Frequently asked questions

How BuyIt Exchange works, in plain language.

What is BuyIt Exchange?

BuyIt Exchange is an introduction service for buyers and sellers. Buyers post what they want, sellers submit offers for items they represent as available, and once both parties commit and the seller pays the Match Fee, contact information is released so the two parties can arrange the transaction directly.

How is this different from a traditional marketplace?

Buyers lead. Instead of browsing listings, you post a buying request describing what you need and sellers come to you with offers.

Is it free for buyers to post buying requests?

Yes. Posting buying requests and receiving offers is free for buyers.

Who pays the Match Fee?

The seller pays the Match Fee, after both parties commit.

How is the Match Fee calculated?

The seller pays a Match Fee equal to 3% of the agreed item price, with a minimum of $2.99 and a maximum of $29.99. The exact fee is displayed before the seller commits. Shipping cost is not included in the fee calculation.

What does the Match Fee purchase?

The Match Fee covers the buyer-seller match, introduction, and release of contact information after both parties commit. It is not payment for the item and does not guarantee that the buyer and seller ultimately complete the sale.

When is contact information released?

Only after both parties commit and the seller's Match Fee payment is confirmed.

Does BuyIt Exchange inspect or guarantee items?

No. We do not own, possess, inspect, verify, or warrant any item. Sellers submit offers for items they represent as available.

Does BuyIt Exchange process payment for the item?

No. We only process the seller's Match Fee. Payment for the item is arranged directly between the buyer and the seller.

How does limited negotiation work?

An seller submits an offer, the buyer may send one counter, and the seller may send one final counter. Once terms are agreed they are locked and cannot be changed.

Can an offer be edited or withdrawn?

Yes, until terms are agreed. After terms are locked or a commitment is active, the offer can no longer be edited or withdrawn.

What happens after both parties commit?

The seller pays the displayed Match Fee. Contact information is then released and the buying request is marked matched.

What information is public?

Your display name, city, and state are public, and open buying requests are visible to anyone, including visitors who are not signed in. Your public member profile page shows only your display name, membership month and year, and published reviews — not your city or state. Seller offers are not public: an offer and its photo are visible only to the seller who submitted it and the buyer who posted the buying request.

What information stays private?

Your email address and phone number are always private, and so are seller offers and offer photos, which only the offering seller and the buying request's buyer can see. Contact information is released to the other party only after both parties commit and the seller's Match Fee is paid.

How old do I have to be to use BuyIt Exchange?

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or use BuyIt Exchange.

Is the Match Fee refundable?

Once payment is confirmed and contact information is released, the Match Fee is generally nonrefundable. A refund may be issued for a duplicate or erroneous charge, a technical failure where payment was received but contact information was not released, or where required by law.

How do I request account deletion?

Email support@buyitexchange.com from the email address associated with your account. Account-deletion requests are currently handled manually.

Who can leave a review?

Only the buyer and the seller in an eligible matched transaction that has reached the verified fee-paid state may review one another, and each participant may submit one review for that transaction.

Why is a comment required for a low rating?

A rating of one, two, or three stars requires a comment of at least 25 meaningful (non-whitespace) characters. That gives the reviewed member and BuyIt Exchange useful context and makes a low rating less likely to be arbitrary or abusive. Comments are limited to 1,000 characters.

When does a review become public?

Reviews are published blind. Both reviews become public when both participants have submitted. If only one participant reviews, that review becomes public seven days after it was submitted.

Can I edit or delete my review?

No. A review cannot be edited after submission, and it is not deleted merely because you changed your mind. You can report a review, and BuyIt Exchange may hide content that violates the review rules.

What appears on a public member profile?

A public member profile shows the display name, the month and year the account was created, the number of published reviews, counts of reviews received as a buyer and as an seller, an average rating once there are at least three published reviews, and the published reviews themselves — rating, comment, reviewer role, publication date, and the “Verified transaction” designation. Contact information and location are not displayed on the public member profile.

Why don't I see an average rating?

An average rating is shown only after a member has at least three published reviews. One or two reviews still appear and still count toward the verified review count.

Can a negative review be removed?

Truthful negative feedback is not removed simply because it is unfavorable. Content that violates the review rules — such as private information, threats, harassment, spam, solicitation, or rating manipulation — may be hidden after review. A hidden review is excluded from public lists, counts, and averages.

Do BuyIt Exchange reviews guarantee that a person or item is trustworthy?

No. Reviews are user-submitted opinions tied to verified marketplace matches. They are not inspections, guarantees, background checks, or endorsements by BuyIt Exchange, and we do not guarantee their accuracy.

How do I stay safe?

Read our safety guidelines for practical guidance on verifying items, meeting in person, paying safely, shipping expectations, and reporting review abuse.