Code of Conduct

The rules are as follows. **SCROLL AND READ ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END!**

Any posts outside of the Rules will be removed without notice. The ADMINS of this group are volunteers. Please be kind to them and all members.

TRANSACTIONS ARE TO TAKE PLACE IN COVINGTON OR MAPLE VALLEY. If you live outside these cities, be prepared to come here for all pickups or deliveries, and in a timely manner. Your sales post must include a statement that you will meet here (more than once a week.) Failure to meet here is grounds for removal from group. Transactions must take place within the red lines: http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/Varagesale/9ybiXFoloh

Prohibited Items

1. NO Weapons. This includes, but is not limited to: all guns (including BB, airsoft, and pellet), ammo, gun accessories (clips, mags, scopes, grips, etc), swords (including decorative and collectors’ items) and knives (kitchen knives obviously excluded), tasers, pepper spray or any type of explosive. If you have questions about whether or not your item falls into the category of restricted items, please contact an Admin for guidance.

2. NO Drop-side cribs

3. NO Expired car seats

4. NO “Fake” or “Replica” Trademarked items.

5. NO Cottage Goods/Homemade food products (without proof and representation that you have a state provided permit and vendors license to do so under RCW 69.22.030.)

6. NO Selling or Giving away of Animals. OK to re-home a pet for a small (less than $50 adoption fee. OK to post lost or found animals.

In addition, click here for items prohibited specifically by VS: http://help.varagesale.com/article/371-what-items-are-not-allowed

Conduct

1. Drama and inappropriate comments will NOT be tolerated. Attacking, criticizing or negative remarks will get you banned from the group! PERIOD. No exceptions.
   -We understand that friendly banter and joking happens from time to time and sometimes offense can be taken. But we are all adults here. If you disagree with a comment or post please ignore it and move on.

2. If you have an issue with a buyer or seller please try to work out the issue among yourselves via private messages.
   Do not address the situation via the feed! This falls under Conduct Rule 1 and will get you banned from the group with no exception!!

3. No "commentary/opinion" discussions.
   Discussions are used for community information.
   For example: Recommendations (contractors, dentists, childcare providers, etc.) Public Notices (any claim to police reported activity requires a case number). ISO postings are ok. No sales posts, or Buy my Stuff, in Discussions. Instead, take a picture and upload into a category.

Buying/Selling Guidelines

1. FOR YOUR SAFETY: Work out the details of the transaction in a message. Do not post personal information on the feed. Meet in public places to transact. Porch pick ups are convenient, but be safe and take someone with you if possible. Many sellers now have cameras.

2. FOLLOW THROUGH: if you are unable to make meet up times or need to change locations, etc. COMMUNICATE this with the other party. No one wants to waste time & gas. Sellers can move to next person if not communication from buyer in 24 hours. Do not say you are Interested in buying an item unless your are able to communicate with Seller within 24 hours and arrange to pickup. Failure to message Seller within 24 hours will be a strike.

3. NO SHOW POLICY: If you are reported a "no show " to a meet, by another member, after 3 times... you will be removed from the group. This applies to both Buyers & Sellers.
   
   To report a member for a "No Show":
   -1. Click "?"
   -2. Type "I'm having a problem with another member"
   -3. Report with members name and meet-up details, and screen shots of conversations.

4. BUYER BEWARE: Look at the item(s) closely before completing the transaction. Buyer is to ensure the item(s) being purchased meet or exceed their expectations. If they don't, don't buy it! It's YOUR responsibility to check over an item before you take it/pay for it. ADMINS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE, NOR WILL THEY GET IN MIDDLE OF DISPUTE.

5. FULL DISCLOSURE: Please be 100% honest about your item, its function, quality, and condition.
   -State if you have your item cross posted on another selling site.
   -If you are selling your items within a timeline, make that clear. State clearly that sale is “Available to first person who clicks MESSAGE SELLER and can pick up TODAY!” You must go in order. This must be stated at time of listing. No changing after posting. Otherwise, the first person to click MESSAGE SELLER is considered first in line! State any and all stipulations in the ‘description’ of your item.
   -If you are from outside MV/Covington you must be willing to meet here more than once a week, and various times of day. No "Tuesday's at 10 am only" posts.

6. PAYMENTS: Be clear on price, make sure the buyer knows exactly how much to bring to the transaction. IF YOU ACCEPT PARTIAL PAYMENT OR CHECKS, IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Admin will NOT police these situations. This is a local group. NO MAILING/Paypal allowed.

7. SELLERS: Do not change your price after buyers have marked interest this will result in a strike and and removal if a second instance occurs. You may change your price if no interest has been marked.

8. NO “BIDDING WARS”. This is not an auction site!
   -Buyers: Do not try to outbid another buyer on a listed price.
   -Sellers: All items MUST be priced.
   -If you ACCEPT an offer on an item YOU MUST STICK WITH IT, even if a better offer comes along after you accepted the first offer! Kicking people out of line after you agreed to their offer is rude and won't be tolerated. If you want more money for your item, then hold out for a better offer.

9. RESELLERS: We have no rule against buying for reselling BUT: Do not falsify your information! Do not obtain your items with sob stories and take for granted the kindness of others, just to make a turn over. These are your neighbors, untruthful and rude actions are not going unnoticed... and offending your fellow BST members isn't doing yourself any favors.

10. UPDATE AND MAINTAIN THE STATUS OF YOUR ITEMS: (available/reserved/sold)(looking for/found it!) An item will self delete in 7 days when marked Sold or Found It.

11. It is expected that all members will follow rules. If we have to remind more than once to follow rules your membership may be revoked.
    Serious violations = immediate removal.

Buying/Selling PROCEDURE

-All sales proceed in order of those clicking the MESSAGE SELLER button. NO EXCEPTIONS.

1. You must click the green MESSAGE SELLER button. Asking a question, commenting interested, OR sending a PM (Private Message) WITHOUT FIRST CLICKING "MESSAGE SELLER" ON THE ITEM, DOES NOT SAVE YOUR PLACE IN LINE. If it doesn't show up on the comment section... your place in line doesn't exist. Sellers, if you skip over people purposefully, you will be removed. Do not click MESSAGE SELLER unless you are able to message the Seller and make arrangements during the next 24 hours.

2. PM the seller to make arrangements and work out details. DO NOT make meeting arrangements on the wall. All sales must be completed in PM, email or text messages. It is a safety issue. Failure to communicate with seller within 24 hours of clicking "MESSAGE SELLER and the buyer can move on to the next person.

3. QUESTIONS or typing "interested" on the item DOES NOT hold your place in line. Follow the guidelines above. CLICK MESSAGE SELLER !

4. If you decide you're no longer interested: CLICK ”NO LONGER INTERESTED" on the item so others can have their chance in a timely manner.

Images and Uploads

1. Only ONE photo of each individual item for sale. (Making a collage photo is a great way to advertise multiple angles of your item.)

2. No cross-posting in multiple categories. Pick ONE category and post your item only once. Even if it may work in another category, do not post again. Chose the best one. After a week, you can always edit your post and move into the other category.

3. Images with multiple items: If they are similar items, (ex DVD's) you can post up to 10 in one post, but they all need to be the SAME PRICE. State in the description "$x each." Items that are not similar, must be sold either as a Lot or individually. If selling as a Lot state in description, "All for $x." If each item is for sale individually, give it its own photo.

4. Photo must be of your actual item and not from internet. Only exception: if item is sealed and NEW IN BOX (NIB). You must state this in the Description. No screenshots from your phone of item posted elsewhere. They will be deleted without notice. Clear, well-lit, uncluttered, close-up pics are best.

5. Only posts items for sale/in search of. No general posts.

Location

-If you are from somewhere outside of Covington or Maple Valley please be prepared to come to MV or Covington for all transactions. This is a condition of membership.
-Members that are reported to not accommodate this (“Will only meet/porch pick up in Federal Way/Auburn/Etc.” or "only in town on Tuesdays") can expect to be removed from the group. There are other groups that you can participate in on VarageSale & Facebook closer to your home.
-Profile pictures are required in our community

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS/SMALL BUSINESSES/SERVICE OFFERED/CUSTOM MADE**

You are welcome to post ONE POST in the “small business directory." You can use a pic of your business card or collage of products/services offered. This is the ONLY place these listing will be accepted. Do not post links to your business anywhere except in the Small Business Directory. You may have 1 posting only. You may change photo no more than 1 time a month and must remove any prior post.

If you make CUSTOM items - place an ad for your items in the Small Business Directory. Handmade items that are finished and are not offered as being customizable, are ready to be sold right then, you may place that item in the Handmade Items category. It must be ready!

• EX-consultants looking to sell-off home inventory may contact admin for approval before offering mass quantity for sale, as to not cause confusion and have your posts removed. Items must be significantly discounted (25% or more) and not sold for same price as current sales prices offered by company.

**BUSINESSES WITH STOREFRONTS, or other types of solicitations
You may post ONE advertisement in the Small Business category only. You may not comment on posts, message other members, etc with information about your business, or you will be removed. You may delete/add a new posting once per month.

ADMINS hold no responsibility for items bought/sold as a result of this group. We are not responsible for ANY product bought or sold as a result of this group. Any injury or damages caused from items purchased or personal safety are not the responsibility of the administrators or the group itself. Use this group at your own discretion.