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Preamble:
Main Street Mall Online, owned and operated by Lora Henry (DBA: Our Hutch) is established as a venue for sellers of various product lines, to provide an online presence, referred to as a "store", and list their items for sale. Sellers pay a monthly fee for their store based on their choice of package. Transactions are undertaken directly between the buyer and the seller. The venue is a vehicle for displaying merchandise for sale to potential buyers and for the initial contact between the buyer and the seller.
In order to assist in ensuring a high level of service, quality merchandise, and fairness, sellers agree to operate their business, through this site, in accordance with this code of conduct. The owner of Main Street Mall Online reserves the right to refuse store operation and/or access to any seller who does not adhere to both the spirit and the letter of this published code of conduct.
Equality of Sellers In This Community:
Although the level of involvement in their business, and the nature of merchandise offered for sale, may vary greatly from seller to seller, no seller operating a store on this site shall indicate to their customers, prospective buyers, or others, that they are better than other sellers here, or that other sellers on this site are of less quality, or value, than themselves. All sellers are, and all merchandise is, certainly not equal, but all sellers on this site are welcome members of, and shall have equal status in, this business community.
Founding Member Designation:
Founding members, those who pre-registered as sellers on this site in advance of the site opening, are recognized and acknowledged for their early support of this project. Although the site owner intends to reward founding members in a variety of ways for their early support and commitment, the founding member designation does not and will not provide any services or features on the site that are different than those offered, or otherwise not available, to all sellers, other than a token designation (the words "Founding Member" and a graphic icon) on their store page, and a forum area for private communication among and between themselves.
Communication Between Sellers:
Communication between sellers, including board posts on the Main Street Mall Online discussion board, shall always be in a civil manner. Disagreements and differing points of view are likely as sellers bring their varied knowledge and experience to issues. We encourage open and frank discussions on all topics, however we request that sellers refrain from personalities and mean-spirited posts.
Merchandise Offered For Sale:
Sellers shall only offer for sale that merchandise which can clearly be recognized as being a part of the product focus for the specific mall in which it is to be offered. For example "vintage" means those items that are approximately 25 years old or older. Current reproductions of earlier vintage designs would not be acceptable on a vintage products mall and would, therefore, not knowingly be offered for sale there. Books would be offered for sale in the Book Store mall, however books about products or services legitimately offered in any given mall may be offered in that mall as well. For example, books providing instruction and self-learning in the use of musical instruments may be offered for sale in the Musical Instruments mall.
Representation of Merchandise by Sellers:
Sellers will, to the best of their ability, fairly represent all merchandise, giving only accurate brand, age, and other description information, and providing such other information, including size, measurements, fabric, material, care instructions and condition as is suitable to describe the item and its state.
Flaws, Stains and Other Defects:
All known flaws, stains and other defects of an item listed for sale on this site, especially when an item is used or pre-owned, must be clearly indicated in item listings and preferably shown in close-up photos.
Guarantee and Returns Policy:
Sellers will clearly state their guarantee and returns policy in the policies section of the seller's store as it relates to each of their items. Any item by item exceptions to this policy, should it exist, will be clearly stated in individual listings.
Shipping Rates, Methods and Procedures:
All shipping rates, shipping methods, and any applicable procedures, will be clearly outlined in the policies section of the seller's store and variations in this policy, as they relate to individual items, will be clearly stated in that item's listing. Handling fees, if charged, must be clearly indicated and stated as: "included in shipping amount" or "charged extra". Shipping and handling fees should be reasonable for the nature (size, weight, packing required, etc.) of the item offered for sale. Since there are no final value fees charged on the posted selling amount, at no time should "profit" factor into shipping and handling fees. Inflated shipping and handling fees should never be used to artificially lower the selling price if an item.
Shipping Insurance:
Shipping Insurance may be included in the shipping price, offered for a separate fee, or not offered at all. Whatever the case, it must be clearly indicated in the policies section of the seller's store and, if required to indicate variations of this general statement, in individual listings.
Payment Methods Accepted:
Any payment methods accepted by the seller shall be clearly stated in their store policy section and each seller will agree to accept those payment methods indicated in their own store. Exceptions on a per-item basis shall be indicated in individual listings. Sellers may accept any and/or all traditional payment methods, including (but certainly not limited to) cash, personal and/or business checks, cashier's checks and other legitimate bank intruments, money orders, Google Checkout, PayPal and other online payment or money transfer mechanisms, and credit cards through gateways or other processes. Some sellers may even be willing to barter, exchanging goods or services for other goods or services. Both buyers and sellers are cautioned to understand the risks inherent in any payment system or method.
International Sales:
Main Street Mall Online is open as a venue to sellers and prospective buyers from all countries, however each individual seller shall be free to determine where they are prepared to ship their items, and from where they are prepared to accept payments. Each seller shall state the national or international scope of their business in their store policies section and where individual items may have unique limitations, will state these in that item's listing.
Disputes:
The owner of Main Street Mall Online, or their appointed agent, is willing to act as an arbitter should disputes arise, but neither the seller nor the buyer is bound or obligated in any way to accept any resolution put forward. All transactions are considered to be outside of Main Street Mall Online and directly and only between buyer and seller.
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