Shoe Reselling Marketplace Policy

This policy establishes fair, symmetric rules for all buyers and sellers on the marketplace platform ("the Platform") for the listing, sale, and purchase of resale shoes, whether deadstock (new) or used. The core objective is eliminating counterfeit risk while keeping condition, sizing, and dispute standards objective and consistent for both sides.

2.1 Authentication Requirement

All listings above the Platform's defined value threshold require authentication before release to the buyer. Two supported models:

• Platform-verified shipping: seller ships to a Platform authentication center; once verified, the item ships onward to the buyer.
• Self-authenticated with spot-check: for lower-value listings, seller self-certifies authenticity, subject to random audit.

2.2 Authentication Standards

• Authenticators check stitching pattern, materials, box label accuracy, insole printing, and known counterfeit indicators for the specific model.
• Items failing authentication are not released to the buyer; buyer receives a full refund and the listing is removed.
• Sellers may request a re-inspection if they dispute a failed authentication result.

3.1 Condition Scale

3.2 Photo Requirements

• Actual photos of the specific pair: both shoes, soles, insoles, and the box label showing size and style code.
• Stock/catalog images are not permitted as the primary listing photo.

3.3 Mandatory Disclosures

Sellers must disclose: replaced laces or insoles, missing original box or accessories, any cleaning, restoration, or repair performed, and known yellowing (common in aged releases) or discoloration.

3.4 Original Box Disclosure (Required)

Every shoe listing must state the original-box status. This is a required field on the Platform — a listing cannot be published without it. Sellers must select one of:

• Original box included — the original manufacturer box is present and undamaged.
• No original box — the original box is missing; shoes ship in replacement packaging.
• Damaged box — the original box is present but visibly damaged (tears, crushing, water damage).

High-end pairs ($250 and above) sold with the box must also include photos of the actual box and its label, uploaded separately from the item photos. Pairs sold without the box carry that disclosure on the listing for buyers.

3.5 Worn or Not Disclosure (Required)

Every shoe listing must also state whether the pair has been worn. This is a required field on the Platform — a listing cannot be published without it. Sellers must select one of:

• Never worn (brand new) — deadstock, never worn outside of trying the pair on.
• Worn a few times — light wear, shown in the listing photos along with any creasing or sole wear.
• Worn regularly — visible wear consistent with regular use.

The answer appears on the listing for buyers. Describing a worn pair as never worn is a condition misrepresentation and is enforced under Section 10.

• Listings must show both the buyer's regional size (US/UK/EU) and the size printed on the box label.
• Where a model is known to run small or large, this should be flagged on the listing (supported by a community "true to size" rating aggregated per model).
• Sizing being accurately disclosed removes it as valid return grounds — see Section 5.2.

5.1 Grounds for Return

• Item fails authentication or is confirmed counterfeit.
• Condition received does not match the listing (e.g., listed as DS but shows wear).
• Wrong size or wrong shoe shipped.

5.2 Not Grounds for Return

• Buyer's remorse or change of mind.
• Buyer selected the wrong size despite accurate sizing information on the listing.
• Condition accurately disclosed and shown in listing photos.

5.3 Dispute Resolution Process

1. Buyer submits a claim with photo/video evidence of the item as received.
2. Seller has 3 business days to respond with counter-evidence.
3. If unresolved, neutral Platform review compares buyer evidence, seller evidence, and original listing photos/authentication record.
4. Decision is binding within the Platform's marketplace terms.

• Seller authenticity and condition-accuracy history is tracked and visible to buyers.
• Confirmed misrepresentation (condition or sizing) follows an escalating response: warning, temporary suspension, permanent ban for repeat violations.
• Confirmed counterfeit sales bypass the warning stage entirely (see Section 2.2 and Section 10).

• To deter "wardrobing" (wearing shoes then returning as new), returns claiming DS/New condition require the item to pass a re-inspection showing no wear.
• Buyers found submitting false damage, sizing, or authenticity claims are subject to the same escalating enforcement as sellers.
• Excessive return requests relative to purchase history may trigger a review of the buyer's account.

• Original shoebox must be double-boxed for shipping — a bare shoebox is a common cause of "damaged in transit" disputes and is not accepted as adequate packaging.
• Tracked, signature-required shipping is mandatory above the Platform's defined value threshold.
• Shipping insurance required for high-value pairs; loss or damage in transit is resolved through the insurance claim process, not absorbed unilaterally by buyer or seller.

• Auction-style listings must disclose full bid history; shill bidding or fake "reserve met" indicators are prohibited.
• Recent comparable sale prices for the same model, size, and condition should be visible to buyers to counter artificial hype pricing.
• Platform commission and fee structure disclosed to sellers before listing.