The Group Buy Rules Thread: For Members and Group Buy Hosts

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apsmith21

Operations Director
Staff Member
Aug 6, 2010
28,254
USA
We here at HDN, members and staff alike all appreciate the efforts of our group buy hosts and those faithful members that participate in group buys.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to group buys - we do expect that all members follow the trading rules as stickied in this forum, as well act in good faith on any purchase or sale.

For your reference, here are some of the "faces" that you will see working in our trading forums. PLEASE NOTE: while any staff member or moderator is glad to assist with any question or issue, please contact one of the trading focused members below first.

@mllNY - General Media, and Steelbook trading assistance
@apsmith21 - HDN's Group Buy Manager - will assist in all trading areas



GUIDELINES AND RULES

1) Members CANNOT host a group buy if they do not have at least 10 positive trading feedbacks on this site AND they need to have approval of a trading moderator. Exemptions may be given for users if they have less than 10 feedbacks, but more than 5.

2) Members must meet the post limit of this forum before they can create a group buy thread.

3) Any member can post a group buy for any steelbook or collectible they would like, but under special circumstances, it may require review by a HDN staff member or moderator. HiDefNinja.com reserves the right of refusal to any potential group buy host based on member, staff, moderator or other feedback.

4) Staff members or group buy hosts may ask that their participating members can only reserve ONE copy of any highly sought after item. Staff members may request that ANY group buy host set this requirement if the demand EXCEEDS the supply. In this case, users should be allowed one (SINGLE) copy each, until there are open spots. Then it could become first come, first served for any extras. Our Group Buy hosts try to make a copy available to as many collectors seeking a copy for their private collection.

5) Group buy hosts, at their discretion, may allow or disallow any member from participating in their group buy, or request references of previous trading activity. Members may approach staff members if they are unsure why they are not part of a group buy. If it is possible to regain a good trading standing, a staff member may request that the user be included in any future group buy.

6) Prices are up to the discretion of the group buy host, but expected to be reasonable for the work done by the Group Host. HDN does not set or receive any expectations on what it will cost to ship, package, or purchase an item for a group buy. These extra costs can be added into the total price of the item if deemed necessary.

7) Staff members and group buy hosts request that all members remain prompt in their payment and do not make unreasonable requests about the items. This forum is not Ebay and it is not like any other professional resale site. All group buy requests are made in good faith, and members and Group Buy hosts are expected to stay in communication with each other regarding to the status of each transaction. Staff may contact members/Group Buy hosts to request more info or help resolve trading issues as necessary.

8) There are often deadlines for group buy requests. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST an item if you CANNOT pay for it BY THE DEADLINE. Negative trade feedback can optionally be left by any group buy host if the requesting member has not paid by the deadline.

9) All users expect and hope that an item will arrive in good shape. If any item does not arrive or arrives damaged, we understand that this is disappointing and frustrating...please work with your Group buy host and / or a HDN trading moderator before posting to the group buy thread or other threads to allow for a friendly resolution in private, as a courtesy to the Group Buy host and the member. Many times multiple members are subscribed to a Group Buy thread and can receive an e-mail each time someone posts in the thread-all of those members should not be publicly involved in resolving one trade concern.

10) Group Buy Hosts can request new members pay for the cost of tracking if regular Paypal payments are made. Group buy hosts can request the user pay for Paypal fees, as long as the fees ARE INCLUDED in the total price.

11) HDN Staff and moderators are here to help with any questions or disputes. If you have a problem with a member or a group buy host, please PM the question or problem to one of the trading moderators. We internally manage instances where a trading issue occurs-it is not necessary to PM all trading Moderators, as each case is assigned to (1) Moderator for resolution, and this system helps us streamline communication with all parties.

12) Effective for all Steels shipped from GROUP BUY HOSTS June 1, 2012 and on, a $10 fee per group buy and $2 per Steelbook sold applies for all Group Buys. The contributions are used for the increasing site/maintenance costs, and adding new features to the site. Since purchasing some of these international Steelbooks would be significantly more expensive if purchased on other marketplaces, the Group Buy fees have been kept to a minimum to meet the needs of both Group Buyers and minimize costs for members. The $10 is payable upon opening a thread. $2 per steelbook is payable upon steelbook delivery to the group buy host.

13) It is required that all group buy hosts maintain a LIST of all participating members in some capacity that is viewable by staff members or trading moderators. This may include, but is not limited to: a shared google document, a list in the original post of the group buy thread, or a list presented in some other format accessible to HDN staff.

14) No group buyer or group buy host has exclusivity to this forum. HDN staff prefers to see a number of trusted members participate in this area. We know that sometimes things pop up or other responsibilities will take a member's attention away from hosting group buys. As such, it is preferable that there can be alternate or other members that can assist. Therefore, it is allowed to have multiple group buys for the same item, originating from the same retailer or location.

15) All hosts are required to conduct group buys peacefully and in cooperation with other members here regardless of whether other group buyers have completed group buys in the past, or continue to do them for items originating from any country. Based on feedback from members or staff members, it may be necessary to review the status of any group buy host. Please treat the ability to host a group buy as a privilege, as a lot of trust is given to members that create group buys in this forum.

16) Group buy hosts can optionally, at their discretion, offer to combine shipping and shipments on items in their possession. However, at some point, the GB host may require or ask for these items to be sent on. From the point that they quote a shipping cost for the buyers items, the buyer has THIRTY days, at most, to respond and pay for their shipping costs. Exceptions may be made in extreme cases, but this has occurred to many people here, that are holding items for a very long time for buyers. Failure to pay for shipping costs after being invoiced may result in forfeiture of any items being held by the group buy host.

17) Any buyer that opens a Paypal case against a GB host without first trying to resolve the issue (see #9 + #11) will see themselves suspended for at least 3 months from all Group Buys hosted on HDN. This may be increased / decreased at the discretion of the Trade mod/Staff member.
 
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Added rule #13.

It is required that all group buy hosts maintain a LIST of all participating members in some capacity that is viewable by staff members or trading moderators. This may include, but is not limited to: a shared google document, a list in the original post of the group buy thread, or a list presented in some other format accessible to HDN staff.
 
This is not a rule per-se, but it's come to our attention that certain users have been deleting their posts after they decide to withdraw from a group buy.

We've modified certain permissions that will restrict this going forward, but reminder to members - as in rule #8 above - if you request an item from a group buy host, you are expected to pay if the order has been placed with your requested item.

No exceptions.
 
The following new guidelines have been added to the list above (#14 & #15).

14) No group buyer or group buy host has exclusivity to this forum. HDN staff prefers to see a number of trusted members participate in this area. We know that sometimes things pop up or other responsibilities will take a member's attention away from hosting group buys. As such, it is preferable that there can be alternate or other members that can assist. Therefore, it is allowed to have multiple group buys for the same item, originating from the same retailer or location.

15) All hosts are required to conduct group buys peacefully and in cooperation with other members here regardless of whether other group buyers have completed group buys in the past, or continue to do them for items originating from any country. Based on feedback from members or staff members, it may be necessary to review the status of any group buy host. Please treat the ability to host a group buy as a privilege, as a lot of trust is given to members that create group buys in this forum.
 
NEW Rule:

16) Group buy hosts can optionally, at their discretion, offer to combine shipping and shipments on items in their possession. However, at some point, the GB host may require or ask for these items to be sent on. From the point that they quote a shipping cost for the buyers items, the buyer has THIRTY days, at most, to respond and pay for their shipping costs.

Exceptions may be made in extreme cases, but this has occurred to many people here, that are holding items for a very long time for buyers.

Failure to pay for shipping costs after being invoiced may result in forfeiture of any items being held by the group buy host.
 
GROUP BUY FEES will increase to $2 per item sold on April 1, 2015.

Any NEW GB posted after April 1 will have this new fee assessed and collected.
 
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New rule:

17) Any buyer that opens a Paypal case against a GB host without first trying to resolve the issue (see #9 + #11) will see themselves suspended for at least 3 months from all Group Buys hosted on HDN. This may be increased / decreased at the discretion of the Trade mod/Staff member.
 
DUPLICATE MEMBER ACCOUNTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

If we find that you have created more than one account (and we have a number of ways to tell), these accounts will be merged, and only your original account will remain.

Please don't abuse the group buy system in order to try and get around the quantity / per member limits.

Thanks

@Apollon @dan8885
 
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