SELLER FAQ
What does it cost to sell on ShopLocalOBX?
Our launch vendor pricing is: ⭐ 15% commission — and this includes ALL Stripe credit card processing fees. No listing fees. No monthly fees. No extra Stripe charges. 10% is your total cost. Your rate is guaranteed through 2026.
Are Stripe fees really included? Yes! Most platforms charge: commission + 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction Not here. ✔ ShopLocalOBX covers all Stripe processing fees inside the 15%. No surprises. No math.
When do I get paid?
Payouts are handled through Stripe. Stripe payouts are triggered after a transaction is marked as complete—this timing depends on your marketplace setup: For purchases, the payout is triggered when the buyer marks the order as received, or automatically 14 days after the provider marks it as delivered.
Once the payout is triggered, Stripe usually takes 5–10 business days to transfer the funds to the provider’s bank account, dependent on your bank's processing times. You can check the estimated arrival date in your Stripe dashboard under the payment’s payout details
How does sales tax work on ShopLocalOBX.com?
Sellers list their own prices on the marketplace, and those prices should already include any required North Carolina sales tax. This keeps pricing simple and transparent for buyers — the amount displayed is the final price they pay. As the merchant of record, you are responsible for calculating the correct tax rate for your products and for reporting and remitting your own sales tax.
Do I need to live on the Outer Banks to sell?
You must meet one of these: Live on the Outer Banks or Surrounding Counties Own an OBX-based business Create products physically on the OBX Sell OBX-themed or coastal-inspired goods Offer curated high-quality vintage/home décor If you aren’t sure, apply anyway — we review cases individually.
🛒 LISTINGS & APPROVAL
Do you review every listing?
Yes — ShopLocalOBX is a curated marketplace.
We review each listing for: quality craftsmanship accurate descriptions clean photos OBX alignment no mass imports or resellers This protects the overall quality of the marketplace — and helps your products stand out.
How long does approval take?
Most listings are approved within 24–48 hours, most times under 24 hours. If edits are needed, you’ll receive a message explaining what to fix.
Is there a minimum number of listings required?
Initially, Yes. ✔ You must have at least 3 approved listings to activate your shop and qualify for launch pricing. This ensures shoppers see full, professional stores — not empty shops or single-item stalls.
What types of items are allowed?
We allow: ✔ Handmade goods by OBX or Currituck makers ✔ OBX-themed or coastal-inspired items ✔ High-quality curated vintage & home décor ✔ Items from OBX-based small shops
We do NOT allow: ❌yard-sale items ❌drop shipping ❌Alibaba/Amazon imports ❌MLM products ❌low-quality/fuzzy photos ❌mass-produced cheap merchandise
Full standards: [Seller Guidelines →]
Can I list as many items as I want?
Yes! Once your shop is approved, you get unlimited listings.
What if my listing gets rejected?
You’ll receive a message explaining why and what needs to be fixed.
Most rejections are due to:
unclear photos missing details incorrect category items that don’t meet marketplace standards prohibited products You can resubmit after fixing the issue.
🚚 FULFILLMENT & SHIPPING How do customers receive their orders?
You choose your fulfillment options:
Local pickup Vendor pickup Delivery (optional) Shipping Each listing should clearly state how the product can be received.
Do I have to ship items?
No. You can offer local pickup only if that fits your business.
Who handles shipping costs?
You do — you set your shipping prices. You can charge flat rates, free shipping, or calculated costs.
🧾 ORDER MANAGEMENT How do refunds work?
Refunds are handled between you and the customer.
Each vendor sets their own: refund policy exchange policy cancellation rules Your policies must be clearly stated.
Can I message customers?
Yes — you can communicate through the platform messaging system for order details, pickup instructions, or clarifications.
What happens if I miss an order?
You must mark orders as completed or shipped on time. After 14 days the order is cancelled and Shopper will be refunded automatically.
Unfulfilled or excessively delayed orders may affect your seller status.