FAQ's
Where should I go if I need more
information about buying or selling on Plain Folk Auctions?
For detailed information on using the
features at Plain Folk Auctions and how to use our site, click
the help link located under the auctions tab in the left navigation
bar. Plus, check our chatroom where we host a forum for questions
and answers. Or you can send us an email to; techsupport@plainfolkauctions.com
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How Do The Premier Listings Work?
Premier auctions are listed on the
main page of the auctions in the order in which they close.
As the auctions close, the remaining auctions move higher
in the list and any new auctions that were not displaying
move into the list. In this manner, each auction will have
a turn on the list even if there are more premiere auctions
than can be displayed at the time when it is posted. As your
auction nears it's close date, it will move higher on the
list.
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Does it cost anything to register and do I need a credit
card?
It doesn't cost anything to register
or bid. You buy your item directly from the seller and make
payment for the item directly to them. Plain Folk Auctions
charges a small fee to the sellers when they sell their items.
At this time it is not required to enter your billing information
in order to sell at Plain Folks Auctions. A credit card is
not required to join. We invoice our members once a month
for enhancements and final value fees. The seller can either
pay by Paypal or send in payment via snail mail. If payment
is not recieve within 30 days of invoice, the sellers account
may be become disabled until payment is received.
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Why do I have to register separately at the chatroom?
Because it is on a separate server,
you must register separately at the chatroom. The chatroom
software runs off a different database than the Auction site.
But the registration is very short and simple. So stop by
and join in on the fun!
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What are the fees that sellers pay?
A final value fee of 2% will be assessed
when the auction closes successfully.
The following enhancements are "optional"
and "you are not required to use them". They
are billed each time the auction is listed, whether
it's listed manually by hand or auto relisted. The enhancements
are charged as follows;
Bold = $0.05
Icon = $0.05
Featured = $.15
Premier = $0.25
Gallery = $0.25
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What are your Privacy Policies?
Our policy is that we will never give
out or sell your personal information. The only exception
to this is if requested by law enforcement authorities. Please
read our policy here:
Privacy
Policy
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Why does my description show the html tags in the Review
Page?
When you use the Quick Listing option
to add an auction, the review page displays as text exactly
as you entered it, so, if you used html code, you will see
the text view with the html code. Your finished auction, however,
will display with the correct html formatting.
When you use the Auction Helper option, the review page displays
your auction listing with html formatting, so, if you use
html in your auction listings and you want to see exactly
how your listing will look to viewers, select the Auction
Helper option.
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Can I request more choices for the categories, links or
seller options?
Yes you can! There is an area in our
chat to request categories or make suggestions. We are always
open to suggestions.
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How do I learn about the seller?
You can review the comments in the
seller's feedback. You will find a link on the auction description
page under the seller's name. This is where you can click
on: seller's other auctions, read comments from other members
and send an email to ask the seller a question. When prompted
you will have to enter your user ID and password.
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What is proxy bidding?
When you submit the maximum amount
that you are willing to bid on an item, that amount is kept
secretly hidden. As the auction proceeds, Plain Folk Auctions
will bid for you, bidding only enough to keep you the high
bidder. The bid amount will not exceed your maximum bid. If
someone exceeds your maximum bid Plain Folk Auctions will
notify you by email that you have been outbid. It is then
your decision to raise your bid or to pass on the item.
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How can I increase my maximum bid?
Go to the item description page of
the item your bidding on, go to the bid section and place
your new maximum bid.
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I can’t reach the seller/bidder by email, what do
I do?
Keep in mind that some people do not
check their email every day, the seller could have had a family
emergency, be patient. You could check the seller's contact
information but you must be a registered user to do this.
We will email the buyer and the seller each other's contact
information. The information in the email is for Plain Folk
Auctions matters only. If after a reasonable amount of time
you still have not been able to reach the seller/bidder, please
email the details to; techsupport@plainfolkauctions.com.
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How can I keep track of my activities?
Once you register you can use your
membership area. This is where you can keep track of all your
activities. "Auction results," "Feedback,"
"Account information," and "Items your Selling.
In this area you can also build your ME page.
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My bid did not show up, Why?
Try again, follow the easy steps. Enter
your maximum bid on the items description page. Enter your
User ID and password then click on "bid" You should
see a confirmation of your bid immediately.
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What am I NOT allowed to sell at Plain Folk Auctions?
You are not allowed to sell any item
that is illegal under any applicable law such as,
Live animals
Items that belong to another
Stolen items
Pornographic items
Firearms
Alcohol of any kind
Adult oriented items
Please see our TOS
for more information on this.
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How do I list an item?
To sell an item you must be a registered
member. To register you must be at least 18 years old. If
you are new to online auctions, you may request help from
one of our members in the chatroom. We have many members who
have been doing this for years and would be more then happy
to help you.
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How can I add a photo?
You can up to 4 photos per auction
from your hard drive or you can use an outside image hosting
service and just enter the url where it is requested on the
post an auction form.
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How do I list a reserve price auction?
Go to the post an auction form where
you can list your reserve price auction. This is where you
can post the price that you are willing to sell your item
for. The reserve price is kept secret and only known to the
seller. If your reserve is not met at the end of auction,
you are not obligated to sell.
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Can I add to my description once the auction has started?
Yes, you can go to the My Auctions
page. If you are not currently logged in, the system will
bring you to the log in page and then return you to the My
Auctions page. You can then select the Selling tab and click
the edit button next to the open item you wish to update.
The system will bring you to the listing page of your item
where you can add to your description. If your item is in
a reserve price auction, the reserve price must remain the
same.
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How can I find the item(s) I have listed?
You can review all your activities
at the Membership Home. Go to Auction Options, to see what
you are selling or what you have bid on, where other members
can leave comments about their trading experience with you,
and you can review your account. This is a great service and
we encourage you to use it. There is a link on the top of
every page or you can go directly to Membership Home.
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End of auction, now what?
If you are the high bidder or you sold
your item, Plain Folk Auctions will email a note of congratulations
to the buyer and the seller. As a rule the seller will contact
the buyer within 3 business days asking for shipping address
and informing buyer of final costs and how they accept payment.
Some sellers accept credit cards or use an outside service
such as Paypal. The winning bidder pays the seller directly.
Plain Folk Auctions is not involved in this process.
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How do I contact the winning bidder?
You can contact the winning bidder
by sending him/her an email within 3 business days. You will
find the email address/user ID on the item description page
of the closed auction. We also send an email to both the winning
bidder and the seller with end of auction instructions.
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What if my reserve is not met?
If your reserve is not met you are
not obligated to sell your item. If you want to re-list your
item you may do so. Go to the My Auctions page where you can
click on re-list of any closed items.
You might consider changing your description. There is no
fee for re-listing an auction.
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What if my item didn’t sell?
Try again, it's free! Go to the My
Auctions page and click on the re-list button.
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How can I find out about shipping rates?
You can get shipping information at
any US Post Office. They will ask the weight of your package
and the zip code that it’s being shipped to, so have
this information ready.
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How can I change my user name?
The only way you can make this change
is to register again. We do not have access to your user name
or password.
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How do I contact someone at Plain
Folk if I have a question?
You can send an email to; techsupport@plainfolkauctions.com
Thank you for using
Plain Folk Auctions!
