Creating a Listing
We want our online exchange to be a PERFECT FIT for sustainable costume designers and artists trying to make reuse easier. Here’s an in depth guide for how to create and manage a listing on the Exchange.
Listing Type
You can create several different types of listings on the Exchange. Once you select a listing type, it cannot be changed without starting over.
Rent: List price for daily rentals. We can only offer daily rates right now, we hope to expand those options in the future!
Sale: List price for sale. Remember to include shipping costs or work with your customer to pay for shipping separately, or coordinate a local pick up. While we collect the shipping address from your client, you will have to coordinate shipping separately.
Free: List an item for free. Free listings allow you to start a conversation about an item but everything after that is in your hands. Close a listing on Your Listings by clicking on the three dots in the upper right side of the image and selecting "Close Listing." Listing items in the free section and then charging customers (except for shipping) goes against our policies.
Listing Category
Each listing falls into a different category to help with browsing:
Garment: is a single item or small group of matching items (like a suit). You will then be able to select the type of garment as a subcategory.
Accessory: is a single item or small group of matching items (like a jewelry set). You will then be able to select the type of accessory as a subcategory.
Supply: is a single item or small group of matching items (like a tool set) that is used in the making of costumes. This category includes fabric, tools, and patterns. You will then be able to select the type of supply or tool as a subcategory.
Multi Item Listing: is for a large number of related items. There are two subcategories: (1) Lot of Similar Items is for a group of pieces that all share similar attributes like 20 pairs of grey suit pants or 5 red capes. (2) Show Package is for a full show or large number of costumes from a show like “Shrek” or “Wizard of Oz.”
Title
Create a simple, eye-catching title for your listing
Description
Write a brief, informative description for your listing.You could include seam allowance, keywords, or other information that does not fit neatly into any of the listing fields.
Listing Fields
When you create a listing, you will have the option to further categorize it. This will help folks filter and find your listing efficiently! Not every field is available for every category.
Color: choose all that apply
Time Period: choose all that apply, since not everyone looking will have an in depth knowledge of time period, perhaps choose a few extras to ensure that the listing is seen by more people.
Culture: choose all that apply
Gender: optional, choose between feminine, masculine, and NA
Measurements: choose based on the current size of your garment but please list any seam allowance in the item description
Yardage: only supports whole numbers, please list partial yards in the “Remnants” field
Remnants: for listing partial yards of fabric or trim
Length: for necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry to indicate chain length
Condition: optional
Motif: optional, choose as many as apply to describe the item
Location
Right now you have to list an exact address for where things are picked up. If having your full address available on your listing makes you uncomfortable, feel free to list a public meet up spot instead. For items besides rentals, you can also skip this step and just ship the items.
Fees
Listings are free to post, we don’t make anything unless you make something!
The provider (YOU) is charged the fee so be sure to account for our commission when you are pricing your items.
Conscious Costume takes a commission for each transaction to support the platform. Here are what our commission supports:
Stripe transaction fee
Hosting fees for the Exchange
Developing features for platform improvements
There are no commissions on Free items but it is against the terms of service to list something for free and then charge for it (shipping excluded).
Our current commission structure: 4% or $4, whichever is higher.
Transactions
When a customer books (rentals), purchases (sale), or inquires about (free) an item, you will receive a message in your inbox. Your inbox can be accessed in the upper right corner of any window on the Conscious Costume Exchange.
Once you accept the booking or purchase request, the customer’s card will be charged and you are responsible for shipping the items or coordinating a time for the customer to pick up the items. Once you have dispatched the item, be sure to mark it “delivered” so the buyer knows it’s on the way! You will receive your payment once they accept the order. If there is a problem with the order, fill out our dispute form.
Shipping
At this time, Conscious Costume Exchange does not offer a shipping label integration. We hope to offer one in the future! It is between you and the buyer to coordinate and pay for shipping.
We allow unlimited and unedited messages between users to ensure that you can coordinate in whatever way works best for you both. Remember to send your client the tracking information for their transaction!
Managing Listings
View listings After logging in, click on your profile image in the upper right corner of the window. Select Your Listings from the dropdown window.
Close a listing: Go to Your Listings, then click on the three dots in the upper right side of the listing image and selecting "Close Listing"
Edit a listing: Go to Your Listings, click on the listing image. This will take you to the listing page, there will be a dark grey box over the listing image. On the right side of the grey box, elect the pencil icon that says “Edit Listing.” There you can update the category, subcategory, title, description, listing fields, price, quantity, delivery methods, and photos. Listing type cannot be edited once a listing is created. To change something from “for sale” to “free,” you will need to create a new listing and close the old one.
Availability: In Edit Listing for Rent type listings, you can also edit the availability of an item. Dates that an item has been rented will automatically appear unavailable to customers. If you want to add additional unavailable dates, scroll to the bottom of the Availability tab under Edit Listing and select “Add an availability exception.” Then add the dates that item will be unavailable for. You may want to add a few at the end of each rental to allow yourself time to get the item back and restock it.
Rental Policies
Conscious Costume Exchange does not set the policies and rules of how you sell or rent items on our platform. You are responsible for establishing and communicating rental and purchase policies for your shop. There is a free text “Policies” space on your profile to list your individual shop policies. You are also free to send links and clarifying messages to your clients to ensure transparency for both of you.
Reviews
Trust and reputation are a big deal for costume artists sharing resources. Conscious Costume offers mutual reviews for providers and buyers. Once your buyer accepts their order, both of you will have an opportunity to review one another with both a star rating and comments. Don’t delay! You won’t get to see how they rated you until you rate them.
If there is a problem with the order, fill out our dispute form.
To report a bug or offer other comments, fill out our feedback form.
