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ScapeBid Terms and Conditions​

Updated: April 20, 2026

Welcome to ScapeBid — an online auctions platform built by planted aquarium hobbyists, for planted aquarium hobbyists.

Whether you’re hunting for rare plants or sharing your latest cuttings, these rules keep things fair, transparent, and enjoyable for everyone. Please read them carefully.

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How It Works (Quick Start)​

1. Browse auctions
2. Place bids
3. Win → Pay within 48 hours
4. Seller ships → You receive → Leave feedback

That’s it. Simple, but structured to protect both sides.

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Who Can Use ScapeBid​

To participate in auctions, you must: EITHER

• Have an account at least 5 days old
• Be an active member of the community
• Have a verified email
• Be in good standing (no recent violations)

Why this matters: Keeps ScapeBid full of real hobbyists—not "drive-by" accounts.

OR

• Have an existing business selling plants and or livestock
• Have a verified business email
• Have a verified web page, Etsy store or or Reddit r/Aquaswap or AquaBid presence in good standing

Why this matters : to encourage and expand our support of the independent sellers who provide us with great specialty plants and livestock!

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Creating a Listing (Sellers)​

Every listing follows a clean, consistent format so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

Required Fields​

• Title (Species + variant)
  Example: “Cryptocoryne nurii ‘Rosen Maiden’ – Submerged Clump”
• Starting Bid
• Bid Increment (auto-enforced)
• Auction End Time (auto countdown)
• Shipping Cost & Method
• Payment Methods
• Your Location
• Photos (actual item only)

Tip: Clear, honest photos build trust—and higher final prices.

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Plant Details (Required for All Listings)​

• Growth form: Emersed / Submerged / Mixed
• Portion size: stems, nodes, or clump size
• Pest disclosure: snails, algae, etc.
• DOA policy: clearly stated

Missing plant details = listing removal

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Bidding Rules​

• Every bid is binding
• Minimum increments are enforced automatically
• No bid editing (you can only bid higher)
• Full bid history is visible to everyone

The system will always show your next valid bid—no guesswork.

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⏱ Anti-Sniping Protection (Fair Play Built-In)​

No last-second “steals.”

• Any bid placed in the final 5 minutes
• Automatically extends the auction by +5 minutes

This repeats until bidding naturally stops.

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Payment Rules​

• Payment due within 48 hours of winning
• Use one of the seller’s accepted methods
• Non-payment may result in account penalties

Winning and disappearing hurts the community—don’t bid unless you’re ready to pay.

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Shipping & Delivery​

Sellers must:

• Ship within 2–5 business days
• Provide tracking info
• Package plants properly for transit

🌡 Live Arrival (DOA)​

• DOA policy must be listed clearly
• Claims must include photos + packaging
• Claims must be submitted within the seller’s stated window

Best practice: Open your package immediately on arrival.

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Weather Awareness​

Live plants + extreme weather = risk.

• Sellers may delay shipping during unsafe conditions
• Buyers accept weather risk unless otherwise stated
• Use of heat/cold packs is encouraged when needed

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What You Can’t List​

• Illegal or restricted plants
• Invasive species (where prohibited)
• Misrepresented items
• Items you don’t physically have
• “Placeholder” or vague listings

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Feedback & Reputation​

Every transaction builds your reputation.

• Buyers and sellers both leave feedback
• Profiles show transaction history
• Trusted sellers earn community credibility over time

Simple rule: Good behavior = better sales.

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Disputes (If Something Goes Wrong)​

1. Try to resolve it directly (most issues are simple)
2. If needed, contact moderators
3. Provide evidence (photos, messages, timestamps)

Moderator decisions are final.

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Enforcement​

To keep ScapeBid clean and reliable:

• Non-payment → strikes or suspension
• Failure to ship → loss of selling privileges
• Misrepresentation → immediate action

Repeat offenders will be removed.

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ScapeBid Etiquette​

• Keep auctions clean and on-topic
• No price policing or side commentary
• Use direct messages for questions or post in the appropriate ScapeBid thread for the auction

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Fees​

ScapeBid does not charge the seller or the buyer for use of this platform.
We do have a small donation amount if you want to feature the auction for 3 days or the life of the auction. We are discussing whether to make this free also.

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Rule Updates​

We’ll refine these rules as ScapeBid grows.
Continued use = acceptance of updates.

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Final Word​

ScapeBid works because of trust + transparency + accountability.

If you:

• List honestly
• Bid responsibly
• Ship carefully

…you’ll do very well here.

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Build your reputation. Grow your collection. Trade with confidence.​

Thank you so much for supporting ScapeCrunch by using ScapeBid. Please post any comments or feedback here.