Welcome to our general reference guide for selling on The Nonprofit Marketplace™. To locate a relevant section, please select a category link (on the righthand side). If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact our Support Team: .
Help improve the guide! We regularly update our Help content for the benefit of our members. If anything is unclear or potentially inaccurate, please let us know. Our goal is to make online selling as easy as possible, and we value your feedback.
SELLING ONLINE: THE BASICS
1. List an item for sale
To list an item for sale, login to http://www.efundraise.org using your User ID and Password. Click on the item type you wish to sell (“Books”, “Music”, or “Movies”), then enter the item's barcode number or title to locate it in the database. Follow the prompts to describe and price your item. Remember, listing is free, and items remain online until they sell.
Note that it is also possible to list multiple items at once by uploading a spreadsheet. (For details, please refer to the Help section called Managing Your Account: 5. Upload Multiple Items.)
2. Receive an e-mail (when it's sold)
When one of your items gets sold, you will receive an e-mail. The e-mail will contain basic information to ship the item: the buyer's name and address; the title of the item; its box/shelf location; and the relevant shipping method (Media; Priority; or International).
As a seller, is your responsibility to ship the item to the buyer within two (2) business days. Simply slip the sold item into a bubble mailer envelope, address it, and send it out!
3. Get paid
Get paid for your sales, with full reimbursement for shipping costs. Earnings and donations are processed automatically. Payments are made twice per month via Paypal or paper check, depending on your preferences. To track your account balance on an ongoing basis, click the Earnings tab on your account page.
SELLING ONLINE: THE DETAILS
SELLING ITEMS
1. Log on
To list an item for sale, log in to http://www.eFundraise.org using the ID and Password you selected during registration. If you forget your password, you may enter your e-mail address and it will be e-mailed to you.
Security note: If you are using a public computer (e.g., library, school, workplace), remember to sign out of your account after you are finished. Doing so will prevent others from accessing your information. To do this, click the blue [Logout] button at the top of your account page.
2. List an item for sale
Use the main listing tool on your account page to list an item for sale online. Simply search for your item details and follow the on-screen prompts. Acceptable item types include DVDs; VHS cassettes; music CDs; books; and audiobooks.
There are five basic steps to listing an item online, as listed below. For full instructions, please click on the various links:
i. Choose type. Select the type of item you want to sell – Books, Movies, or Music. (If you choose Movies, specify VHS or DVD.) Then, identify your specific item in our database by searching for its details – either its ISBN/UPC number or a title or author. Click [Submit].
What's an ISBN? An ISBN is an “International Standard Book Number”. These numbers appear on most books published after 1974. ISBNs can be found on the back cover (above the barcode) or inside the title page. Click here to see an example.
What's a UPC? A UPC is a “Universal Product Code”, which can be found on most music CDs, videos and DVDs. Click here to see an example.
What about keywords? If you are performing a keyword search, save time by typing in only the most important words. For instance, if you are locating Who Stole My Cheese, by Ilene Hochberg, you might type [cheese, Hochberg] in the search field (without the brackets). If you are selling the CD The Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles, you might type [mystery, tour, beatles]. Searches are not case-sensitive.
ii. Select item. The screen will display a series of one or more matching items, complete with photos and suggested retail prices (more about this later). Select the correct item from the list by clicking the bubble (in its leftmost column), then click the [Continue] button (or hit Enter). If you cannot locate your item on the first page, click View more results to see additional matches.
Troubleshooting: If searching for an ISBN/UPC does not result in a matching item, click Try another search?, then perform a keyword search instead. If the correct match is still missing, you have two options: 1) Click Try another search? to start over with a new item; or 2) List your item anyway by clicking Create a custom listing.
When selecting from the list of matching items, be careful to choose the item that exactly matches the one you are selling. For example, its title, year, edition, and binding (in the case of books) must be identical.
So what do you do if the closest match is similar but not exact? You have three options:
1) Don't list the item at all: Move on to another item.
2) List the item from scratch: Click Create a custom item listing.
3) List the item as a Collectible: Select the match which most closely resembles your item; on the next screen, check off the “Collectible” box.
A note about listing an item as “Collectible”
An item should be listed as Collectible only when an exact match cannot be found. Make sure to select the closest-match search result from the list, paying attention to details such as binding and date of publication.
For instance, say you have a 1912 paperback copy of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Your keyword search for the title has resulted in numerous matches. In this case, select the first one from the list that matches the title/author and is also a paperback. Then click [Continue]. On the next screen you’ll check the Collectible box. In the Comments field below, make sure to describe the full details of your copy, including date of publication, publisher, binding, and any other relevant facts. Often, our sellers find it helpful to include a note at the beginning: “Attention: The edition I'm selling is a 1912 Scribners.”
Listing an item as a collectible is a tricky business, and should be approached with care and caution. Marketplace rules require that an item is Collectible only if it is old or rare. Note that many sellers, to be “on the safe side,” refrain altogether from listing items as Collectible, since this technique can potentially confuse the customer into purchasing an unintended edition or version.
iii. Describe it.
Using the toolbar provided, select the condition of your item: “New”; “Like New”; “Very Good”; “Good” or “Acceptable”. If you are listing your item as “Collectible” (see previous explanation), also make sure to check the Collectible box.
Follow the official guidelines for choosing an item's condition:
For Books New: Brand new, unused, and unread. Like New: Near-perfect condition; pages are completely clean. Very Good: Noticeably read, but in clean condition. Pages intact; no notes or highlighting. Good: May show signs of wear, but still clean and readable. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May contain remainder marks or “From the library of” labels. Acceptable: A readable, intact copy. Pages contain extensive marks and notes.
“Collectible” (additional option): Rare, unusual, or published at a different time from the one pictured (i.e., as in the case of first editions). It also may be signed by the author.
For CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs New: Brand new, unused, unopened. Like New: Impeccable condition; box or jewel case is pristine. Very Good: Item may have wear but it has been well cared for; great condition, with no visible scratches or flaws. Good: Noticeably used, but intact and undamaged. Jewel case, box, and/or liner notes may be damaged, missing, flawed or contain markings. Acceptable: Intact and apparently in working order…but not a pretty sight.
“Collectible” (additional option): Item is a rare, signed, or import version of the one pictured. While an identical title, it may differ in cover art, release date, or production details.
Now it is time to describe the item's condition. To do this, you may either insert your own comments or choose from the toolbar of pre-written comments. Make sure to describe your item accurately and fully to avoid any confusion on the part of the buyer. To learn more about describing your items, please refer to the explanations below...
For Books
When describing a book, make sure to note any flaws such as marks, scribbles, underlines or highlights. Also mention if the owner's name or nameplate appears in front. If the book was removed from a library collection, with requisite stamps and pockets, you may use the abbreviation “ex-lib”.
To write a thorough book description, you may wish to mention some of the following features (especially if the book is being listed as a Collectible):
1. Date of publication (the most recent date on the title page)
2. Name of publisher
3. Whether it's a first edition (i.e., one copyright date listed)
4. Whether the text contains marks, writing, or highlighting
5. Whether it's an “ex-lib” (library discard, with stamps and pockets)
6. Condition of cover, spine, binding, and pages
7. Whether it has a “dj” (dust jacket; in the case of hardcovers)
8. Any other interesting features: e.g., author’s signature, color of cover, gilded edges
For CDs, VHS tapes or DVDs
In describing a music CD or movie, make sure to mention the item's quality (to the best of your knowledge) as well as its packaging. Note, for instance, if the item comes in its original box and/or jewel case, and whether the original cover artwork or liner notes (if applicable) are included. Practice good faith: It's okay if you have not personally viewed or listened to the item to ensure utmost quality, but be as forthright as possible, noting any potential scratches, skips or flaws. Also, always be prepared to accept an item return, especially if the customer reports damage unanticipated in your comments.
iv. Price it. A suggested selling price will appear on the screen. It is pre-selected by default. Alternatively, you may set your own price by un-checking the box (beside Option 1) and entering your price (beside Option 2). To gauge the item's fair market value, click See the competition, which displays a full listing of competitors' prices and comments.
Reminder: The Nonprofit Marketplace offers optional free automatic re-pricing of your inventory, completed on a regular basis and tailored to your parameters. (For this reason, many sellers opt for the default price instead of selecting their own, since the price will likely be changed anyway according to market conditions.)
How do I choose a price?
To an extent, pricing is always “a guessing game”. There is no one correct price for an item. It's up to you to decide what a customer would be willing to pay.
Take your cue from the recommended price. This price has been determined automatically based on various criteria such as item condition and competition in the current marketplace. If the recommended price looks reasonable, do nothing: It will be selected by default. If, however, the price appears too high or too low, take a minute to scan the competing prices, paying special attention to Comments and Condition. How are the other copies priced? How are they described, and how does your version compare? Then, accordingly, enter a price that seems competitive and fair. In most cases, it is a good idea to beat the competition by pricing yours lower than the rest -- but not always. For instance, if you are listing a VHS tape that looks impeccable (e.g., “Like New”), and another seller is listing his/her copy as an “ex-rental, with box missing” (e.g., “Acceptable”), you have good reason to price yours higher.
Another way to gauge prices, especially for potentially Rare or Collectible books, is to look up your item on a reputable rare books site. Visit either www.abebooks.com or www.bookfinder.com and perform an advanced item search to help determine the item's fair market value.
Further down on the item-listing page, you are prompted to enter a location code – e.g., a box or shelf number – for the item. In this space, you can enter any combination of letters, numbers or characters. Doing so will make it easier to locate the item’s whereabouts later on. Note that whenever an item of yours is sold, the notification email will remind you of its location code (e.g., box or shelf number) provided in your item listing.
Choosing a location code
Where will your items be stored? Whether you're keeping your inventory in a closet, a spare room or a warehouse, it helps to stay organized by using numbered boxes and/or shelves. Thus, if the item you are listing will be stored in Box #2, you might enter the number 2 as your box/shelf number. If the item is being stored on Shelf #10A, enter 10a. Again, this code is strictly for your own benefit: Use any combination of letters, numbers or words that will help you locate the item when sold.
Some sellers store items in multiple locations. For example, a nonprofit organization running an online fundraiser may store items in the homes of multiple volunteers. In these cases, it is a good idea to designate a special “prefix” code as part of your box/shelf number. That is, if a given item is being stored at Sally’s home, in box 22, you might enter s22. If another item is being stored in the basement of Joyce Public Library, on shelf 58, you might enter jpl58. Whatever system you use, remember to stick to it: Keeping the prefix consistent for all item listings will make it easier for you to find those items later on.
Boxes and shelves: Some helpful tips
Most sellers store their inventory either in boxes or on shelves. If you decide to use boxes, make sure they are sturdy and well-sized, and label them with a permanent marker - e.g., box 1; box 2; box 3. A typical box might contain anywhere from 10 to 30 listed items. For neatness, ensure all items are facing the same direction with spines facing up (in the case of books) so that the titles are clearly readable.
Shelves are a good alternative to boxes because they make better use of vertical space. To number shelf rows, consider using permanent markers on removable stickers, affixed to the rows above which items are placed. To expedite the “locating process,” divide each single shelf row into two: Stick a homemade cardboard divider in the middle, placing a different-numbered sticker on each side. If you are listing new items, devise a way of reminding yourself which shelves they belong on: Once an item is listed, place it in a temporary box or pile denoted by a numbered Post-It® note.
Remember, by using this type of locating system, it is not necessary to alphabetize items, or even to separate them by category (e.g., Sports; History). Also, to conserve storage space, replenish it: When items are sold and space frees up, place newly listed items in these same boxes/shelves.
v. Submit! Look over the product details to make sure they are correct. Then click [Submit] to list your item for sale online. No further action is needed on your part. Automatically, your item will appear for sale on multiple online marketplaces such as eBay Stores, Half.com, ABEBooks and Alibris, and you will be notified when it sells.
3. Ship sold items to buyers
As mentioned, when you submit an item listing, that item will appear for sale on a variety of online marketplace venues. When an item is purchased on a venue, we collect payment and remit the earnings to you. You will be notified via email whenever your item sells. As a seller, you are required to ship all orders within two (2) business days of purchase.
When one of your items has been sold, you will receive an email with all relevant shipping information: 1) title of item; 2) location of the item (i.e., box/shelf #); 3) the buyer’s shipping address; and 4) the chosen shipping method (Media Mail, Priority, or International). At the bottom of the order confirmation will appear a printable packing slip for the customer. It is customary to print a copy of this packing slip (i.e., highlight the text and choose Print: Selected Text).
Note: You are responsible for receiving all orders via email. If your email client has a SPAM blocker, make sure it allows incoming messages from In case there is a problem retrieving your orders via e-mail, you can also access this information on your account page by clicking the tab “Orders and Refunds.”
ii. Find and pack the item.
Refer to the item’s title and location code to help find your item in stock. (Reminder: The location code refers to the box/shelf number you provided in your listing.)
Package the item, then address it using the buyer's address provided in the confirmation email. Remember to clearly label your return address in case an item needs to be returned. (Note: Make sure to include your own address and not that of The Nonprofit Marketplace; we are not equipped to accept returns.)
Your buyers can choose among three possible shipping methods: 1) Media Mail; 2) Priority Mail; or 3) International. The order confirmation email will tell you which of these methods should be used. Media Mail is by far the most common method. If any items are to be shipped Priority or International, make sure to make a note of this on the package (i.e., to inform the post office).
For each item sent, it is customary to include a packing slip, along with a free bookmark. Besides being a nice gesture for the customer, bookmarks serve a practical function for you: They include the web address of The Nonprofit Marketplace, thereby saving you time by allowing buyers to submit questions, problems and refund requests directly through us.
What if I can’t find the item in stock?
It's inevitable: Sometimes you will receive an order for an item and will be unable to locate it in stock. Perhaps it went missing. Don't fret. Simply click the following link within the confirmation email: [Oops, we can’t find it. Refund this item.”] to enter the Orders and Refunds area. Then search for your order, click the Refund box, then click [Update]. A refund will be processed automatically, with no further action needed on your part.
Any recommendations for packing materials?
To ship items, we recommend the use of bubble mailer envelopes. These are sturdy, self-sealing envelopes ready-lined with bubble wrap. They are fairly inexpensive, easy to use and ensure a neat, professional shipment. Bubble mailers come in a variety of sizes ranging from "0" to "7", "0" being the smallest (for DVDs, CDs and videos) and "7" being the largest (for oversized books). Many sellers start out by purchasing two or three cases of bubble mailers - for instance, one case of "0", one case of "3," and one case of "4." Upon registering, all sellers receive a free shipping supply kit which includes envelopes of varying sizes. Bubble mailers can be purchased wholesale online from sites such as www.esupplystore.com
How can I obtain more bookmarks?
The Nonprofit Marketplace provides free unlimited bookmarks to distribute to your customers. To request additional bookmarks at any time, simply contact us using our web form. (To better serve you, please provide your address as well as your desired quantity of bookmarks.)
Can we include other insertions in the envelopes?
Yes. In addition to the item, the packing slip and bookmark, you may wish to include your own “thank you” note to the customer, or any brochure, flyer or piece of literature which provides details about your business/organization. As a point of reference, buyers are often curious to know what nonprofit cause their purchase is helping to benefit.
iii. Ship the item.
Important: All items must be shipped within two (2) business days of purchase. In all cases, they should be shipped via the United State Postal Service (USPS) – not UPS or Fed-Ex.
The confirmation email includes the correct shipping method: MEDIA, PRIORITY, OR INTERNATIONAL. Here’s what to do in the case of each method:
1. Media Mail: Inscribe the word “MEDIA” on the envelope. (By default, the majority of items will be shipped Media Mail.)
2. Priority Mail: Affix a Priority Mail sticker to the envelope.
3. International: Fill out a Customs form and affix the sticky part to the envelope. (You may leave the weight blank, to be filled out by the postmaster.)
Note that Priority Mail stickers and Customs forms may be obtained for free at your local post office. (To save time, you may wish to request a stack of these items to keep on-hand and apply as needed.)
Orders may be shipped from your local post office, or from your own home or office (e.g., in the case of organizations) using a postal scale and meter. Nowadays, many sellers also elect to print shipping labels directly from the Internet via sites such as usps.com or endicia.com.
Delivery Confirmations
When you ship an item, you have the option to use a traceable method, called a “delivery confirmation.” Delivery confirmations are available at the post office and cost roughly $0.12 per package. To be on the safe side, it is recommended that you use a delivery confirmation for all high-priced items, such as all items purchased for $30 or more.
Why use tracking information at all? It acts as insurance for you. Should an item not arrive by the estimated delivery date, you can provide tracking information to the buyer and/or track the item yourself on the USPS Web site. Also, in the rare event a buyer is deceptive in claiming to have not received a sent item, the confirmation serves as proof it was sent.
Tip: When fulfilling orders, stick a Post-It note on envelopes of these high-priced items, to serve as reminders of which envelopes require delivery confirmations.
4. If a problem occurs…
While most transactions go smoothly, occasionally things go wrong. For instance the buyer may claim the item was never received, arrived damaged, or is materially different from the product described. In these cases the buyer is instructed to contact you directly or to use the web form on our site. All general inquiries, such as those regarding shipping procedure, will be answered by us; all item-specific inquiries will be forwarded to you.
All inquiries addressed to you should be answered within 2 business days. As a general rule, good communication is the best way to resolve buyer disputes. Often, it suffices to reassure the customer that the item will arrive soon, or was described in good faith. To save time responding to customers, consider making use of a pre-written email reply (see links below) tailored to the situation. In the event a dispute arises that needs resolution, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How to request a refund
To request a refund, simply log in to your account and click on the Orders and Refunds tab. Then check off the Refund box next to the item you wish to refund and click the [Update] button. No further action needs to be taken. The customer will automatically receive a refund and notification, and your account will be adjusted accordingly.
When to issue a refund
Here are the four main reasons for issuing a buyer refund, and what to do about them:
1. Item is missing. Upon receiving a purchase order, you are unable to find the item in your stock.
Recourse: Open the order confirmation e-mail and click the “Click here to refund the buyer.” link.
2. Item failed to arrive. The buyer claims to have not received the item.
If you receive a response from the buyer stating it has been longer than the allotted time, click on the [Orders and Refunds] tab and search for that item. Then issue a refund.
3. Item arrived damaged (or is unwanted). The buyer claims the item is materially different from the one described, or is no longer desired.
Recourse: Send the buyer an e-mail which instructs the buyer to return the item to your address. (Click here for a sample email to copy/paste.) Wait to receive the item return in the mail. Then issue a refund.
4. Buyer cancels order. Buyer requests the cancellation of order (e.g., “I made a mistake in ordering this. Don’t send!”).
Recourse: If caught in time, issue a refund. Then re-list the item for sale. If the order is already in the process of being packaged or shipped, or has been mailed, send the buyer an email to this effect. (Click here for a sample email to copy/paste.)
Our refund policy
To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, we guarantee to all buyers that items will arrive on time and in the manner described. Our refund policy is simple:
It is every buyer’s right to return an item for a full refund, whatever the case. The buyer has 14 days from the date of receipt to return an item for any reason.
To receive a refund, the buyer must first return the item to you (except in the case of non-arrival).
Destination for returns
All returned items should be sent to your address – not that of The Nonprofit Marketplace. Buyers are notified of this policy in their order confirmation email, and it should be reiterated in your correspondences. We cannot be held responsible for any items sent to us by error.
5. Getting Paid
Overview of payments
Payments are made every fourteen (14) days, corresponding usually with the 1st and 14th of every month. They include all earnings in your account for the previous two-week timeframe. Account totals are based on the amount of sale earnings within a given time period minus any applicable commissions, donations, and refunds issued. Included in the earnings are set "shipping credits" to help cover shipping costs.
All aspects of payment processing are handled directly by us. Thus, when an item sells, we accept buyer payments and reimburse you in the form of credits to your account. For this reason you are never required to perform such duties as process credit cards or issuing refunds or chargebacks.
Payment methods
Payments can be made either electronically (via Paypal) or by paper check. You will specify your desired payment method during registration. To change your payment preferences at any time, please notify us directly by logging in to your account and click the [Contact Us] tab.
Shipping credits
When an item is purchased, the buyer always pays for shipping. For each item sold, via any venue, you are reimbursed a standard shipping credit. The amount of credits received is based on the following scale, subject to change:
The credit amounts listed above are designed to cover standard shipping costs for an average-sized item. Occasionally, actual shipping charges may be greater than these amounts. In practice, however, actual charges are often less than the credited amounts, therefore making it possible to "make" a small amount (e.g., 20 to 30 cents) on shipping – i.e., enough to reimburse the cost of shipping supplies.
Cost of marketplaces
The Nonprofit Marketplace markets items on a variety of third-party seller platforms, which include: eBay Stores, Half.com, ABEBooks, and Alibris. When an item sells on one marketplace, that marketplace withholds a set commission of the purchase price called a "seller fee." Each marketplace has its own commission rates, subject to change: e.g., Alibris – 15%; ABEBooks – 8% (min. $0.50); eBay Stores – 8%*; and Half.com – 15%**. All withholdings are incurred automatically at time of purchase.
* For purchases over $25, eBay charges 8% of $25 ($2) + 5% of remaining closing value.
** The Half commission rate of 15% applies to items priced $50 or less; a rate of 12.5% applies to items priced between $50.01-$100.00; and a rate of 10% applies to items priced between $100.01-$250.00. Prices above include applicable shipping costs.
Cost of our service
The Nonprofit Marketplace does not charge any upfront fees - e.g., membership fees, license fees, monthly fees or listing fees. To continue to provide our service and help cover our own operating costs, we withhold a set 10% commission from each item sold. In other words, you only pay if you sell.
Refunds
When a buyer's purchase is refunded, the price of the item as well as the original shipping cost is returned to the buyer. When this occurs, the amount you received for the sale will be deducted from your account. Please note that due to the time lag between payment, shipment and return of an item, refunds often must be processed after you have been reimbursed for the sale. In these cases, your account will be adjusted retroactively; in other words, the appropriate amount will be deducted from the current Earnings total.
MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNT
When you login to the eFundraise.org web site (using your ID and Password), you will be directed to your free account page. Here, you can access a wide range of selling and account features as outlined below, which include the ability to list new items, manage your inventory and view earnings details.
1. List new items for sale
One of the main features of your account page is the product listing tool, which appears automatically upon login. To return to it anytime, click the "List New Items" tab at the top of the screen. (For complete selling instructions, please refer to the previous Help sections.) Remember, once you have listed an item using this tool, the rest is automatic; the item will be marketed on a variety of online selling sites and you will be notified when it sells. Note that it may take up to 24 hours for listings to appear in your live inventory.
2. Manage open listings
Click the "Manage Listings" tab to view your complete inventory – i.e., those items you currently have for sale online. This feature also makes it possible to modify or delete an item listing. Specifically, with this tool, you have the option to change any item's description, price or box/shelf number, or to remove it from your stock altogether. To edit a listing, click the box in the respective "Edit" column, then click "Update". To delete a listing, click the icon in the respective "Remove" column, then click "Update".
Remember that your listings remain online forever until they sell: If you ever remove an item from your actual stock, make sure to also delete it from your online inventory. This prevents the item from being sold when it is actually unavailable, hence preventing undue refunds, confusion and hassle. In short, your inventory should always be kept active and up-to-date.
Click "Manage Nonstandard Listings" to view a list of your custom-entered items, and to modify/delete as appropriate.
3. View orders and/or issue a refund
Click the "Orders and Refunds" tab to view details regarding your recent sales and to issue buyer refunds when appropriate. For easier viewing, you can sort these details by category (Pending; Confirmed; Cancelled; Refunded; Shipped) or view them all together (List All).
Issuing a refund is easy. First, locate the item you wish to refund – either by browsing your list of orders or doing a keyword search for a specific entry. Then “check off” the appropriate box under the Refund column and click [Update]. The rest will be taken care of automatically: i.e., the refund will be issued on the appropriate marketplace, the buyer will be reimbursed, and your account will be adjusted accordingly. Click here to revisit the four occasions for issuing a refund.
Note that it is not necessary to visit your member page to receive and fill orders; while orders can be accessed online, they will also be e-mailed to you.
4. Access FundTracker to track earnings
Click the "Earnings" tab to access FundTracker, your up-to-the-minute summary of earnings details. Here you can view your earnings according to various criteria and timeframes, along with fun and helpful details about your sales prices, inventory and order fulfillment data. This area also displays details about your charitable donations and/or earnings, past and pending transfer.
5. Upload multiple items (for volume sellers)
Click the “Upload Inventory” tab to upload an existing spreadsheet containing multiple item listings. This feature is intended for experienced sellers who prefer to add, modify and/or delete items in their inventory in clusters as opposed to individually (i.e., manually).
We accept uploads in a variety of file formats, including any database type which uses regularly delimited fields. For fastest results, consider using our preferred spreadsheet template, available for download in the same area of the site. Uploads are typically processed within 24 hours of receipt.
To upload an inventory file via the web, click Browse and locate the desired file. Then choose either “ADD” or “PURGE” (“ADD” is the default). Select “ADD” if you are intending to add new listings to your existing inventory; select “PURGE” if you wish to replace all of current inventory listings with the new listings. These selections should be chosen carefully as they cannot be reversed once implemented. Click [Update] to submit your file; when you see the pop-up confirmation message, it means your file has been sent.
If you have questions about multiple-item uploads or wish to discuss further custom options, please contact us. We enjoy offering prompt, reliable and friendly Seller Support services to our volume sellers and are committed to addressing individual concerns as they arise.
6. Reprice your items automatically
Click the "Repricing" tab to set custom parameters for free automatic repricing of your inventory. Re-pricing is performed on an ongoing basis automatically with no work needed on your part.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select parameters for re-pricing. Select these parameters in EITHER “Option 1 (Basic)” or “Option 2 (Advanced)” - not both. To save your parameters, click “Update” and wait for the confirmation message. By default, your parameters will be saved permanently until they are modified via this mechanism. To change or “override” your parameters at any time, simply reenter this area of your member page, choose your new parameters, and click “Update”.
Note that on average, repricing preferences can take up to one (1) business day to take effect. Also note that product repricing is an optional feature; to opt-out of this service, simply refrain from selecting any settings on this page.
7. Modify your account
Click the “Settings” tab to view or update your account information at any time: i.e., your email address, contact details, password and communication preferences. It is recommended that you change your password regularly.
Remember that all new orders are sent via email and it is your responsibility for receiving them. Thus it is essential that your email address be current and checked regularly. Note that e-mail change requests typically take 24-48 hours to process. Thus, if you change your email settings, make sure to keep checking your old account for incoming orders until this change has taken effect.
8. Get help
Click the “Help” tab anytime to return to these instructions or to gain other useful information about the service. If you require further assistance with any aspect of selling, including technical problems and customer disputes, click the “Contact Us” tab. Select the toolbar topic that best describes your issue, then enter your message and click Submit. We aim to answer all inquiries within two (2) business days.
9. Place your items on vacation
Click the “Vacation” tab for the option to temporarily remove your item listings from appearing online. This prevents you from receiving orders you are unable to fill. Click [Begin your vacation] to officially remove your open listings from all marketplace venues. It can take up to 48 hours for the change to take effect. For this reason, you are advised to set this feature at least two days in advance of your desired “vacation” date. Note that when Vacation Settings are turned on, you will be unable to list new items or edit-delete current listings.
To restore your listings from hibernation mode, click on the “Vacation” tab, then click [End your vacation]; your listings will return online shortly thereafter.
10. Download documents and flyers
As an additional feature for members, we provide access to various selling-related documents and tip sheets. Click on the “Library” link at the bottom of the page to open and/or download these Microsoft Word files. (For nonprofits, we also provide donation-request flyer templates and an eight-point board meeting planner.)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The five responsibilities
The present section is a summary of main points explored elsewhere in the Help section. As a seller on The Nonprofit Marketplace, you have five primary responsibilities:
It is necessary to uphold these responsibilities at all times. If we suspect any of these terms are not being met or suspect any wrongdoing, we will likely notify you to resolve the issue, and reserve the right to revoke all account privileges.
For a full list of terms and conditions please consult our Participation Agreement and Privacy Policy. The present Help section is offered as a summary of main procedures as they concern daily sales operations.
1. Keep inventory current and on-hand at all times
Make sure the inventory you have online is up-to-date and accurately reflects the items you have in stock. For example, if you remove or "borrow" an item from your stock, or an item goes missing (e.g., falls on the floor), make sure to remove its listing online in the Manage Listings area.
So long as your inventory is active, it must always be available and on-hand (to accommodate new orders). If you need to be away from your inventory for more than two (2) business days, it is required that you switch your account to Vacation Status to temporarily remove your listings from appearing online.
2. Ship all sold items within two (2) business days of purchase
You are responsible for receiving all email orders and shipping out items within two (2) business days of purchase in a clean and professional manner. (As mentioned elsewhere, we recommend the use of bubble mailer envelopes.) All items must be shipped U.S.P.S. Media Mail unless otherwise specified (i.e., Priority or International) to the buyer's address. Refer to full shipping details here.
If you receive an order you are unable to fill, you are required to immediately issue a refund for that order. It is also customary to send the buyer an explanatory note (available for download at the Library).
Note: To ensure customer satisfaction, sellers are expected to maintain an order fulfillment rate of at least 80 percent. This percentage refers to those sold items which can be successfully shipped (i.e., not resulting in a refund). We are available to work with sellers to improve this “fill rate”, and reserve the right to suspend or cancel any account based on unsatisfactory fill rate performance.
3. Answer all customer queries
Occasionally, a buyer may contact you directly regarding the status of an order, or to gain further information about an item. It is expected that you respond to all such inquiries quickly, courteously and professionally, including requests for returns and refunds.
If you have any disputes or questions, or would like us to handle a specific correspondence, Contact Us to forward it to our support team. Note that we offer free full-time customer service for your buyers, and is willing to field any general inquiries; any item-specific questions will be forwarded to you.
4. Issue refunds (where appropriate)
In the event of return/refund requests, please refer to the instructions given and respond as the situation demands. As mentioned, customer response form letters are available to copy/paste. Feel free to copy/paste our pre-written responses tailored to the scenario.
5. Update your account settings when necessary
Your account information must be accurate and up-to-date. This information includes your e-mail address, account password, postal address, and billing preferences. You may change these settings anytime by clicking the Settings tab on your account page. Failure to update your information, especially your e-mail address, can result in lost orders and, more seriously, in suspension or cancellation of your membership.
Additional notes
Eligibility
To register for our service, you must be a current United States resident at least 18 years of age, with your home or organization located in the United States. (At this time, Hawaii and Alaska residents are unable to participate as sellers due to shipping-time requirements.)
Privacy and Security
We know you care how information about you is used and shared. We employ extensive privacy and security measures to ensure the safety of this information. For complete details of our security and privacy features, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Customer confidentiality
To ensure the confidentiality of all transactions, sellers are required to keep customer information private. Buyers' names, email addresses and other contact information should remain fully confidential and should not be inappropriately used or shared - e.g., added to a database or mailing list for donation-soliciting purposes. Except where permission is gained, all communications with buyers should relate solely to the transaction at hand.
Sales or use taxes
When shipping orders, it is your responsibility to determine whether sales or use taxes apply to the transactions – and to report and remit the correct tax amount to the appropriate tax authority. We are not responsible to determine whether sales or use taxes apply, and are not responsible to collect, report, or remit any such taxes.
Proper use of Vacation Settings
By placing your items on vacation (using the Vacation feature in your account page), your items will disappear temporarily online in "hibernation" mode; these listings may be restored automatically at any time. Any uses of the Vacation feature apart from the one described are prohibited. Specifically, this feature is not to be used to permanently remove listings for the site: Instead, you may request cancellation of your account.
Canceling your account
You may cancel your account at any time for any reason, at no charge. To successfully process your cancellation, your account must be in good standing with no outstanding orders or returns. In its sole discretion, The Nonprofit Marketplace reserves the right to terminate your account at any time for any reason, with or without payment, especially if wrongdoing is suspected. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via the Contact Us web form. As these requests can take up to two (2) business days to process, it is required that you continue all seller responsibilities (e.g., filling orders) until you receive e-mail confirmation that your account has been cancelled and all listings have been removed.
A note on platform exclusivity
Our service at The Nonprofit Marketplace is designed as an all-in-one selling solution, allowing members to sell on multiple online selling venues without the hassle of maintaining separate merchant accounts (i.e., on individual marketplaces). While we do not formally forbid sellers from using our service in addition to listing the same items on overlapping selling venues (e.g., eBay, Alibris), such practices are strongly discouraged, being both potentially unethical and forbidden by most venue-determined user terms. Needless to say, these practices can also be financially detrimental; by essentially “competing” against yourself while using automatic repricing, users can potentially undercut and drive down the value of their own merchandise.
Getting help
We're here to help. If you seek clarification about any policy or procedure, or require assistance with a specific transaction or buyer, please do not hesitate to contact our support team: We aim to answer all inquiries in a timely manner. For complete details about Terms and Conditions, please refer to our formal Agreement.
FOR NONPROFIT SELLERS
Introduction
The following is a brief overview of nonprofit e-fundraising. For further details about the program, please refer to the relevant main pages:FAQs for Nonprofit Sellers (i.e., sell directly online to benefit your cause) and FAQs for Nonprofit Beneficiaries (i.e., allow your supporters to sell on your behalf). To learn more about our program, you may also refer to other sections in the present Help area. Members are also afforded access to the Library, which contains downloadable documents such as tip sheets, an eight-point board meeting planner, and customizable promotional flyer templates.
Collecting donations
E-fundraising is all about collecting item donations locally and reselling them around the world, online. Once your group is registered, begin by holding a community benefit drive to collect pre-owned media items: DVDs, VHS tapes, music CDs, books and audiobooks. It's a win-win situation: Donors help out by getting rid of junk which your organization effectively “turns into gold.” With your committee, begin by setting a timetable for accepting donations and devising a strategy for publicizing your drive. Don't forget to visit the Library to download your free meeting planner, which provides detailed instructions for organizing a collections drive. To publicize your drive, a promotional flyer template is also available to download adn customize.
Here's an idea: Collect only music and movies
Generally speaking, electronic media items are often in greater demand than books. They sell more quickly and often for higher prices. For this reason, some e-fundraising groups elect to collect and resell ONLY media items (CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs) – no books. Holding a "strictly media sale" has its pros and cons. While your organization may receive fewer overall donations (and thus, less profit), benefits include fewer storage requirements and a cleaner, more streamlined operation. As a compromise, some groups begin by soliciting only music and movies, and depending on the results, later expand their repertoire to include books as well.
Sorting donations. Discarding remainders.
Sorting donations
After collecting item donations from the community, a small handful of volunteers are needed to store and briefly sort these items. In the past, many groups have found success dividing this process into three steps: 1) cleaning; 2) sorting; and 3) weeding. These tasks may be performed at the same time or separately, and are described below:
1) Clean it upIn the beginning is chaos. As new donations pour in to your storage area, it doesn't take long before it looks like a disaster zone! Convert your area into a clear and pleasant work space by separating items by type: i.e., one section for DVDs and videos, another for CDs, and a third for books
2) Sort the books To expedite the listing process later on, consider separating the books by binding: 1) Hardback; and 2) Softcover. Note: Books do not need to be arranged by author, title, genre or subject category.
3) Weed out the bad stuff To conserve space and save unnecessary effort, discard any books or media items right off the bat that appear unsuitable for selling. These include the following:
Anything that is not a book, CD, or movie: Get rid of any other kinds of items such as old records, cassette tapes, magazines, ephemera, or vacuum cleaners.
Anything in poor condition i.e., damaged, torn, dirty, musty, stained, or smelling like rotten cheese
Books of low value:
- Mass-market fiction. Especially bestselling authors like Stephen King, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Danielle Steele, and Nora Roberts
- Popular biographies
- Romance
- Older textbooks (i.e., 1990 or earlier)
- Encyclopedias
- Reader's Digest books
- Time-Life or Nat'l Geographic books
For further reference regarding which types of books are valuable and which are discardable, please refer to the Good books/Bad books chart is available for download in the Library.
Discarding remainders
Not all items you collect will be sellable online. Thus, it helps to have a contingency plan in advance for disposing of or distributing unusable “leftover” items. Many groups save these “discards” for a live sale or re-donate them to other local organizations. In certain cases they may be offered to members of the community for free or simply be recycled.
Tasks for volunteers
Your volunteers are needed to perform three main tasks:
Collect items
List items; and
Ship items
The same group of volunteers may be used to perform all of these tasks; alternatively, they may be divided into three separate “work teams”. The three sets of duties are detailed below:
1. Collect new items
Help distribute flyers and publicize the drive
Install donation drop-boxes
Periodically empty drop-box contents in storage
Organize items by type
Clean storage space
2. List items for sale online
List suitable items for sale, and store as needed
Help discard items unfit for selling
3. Ship sold items
Check e-mail for new orders (min. three days per week)
Locate, pack and address sold items
Answer customer queries (as needed)
Ship items to buyers
Note that most volunteers will not be required to use the Internet, and may perform traditional duties such as helping to collect, sort, store and ship items.
FOR INDEPENDENT SELLERS
Introduction
An Independent Seller is any individual who sells media items online for profit, agreeing to donate a percentage of proceeds (minimum 3 percent) to a chosen nonprofit cause. The following section will outline some of the main policies and procedures specific to this program. For an overview, please consult FAQs for Independent Sellers as well as other sections in the Help area.
Overview of the donation process
Independent Sellers are required to donate a given percentage of their gross sales proceeds to a nonprofit organization registered on our site. This percentage is automatically withheld by us and safely transferred in full, via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) to the selected cause on a fixed schedule. During registration, you are asked to choose the donation percentage as well as the beneficiary. Note that donation preferences may be modified at any time in the Settings area of your account page. The minimum donation percentage is 3 percent; the maximum is all proceeds. There is no minimum or maximum donation dollar amount.
We take extensive measures to ensure all donations get promptly and properly disbursed to the given beneficiary. Note that all information regarding donation amounts and recipients remain confidential, known only to you and the beneficiary. Only by waiving this confidentiality will this information become public.
How and when nonprofits get paid
We pay nonprofits through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Donations are delivered twice per month. All payments to nonprofits occur at least eight (8) weeks after the requisite purchase is made. The reason is that deliveries typically require one to two business weeks to arrive, after which buyers have an additional "grace period" in which to return items and receive a refund; the stated policy effectively prevents any chance of delivering a donation only to recollect it thereafter.
Note that each purchase has an official “tax receipt date”. This is not the date the item was listed or sold, but rather the date the donation was actually made to the organization. It is helpful to keep this fact in mind if you decide to apply for tax deductions within a given calendar year.
Eligibility for tax deductions
In most cases, the portion of your earnings that is donated to a nonprofit may be claimed as a tax-deduction. To determine whether a tax deduction is applicable, it is necessary to contact the benefiting organization itself, as well as your accountant or tax advisor. Note that we are unable to provide legal counsel and cannot furnish tax receipts, nor can we guarantee or defend the not-for-profit and/or tax-exempt status (e.g., under Tax Code 501(c)(3)) of any member participating as a “nonprofit beneficiary.” Also, note that service commissions paid directly to The Nonprofit Marketplace are not tax-deductible.
My favorite nonprofit doesn't appear. What should I do?
If you don't see your favorite cause among the list of potential beneficiaries, this means that they have not yet registered with The Nonprofit Marketplace. Registration is free and only takes a minute. Contract the organization directly (e.g., click on the Refer-a-friend link) and let them know you would like to sell on their behalf on www.eFundraise.org.
