Marketplace

The RTC Collector marketplace lets you buy, sell, and trade retro technology items with other collectors. Whether you're selling duplicates, looking for that one missing piece, or trading items to complete your collection, the marketplace makes it easy and secure.

Note: The marketplace is available to all users, including the free Hobbyist tier. Marketplace fees vary by subscription: 7.5% (Hobbyist), 5% (Collector), 2.5% (Enthusiast).

Getting Started as a Seller

Before you can sell items, you need to connect your Stripe account for payments.

Setting Up Stripe Connect

1. Go to Marketplace → Settings
2. Click Connect Stripe Account
3. Complete Stripe's onboarding process:
   • Provide your legal name and address
   • Add your bank account details
   • Verify your identity (government ID may be required)
4. Wait for Stripe to approve your account (usually instant, can take up to 2 business days)

Once approved, you can start listing items for sale. Buyers pay through Stripe, and funds are transferred to your bank account after successful transactions.

Seller Requirements

To sell on the marketplace:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a verified email address
• Have a Collector or Enthusiast subscription
• Complete Stripe Connect onboarding
• Agree to our Marketplace Terms

Creating Listings

Single Listing

To list one item:

1. Go to Marketplace → Create Listing
2. Choose Single Listing
3. Select listing source:
   • From Collection: List an item already in your collection
   • Standalone: Create a new listing without adding to your collection

Listing from Collection

Best when you're selling items you've already cataloged.

1. Select the item from your collection
2. Set the listing type (Sale, Trade, or Both)
3. Set your price (if selling)
4. Choose shipping methods and costs
5. Add marketplace-specific photos if needed (or use collection photos)
6. Write a description (your collection notes are pre-filled)
7. Set condition and any defects
8. Publish the listing

The item stays in your collection. When it sells, you can choose to remove it from your collection or mark it as sold.

Standalone Listing

Best when you're selling items you don't want in your collection, or listing items for someone else.

1. Use the Master Item database to autofill details (optional)
2. Enter item name, manufacturer, year, condition
3. Upload photos
4. Write a description
5. Set price and shipping options
6. Publish the listing

Standalone listings don't appear in your collection.

Bulk Listing

List multiple items at once to save time.

1. Go to Marketplace → Create Listing
2. Choose Bulk Listing
3. Select items from your collection (up to 50 at once)
4. Choose a template to apply common settings:
   • Shipping methods
   • Return policy
   • Standard description text
5. Customize each item's specific details:
   • Individual prices
   • Condition notes
   • Item-specific photos
6. Review all listings in a table view
7. Publish all at once

Bulk listing is great when you're clearing out duplicates or selling a themed collection.

Listing Types

Sale: Accept cash offers only. Buyers pay with credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.

Trade: Accept trade offers only. Other users offer items from their collection in exchange for yours.

Both: Accept either cash or trade offers. You can evaluate each offer individually.

Setting Your Price

For Sale Listings:

• Enter your asking price in GBP (£)
• Buyers in other currencies will see converted amounts
• You can change the price anytime before accepting an offer
• Consider recent sold listings for similar items (shown in price suggestions)

For Trade Listings:

• You don't set a price
• Buyers offer items from their collection
• You evaluate each trade offer based on what they're offering

Price Suggestions: When creating a listing, we show:

• Market prices from PriceCharting (where available) for Loose, CIB, and New conditions
• Recent sold prices for similar items on the platform
• Current active listings for comparison
• Suggested price range based on condition and market data

These are suggestions only. You set the final price. See Price Tracking for more on market pricing.

Shipping Options

Choose which shipping methods you offer:

Collection Only: Buyer picks up in person (free shipping).

Local Delivery: You deliver within a specific area for a fee.

National Shipping: Ship anywhere in the UK.

• Specify cost or offer free shipping
• Choose carrier (Royal Mail, DPD, Parcel Force, etc.)

International Shipping: Ship worldwide.

• Set international shipping cost
• Buyer pays any customs fees
• Specify countries you won't ship to (optional)

Shipping Templates: Save common shipping configurations as templates to reuse across listings:

1. Go to Marketplace Settings → Shipping Templates
2. Create a new template with your standard methods and costs
3. Apply the template when creating listings

Parcel Templates

For items you ship frequently (like games or small accessories), create parcel templates with dimensions and weight:

1. Go to Marketplace Settings → Parcel Templates
2. Add template with:
   • Name (e.g., "Standard Game Box")
   • Dimensions (length, width, height)
   • Weight
3. When creating listings, select the parcel template
4. Shipping costs are calculated automatically using Shippo

This makes listing faster and ensures accurate shipping calculations.

Listing Status

Your listings can have these statuses:

• Active: Live on the marketplace, buyers can make offers
• Pending: Offer accepted, transaction in progress
• Sold: Item sold and transaction complete
• Traded: Item traded and exchange complete
• Cancelled: Listing cancelled by you or admin

Managing Listings

Editing Listings

1. Go to Marketplace → My Listings
2. Click on the listing you want to edit
3. Click Edit
4. Make changes to price, description, photos, or shipping
5. Save changes

You can edit active listings anytime. You can't edit pending, sold, or traded listings.

Deleting Listings

1. Go to Marketplace → My Listings
2. Click on the listing
3. Click Delete
4. Confirm deletion

Deleting removes the listing from the marketplace. If you have pending offers, you'll need to decline them first.

Pausing Listings

Temporarily remove listings from the marketplace without deleting them:

1. Edit the listing
2. Change status to "Inactive"
3. Save

Inactive listings don't appear in searches but remain in your account. Reactivate them anytime by changing status back to "Active".

Making Offers (Buying)

Browsing the Marketplace

1. Go to Marketplace → Browse
2. Use filters to find items:
   • Category (Computer, Console, Game, etc.)
   • Condition
   • Price range
   • Listing type (Sale, Trade, Both)
   • Shipping methods
   • Location (seller's country)
3. Sort by:
   • Newest listings
   • Price (low to high or high to low)
   • Condition (best to worst)

Viewing a Listing

Click on any listing to see:

• Full item details and photos
• Seller's username and rating
• Condition report
• Shipping options and costs
• Listing description
• Similar items currently listed

Making an Offer

Cash Offers

1. Open the listing
2. Click Make Offer
3. Enter your offer amount (can be below asking price)
4. Add a message (optional but recommended)
5. Select shipping method
6. Submit offer

The seller will see your offer and can:

• Accept it (you proceed to payment)
• Decline it
• Make a counter-offer

Trade Offers

1. Open the listing
2. Click Make Trade Offer
3. Select items from your collection to offer
4. Optionally add cash to balance the trade
5. Add a message explaining why it's a fair trade
6. Submit offer

The seller evaluates your items and can accept, decline, or counter with a different trade.

Counter-Offers

When a seller makes a counter-offer:

• You'll receive a notification
• Review the counter-offer (different price or different items for trade)
• Accept, decline, or counter again
• This can go back and forth until you agree or someone declines

Offer Expiration

Offers expire after 48 hours if the seller doesn't respond. You can withdraw your offer anytime before the seller accepts it.

Receiving Offers (Selling)

Viewing Offers

1. Go to Marketplace → Offers
2. The Offers tab has two sub-tabs:
   • Received: Offers other buyers have made on your listings
   • Sent: Offers you've made on other sellers' listings, with status at a glance (pending, accepted, declined, or cancelled)
3. Click an offer to view details:
   • Buyer's/seller's username and rating
   • Offer amount or trade items
   • Message
   • Shipping method selected

Evaluating Offers

Consider:

• Price: Is it fair? Check similar sold items.
• Buyer Rating: Have they completed transactions successfully?
• Buyer Message: Do they seem serious and reasonable?
• Trade Items: If trade offer, are the items worth what you're offering?

Accepting an Offer

1. Open the offer
2. Click Accept
3. Confirm acceptance

For cash offers:

• Buyer is charged immediately
• Funds are held by Stripe
• You need to ship the item
• Funds transfer to your account after buyer confirms receipt

For trade offers:

• Both parties enter the trade workflow
• Both must ship items
• Both must confirm receipt
• Items transfer ownership

Declining an Offer

1. Open the offer
2. Click Decline
3. Optionally add a reason
4. Confirm

The buyer is notified. They can make a new offer if they want.

Making a Counter-Offer

1. Open the offer
2. Click Counter Offer
3. For cash offers: Enter your counter price
4. For trade offers: Select different items or adjust cash amount
5. Add a message explaining your counter
6. Submit

The buyer sees your counter and can accept, decline, or counter again.

Payment Process

For Buyers

1. Seller accepts your offer
2. You're redirected to the payment page
3. Enter payment details:
   • Credit/debit card
   • Apple Pay or Google Pay
   • Bank transfer (UK only, annual plans)
4. Review order total:
   • Item price
   • Shipping cost
   • Total
5. Complete payment

Payment is processed through Stripe. Your card is charged immediately, but funds are held until you confirm receipt of the item.

Payment Security

• All payments via Stripe (PCI DSS compliant)
• We never see your card details
• 3D Secure supported for extra protection
• Encrypted transmission
• Buyer protection (see Buyer Protection below)

For Sellers

After a buyer pays:

1. You receive email and in-app notification
2. Payment is held by Stripe (not released yet)
3. You have 3 business days to ship the item
4. After buyer confirms receipt (or 14 days pass with no dispute), funds transfer to your Stripe account
5. Stripe pays out to your bank account (typically 2-7 business days)

Transaction Fees

RTC Collector charges marketplace fees based on your subscription tier:

• Hobbyist: 7.5% platform fee per transaction
• Collector: 5% platform fee per transaction
• Enthusiast: 2.5% platform fee per transaction

Stripe payment processing fees (1.4% + £0.20 for UK cards) are paid by the platform, not deducted from your earnings. See Marketplace Fees for detailed breakdown.

Shipping

As a Seller

When a sale completes:

1. Package the Item Securely

   • Use appropriate packing materials
   • Include any promised accessories
   • Add packing slip with order details

2. Create Shipping Label (optional but recommended)

   • Go to Marketplace → Sales → Select transaction
   • Click Create Shipping Label
   • Shippo integration creates label with tracking
   • Download and print label
   • Cost is deducted from your payout

   Or use your own shipping method and add tracking manually.

3. Ship Within 3 Business Days

   • Longer shipping times may result in buyer complaints
   • Update tracking information in the transaction

4. Mark as Shipped

   • Go to the transaction
   • Click Mark as Shipped
   • Add tracking number if you have one

5. Wait for Delivery Confirmation

   • Buyer confirms receipt
   • Or 14 days pass with no dispute
   • Funds are released to you

Tracking Updates

When you add tracking:

• Buyer sees tracking updates automatically
• Both parties get notifications at key points (shipped, in transit, delivered)
• Tracking timeline shows package progress

Shipping Insurance

We recommend insurance for valuable items (over £100):

• Most carriers offer insurance
• Cost is usually 1-3% of item value
• Clearly state in your listing if insurance is included or optional
• If lost or damaged in transit, insurance covers the loss

International Shipping

When shipping internationally:

• Fill out customs forms accurately
• Declare correct value (buyer pays customs fees based on this)
• Mark as gift only if it actually is a gift (false declarations are illegal)
• Allow extra time for customs clearance
• Buyer is responsible for customs fees and import duties

Shipping Disputes

If the buyer says the item didn't arrive:

• Provide tracking information
• If tracking shows delivered, you're typically protected
• If tracking shows lost, insurance claim (if you purchased it)
• If no tracking and item is lost, you may be responsible for refund

Always use tracked shipping for items over £50.

Trades

How Trades Work

Trades let you exchange items without money changing hands.

1. Seller lists item as "Trade" or "Both"
2. Buyer offers items from their collection (plus optional cash)
3. Seller accepts the trade
4. Both parties ship their items to each other
5. Both confirm receipt
6. Items transfer ownership

Trade Workflow

After accepting a trade offer:

Step 1: Confirm Shipping Addresses

• Both parties confirm their shipping address
• Address is revealed only after trade is accepted

Step 2: Mark as Ready to Ship

• Both parties confirm they're ready
• Have 3 business days to ship

Step 3: Ship Items

• Both ship items with tracking (recommended)
• Mark as shipped in the system
• Add tracking numbers

Step 4: Confirm Receipt

• When your item arrives, confirm receipt
• Inspect the item
• Both must confirm for trade to complete

Step 5: Trade Complete

• Items added to/removed from collections
• Both parties can leave ratings

Trade Timeline

Trades have a 21-day window to complete:

• 3 days to ship after agreeing
• 14 days for items to arrive
• 4 days buffer for delays

If the trade doesn't complete in 21 days, it's automatically cancelled and both parties keep their original items.

Trade Disputes

If there's a problem with a trade:

• Item doesn't match description
• Item arrives damaged
• Wrong item was sent
• Item never arrives

Open a dispute (see Disputes & Problems section below). We'll mediate and may require items to be returned to original owners.

Buyer Protection

When you buy through RTC Collector:

Payment Held Until Delivery

Your payment is held by Stripe until:

• You confirm you received the item, or
• 14 days pass after the seller marks it as shipped (with no dispute filed)

This ensures sellers only get paid after fulfilling their obligation.

Dispute Resolution

If the item:

• Doesn't match the description
• Arrives damaged (due to poor packing)
• Never arrives (and seller can't provide proof of shipment)

You can open a dispute to request a refund (see Disputes section).

Refund Process

If a dispute is ruled in your favor:

1. Refund is processed within 5-10 business days
2. Money returns to your original payment method
3. Seller may be required to pay return shipping

Ratings & Reviews

After a transaction completes, both buyer and seller can leave ratings.

Rating System

Stars: 1-5 stars

• 5 stars: Excellent
• 4 stars: Good
• 3 stars: Acceptable
• 2 stars: Poor
• 1 star: Terrible

Review: Written feedback (optional)

• Describe your experience
• Mention positives and negatives
• Be honest but respectful
• Don't include personal information

What to Rate

For Sellers:

• Item description accuracy
• Packaging quality
• Shipping speed
• Communication
• Overall experience

For Buyers:

• Payment promptness
• Communication
• Reasonable expectations
• Overall experience

Rating Guidelines

• Base ratings on facts, not emotions
• Don't leave bad ratings for things outside the person's control (like carrier delays)
• Don't demand positive ratings in exchange for anything
• Don't threaten bad ratings to get refunds

Viewing Ratings

Your seller rating is displayed on all your listings. Buyers can see:

• Your overall rating (average of all ratings)
• Number of transactions
• Individual ratings and reviews

Maintain a good rating (above 4.0) to build trust with buyers.

Disputes & Problems

When to Open a Dispute

Open a dispute if:

• Item doesn't match the description
• Item arrives damaged due to poor packing
• Item doesn't arrive and seller can't prove shipping
• Seller doesn't ship within agreed timeframe
• Trade partner doesn't ship their item

How to Open a Dispute

1. Open the transaction detail page for the relevant purchase or sale
2. Tap Report Problem to open a dispute directly from the transaction
3. Choose a dispute category:
   • Item Not Received
   • Item Not As Described
   • Payment Issue
   • Shipping Issue
   • Other
4. Provide evidence:
   • Photos of damage or wrong item
   • Screenshots of listing vs. what you received
   • Tracking information
   • Message history
5. Submit dispute

You can also view all your disputes from the Disputes tab in the Marketplace section, with quick links back to the related transaction.

Dispute Process

1. Both parties are notified

   • You present your case
   • Seller responds with their side

2. Evidence review

   • We review all submitted evidence
   • May ask for additional information
   • Aim to decide within 7 business days

3. Decision

   • Dispute accepted: Buyer gets refund, seller may need to accept return
   • Dispute denied: No refund, seller gets paid
   • Partial refund: Compromise solution

4. Implementation

   • Refunds processed within 5-10 business days
   • Return shipping labels provided if needed

Avoiding Disputes

Sellers:

• Describe items accurately and mention all defects
• Take clear photos showing actual condition
• Pack items securely
• Ship on time with tracking
• Communicate with buyers
• Be honest and reasonable

Buyers:

• Read listings carefully
• Ask questions before buying
• Have reasonable expectations for used items
• Communicate issues before opening disputes
• Provide clear evidence if there is a problem

Most disputes can be avoided with good communication and honest descriptions.

Messaging

You can message sellers before buying or during transactions.

Pre-Purchase Questions

1. Open a listing
2. Click Ask Seller a Question
3. Write your message
4. Send

Sellers receive notifications and can reply. Use this to:

• Ask about condition or specific details
• Request additional photos
• Negotiate price before making an offer
• Clarify shipping options

Transaction Messages

After an offer is accepted, a transaction-specific conversation opens. Use this to:

• Confirm shipping details
• Provide tracking information
• Update on delays
• Resolve minor issues

All messages are saved with the transaction for reference in case of disputes.

Messaging Guidelines

• Be polite and professional
• Respond within 24-48 hours
• Don't share personal contact info (phone, email) to avoid fees
• Don't use offensive language
• Don't harass or spam

Messages are moderated. Abusive messages can be reported and may result in account suspension.

Seller Tips

Creating Great Listings

Photos:

• Use natural lighting
• Show all angles
• Include close-ups of defects
• Show any included accessories
• 5-10 photos is ideal

Descriptions:

• Be specific about condition
• Mention all defects, no matter how small
• List what's included (box, manuals, cables, etc.)
• Specify if it's tested and working
• Share any history or provenance

Pricing:

• Check recent sold listings
• Price competitively for condition
• Consider offering slight discount for quick sale
• Be willing to negotiate

Shipping:

• Offer multiple shipping options
• Price shipping accurately (not inflated)
• Consider free shipping for higher-value items
• Use tracked shipping for anything over £50

Getting Sales

• List items in good condition with clear photos
• Price fairly based on market research
• Respond quickly to questions and offers
• Build a good seller rating
• Keep listings active and refresh them periodically
• Share listings with friends or on social media

Avoiding Problems

• Test items before listing
• Disclose ALL defects
• Pack items very carefully
• Ship quickly after payment
• Add tracking for buyer confidence
• Communicate proactively if there are delays

Building Your Reputation

• Ship quickly
• Pack items well
• Describe accurately
• Communicate clearly
• Resolve issues professionally
• Leave fair ratings for buyers

A good reputation leads to more sales, better offers, and fewer disputes.

Buyer Tips

Finding Good Deals

• Set up saved searches with your criteria
• Check marketplace daily for new listings
• Enable notifications for new listings matching your searches
• Be ready to act fast on great deals
• Consider making offers below asking price (most sellers expect negotiation)

Evaluating Listings

Before buying:

• Read the full description carefully
• Examine all photos closely
• Check seller's rating and number of sales
• Ask questions if anything is unclear
• Compare to other similar listings
• Check recent sold prices

Red flags:

• No photos or stock photos only
• Vague or minimal description
• Price way below market value (might be scam)
• Seller won't answer questions
• Poor seller rating
• Seller has no completed transactions

Negotiating

• Make reasonable offers (not insultingly low)
• Explain why you're offering less ("I've seen similar items sell for...")
• Be polite and respectful
• Be willing to compromise
• Accept that the seller might decline

After Purchase

• Pay promptly when offer is accepted
• Communicate with seller if you have questions
• Watch for shipping updates
• Inspect item carefully when it arrives
• Confirm receipt if item is as described
• Leave a fair rating
• Open dispute quickly if there's a problem (don't wait)

Marketplace Settings

Access marketplace settings from Marketplace → Settings.

Seller Settings

Stripe Account: View connection status, reconnect if needed

Shipping Templates: Manage saved shipping configurations

Parcel Templates: Manage saved parcel dimensions/weights

Return Policy: Set default return policy for listings

Automatic Responses: Set automatic messages for common buyer questions (coming soon)

Notification Settings

Control what marketplace notifications you receive:

• New offers on your listings
• Offer accepted/declined
• Messages from buyers/sellers
• Shipping updates
• Payment received
• Dispute opened

Configure separately for:

• Push notifications
• Email notifications
• In-app notifications

Privacy Settings

• Profile Visibility: Who can see your marketplace profile
• Hide Sold Items: Don't show sold items in your listings (only active)
• Location Privacy: Show or hide your city/country

Safety & Security

Secure Payments

All payments through Stripe:

• Your card details are never seen by sellers or RTC Collector
• PCI DSS compliant
• 3D Secure supported
• Buyer protection

Verified Sellers

Sellers must verify their identity with Stripe before receiving payments. This includes:

• Government ID verification
• Address verification
• Bank account verification

Reporting Problems

If you encounter:

• Scam listings
• Abusive messages
• Prohibited items
• Suspicious activity

Report it immediately:

1. Click Report on the listing or message
2. Choose reason
3. Provide details
4. Submit report

We investigate all reports and take action against violators, including account suspension or termination.

Your Responsibilities

• Don't share account access
• Use strong passwords
• Don't complete transactions outside the platform
• Report suspicious activity
• Read and follow our Marketplace Terms

Common Questions

Can I edit a listing after creating it? Yes, you can edit active listings anytime. You can't edit pending, sold, or traded listings.

What happens if buyer doesn't pay? Payment is automatic when they accept an offer. If payment fails, the offer is automatically cancelled.

Can I cancel a sale after accepting an offer? Only in rare circumstances (item damaged before shipping, etc.). Frequent cancellations will hurt your rating and may result in account restrictions.

How long does payout take? After buyer confirms receipt, funds transfer to your Stripe account within 1-2 business days, then Stripe pays out to your bank account (2-7 business days).

Do I have to accept offers? No, you can decline any offer for any reason. You're not obligated to accept the first offer or any offer.

Can I sell items I don't own? No, you can only sell items you physically possess and have the right to sell. This is in our Marketplace Terms.

What if the item gets damaged before I ship it? Contact the buyer immediately, explain the situation, and offer to cancel the transaction and refund them. Don't ship damaged items without disclosure.

Can I offer local pickup only? Yes, choose "Collection Only" as your shipping method. Buyer picks up in person.

Are there any fees? Yes, marketplace fees depend on your subscription tier: Collector (5%) or Enthusiast (2.5%). Stripe processing fees are paid by the platform. See Marketplace Fees for details.

Can I sell digital items or services? No, only physical retro technology items. See Acceptable Use Policy for prohibited items.

For more questions, see our FAQ or contact [email protected].