Code of Conduct
RULES: CHECK ADMIN TIPS IN THE CATEGORIES FOR MORE DETAILS.
If you want to join, please plan to MEET WITHIN THE CHAMPAIGN URBANA AREA! Please make sure that your settings are not set to cross post in all nearby VS groups before posting. If you do crosspost you will be required to sell within that group’s area.
YOUR PROFILE NEEDS TO SHOW YOUR FULL FIRST AND LAST NAME AND A CLEAR PHOTO OF YOUR FACE. If not you will be denied and sent a message explaining why you were denied and how to fix it.
-No posting in the Discussion group. This area is for discussions concerning VarageSale and not for selling.
STRIKES:
We now have a new Strike Policy (with strike as well)
- 1st complaint we will issue a warning. (YOU MAY BE TAGGED IN AN ADMIN POST)
- 2nd complaint will be a 3 day suspension from the group.
- 3rd complaint is a 7 day suspension from the group.
- Any further complaints and you will be removed permanently
(Strikes can be given different in each situation, depending what is happening)
POSTING:
BUYERS NEED TO SELL IN ORDER OF INTEREST!
- Strikes will be given if this is not followed.
- If you are new, then read the rules so you don't get striked out and removed.
- There are TIME STAMPS on comments and messages. Messages never delete either... In the event that an interested party sends seller a private message instead of clicking the green “message seller” button, then seller should be prepared to show private message to an Admin, if order of buyers is questioned.
INTERESTED BUTTON:
-The Interested button was created to encourage BUYERS TO MESSAGE THE SELLERS!
-Before this, too many people would comment “want” and then never respond to the seller.
-Once you click interested, it leaves an automated comment that you are interested in that item and then prompts you to message the seller right away.
-YOU NEED TO MESSAGE AFTER clicking interested to insure you are in line next. If other are in line, just write “next please” in the message.
-If you click interested, you need to be ready to purchase the item. You can click "I am no longer interested" if you decide to pass or no longer want the item. If you were in contact with the seller, you need to let them know you pass.
Details for Posting:
- Post BEST description possible, sizes, conditions, smoke free, pet free, stains, rips, etc. (try to answer questions you think you will get)
-SELLING ON ANOTHER SITE? MAKE SURE TO ADD THAT IN YOUR DESCRIPTION. Otherwise, if you do not go in order you will get strikes and removed from the group.
Only ONE POST PER ITEM: Additional posts may be deleted without warning.
Additional posts of the same thing will be deleted. If you have additional pictures of the item, put those into the comments.
UNLIMITED POSTS but one post per item.
NO STOCK PHOTOS - you may take a picture of the box if still new.
(If it's impossible to post a real picture, contact an admin)
CANNOT INCREASE PRICE once an item is posted, this can make you look bad as a seller and people may choose not to work with you.
(Contact an admin if you have made a mistake on a price) (People watching your item will get a notification of this price change)
NO BIDDING/TRADING. Set a price and you can say obo after that.
- If you accept an offer from someone, you need to stay with that person.
- If you already accepted an offer and then went with someone else who offered higher - seller will get a strike.
PRICE IS NEEDED IF SELLING
To mark an item pending/reserve, you need to reserve the item for that person. Once picked up, go to edit and mark the item sold at the bottom.
“LOOKING FOR POSTS”: Make a post and place into the category that fits for the item you are looking for.
- Find a stock photo for these posts to show what you are needing.
- Click the box that says “ I am looking for this item” and the banner in the corner will be blue.
MESSAGES:
- DO NOT DELETE HERE, THEY GET ARCHIVED. THAT WAY YOU WILL NEVER LOSE ANY MESSAGES.
THERE IS NO OTHER FOLDER .
BANNED/REVOKED MEMBERS:
- Previously banned members cannot come back, no excuses. If they try to use any other profiles to get back in, all those associated profiles will be banned.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
(found in ADMIN TIPS CATEGORY AS WELL)
If prohibited items are posted; they will be deleted, your membership will be REVOKED for a week and you will be given a STRIKE
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfecting sprays and wipes
- Toilet Paper
- NOTHING ILLEGAL – common sense
- NOTHING COUNTERFEIT/KNOCK OFF/REPLICA/FAKE (this is illegal).
- NO FOOD OR DRINK ITEMS. NO POWDERED DRINKS/COFFEE OR BREAST MILK/FORMULA.
- (this includes animal food as well)
- NO WEAPONS OR WEAPON RELATED ITEMS (bow & arrow, knives, paintball/airsoft guns)
- NO SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES THAT INVOLVE A WEAPON OR TRAP
- NO PORN, DRUGS/PARAPHERNALIA/TOBACCO PRODUCTS/MACHINES/ALCOHOL.
- NO SEX TOYS OR OTHER BEDROOM RELATED ITEMS LIKE THAT.
- NO LIVING ANIMALS/REPTILES/POCKETS PETS/BIRDS – no selling/asking/giving away. (Lost and found are okay)
- NO VITAMINS/MEDICATIONS/SUPPLEMENTS/WEIGHT LOSS PILLS/HERBALS. Even if unopened.
- NO PRESCRIPTIONS - illegal to sell if you are not a pharmacist or doctor and did not prescribe it to anyone.
- NO CAR-SEATS/BOOSTERS OR BASES. There is an admin tip
- NO CRIBS AT ALL. NO CONVERTER CRIBS EITHER. There is an admin tip
- E-CIGS/vapes/hookahs ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ANY VS GROUP.
- Breast pumps received free from WIC or Illinois Public Aid are not allowed to be sold within our group, this is actually illegal.
- Mattresses/Furniture ARE ALLOWED to be sold - at your own risk. (Illinois law is to have tag still attached and not soiled/dirty, bugs, etc)
- Bumbo seats need to have the safety straps in the picture, since they were recalled without them. Otherwise, the post will be deleted.
NO BIDDING OR TRADING:
- You may post a price then say obo after that. Cannot make a higher offer to get an item when there are people in line for it.
Comments will be deleted if trading is mentioned.
- If you want to make an offer on an item, you NEED to do that via private message. (comments will be deleted)
- Do not post offers on the sellers post, they will be deleted.
- You cannot try to negotiate the price at a pick up. Once a price is agreed upon before the meet - it cannot be changed.
- If a buyer tries to get the seller to lower the price at the meet, strike will be given.
- Once you accept an offer, you as a seller cannot back out.
SMALL BUSINESSES
- NEED TO POST IN THE SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLY. This is the only category where you can post a URL link to another page.
- Only one post per person.
NO FLIPPING ITEMS:
- Cannot buy a dresser for $25 and resell for $150 without any upgrades. Strikes will be given.
BUYERS NEED TO GO WITH THE FIRST PERSON INTERESTED, COMMENT OR MESSAGE:
- Even if a question is asked, that person should get first dibs because they were first interested. Go in line of interest, strikes can be given for buyers that skip people. Admins can see deleted comments.
- Please click the interested button and then send a message to the seller. Clicking that will place an automated message in the comments that you are interested in buying.
- Use the "Ask" button if you have questions about an item. (This is still considered interest)
ITEMS ARE BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK. CHECK YOUR ITEMS!:
- If you do not check it before handing over money, then there is not anything that can be done. (someone's word does not help). We will try to make things fair with transactions that go sour but we cannot force any refunds, we will get both sides of the story to document everything and give strikes/removals as needed.
HELP:
- You are able to ask any admin for help here.
- If you have any member complaints, let us know; no shows, not responding, gave me a broken item, etc.
- We will get both sides of the story from both the buyer and seller. We may ask for screen shots of messages, posts, texts, etc. in order to handle it the proper way.
REMOVAL:
- If we feel that your language, behavior, etc is not a good fit for our group, you may be removed at any time.
- Admins have the right to remove a member for any reason
- Removal is the result after complaints we get and strikes we give to members.