HAM SWAPFEST RULES AND REGULATIONS

[wj5g-admin]

>>>YOU MUST BE A LICENSED HAM TO SELL OR BUY ON THE "HAM GEAR FOR SALE" or "HAM MADE LISTINGS <<<

SWAPMEET RULES


This SwapFest forum is free to all amateur radio operators. The rules are designed to minimize risk and fraud.

We are unable to guarantee the outcome of any transaction. All transactions are between the buyer and seller. We are unable to be involved in disputes over packaging, shipping delays, or poor communication.

If fraud is suspected, we will investigate to the fullest extent possible. If fraud is proven, we will take action against the user, which will include banning and assisting the appropriate law enforcement agency. However, we will not moderate disputes over equipment condition, pricing, or other subjective issues. We will assist in recovering funds and legal actions as far as we are able.

1.0 PURPOSE

To provide a safe, fair venue for amateur radio operators to buy and sell personal ham gear, and to help prevent fraud and misuse.

"Ham gear" includes: ham radios, ham radio antennas, test gear, ham radio power supplies, ham-related software, ham product literature, homebrew ham radio items, etc.

"Ham gear" does NOT include: general-purpose electronics, computers, furniture, tools, cameras, clocks, appliances, toys, cars, boats, real estate, etc. These must be listed under the "General Merchandise" section.

1.1 WHO MAY SELL

Only Registered members with a Ham Radio License on file (of any level) may post "For Sale" listings in the Ham Gear For Sale or Ham Made categories.

You must be logged in as a registered Ham member to create a listing.

2.0 PROHIBITED ITEMS under any category

The following items may NOT be offered for sale or trade under any topic:

Items illegal to sell or possess in the U.S.

Radios/amplifiers banned by U.S. law or regulation, including CB amplifiers

Services, repairs, or intangible goods

Commercial sales of new/used equipment (see Ham Made Gear rules for exceptions)

Firearms, explosives, fireworks

Adult content or anything not suitable for a family site

Clothing that is not Ham related

2,1 NOT ALLOWED In "Ham Gear For Sale": (But may be posted under General Merchandise)

CB, GMRS, air-band, marine, weather, and other non-ham radios

Computers, displays, printers, clocks, computer accessories of any kind

Non-Ham related power strips, power distribution panels, surge suppressors, power sequencers, or similar items

DJ gear, stereo systems, PA equipment, car audio - unless "ham branded" - this includes Behringer, Alesis, Mackie, Yamaha, etc. etc. - only audio gear with ham brands such as Yaesu, Kenwood, W2IHY, etc. may be listed in the Ham Gear section - even if they can be used in ham applications

Parts not specifically ham-related (bulk wire including bulk coax, fuses, switches, etc.), including large batteries of any kind that are not specifically "ham-branded"

Trailers, campers, or other vehicles, even if "equipped for ham use"

Real estate of any kind, even if "equipped for ham use"

Gift cards or certificates of any kind, even if from a ham radio store like HRO

Any Non-type-accepted amps without an FCC ID designated for Ham use. Homebrew amps for use on Ham Bands are fine to list.

Tools: wrenches, hammers, bulk wire, conduit, etc. -

Generic parts - non "ham-branded" bits and pieces, knobs, resistors, capacitors, etc., even if useful for a ham project, all such items must be listed in General Merchandise


3.0 OUR ROLE

We charge no fees or commissions on sales

We assume no responsibility for transactions in any way

We do not verify identity or ownership claims

We do not provide escrow or warranties, nor can we assist in any way with fund recovery or other issues that may arise from a transaction. Our SwapFest is "use at your own risk"

We will cooperate with law enforcement if called upon

4.0 LISTING POLICIES

Listing Titles:

Do NOT include words like: "For Sale," "TRADE," "L@@K," "Rare," "NOS," "Mint," "Shack in a Box,", "New!", "restored", "Never Used!", etc.. ("As-Is" is acceptable)

Do NOT include specs, serial numbers (unless you regularly sell identical items and the S/N helps the moderators determine if you are relisting), or payment/shipping info in the title

Do NOT post "Lowered price," "Reduced," "New price", "Final price," etc. in title

No slang or vague terms (e.g., "doodad," "thingy")

Avoid all caps (e.g., "Icom IC-7300" is OK, "ICOM IC-7300 TRANSCEIVER FOR SALE" is NOT)

Title Edits: Moderators may edit titles. Do not re-edit them back.

Photos:

Every item listed for sale MUST have a clear photo showing the ACTUAL ITEM and a visible call sign on a paper tag
EACH item in the ad must be in a photo with the hand-written callsign, name and the posting date

Boxed items must be unboxed and the photo must clearly show the item for sale

Ads without photos will be removed

Stock photos may be included as supplements, but not as substitutes for photos of the actual item

Do not post 3rd party links to photos only; use the forum's "Upload a File" feature

Photos must be of sufficient resolution and quality or your ad will be flagged for correction. The Qualifying ID photo must very clearly show your name, date, and call sign and unmistakably be in the same shot as the item. Any ID papers that look to be digitally inserted will be cause for the ad to be pulled.


Videos:

Videos may not be used

Re-listing Items:

You must wait at least 10 full days before relisting the same item.

Do not re-list individual items from a previous group ad until 10 days pass

Mark sold items as "SOLD" within the thread (next to the item that sold)

Marking Listings:

Once sold or withdrawn, Edit Title to mark as:
"SOLD"

"PENDING"

"CANCELLED"

DO NOT DELETEthe post after the sale — keep pricing and photos intact

Sellers must change the title flag themselves

Contact Method:

Sellers must clearly state the preferred method of contact

Communication should be via Telephone, Private Message, or email

Silent Key gear and estate sales:

Not allowed unless the seller has physical possession of the item, and the listing party's callsign, name, and posting date must be in the photo with the item. The listing party must assume all responsibility for the sale and shipping, just as if the items were the seller's own.

Wrong Categories:

Ads posted in the wrong forum will be moved by the moderator (or if a prohibited item, will be deleted)

If moved for the listed reasons, please don't appeal to have it "moved back".

Like Items:

Multiple identical items must be grouped into a single listing

Do not post separate listings like "Astatic Mic #1," "Astatic Mic #2," etc.

Excessive Complaints:

Ads receiving multiple complaints may be removed

Repeat offenders may lose access to the SwapFest forum

Ad Quality:

Ads that are poorly written or misleading may be removed

Sellers must have some sort of descriptive text - not just photos. It's strongly recommended that sellers spell out shipping options and list a selling price.

Brand Accuracy:

Misleading or incorrect branding (e.g., labeling a generic item as a known brand) will result in removal

Ad Limit:

Limit 4 new ads per calendar day

Combine multiple items when possible

If listing multiple IDENTICAL items, put them in the same ad. Please don't start multiple ads for each identical item - such ads will be removed.

Cross-posting to eBay or other sites is acceptable as long as the post on this SwapFest is complete and follows all Rules.
A single link to a single post is acceptable. Links to multiple listings of the same item are not permitted.


PAYMENT POLICY

All posts should have a clear and understandable policy for accepted payment methods.

Do not ask for PayPal "Friends & Family" payment — ads requiring or offering "Friends & Family" (or "Friends only" or "FF", etc. etc.) will be removed.

Sellers MAY NOT ask buyers to pay the PayPal fee. Just add the fee to your price.

Workarounds to the F&F policy like "PayPal accepted (restrictions apply)" are NOT allowed.

HANDWRITTEN Call Signs, name, and date required in Photos:

ALL photos of sale items MUST include a call sign on paper in the same photo with the item. This is easy to do and ALL explained here: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?th...s ... re.903842/

This helps prevent scams and ensures legitimacy - you are proving to buyers that you actually possess the item for sale, and that the name, date, and call sign were written by you and not digitally inserted.

5.0 HAM MADE GEAR

This section is for sellers of homebrew or custom ham-related gear

No resellers, "dealers", no commercial businesses. Only "ham-made cottage business" items may be sold this way.

Photos are required, as well as warranty and returns policies.

Limited to listings of gear made or modified by the seller

6.0 RIGHT TO REFUSE SEVICE RESERVED

WE reserve the right to remove any listing or restrict access to any person.

Violations of these rules may result in a warning, removal of listings, or banning from the SwapFest.

Users who ignore or flaunt the rules for selling on this SwapFest may lose access.