How to Participate in a Co-op

A Step-by-Step Guide

Why is it important to "bid" on co-ops through SoapSaver?

The administrator and moderators of the Dish Forum and SoapSaver have invested a lot of time and thought into this system for co-ops. Listing and "bidding" on co-ops through SoapSaver is beneficial to both hosts and hostesses.

When you "bid" on a co-op through SoapSaver, you are in essence "registering" your participation in that buy. Your contact information becomes available to the host or hostess. Having everyone's contact information in one place helps hosts and hostesses stay organized. It helps eliminate problems that arise from lost emails and wayward PMs.

"Bidding" on co-ops benefits you, the participant, in a number of ways too. You have access to the host or hostess's contact information. And, most importantly, you have the ability to leave feedback for the host or hostess. Negative, neutral, or positive, the feedback system at SoapSaver is the only means you'll have for publically expressing your level of satisfaction with the buy at the Dish. In voicing your opinion, you're helping future buyers decide who to do business with. And, you're helping the Moderators in their efforts to make SoapSaver as safe a place to buy and sell as possible. Plus, the host or hostess can leave feedback for you as well, which helps you build your reputation at SoapSaver.

How to Participate:

1. You'll find co-ops listed in the Co-ops section of SoapSaver. IF you find a co-op listed elsewhere on the site, beware that this may be a sign of inexperience or a lack of attention to detail on the part of the co-op host or hostess. When you find a co-op you are interested in, carefully read the entire co-op description. All of the information in the description is important. Save yourself and the host or hostess a lot of hassle by making sure you thorougly understand all of the details. Ask the host or hostess any questions you have before "bidding". You can PM the hostess at the forum, or use the "ask a seller a question" feature at SoapSaver, if it is available.


2. Double check the payment due date and/or the closing date in the description of the auction. This will sometimes be different than the "end date" of the auction, so make a special note of this information. The dates listed in the description are the correct dates. Do not proceed if the payment due date or closing date has passed without contacting the host or hostess first.


3. Once you have reviewed the details of the co-op and verified that the co-op is still going, you're ready to "bid". "Bidding" will register your participation in the co-op through SoapSaver. The buy-it-now price for the co-op auction is the hostess fee for the co-op, but we'll get to that later. Make sure you're logged in, and click on the buy-it-now button.




4. On the next screen, you will confirm your "bid". You will see a textbox labeled "Quantity". A numeral 1 is automatically entered into this box. Do not change this number, regardless of how many items you plan to purchase in the co-op. You are actually "buying" the hostess fee in order to register your participation in the co-op. You are only going to be charged one hostess fee, so the number 1 should be in the Quantity box. The "Buy Now Price" is the amount of the hostess fee, which you should be familiar with from reading the details of the auction. Click Proceed. Again, be wary if the "buy now" price is not the amount of the hostess fee; this could be a sign of inexperience on the part of the hostess.




5. Once you have confirmed your bid, you will be taken to a screen letting you know the bid went through on our end, too. The message states that emails are sent to both you and the seller. This is true; however, emails can be unreliable, so don't be alarmed if you do not receive the email. Your "registration" in the co-op is also recorded in the Members' areas of both you and the host or hostess.




6. Follow the link on the above page to go back the co-op auction details page. Once back at the co-op page, find the information about contacting the host or hostess that has been provided in the description. Typically the host or hostess will specify how to contact him or her (email or PM), and what information to include in your correspondance. The information you'll include is usually identifying information about yourself (your username, your real name, etc.) as well as information about your order (what item(s) you want to purchase and in what size(s), if multiple sizes are offered). Make life easier on both yourself and the host/hostess by following these instructions to a "t" and including all requested information. If your email program will permit it, save a copy of the email you send to the host/hostess. If not, consider printing a copy of the email before you send it for your records.


7. Now, you'll wait to hear back from the host/hostess. He or she should be contacting you with your total due, any questions he or she has for you, and any other miscellaneous details. Save and/or print a copy of this and any future correspondance between you and the host/hostess.


8. When you have received your total due for the items you've ordered, pay promptly and by the means specified by the host or hostess (PayPal, check, Money Order, etc). Save a copy and/or receipt for your payment with your records.


9. Once your order has arrived, check its condition and accuracy immediately. Alert the host or hostess promptly of any problems.


10. Last but not least, leave the host or hostess feedback reflective of your satisfaction with the transaction. Check the FAQ and Help File for more information on leaving feedback.

  FYI:  Your record of your co-op "registration" can be found on the bidding page of your Members' area. To view it, log in and click the Members button near the top of the screen. You will be taken to your bidding page. Under the "Items I've Won" heading you'll find the title of the co-op you "registered" for. Clicking on the title of the auction (to the left) will take you to the co-op auction details page. Clicking on the "View Won Item(s) Details" link (to the right) will take you to the contact information of the host/hostess and a link to leave him or her feedback. You can also leave feedback through the "reputation" page of your Members' area.





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