BSTexchange.com is USA based only. No international shipping.
This policy is a part of our Terms and Conditions. By opening and using a BSTexchange.com store, you’re agreeing to this policy and our Terms and Conditions.
What Can be Sold on BSTexchange
What Cannot be Sold on BSTexchange
Representing Yourself, Your Shop, and Your Listings Honestly
Privacy and Communicating with Other BSTexchange Members
Creating and Uploading Content
Building a Positive Reputation Through our Reviews System
Providing Great Customer Service
Responding to Requests for Cancellations, Returns, and Exchanges
What Can be Sold on BSTexchange
BSTexchange is a unique marketplace. Buyers come here to purchase items of the following categories……posted for sale on BSTexchange.com must fall into one of these categories.
What Can’t be Sold on BSTexchange
Products or services that aren’t listed in the categories above. Use of the “Other” subcategories are restricted to products or services relevant to the subcategory’s parent category. Even if your product or service meets our categories criteria, items that violate our IPES Policy (Intellectual, Prohibited, Extinct & Sanctions Policy) are not allowed to be sold on BSTexchange.com.
BSTexchange may remove any listings that violate our policies. Note that listing fees are non-refundable. BSTexchange may also suspend or terminate your account for any violations. You’ll still be obligated to pay any outstanding fees on your BSTexchange statement. You can find more information in our Fees & Payments Policy.
If you are raising money on behalf of a charity, you must obtain that charity’s consent.
Representing Yourself, Your Shop, and Your Listings Honestly
At BSTexchange, we value transparency. Transparency means that you honestly and accurately represent yourself, your items, and your business.
By selling on BSTexchange, you agree that you will:
- Provide honest, accurate information in your About section.
- Honor your Shop Policies.
- Accurately represent your items in listings and listing photos.
- Respect the intellectual property of others. If you feel someone has violated your intellectual property rights, you can report it to BSTexchange.
- Not engage in fee avoidance.
- Not create duplicate shops. Please see Multiple Shops on BSTexchange for more details.
Privacy and Communicating with Other BSTexchange Members
Inquiries
You can use BSTexchange Inquiries to communicate directly with your buyers or other BSTexchange members. Inquiries are a great way for buyers to ask you questions about an item or an order.
Inquiries may not be used for the following activities:
- Sending unsolicited advertising or promotions, requests for donations, or spam;
- Harassing or abusing another member or violating our Code of Conduct Policy;
- Contacting someone after they have explicitly asked you not to; or
- Interfering with a transaction or the business of another member.
Interference
Interference occurs when a member intentionally interferes with another member’s shop in order to drive away their business. Interference is strictly prohibited on BSTexchange.
Examples of interference include:
- Contacting another member via BSTexchange Inquiries to warn them away from a particular member, shop, or item;
- Posting in public areas to demonstrate or discuss a dispute with another member;
- Purchasing from a seller for the sole purpose of leaving a negative review;
- Maliciously clicking on a competitor’s Promoted Listings ads in order to drain that member’s advertising budget, also known as “click fraud.”
Harassment
Any use of BSTexchange Inquiries to harass other members is strictly prohibited. Similarly, Inquiries may not be used to support or glorify hatred or otherwise violate our Code of Conduct Policy. If you receive a Inquiry that violates this policy, please let us know right away.
Privacy and Protecting Personal Information
You are responsible for protecting members’ personal information you receive or process and complying with all relevant legal requirements. This includes applicable data protection and privacy laws that govern the ways in which you can use BSTexchange user information. Such laws may require that you post, and comply with, your own privacy policy, which must be accessible to BSTexchange users you interact with and compatible with this policy and BSTexchange’s Terms and Conditions.
For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.
Creating and Uploading Content
As a member of BSTexchange, you have the opportunity to create and upload a variety of content, like listings, text, photos, and videos.
In order to keep our community safe and respectful, you agree that you will not upload content that is:
- Abusive, threatening, defamatory, harassing, or otherwise in violation of our Code of Conduct Policy;
- Obscene or vulgar;
- In violation of someone else’s privacy or intellectual property rights; or
- False, deceptive, or misleading.
Building a Positive Reputation Through our Reviews System
Reviews are a great way for you to build a reputation on BSTexchange. Buyers can leave a review, including a one to five star rating and a photograph of their purchase, within 100 days after their item’s estimated delivery date. If an estimated delivery date is not available, the review window opens after the order’s processing time and shipping time have elapsed. Buyers can edit their review, including the photograph, any number of times during that 100 day period.
On the rare occasion you receive an unfavorable review, you can reach out to the buyer or, if the review is less than 3 stars, leave a response.
Reviews and your response to reviews may not:
- Contain private information;
- Contain obscene, racist, or harassing language or imagery;
- Violate our Code of Conduct Policy;
- Contain prohibited medical drug claims;
- Contain advertising or spam;
- Be about things outside the seller’s control, such as a shipping carrier, BSTexchange or a third party; or
- Undermine the integrity of the Reviews system.
Extortion
Extortion is not allowed on BSTexchange. Any attempt to manipulate reviews through threats, intimidation, or bribery is considered extortion and is strictly prohibited on BSTexchange. Extortion includes when a seller offers a buyer additional goods, services, or compensation in exchange for a positive review. For more information, please see this Help article.
Shilling
Shilling is strictly prohibited on BSTexchange. Shilling is the fraudulent inflation of a shop’s reputation by use of an alternate account. The intent of shilling is to make a seller look more desirable by increasing the shop’s number of sales and overall review score. Not only does it violate our core value of transparency, but it is considered to be a deceptive business practice by the US Federal Trade Commission. Reviews must reflect the honest, unbiased opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of the buyer.
Providing Great Customer Service
We expect our sellers to provide a high level of customer service.
By selling on BSTexchange, you agree to:
- Honor your shipping and processing times. Sellers are obligated to ship an item or otherwise complete a transaction with a buyer in a prompt manner, unless there is an exceptional circumstance. Please be aware that legal requirements for shipping times vary by country. These requirements are detailed in our Shipping Policy.
- Respond to Inquiries in a timely manner.
- Honor the commitments you make in your shop policies.
- Resolve disagreements or disputes directly with the buyer. In the unlikely event that you can’t reach a resolution, our Dispute Resolution team can help through our case system.
Responding to Requests for Cancellations, Returns, and Exchanges
Please be aware that in addition to this policy, each country has its own laws surrounding shipping, cancellations, returns, and exchanges. Please familiarize yourself with the laws of your own country and those of your buyers’ countries.
Returns and Refunds State Law (FindLaw.com)
Almost every consumer has returned a purchased retail item for a refund, exchange, or store credit at some point. While merchants are required to accept returns in only certain situations, some states have laws governing the disclosure of refund and return policies. State refund and return laws are summarized below. For more information, see FindLaw’s section on “Product Warranties and Returns.”
Customer Returns and Refunds Under Federal Law
Many retailers, as part of their business models, allow returns if customers change their minds or receive unwanted items as gifts. While many retailers have decided this makes for the best business practice, they aren’t legally required to accept returns. Rather, retailers are required to accept returns only if the sold good is defective or if they otherwise break the sales contract.
In addition to retailers being required to accept the return of defective items, federal law provides a “Cooling-Off Rule ” giving buyers three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more. Under this rule, the right to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day after the sale. The rule applies to sales at the buyer’s home or workplace, at facilities rented by the seller on a temporary basis, or at locations otherwise away from the seller’s normal retail location.
Customer Returns and Refunds Under State Law
In addition to applicable federal law, many states have laws regarding consumer refunds. Often, refund policies must be prominently displayed at the place of purchase in order to be valid. Many states, in addition to the protections of the federal Cooling-Off Rule, allow consumers to rescind club memberships or other special sales contracts within a specified number of business days.
Other fees, such as restocking fees, normally must be made clear in the retailer’s policy language. Regardless of whether your state requires disclosure of return policies, you should ask any retailer for their particular policy before making a purchase. Additionally, states may or may not explicitly apply their laws to online sales. Below are summaries of state laws governing refunds of retail sales items:
| Alabama | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Alaska | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Arizona | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Arkansas | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| California | Retailers are required to clearly post their refund policy unless they offer a full cash refund, exchange, or store credit within seven days of the purchase date. Retailers failing this requirement are required to accept full refunds within 30 days of purchase. |
| Colorado | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Connecticut | Each retailer may set its own refund policy, which must be conspicuously disclosed at the time of sale. If the policy isn’t properly disclosed, or if the retailer doesn’t have a refund policy, a buyer may return purchased goods for a refund. |
| Delaware | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| District of Columbia | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Florida | Retailers that don’t offer refunds must clearly display this fact at the place of sale. Failing this requirement, customers may return goods for a full refund within 20 days of purchase. |
| Georgia | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Hawaii | Each retailer may set its own refund policy, which must be conspicuously disclosed at the time of sale. If the policy isn’t properly disclosed, merchants are required to provide refund. |
| Idaho | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Illinois | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Indiana | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Iowa | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. If retailers don’t accept returns they must disclose it. |
| Kansas | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Kentucky | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Louisiana | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Maine | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Maryland | Retailers must post their return policies on the wall, on the merchandise, or on the receipt. If the policy isn’t posted, the retailer must accept returned merchandise within a reasonable time. |
| Massachusetts | A seller’s refund, return, or cancellation policy must be disclosed to the buyer clearly and conspicuously before the transaction is completed. This is usually done by means of a sign at the point of purchase. Goods may be returned within a reasonable period of time if no return policy was disclosed. |
| Michigan | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Minnesota | A seller must clearly and conspicuously display written notice of its policy in boldface type of a minimum size of 14 points. If a seller fails this requirement, cash refunds are required of goods that are acceptable for return. |
| Mississippi | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Missouri | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Montana | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Nebraska | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Nevada | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| New Hampshire | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| New Jersey | Merchants must conspicuously post their refund policies. Businesses with no posted refund policies are liable to the buyer, for up to 20 days from purchase, for a cash refund or a credit. |
| New Mexico | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| New York | A store is legally required to post its refund policy. If the store doesn’t post any return policy, the law requires the store to accept returns within 30 days of purchase. |
| North Carolina | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| North Dakota | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Ohio | A merchant isn’t required to have a specific refund policy, but if it does have a refund policy, the policy must be clearly and conspicuously posted. If a merchant doesn’t have a refund policy posted, the consumer is entitled to a refund. |
| Oklahoma | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Oregon | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Pennsylvania | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Rhode Island | Unless a customer has been clearly informed by a poster or other appropriate notice placed at the point of display or at the cash register or at the store entrance that all sales are final and that goods aren’t returnable, a customer who has paid for an item can return the item within ten business days from the date of purchase. |
| South Carolina | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| South Dakota | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Tennessee | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Texas | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Utah | If seller has a non-refund, exchange, or credit policy, the policy must be clearly indicated by a sign posted at the point of display, the point of sale, or the store entrance. If the seller fails this requirement, the customer is entitled to a return. |
| Vermont | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Virginia | A merchant must notify its customers of its return policy by a sign attached to the goods or placed in a conspicuous public area of the merchant’s premises. A merchant is exempt from this requirement if it provides a cash or credit refund within 20 days or more of purchase. |
| Washington | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| West Virginia | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Wisconsin | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
| Wyoming | There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Cancellations
If you are unable to complete a transaction, you must notify the buyer via BSTexchange Inquiries and cancel the transaction. If the buyer already submitted payment, you must issue a full refund. You are encouraged to keep proof of any refunds in the event a dispute arises.
You may cancel a transaction under the following circumstances:
- The buyer did not pay. (The seller may flag a buyer for a payment not received, chargeback, or canceled payment.)
- Both you and the buyer agree to cancel the transaction prior to shipment, and you have issued the buyer a full refund.
- You have decided to refuse service to the buyer and are complying with our Code of Conduct Policy. If the buyer has already paid, you must also issue a full refund, including shipping.
- The buyer did not receive the item(s) ordered, even though you provided proof of shipping, and you have issued a refund for the item. (Refunding shipping is optional)
- Both you and the buyer agreed that the buyer could return the item for a refund, you have received the returned item and issued a refund to the buyer for the item. (Refunding shipping is optional)
BSTexchange’s Dispute Case System
We ask buyers to contact the seller directly and attempt to resolve any outstanding issues before opening a Dispute Case on BSTexchange. For this reason, it is important that you fill out your shop policies and regularly respond to Inquiries from your buyers.
Buyers may file a Dispute Case for a non-delivery or a not-as-described item. You must respond to any open Dispute Cases within three business days. BSTexchange reserves the right to escalate a Dispute Case early for circumstances such as seller inactivity, harassment, refusal of service, case manipulation, and undermining the integrity of the Dispute Case System.
By using BSTexchange’s Dispute Case System, you understand that under BSTexchange’s dispute resolution procedures, BSTexchange may use your personal information for the purpose of resolving disputes with other members.
Dispute Cases can be filed in the following circumstances:
Non-Delivery
A non-delivery occurs when a buyer places an order and submits payment, but does not receive the item.
The following are examples of non-delivery cases:
- An item was never sent.
- An item was not sent to the address provided on BSTexchange.
- There is no proof that the item was shipped to the buyer’s address.
Not as Described
An item is not as described if it is materially different from your listing description or your photos.
The following are examples of not as described cases:
- The item received is a different color, model, version, or size than is shown in the photo or described in the listing.
- The item has a different design or material.
- The item was advertised as authentic but is not authentic.
- You failed to disclose the fact that an item is damaged or is missing parts.
- A buyer purchased three items but only received two.
- The condition of the item is misrepresented. For example, the description at the time of purchase said the item was “new” and the item is used.
Not as Described cases can also be filed for late delivery.
In order to qualify as late delivery, the buyer must provide proof that all of these conditions have been met:
- The item(s) were ordered for a specific date or event.
- The item(s) are rendered useless after that date.
- The seller did not ship the item(s) according to their processing time or the date agreed upon in Inquiries.
If BSTexchange determines that an item is not as described, you will be required to refund the original shipping and return shipping, in addition to the cost of the item.
Ineligible Transactions
Some disputes don’t qualify for BSTexchange’s Dispute Case system.
These include:
- Items that have been purchased in person.
- Intangible items, services, or prohibited items.
- Transactions where payment is not made through one of BSTexchange Payment Processors.
- Items that are returned without a return agreement.
- Items that have been altered, used, worn, or washed after receiving them.
- Physical or tangible items that are not available for return because they have been destroyed or discarded by the buyer.
- Items that are received after the agreed-upon delivery date due to shipping delays.
- Cost of shipping disputes.
When a dispute is ineligible for our case system, we encourage both parties to work together to come to an amicable solution.