Frequently Asked Questions


Important Notice: Any buyers or sellers that encounter scammer sellers or deadbeat buyers are encouraged to file a report immediately for the safety and convenience of the community. 


Please use our auction system to ensure that you will be able to exchange feedback.
We do not encourage private message only dealings, so that we may keep track of any deadbeat buyers/sellers.

 

Replicas: Prints and Logos BANNED, Design OK

Registration

  1. Q: Do I need a Paypal account to sign up?
    A: Having an active, usable Paypal account is a requirement for Lace Market.  Lace Market sellers and buyers use Paypal to send and pay for invoices, so having an active Paypal address is a requirement for registration.  After you purchase a listing, your Paypal email will be provided to the seller for invoicing purposes.
  2. Q: Do I need an EGL Feedback page to sign up?
    A: An EGL Feedback page is not required, but highly recommended.  You can leave an alternate form of feedback on your profile as well.

 

Verifying Account

  1. Q: Why do I need to verify my account?
    A: Since 2018, we have implemented extra security measures to prevent repeat scammers from making throwaway accounts. All new users will be required to link a verified Paypal account in order to confirm their identity before bidding, selling or even commenting or messaging. The Paypal verification process is non-trivial (more than just linking a credit card or bank) and ensures that each Paypal account is unique to a single user.
  2. Q: How do I verify my account?
    A: Please refer to Paypal's guide to verifying your account or this helpful WikiHow article.

Creating Listings

  1. Q: How do I create a listing?
    A: Using the menu above, select the ‘Create Listing’ option.  This will take you to a page where you can select the duration of your listing.  For the most part, the listing types are all identical, except for the duration of the listing.  You can choose from 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days duration.  For auctions, it is recommended that the listing duration lie between 3 and 7 days for best results.  30-day duration auctions are more recommended for long-term sales.   After selecting your duration, fill out the listing form to submit your item to the marketplace.
  2. Q: What pictures do I need to put on my listing?
    A: You need at least one picture for each listing.  At least one picture should be your own photo/proof photo.  Preferably have an item or piece of paper with your username on it, though it is not required.  It will make buyers feel much more comfortable. Pictures should be less than 2 MB in size to prevent upload issues.
  3. Q: Domestic and International Shipping fields– what should I put?
    A: If you are comfortable with charging a flat-rate for Domestic and International shipping, you are welcome to put your shipping price there.  Otherwise, you can also leave a note regarding your shipping, whether you ship to only certain countries, or if buyers need to contact you for individual quotes.  You can also mark it for free shipping.
  4. Q: Offbrand, Indie… Which one does my non-prominent-brand item go in?
    A: When trying to figure out which brand your “non-BURANDO” item goes in, ask yourself the following:
    Does this brand primarily make lolita clothing?
    If No, then the item goes in Offbrand (F21, H&M, etc)
    If Yes, then what country is the brand from?
    Western country (Europe, Canada, US, Australia) -> Indie (Western)
    China -> Chinese Indie (Taobao), Japan -> Japanese Indie, Korea -> Korean Indie, Other Country/Unknown -> Other Indie
  5. Q: What should I select in the condition field?

New With Tag: Self-explanatory, Item must be in new condition with tag and/or packaging included.  Item must be unworn, original sales condition.

New Without Tag: Many sellers like to mark items as new without tag if the item is in good condition, but the item MUST BE unworn and unwashed to be considered New Without Tag.  The item may have been tried on, but never worn for longer durations.

Like New: Item is worn 1-2 times and well taken care of. Item must never have been stained or flawed in any way previously.

Very Good: Item has been worn rarely, and condition of item shows very few signs of wear or aging.  Item must be undamaged.

Good: Item has been worn, and condition of item shows some signs of wear or aging, minimal piling and such.  Item must be undamaged.

Minor Damage: Examples of minor damage include: minor stains, small flaws or misprints, small rips or tears, modifications that are well made and do not detract from the appearance of the garment significantly.

Major Damage: Examples of major damage include: large stains or bleaching, foul odors, large scratches or marks, large flaws or rips, major modifications that detract from the garment appearance.

 

Bidding/Purchasing Listings

  1. Q: Why can’t I bid X amount?
    A: There could be multiple reasons why you are unable to place a bid of a certain amount, but one of the most common reasons is that your bid is not above the minimum bid amount.  Lace Market implements a minimum bid increment of $1.00.  If the listing price is $5.00, you must bid $6.00 at least, for your bid to be considered.
  2. Q: How much is shipping for the items?
    A: Please check each seller listing for their own terms regarding international and domestic shipping.  Some sellers do not ship internationally, so please do not bid if you see that notice on their listing.  Buyers who unknowingly bid on items that cannot be shipped to their country will be found at fault for causing disruptions in the auctions, and may receive negative feedback. Please review all terms of an auction before bidding or buying, including the seller terms tab.
  3. Q: I have a question– how do I contact the seller?
    A: You can contact the seller by leaving a comment on the listing, or sending a private message to the seller.  The seller will receive notifications on all comments or messages.
  4. Q: I put in a bid and was immediately outbid– what does this mean?
    A: Lace Market uses a similar system as Ebay and many other auction sites.  When you place a bid, your actual highest bid amount is hidden from the seller and other bidders, until someone else places a bid that is higher than your current bid.  Your current bid will be bumped up each time someone else places a bid until it reaches your highest bid.  If you place a bid and are immediately outbid, this means that your highest bid is lower than someone else’s existing highest bid, and you were immediately outbidded.

Example: Item with a start price of $5.00
Buyer A: Places a bid for $10.00
~ Item Current Price is shown to be $6.00
Buyer B: Places a bid for $7.00
~ Buyer B is immediately outbid by Buyer A’s original bid, and Item Current Price is shown to be $7.00
Buyer B: Places another bid for $10.00
~ Buyer B is immediately outbid by Buyer A’s original bid, and Item Current Price is shown to be $10.00
Buyer B: Places another bid for $15.00
~ Buyer B finally outbids Buyer A and the Item Current Price is shown to be $11.00

 

Payments and After Sale

  1. Q: How does Lace Market handle payments?
    A: The quick answer is that Lace Market _DOES NOT_ handle any payments.  Lace Market provides the platform for the seller to reach a buyer via listings and contact methods like the messaging system.  It is the buyer and seller’s responsibility to arrange for invoicing and payment after the listing ends. Lace Market assumes NO responsibility over any of the monetary transactions.

    All purchases placed through Lace Market are shipped directly from the selling party to the buyer party. Please contact the individual you are dealing with first with any order questions before reaching out to Lace Market Admins.

  2. Q: How do I pay a seller/invoice a buyer after a listing is over?
    A: After a listing ends, sellers are provided with the buyer’s Paypal address they provided on registration.  They are instructed to contact the buyer to confirm the final amount and invoice the buyer.  Once the buyer pays the invoice, the seller ships the item and the transaction is complete. Lace Market highly discourages any transaction where payments are made as a personal gift for both the buyer and seller’s protections.
  3. Q: How do I leave feedback?
    A: Lace Market allows buyers and sellers to leave feedback after they have received their items or payment.  To do this, go to http://www.lacemarket.us/my-account/. My Account > My Bidding History, OR My Account > My Listings to see a list of auctions you have won or sold.  You can click on the Leave Feedback button to leave feedback for your seller or buyer (a field for input should appear above).  When a buyer leaves feedback for a seller, the auction is marked Finished and the Listing is filed under “Sales History” or “Completed”.
  4. Q: Why can’t I leave feedback/where is the leave feedback button?
    A: Go to http://www.lacemarket.us/my-account/ . My Account > My Bidding History OR My Account > My Listings.  If a buyer has left feedback for a seller, the transaction will move to the “Sales History” tab or the “Completed” tab.  Please check all your tabs before contacting an admin.
  5. Q: What if I have a non-paying buyer or scam/non-delivery seller?
    A: Buyers who reportedly pull out of purchased listings for no valid reasons will be recorded.  Lace Market has a 3-strikes policy, and any buyers that commit an offense of non-payment three times over the course of a single year will be banned.  Lace Market has a no-tolerance policy against scammer sellers.  Depending on the severity of the situation, Lace Market may ban any seller who commits such a fraud, even if it is a single offense.  Any buyers or sellers that encounter scammers or deadbeats are encouraged to file a report immediately for the safety of the community. Lace Market also strongly suggests that any buyer dealing with a scamming seller to open a dispute with PayPal immediately. You get 180 calendar days from the date of your PayPal payment to open a dispute, so be sure to do this if you have not heard from your seller. Please familiarize yourself with the PayPal buyer and seller protection.
  6. Q: Why aren’t you answering my questions/emails?
    A: Our team of moderators consist of volunteers that are not compensated in any way for their time. We do our best to get back to you in a timely manner, but please keep in mind that our moderators have to go through hundreds of listings per day.

    Emails will be responded based on moderator availability M-F between 8 AM to 5 PM US Eastern time.

  7. Q: Why do you allow design replicas? What’s the difference from a normal replica?
    A: We follow the same guidelines as was written by the EGL Comm Sales moderators and admin here: http://egl-comm-sales.livejournal.com/19246303.html. In general, if your replica item uses the brand printed artwork, distinguishable character (e.g. Usakumya, Porter Bear), embroidery or characteristic distinct to a brand (e.g. Meta’s embroidered swans), or tags (e.g. fake Liz Lisa tags), these items are not allowed for sale on Lace Market. Design replicas are not copyrightable (e.g. Secret Shop shoes, star accessories, plain/solid dresses); although we are reluctant to allow them for sale, they are not illegal to be sold.