Buying and Selling Responsibility

When shopping on CreateHQ, please make sure you are logged into the real CreateHQ website.

If you see any signs of suspicious activity, immediately cancel the transaction, report the listing or person and call the local authorities if necessary.

To help promote your safety, we encourage you to review the following tips for buying and selling responsibly, in addition to using your best judgment:

Meeting in-person

  • We suggest following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for how to stay healthy and help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while buying and selling.
  • When buying and selling during this time, please follow local guidelines on physical distancing and staying home.
  • If you're meeting someone in person, we recommend arranging your meeting in a public, well-lit area.

Clean and disinfect items

  • Clean and disinfect any item you intend to sell.
  • If you buy an item, make sure to clean it before bringing it into your home.
  • Learn about the guidelines from the CDC on cleaning and disinfecting products.

Prohibited Items to sell

  • All listings on CreateHQ need to follow our Commerce Policies.

Consider deliver options for Shop Items

  • Some items on Marketplace are eligible for shipping. This means that you can buy and sell items not just near your location. The seller directly ships items to the buyer.
  • If shipping isn't available for an item, you can use a pick-up or drop-off service that works for you.
  • If you are shipping an order, confirm that you have received the buyer's payment before you ship the item.

Local Pickup for Shop Purchase

  • Don't transfer money directly into a seller's bank account. Instead, offer to use a secure person-to-person payment site, such as PayPal.
  • If you choose to pay electronically using wire transfer or money order solutions, avoid payment links and log in directly through the payment method's website.
  • Keep in mind that cashier and certified checks can be counterfeit. Transactions are between the buyer and seller only, and no third-party guarantee should be involved.

Checkout on CreateHQ

  • Instead of messaging the seller to arrange a transaction, you can purchase an item using checkout by tapping Buy now on the Marketplace listing. Eligible purchases are covered by Purchase Protection.
  • Eligible purchases made with checkout on CreateHQ are covered by Purchase Protection. Items exchanged in-person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible. When you use checkout on CreateHQ, our team can mediate disputes, since we can review details about the order.
  • Be cautious of emails directly from the seller telling you that there was something wrong with your payment through checkout on CreateHQ. You can view your payment history on CreateHQ in activity.

Communicate on CreateHQ

  • Avoid communicating with buyers or sellers privately outside of CreateHQ. Having a record of your conversations will be helpful in case there is a problem with the purchase or payment later.

Protect your privacy

  • Don't share your financial information (example: PayPal login and password, bank account info) or unnecessary personal information with buyers or sellers.
  • Don't respond to messages or emails that ask you to provide verification codes or account information, such as your email address and password. CreateHQ will never ask you for your password.
  • If you're selling electronics, make sure you've cleared any personal information from the device.

Confirm fair pricing

  • We encourage buyers to compare prices before buying an item.
  • Don’t agree to requests to make additional payments for shipping or other previously unlisted charges from the seller after the transaction is complete.
  • Reject overpayments from buyers for items, especially if the buyer asks to be reimbursed for overpayment. Requests like this are often part of a counterfeit cashier's check scheme.

Be wary gift card scams

  • Don’t provide gift card details (such as the claim code) for payment to someone you don’t know, and avoid sales or transactions requiring you to pay specifically with gift cards.
  • Don't buy gift cards on CreateHQ’s Shop.

Verify the item before paying or sending a deposit

  • If you're buying an item, we recommend that you inspect any items you buy to make sure that they're genuine. For high-value items (example: watches, luxury bags), you can request a certificate of authenticity or proof of purchase.
  • Do not send deposits for apartment rentals without having seen the apartment in person first.

Don’t buy or sell recalled items

  • In many places, it's illegal to sell recalled items. If you're unsure whether the item you're buying or selling has been recalled, look on the website of the item's manufacturer for this information.

Watch for counterfeit items

  • It's illegal to sell counterfeit items in most countries, and counterfeits aren't allowed on CreateHQ. We recommend that you review any items you buy to make sure that they're genuine.

Be cautious when buying or selling cars

  • Double-check deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers may try to use underpriced items to lure buyers into a scam. Before purchasing a car, you can check industry tools such as Kelley Blue Book or other trusted sites to have an idea of what you would expect to pay for a similar car.
  • You can also try getting a vehicle history report and arranging a car inspection before buying.
  • If you're a seller, be careful about bouncing checks from buyers or paying for fake transportation or insurance costs for your vehicle.
  • Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission (in the U.S.) or your local government agency about getting the vehicle’s history and steps for used car shopping.