01 How it works
How this actually works
No mystery to it. Here is where the things come from, how they get described, and what happens when you buy one.
Where the inventory comes from
It starts with storage units we are clearing out ourselves. A lot of that is newer merchandise that was bought, stored, and never opened. The rest is older household belongings that have been sitting for years.
Over time it will also include items from local people who want something sold but do not want to deal with photographing, pricing, listing and meeting buyers. We are building that side carefully, one arrangement at a time.
How items are photographed
Real photos of the actual item. Not a picture pulled off a product page. If the box is dented, you see the dent. If there is a scratch, we photograph the scratch instead of shooting around it.
How condition is described
Every listing carries a plain condition label, from new in box down to for parts or repair. Known flaws are listed. Missing pieces are listed. If an item has not been powered on or tested, it says untested and stays untested. We will never quietly upgrade that to working.
How pricing is researched
We look at what the same item has recently sold for, not what people are asking for it. Condition, completeness and season all move the number. When a retail price shows on a listing, it is because we verified it, not because we guessed.
Some things are priced to move quickly. Some are worth holding for the right buyer. We try to be honest with ourselves about which is which.
Local pickup
Most items are pickup in the Woodland area, at a time we agree on. Bring help for anything heavy. We will tell you up front if something takes two people or a truck.
Delivery
Sometimes offered, item by item, usually close to home and usually for larger things. If delivery is available, it says so on the listing. If it does not say so, assume it is pickup.
Shipping
Offered on smaller items where it makes sense. The listing says whether it ships and who pays. Big furniture is not going in a box, so that stays local.
Offers and holds
Offers are welcome on most things. Send a number and a short reason if it helps. The worst that happens is we say no.
We will hold an item for a short, specific window once a pickup time is set. We do not hold things open ended while someone decides.
After an item sells
It gets marked sold
The listing is updated here and pulled down from the other marketplaces so nobody messages about something that is gone.
We pull it and check it again
Every item has an inventory number, so finding it does not mean digging through a unit.
Pickup, delivery or shipping
Whatever was agreed on the listing. You get a time and a place, or a tracking number.
Something wrong? Say so
If an item shows up different from how it was described, tell us. See the FAQ for how we handle it.