Marketplace Guidelines

1. Before posting make sure you select the best marketplace forum for your item.
2. The purpose of this forum is to support private-party member-to-member transactions for MINI-related items. Examples include the tire and wheel sets, body pieces, tools, etc.
3. No Group Buy or commercial party posting unless the party is a recognized NAM vendor. Group buys may only be supported by a vendor having an advertising agreement in place with NAM and may only be posted in the Vendor Group Buys forum. For more information on our advertising programs please use the Contact Us form.
4. No non-MINI-related items Please use your discretion. If the Marketplace moderators can not see the item being directly MINI-related it will be removed without warning.
5. Ads may be "bumped" a maximum of once per 24 hour period.
6. No links to auctions. No links to ads placed on other sites.
7. No Off Topic discussion, if your post is not directly inquiring about a product it may be removed without notice. No price policing, no opinions on the item being sold.
8. When an item is sold, the seller must close the thread. Please leave the price intact to help other users establish a gauge of what prices are for a particular item.
9. Any violation of the above policy may result in the post being removed without warning.
10. NAM will not arbitrate disputes occurring from transactions in the Marketplace forums.

 

The purpose of the marketplace is to provide an interface for users to list product to sell or products you are seeking to buy; and while we have made things very open ended to better facilitate each individual user and their item/items there are a few things that you can do to making things run more smoothly for yourself and others.


Preface each thread title with:
FS:: (For Sale)
WTT:: (Want to trade)
WTB:: (Want to Buy)

You must select one of these prefixes before your ad will be allowed to post. This will help others determine what they are clicking on before they get into the thread and makes the marketplace much easier to read and follow.

It also helps to include photos of the item, photos that you took that depict the condition of the current item. You may use photos in the marketplace the same as you do anywhere else on NAM. If you need to know how to do that, here are instructions on how to post photos. This ensures that users know what they are getting into and make it easier to describe the product to them.

Post as many details and specifications about the item as you can, a little extra time here may make for a faster sale, as people will be able to determine exactly what they would be getting, and if it is indeed what they are looking for. However do not post your full email address, telephone numbers, there are programs that scan the internet to collect this information and add you to spam mail and telemarketing lists.

Note your location. This is particularly important if you plan to ship your item, and remember that while you may have something to express your individuality in your profile location field, a City,State, Country or a Zip Code (for those within the US) goes a long way toward helping others determine what is involved with acquiring the item after the terms of a sale are agreed to. Please do not post your own or other's personal address

Post a specific asking price, means a number. "Best offer", "Make an offer", "PM with offers" etc. make it harder for sellers to buy from you and make it harder for others to determine what an appropriate listing price is. What may help you though, is "Negotiable" or "Firm" after that price. This will help others determine where you stand on that asking price.

Now that your ad is posted, check it regularly. You can subscribe to the thread to get email notifications. Some people may PM you, but others may have a question or an offer placed into the thread, so don't miss out because you forgot about it.

When you agree on a price, of you are not meeting face to face, it is recommended you use a trusted method of transferring or sending money. NAM will not arbitrate Marketplace sales, however at the time of this posting companies such as some banks, some credit card companies, Paypal (but don't send money as a gift, they won't arbitrate that) and Western Union, have helped NAM members recoup funds from sales gone bad. It is unfortunate that this has happened, and this may very well happen again, so please take prudent steps to protect yourself.

If the item is waiting on funds you may mark it in the original post, SPF or Sold pending funds, funds pending, etc. to indicate this to other users, this increased communication helps others know that if they make an offer it may be too late anyways.

After the item is sold, add that to the original post and lock the thread using the thread tools at the top right of the thread. This makes it very easy for everyone else searching the Marketplace to know that an item is no longer for sale, this also makes it easier on your own PM box as you won't be receiving inquires about an item you've already shipped.

When the Transaction is complete, leave iTrader Feedback for the user. This makes it so that others can know who they're dealing with; and remember this is a two way street, leaving feedback for others will also remind them to leave feedback for you, which if you did a good job, should show positive feedback and make you more trust worthy to the next person you conduct a sale with.

The Marketplace is a resource for NAM members, be mindful of others in your participation out of a mutual respect. Follow the Site guidelines, Marketplace guidelines and as much of the best practices as you are able to, and be flexible when interacting with others. If Site or Marketplace Guidelines are violated use the post report button explain the issue to the moderators, then remove yourself from participation in the thread.