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HomeschoolChristian.com Guidelines for our Classified Ad - Swap boards

If you NEED something, please feel free to post that need. I have even loaned videos out to people who lived in the sticks, 200 miles from the nearest Blockbuster who just covered the shipping costs!

Pay with PayPal! This is a great secure payment service. This is a great way to get immediate payment from and to a private party or small business, eliminating the wait time of a check being mailed. Paypal has recently changed their rules, and if you have a bad transaction, there is some recourse. I have heard stories of it working badly both ways, but personally, I have used it extensively and have been very pleased with it (except for the fees for business/premium accounts and those associated with credit cards). Payment by credit cards may not be accepted by sellers who have personal accounts. Those who have upgraded to "Premier" or "Business" accounts can accept credit card payments, but they have fees, so clarify in advance if you may pay with a credit card through paypal.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: A few guidelines for buying and selling:

1) ALWAYS make a DELETE PASSWORD here so that you can easily delete your own posts. If you've forgotten your delete password, reply to your post with only the word "DELETE" in the subject line so we know to delete it It makes it much easier to scan through a thousand posts if you just use that one word. If you have a sale pending, you could reply to your own message with that information. Check your e-mail at least daily if you have items for sale.

2) Post the price you'd like, and state whether that includes book rate shipping or what. Book rate shipping is NOT that slow, and the price is a LOT cheaper. It's called Media Mail with the Postal Service in most cases, and works for books, software and videos. Sometimes Bound Printed rate is better for books, so check both before shipping. Most of the things I've had shipped to me have been 7 to 10 days arriving from across the country. If you are outside the U.S., check "Economy M-Bags" which take forever, but are a HUGE savings.

3) Give an honest description of the condition. Many of us don't mind a well-loved book, but we don't appreciate surprises. If you want a special form of payment (i.e. money order), be up front about it on your sale post, don't wait until someone e-mails you. Communication is critical! Package your items CAREFULLY!!! Use a box several inches bigger than the item, and use packing peanuts, bubblewrap or plastic grocery bags as padding. Remember that corners are especially susceptible to dents. It is a good idea to wrap books in plastic in case the box gets wet along the way. Do NOT list items that are pirated--i.e. copies of software or books.

4) You might put your location (your state) in the ad. Do NOT post your home address or phone number. That should be done via private e-mail. In fact, the original post should be the only post that is publicly posted, unless there are questions that might benefit everyone. You be the judge. We will delete any message that has a home address or phone number listed for your safety.

5) Sign up for "automatic notification via e-mail" from this and any other message board here that you like. Scroll down below the message box, and you'll see where you can sign up for it or unsubscribe. You will be e-mailed notification that you have a response on that message board, or of new messages posted.

6) For your own sake, if you are selling a very popular item, post underneath your post if you sell it, this will save you having to individually e-mail five other people! Messages will be deleted after 2 weeks (we try to keep the board under 500 posts for our dial-up visitors), on or about the first of the month.

7) Decide in advance if there will be insurance or delivery confirmation, and if so, who will pay for the additional cost (usually the buyer)..

8) Please group your items in no more than THREE posts per day. If you continue after being reminded, your posts will be deleted.

9) THE MOST important guideline...Don't mess with anyone else's money!!! Homeschool Christian.com and Martha Robinson are not responsible for less than honest people! Money orders not only protect you from bounced checks, but they also protect your checking account information from being used elsewhere in the form of an e-check or check by phone. If you have problems with a buyer or seller, I would appreciate knowing about it. Feel free to ask me in advance of a transaction if there are any reported problems with the person with whom you are about to conduct business. Keep in mind that the wrong zip code on a box can delay it by 3 weeks, and also that sometimes e-mails get lost in cyberspace!

When Buying:

1) Be sure of yourself before you commit to purchasing, it is really unfair to the seller to back out a couple days later. If you're not sure, TELL the seller you're not sure yet.

2) When you e-mail someone to buy a book they listed, it works best to copy and paste everything right onto your message, this prevents confusion. Make sure you have included all details! Also, when you respond to an e-mail, use your return to sender button, and DO NOT delete the message they sent. This way, you have a continual, running record of all correspondance with the other person, this can save a great deal of frustration for both parties. Be courteous, respond to EVERY e-mail, you are keeping someone in suspense if you don't!

3) Before your transaction is agreed upon, think about what you will do if the shipment is lost in transit! If you want insurance or delivery confirmation, please request it from the seller (at your expense).

4) Assume that all postage prices are for the 48 continental United States.