Tips for Buying Safely on Bonanza

Hello Bonanza Community, Jackson here from the Support Team! As an online marketplace, the most important thing Bonanza can do is provide a safe environment for both buyers and sellers. Bonanza takes a variety of steps to ensure that reputable sellers are posting items on our marketplace. We also arm you with the tools and resources to help you evaluate sellers so you can buy with confidence. 

All shoppers want to be sure they're purchasing from a trustworthy seller for a trouble-free transaction. Factors that are important to shoppers include:

• Shipping on time: Tracking added within the stated handling time.
• Communication: Questions answered within 24-48 hours.
• Item ordered is as described: Sizing, color, and compatibility accuracy on the item listing page.
• Return Policy: The return policy is clearly stated in the seller's booth, and the seller responds and complies in a timely manner.

There are some indicators you can look for before making a purchase to ensure a seller is an active member of the Bonanza community. The more active a community member is, the better one is able to evaluate the character of the seller.

We recommend you consider these indicators:

1. Feedback score. Does the seller have a lot of positive feedback? The feedback score is a combination of feedback imported from other platforms (such as eBay or Amazon) and feedback from Bonanza transactions. The seller's feedback score will give you insight into other buyers' experiences with the seller. Click the rating score to review more details. 
2. Top Rated Seller status. Top Rated Sellers must meet certain criteria and performance standards. Sellers who have earned this status consistently provide excellent service and buying experiences. Note that many smaller businesses cannot meet all the requirements for this status but are still first-rate sellers.
3. Bonanza member. Bonanza members regularly pay fees to access additional selling features and benefits. Fraudulent sellers are less likely to invest their own money or have a valid credit card to pay for the membership. 
4. Profile. Click on the seller's username to view their profile. Have they taken the time to fill in the "About me" section? This can provide a glimpse into the seller's objectives and/or personality. Have they received any endorsements from other users on Bonanza? If this user has been vouched for by other respected community members, that's a good sign.
5. Activity. Has the seller logged into their Bonanza account in the last month? Sellers who log in frequently are more likely to respond to customer inquiries and fulfill orders in a timely manner. Have they earned Bonanza badges for being involved on the site? If they're investing time in their business, they're likely to ensure that hard work doesn't go to waste.

While none of these are absolute indications of trust-ability, looking at several of the above factors can give you a good idea of who you're purchasing from. If there are any issues with an order, most sellers are happy to work with a buyer to resolve the problem. Bonanza's community of small businesses are friendly and helpful. You can also learn more about Buyer Protection Plans here.

We want everyone who comes to Bonanza to find what they need at great prices, support small businesses, and come back again!