Buyer

Q: When do new items come up for sale?

A: Shopaholics rejoice! You can get your weekly fix of new items every Thursday at 5 p.m. CST on our Web site. Every Thursday – whether it’s during a holiday, an ice storm or a can’t-miss football game – because deals shouldn’t have to wait!

Q: How do I pay for an item I want to purchase?

A: Glad you asked. We’ll take your payment from a number of sources: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Pay Pal, Google checkout and e-check. We can take your cash, but only if you come down to the warehouse and pay for it there. And only if you are paying the full asking price (sorry, we can’t broker deals on the seller’s behalf). If you do want to use cash, act quickly – someone with plastic could swipe before you get here and thus take your item. If you do show up at the warehouse, please give us a minute to find your purchase; we’ll have to comb through the aisles, but we do want you to get home in time for dinner.

Q: What are the shipping costs?

A: : None, if you pick up your item in person! That beats most shopping Web sites. We like that we are locally-based and prefer to stick to the you-drive-in-and-pick-up-your-item model, but we know that not everyone has a truck, and some people might really want our items but live out of driving range – who can blame them? If you do need to ship, we’ll work with you, but then it’s not free. If you’re local and don’t have a vehicle, we can probably help you find one.

Q: Will my identity remain anonymous?

A: Yes. Only Storple knows who the buyer and seller are and we keep it that way throughout the process. When a buyer makes an offer or a seller accepts, that information goes straight to us. We will then forward it to you. The only time Storple will give up information about a buyer or seller is if government authorities request it, but we don’t anticipate this happening too often.

Q: What happens after I purchase an item?

A: Once your payment clears, a receipt will appear on your computer screen (or phone, you tech-savvy mobile shoppers). Bring the receipt with you to the warehouse and pick your item up. If you don’t pick up your purchase within a few days, we’ll give you a reminder call. We want everyone to be happy.

Q: What happens if I am not happy with the item when I get home?

A: Quick tip: once you leave the warehouse with the item, it’s yours. So check your item thoroughly before leaving! If you are not happy with the merchandise prior to leaving the warehouse, a full refund less a 25% restocking fee will be mailed to you within 10 days. Don’t worry; it probably won’t take that long. We just have to say that because of snail mail.

Q: Is the item insured?

A: All items sold through Storple are sold as-is and are not insured.

Q: What happens if the item is broken?

A: Remember, we want you to be completely satisfied. Happy customers are happy repeat customers. So, it’s important to check your purchase before you leave the warehouse. Our inspection team does their best to prevent broken items from entering our system, but if you are still at the warehouse, and you find that your item is broken, we will give you a full refund within 10 days.

Q: Do we have a legal contract?

A: Yes. Legalities can be found here.

Q: What is Going…Going…Gone?

A: Storple likes to keep our inventory new and exciting, so we only allow items to be on the website for 60 days, which means they have to sell fast. If you see an item in the Going…Going…Gone section, buy it quickly if you want it, because it won’t be around for long. Kind of like a designer sample sale.

Q: You charge a buyer’s premium. How does that work?

A: We work hard to make sure your transaction is smooth, seamless and enjoyable, so we reward ourselves with a management fee – a percent of each item purchased. At Storple, that number is 15% of the price.

Q: Can I get an appointment to see an item on site?

A: Check our calendar; if appointments are available for your item, enter your preferred date and time then come down and see us at that chosen time. Remember, someone with plastic can still swipe before you get here and thus take your item, so make appointments wisely.

Q: My appointment was canceled, what happened?

A: We canceled your appointment because someone bought it online before you did.

Q: Can I come over and look through all the stuff in the warehouse?

A: In short, no. Once an item enters our warehouse it is boxed and sealed, and it remains sealed until it is purchased. Each item we sell has a description and photos that are accurate depictions of what you will buy, so what you see should be what you get. The exception to this rule is large items that are not in boxes (think refrigerators and furniture) that you can make appointments to come look at. If you see an open appointment slot, grab it, then come down at the appointed time.

Q: How quickly will I get my item?

A: Your item is ready for pick-up as soon as you pay. However, we’re not open 24/7 so come on in when we’re open. You’ll see our hours on your confirmation sheet.

Q: Why do you release all the items for sale on Thursday at 5 p.m.?

A: We’re giving you a head start before the typical garage sale weekend starts. And with us, you’ll know if we’ve got something you want before you leave the house, saving both gas money and the hassle of haggling with other early birds. Makes you want to see what’s new at 5 p.m., doesn’t it?

Sellers

Q: Can you tell me the requirements of listing a “new” item on Storple?

A: Everything old is new again at Storple; you will not find any “new” items on our site. We’re into recycling, so everything on Storple has been sold at least once. It might, however, be “unused.” An item is considered "unused" when it meets the following guidelines:

• It is in the original condition from the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.
• It has not been refurbished or used for any purpose.
• It has no known defects or damages.
• If you have made something and it has never been used or worn, that will also be considered unused.

Q: I have entered all the needed information to the website. How long do I have before it needs to be in the warehouse?

A: That’s up to you. But – until your item(s) are checked in at the warehouse, we can’t put them up for sale. We post new items for sale every Thursday at 5 p.m. so your item(s) must be at the warehouse by Noon on Thursday to be made available for sale that week. Basically, the quicker you get it to the warehouse the sooner you can get paid!

Q: Can I sell my jewelry?

A: Our storpley guy has great eyes, but he’s not a gemologist. We can only accept costume jewelry for now!

Q: What happens when I take my item to the warehouse?

A: First, we will look at your item to make sure that your description matches what you have brought to us. We’ll make sure it is in a nice clean box and then secure the box in front of you. Your item is then ready to sell at the next online event! Get it to the warehouse by Noon on Thursday for that week’s event. The box will not be opened until it is purchased and the buyer has picked it up. If your item is large and something the manager wants to show by appointment, s/he will make it available for buyers to look at. Lots of steps on our end, not so many on yours.

Q: I am not able to take pictures of my items. Can you help me?

A: We can. All of our managers are trained amateur photographers (or we like to think so). Before you arrive at the warehouse, please enter all the needed information to the website, except for the pictures. Take your item(s) to the warehouse and a manager will photograph the item(s) for you.

Q: How does the "Sales Price Advance" work?

A: You win a pool table at a charity auction (yes, this is just an example) and you don’t have room for it (why were you bidding on it?!). Don’t worry, we can help. You know that it’s worth at least $300. After you upload all the information and pictures on Storple, take it to the warehouse and you can get an advance of up to $100! Is there a catch? No, just some guidelines. It really has to be worth $300. The warehouse manager has to agree with you, and it has to be a single item or a group of items that serves a specific purpose (like a dining room set).

Q: My item sells. When will I receive payment for the sold item?

A: We’ll pay you as soon as the buyer picks it up. We want everyone to be happy, and the buyer will need to leave the warehouse with your item before we consider it sold. You will receive payment within 10 days after the item has been picked up from the warehouse. Don’t worry; it probably won’t take 10 days. We just have to say that because of snail mail.

Q: You receive payment prior to the buyer picking up the item. Why does it take so long for me to receive payment?

A: As the store operator, we put in a lot of time and effort to make sure things go smoothly, and we use your payment to work on your sale. If for any reason your buyer is not satisfied with the purchased item (prior to leaving the warehouse), Storple will refund the money less a restocking fee of 25% which we split with you. Since Storple is not sure if the buyer will be satisfied with the item, we’re not going to dish out the cash before the item is gone.
If the buyer is not satisfied with the purchase, Storple will then call you to ask you a few questions:

1. Do you want your item back on Storple.com for sale?
2. Would you prefer to store it in a unit for later sale?
3. Would you like Storple to donate the item to a charity

Q: Does the Storple warehouse have the space to handle large items such as bedroom furniture and other household items?

A: Yes, our warehouses are large enough to accommodate many large items. Bring it all!

Q: Will my identity remain anonymous?

A: Yes. Only Storple knows who the buyer and seller are and we keep it that way throughout the process. When a buyer makes an offer or a seller accepts, that information goes straight to us. We will then forward it to you. The only time Storple will give up information about a buyer or seller is if government authorities request it, but we don’t anticipate this happening too often.

Q: What kind of items do you accept?

A: Just about everything you can imagine, but there are some exceptions. Because of the anonymity factor, we can’t sell anything that has a title to it (for example: boats, planes and cars). Storple will not accept items that might cause health issues such as mattresses. If you are not sure if you will be able to sell your goods, give us a ring or send an e-mail. We’ll be happy to talk to you!

Q: Do we have a legal contract?

A: Yes. Legalities can be found here (make this a link to the contract).

Q: How do the box sales work?

A: We’re neat freaks. We have a nice clean warehouse. If you don’t have a nice new clean box that your Storple items fit snuggly in, we’ll be happy to sell you one at a very reasonable price. We will not sell your items in an old box.

Q: What do I do if I get an offer on something I am selling?

A: You are responsible for responding to the message (remember, it goes through us first so you remain anonymous). You either accept the offer or reject it.

Q: You charge a seller’s discount. How does that work?

A: We do a bunch of work to sell your item, so that’s how we get paid. When Storple sells your goods, we keep 15%.

Q: Why do you release all the items for sale on Thursday at 5 p.m.?

A: We’re giving you a head start before the typical garage sale weekend starts. With us, interested buyers will know if you’ve got what they want before they leave house, saving you the cost of yard signs and the hassle of haggling with customers on something you already know the value of. Makes you want to start using Storple more often, doesn’t it?

Q: What won’t you take for sale?

A: Unusable items that are broken, torn, ripped or dirty, such as mattresses, underclothes, and other used items that may be hygiene hazards. Storple won’t accept titled items like cars, campers and motorcycles, either. We always have the right to refuse items for sale.

Q: What is Going…Going…Gone?

A: Storple likes to keep our inventory new and exciting, so we only allow items to be on the website for 60 days, which means they have to sell fast or they are off the website and no longer for sale. If for some reason your goods have not sold in 45 days, they will automatically go into the Going…Going…Gone section of the site. That tells everyone that if they want the item they better grab it quick because the item will soon be gone! Kind of like a designer sample sale.