Co-op Rules and Etiquette for Participants

Etiquette

  If you have questions about a product or the terms of the co-op, settle them before committing to purchase. If some circumstance of your life dictates that you cannot meet your commitment, let the host or hostess know ASAP so the product can be offered to others. Note that hosts and hostesses will have the right to leave negative feedback for you if you do not fulfill your obligations as a participant.

  Note that at present, it is very possible that the closing or payment-due date of a co-op may differ from the "end date" of the auction. Make sure you read the auction description carefully, paying attention to the dates specified.

  Pay the agreed amount, on or before the closing date, including any applicable fees. If, for whatever reason, you fail to pay, it is reasonable that your portion of the product be quickly sold so that the host or hostess has adequate money to purchase the product in a timely fashion. It is unfair to ask all participants who paid on time to wait, because the circumstances of one person's life became difficult.

  Don't bounce a check. If you suspect this might be an issue: Money Order or Cashiers/Certified check (if the host or hostess accepts these forms of payments; always check before sending payment).

  Pay close attention to the information that the host or hostess is requesting from you in the auction description for the co-op. Usually a host or hostess will require specific information be included with your order. If not, include your real name and your username along with your order info when corresponding with a co-op host or hostess. This saves the host or hostess a great deal of time and aggravation trying to sort through emails to match up all of this information.

  If you write a check, don't be aggravated if the host or hostess waits for it to clear. It's not personal.

  If you mail payment, an address label for the return package is always thoughtful.

  Some people choose to include small treats or thank you gifts for the co-op host or hostess with their mailed payment. This is not expected or mandatory. While doing this is a thoughtful gesture, remember you are only required to send sufficient payment for the items you commit to (and any associated fees), nothing more.

  Save all emails and information about the transaction until you receive the product and are satisfied.

  If you have a problem with the co-op or the product received, try to resolve it in a civil manner, privately, with the host or hostess. If you are unsure about the co-op, make sure to purchase insurance on the transaction through paypal, credit card, delivery confirmation, etc. This is when all the aforementioned saved paperwork will be valuable. If the issue cannot be resolved privately after your best efforts are made to do so, you may consider leaving the host or hostess neutral or negative feedback. Refer to the FAQ and Help files on SoapSaver for more information about feedback. This is your only option for addressing the matter publicly on the Dish Forum or SoapSaver.

  In the same vein, if you are impressed with the co-op host or hostess and things go well, you should leave positive feedback for the host or hostess. Besides the acknowledgment for hard work and a job well done, feedback scores help other members make decisions about who they will do business with in the future.



Rules

1. You must "bid" on the co-op through SoapSaver to participate. Do not ask a host or hostess if you can circumvent SoapSaver but participate in the co-op.


2. All terms of the user agreement and the SoapSaver Terms & Conditions must be followed during the course of your participation in a buy. The Dish does not investigate or report instances of suspected fraud as a matter of course, but we do not stop our members from doing so on their own.


3. Pay the amount due for the item(s) you order (including shipping, hostess fees, etc) on or before the payment due date. Provide your name and shipping information to the host or hostess on or before the closing date.


4. If you have a negative experience with a co-op or fast-buy host or hostess, please try to resolve the situation privately and in a civil manner. Leave negative feedback for a host or hostess only as a last resort. Note that your only venue to publicly report dissatisfaction with a buy on the Dish is through the feedback system at SoapSaver.


5. Abuse of the feedback system or auction site will not be tolerated.

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