AW Daily - Tips & Tactics - Before the Auction: Stating Terms of Service

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Before the Auction: Stating Terms of Service continued ...

Sample TOS
So what does a good TOS write-up look like? There are different ways to present your terms of service--there's no right or wrong way. Experiment and come up with a description that makes you comfortable. To demonstrate, here's one example:

Buyer to pay $2.50 shipping/handling for standard USPS delivery. For USPS Priority, include an additional $1. I accept money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks, and credit cards via X.com. Immediate shipping with credit card and money order/cashier's check. Merchandise paid by check will not be shipped until five days after deposit. Insurance optional at 85 cents. International orders accepted. Payment due within 14 days after close of auction.

Here, There, Everywhere
Many auction sites now allow you to indicate certain terms of service when listing an auction. For example, there are fields in which you can indicate whether the buyer pays for shipping, whether you accept credit cards, and so on. However, don't rely solely on these fields.

For starters, you're limited as to what exactly you can indicate. In order to fully state your TOS and to provide potential buyers with multiple areas to see them, you also should include your terms of service in your auction description. Furthermore, it's a good idea to include your TOS in your end-of-auction emails as well. One last cautionary note: In your auction description, do not include a URL to a subsequent page (an About Me-style page, for instance) that has your terms of service. Don't assume that buyers will take the time to click on the link.

Lastly, sellers often complain about buyers who don't fully read their TOS (the problem of receiving bids from international buyers when a seller states they ship only domestically seems to be a perpetual issue). You can't always be sure that a buyer reads your TOS, but if you state them clearly, concisely, and in multiple places you at least can be assured that you've covered yourself if any problems arise.

Accepting Credit Cards
Offering Refunds and Guarantees
Packing Merchandise