Sellers Policy

Last Updated: 4/23/2021

Our policies are designed to help create a fair and safe trading experience for all Truffle Board users. As a seller, you're responsible for regularly reviewing and complying with Truffle Board's selling policies, and for meeting your obligations as set out in our User Agreement.

We recommend that you learn about eBay's selling policies before you list an item. This helps you avoid accidentally breaking any rules. If you fail to follow the rules, to protect the integrity of our marketplace, we may take certain actions, such as removing your listings or products and limiting your buying and selling privileges. For more details, please see the individual policy guidelines below.

Overview

Setting clear buyer expectations and then meeting or exceeding them is a great way to make your buyer happy and ensure a smooth transaction.

Some of the simplest things you can do are to provide accurate and consistent details about your items and to be clear and specific about the terms and conditions of the sale. You should also make every effort to provide excellent customer service from start to finish, including:

Responding to buyers' questions promptly
Being professional throughout the transaction
Making sure the truffles are delivered to the buyer as described in your listing
Make sure all information – such as grading, harvest information, truffle condition – is accurate and up to date

To help you meet our seller performance standards, we have some basic requirements all sellers must meet. We also have tips on how you can meet – and exceed – buyers' expectations.

Sellers guidelines

Make sure you follow these guidelines. If you don't, you may be subject to a range of actions. We may limit, restrict, or suspend you from buying, selling, or using site features. All of your listings may be removed, displayed lower or not shown in search results, without refunding any or all applicable fees. You may also forfeit special account status and any discounts. You may be subject to the application of fees and recovery of our expenses in policy monitoring and enforcement.

Shipping service

Buyers expect their items to be delivered on time, especially when they pay additional fees for expedited shipping services. Using a slower shipping service than the one selected by the buyer may result in the item being delivered later than expected, and an increase in claims for items not received or defective.

What to do

Offer to sell only to destination you are confident shipping will happen in a timely manner
Select only shipping method that assure prompt delivery
Ship items using shipping service options with features that meet or exceed those the buyer selected

What not to do

Use shipping service options with features that do not meet those selected by the buyer. For example, using "USPS Ground" with a maximum delivery estimate of 7 days when the buyer selected "USPS Priority Mail" with a delivery estimate of 3 days.
Use a shipping service option that will result in the truffles staying in transit for longer than what the packaging can protect the truffles freshness

Shipping and handling time

Buyers want to know when they can expect to get their items.

What to do

Specify in your listing clearly and accurately when the item will be shipped.
Ship items within the handling time you state in your listing.
Use tracking, delivery confirmation, or signature confirmation. Using delivery confirmation can help protect you if a buyer claims an item wasn't received.
Note: If the total order cost (total of item(s), shipping and tax) is $750 or more signature confirmation is required. Having signature confirmation protects you if a buyer reports that they didn't receive an item.
If you choose to ship on your own (Manual Shipping), you will be responsible to communicate to the buyer via Truffle Board messaging the necessary information (shipper information and a valid tracking number) for the buyer to track the package. Failing to do so is considered a serious violation of the terms of service.
You're required to select the shipping option that best matches the shipping service that you offer in the listing. This helps set buyer expectations about when the item will be delivered.

What not to do

For an item you sold, you're not allowed to hold shipment until the funds are released.
Note: Holding shipment may affect your seller performance standing or defect rate and buyer satisfaction.

Terms and conditions

It's important that you clearly specify the terms and conditions of the sale in your listing so that buyers know what to expect.

What to do

You're required to meet the expectations you've set in your listing:

Ensure the safe delivery of the item within the timeframe stated in your listing
Truffles you list must be in your inventory or you must have an existing agreement with a third party to fulfill the delivery of the truffles under the terms of your listing

Item description

Information in the listing helps buyers decide what to buy and know what to expect when they receive the truffles. It's important to make sure that the listing is only used to describe the the truffles for sale and to communicate the terms of the sale in a professional way.

You're required to:

Specify the condition of the truffles
Describe any defects or flaws in the truffles – this helps avoid problems or buyer dissatisfaction

Note: Include photos of the actual the truffles for sale instead of a stock photo.

Cancel transactions

Occasionally, you may need to cancel a transaction you must first contact the buyer and let them know that you are canceling the transaction and the reason why.

What to do

Inform the buyer that you are canceling the transaction with the reason
Cancel the transaction up to 2 days after the sale

What not to do

Not informing the buyer that you are canceling the transaction
Canceling the transaction more than 2 days after the sale
Select the wrong cancelation reason in order to avoid a defect on your account

Communication

Do whatever you can to provide excellent customer service. Meeting or exceeding buyers' expectations can help you improve your performance on Truffle Board.

What to do

Respond promptly to any questions during the bidding process, as well as after the item has been purchased
Communicate professionally
Be responsive to any buyer concerns or problems

What not to do

You're not allowed to use profane or offensive language with anyone on Truffle Board
You're not allowed to send anyone on Truffle Board inappropriate images including nudity, profanity or other general content not related to an Truffle Board listing

Most often, transactions without additional communication are a sign of great service, and you shouldn't receive low detailed seller ratings for communication in these situations.

Communication between a buyer and seller isn't undesirable. If you exchange messages – and the buyer is satisfied with your response – the buyer may give you five stars for communication based on their interaction with you.

Photos

Along with the description, photos are the most important part of a listing. Photos help buyers to see exactly what they're getting as well as specific details they may be looking for. Photos are especially important because the buyer cannot touch or smell the truffles. Good photo let the buyer evaluate the maturity, shape and condition of the truffles. We strongly encourage you place photo of the actual truffles.

Independent pricing

To maintain a competitive marketplace, Truffle Board requires that you price your items independently from other sellers. You may take into account the pricing of other sellers that you observe on the Truffle Board site, but you may not contact another seller to coordinate pricing in any way.

Other rules for sellers

You're responsible for reviewing and understanding our rules for sellers, as well as all relevant laws and regulations in your User Agreement. Knowing our policies before you list an item can lead to smoother, more successful transactions, and it can help you avoid breaking rules by mistake.