privacy policy, and NotchStar never sees your card. Dodo also issues the license key. When you activate it, the app sends the key and your Mac’s name to Dodo so it can count your devices, and about once a week it asks whether the license is still valid. During the free trial the app contacts no server.
What to check
The refund window and the email address to write to are on the pricing page.
Related
The price is covered under one time purchase. For what the app sends and stores, see is NotchStar safe.
