Contact Telephone: 01634714886
Email: info@alt-trading-post.co.uk
“Trading Post” Terms -
(of Alt Trading Post Limited)
The Boring (- but necessary) Bits
This website is owned and operated by Alt Trading Post Limited. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and "Site" refer to Alt Trading Post Limited.
Alt Trading Post Limited provides the Trading Member subscription as a service, which does not involve the sale of a tangible product. As such it is not governed by and is separate from the
Store Returns & Refunds Policy, and the
Store Shipping & Payments Policy. By using this Service, you agree that you have read and understood these Trading Post Terms, in addition to the
Site Terms and Conditions, as available at:
https://www.alt-trading-post.co.uk/terms-and-conditions
By visiting our site and subscribing as a “Trading Member”, you engage in our “Service” and agree to be bound by the following Trading Post Terms (“Trading Post Rules”, “Terms of Service”, “Terms”), including those referenced herein and/or available by hyperlink. These Terms apply to all Trading Members.
Please read these Trading Post Terms carefully before accessing or using this Service. By accessing or using any part of the site, you agree to be bound by them. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the website or use any services. If these Terms are considered an offer, acceptance is expressly limited to these Trading Post Terms. By completing the signing up process, you agree that you have read, understood, and accept these Terms.
Our website is hosted at 123-Reg. They provide us with the WordPress platform that allows us to provide this service to you.
Also, thanks to Kev Costello for the tips to get this started. He's an actual web designer, so you should look him up if you have need!
TRADING POST TERMS
Alt Trading Post DO NOT BUY OR SELL curated single cards.
We facilitate trades between collectors who love the thrill of the search!
1. Members submit cards they wish to trade or sell, which are added to the following week's listings.
2. Listings go 'live' for a minimum of 1 week, up to 1 calendar month. Any responses will be shown to the listing Member weekly.
ALL OFFERS ARE PRIVATE AND ANONYMOUS UNTIL LISTING CLOSES.
3. The listing Member may choose to trade with one responding Member.
4. If no offer is of interest to the listing member, they may decline or begin negotiations!
5. When a trade is confirmed by both parties, cards are sent (using sleeves/postage provided) to be verified by Alt Trading Post at:
Alt Trading Post
29 Guinness Drive
Rochester
ME3 8GE
6. Alt Trading Post will ONLY charge Members for postage as required.
7. Cards received, approved (in controlled environment) and returned to sleeves.
7a. Payment confirmed.
8. Cards sent to members, completing the trade.
This system relies heavily on a "code of honour (honor) / integrity". As such, all participating Traders are required to be verified members.
*Any cards deemed "not as described", will be Returned To Sender, at their cost (after check with intended recipient).
*Cards will be held until postage payment is confirmed.
*We reserve the right to post successful trades to our Site or associated social media pages, with or without displaying user details, or providing any compensation, credit, or requesting specific permission, entirely at our discretion.
Members are welcome to co-ordinate trading, using forums or other platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter or Discord), however all listings on the site will be presented anonymously.
We all find it hard to let
go sometimes... (Cooling off periods)
Just to be sure, there are 3 "cooling off" periods, during which members can change their mind about prospective trades, however some may incur a charge.
Also, due to the nature of long-distance trading, "trade-backs", "undo" or "Ctrl+Z" are not viable options.
These cooling off periods help minimise the risk of "trader's remorse".
This will mean a successful trade may take an average of 2 - 4 weeks to complete, dependent on postage and trading members. We take no responsibility for and can not be held liable for the timeliness of any pending trades, beyond the Timings and cooling off periods laid out in these Terms.
TRADING PROCESS
TIMINGS
A Site timer will be available, where possible, for all members to keep track of opening and closing times for submissions.
The days and times stated in these Trading Post Terms are approximate and given as a point of reference. Alt Trading Post Limited are not bound by the specificity of these times or timings, except in relation to “Cooling off periods”; but will make every reasonable effort to allow adequate time for Users to respond to, or cancel Submissions, Listings, Offers and any Pending Trades; and keep Trading Members updated of any significant changes.
It is your responsibility, as the User, to keep up to date with Site timings.
We will aim to use standard countdown clocks whenever possible to avoid confusion. Wherever days and times are referenced on the Site, these will be set to UK time zones (UTC / UTC+1). We will also display which is applicable in these cases.
Trading Terms are a tricky thing, with lots of details intended to keep things safe, transparent and fair for all of our Users. Alt Trading Post Limited requires all members to have fully read and understood these Terms, so there are no surprises further down the line.
To make this easier to digest, and for your ease-of-reference in the future, We have broken the details of these Terms down into the order of Process:
> RESPONDING -
> CANCELLING A TRADE (“COOLING OFF” PERIODS) -
If you wish to raise a query; or if any part of these Terms are unclear and you require further explanation or assistance, please contact us by using the forms on our site, or by email at:
> SUBMISSION -
[ OPEN Sat 00:00 (12.00am) - CLOSE Fri 23:59 (11.59pm) ]
Submissions will only be open to verified members.
All listings are presented anonymously.
All listings must be submitted by using the relevant form, provided in the Trading Post area, and fulfil the following criteria:
1. Clear photo
- This must be a clear photo of the front face of the card(s).
- All edges of the card(s) must be in view and unobstructed.
- The card(s) must be against a white, or dark background.
- The card(s) must be from the English version of the FFTCG.
2. Card Name
3. Serial Number
4. Print (chosen from):
- STD (will apply if not specified)
- HOLO
- FA
5. Condition (chosen from):
- Mint
- Nearly new
- Well-loved
- Damaged
6. Details (to include):
- Notes on condition
- Price (if listing for sale)
A Member may submit between 1 and 24 cards per listing.
This is limited to 8 cards of different name and serial number, and up to 3 of each. (8 x 3 = 24)
Grouped listings should be in no more than 2 photos (max. 12 per image), meeting the criteria of details described above.
Different cards should not overlap.
Duplicates of a card may overlap in a way which allows the name and serial of each copy to be visible.
All submissions received by Closing on a Friday to be listed on Monday.
This will allow a minimum of two days (Saturday - Monday) for “Cooling off period 1”, during which you can cancel your submission before it is listed.
Submission and Listing allowances will be:
- New members (New Trader)
A New Trader may have 2 active Listings at any time. These must be completed or cancelled before submitting again.
- 3 months+ member (T1 Trader)
A member of 3 months or more, or with proven trading activity may have 3 active listings at any time. The “pending trades” of any listings may overlap new listings.
- 3 months+ member (T2 Trader)
A member of 3 months or more, and with proven trading activity may upgrade their subscription and membership to become a T2 Trader. A T2 Trader may have 5 active listings at any time. The “pending trades” of any listings may overlap new listings.
We at Alt Trading Post are fans of the FFTCG too! As such, we may wish to List our own cards. In these cases, any listings we make will be presented in the same way, and bound by the same Submission Terms as all Trading Members. The exception being:
- We may, at our discretion, present more listings than the Members Allowance. This may be to increase activity within the Trading Post for our subscribed members.
> LISTING -
Listings go 'live' for a minimum of 1 week, to a maximum of 1 calendar month. Trading Members have this time to during which to respond to a listing.
Any responses will be presented (anonymously), to the Listing Member, weekly, at which time they may:
- accept one,
- decline all,
- or request to negotiate.
We do not wish to exclude members of the overseas FFTCG community from involvement in our Trading Post, however, due to the large difference which overseas trading would bring to postage costs, any overseas listings or offers will be disclosed as such throughout this process. Anonymity will remain. (Grouped listings and offers would certainly improve value for your money!).
> RESPONDING -
When Responding, all offers are to be submitted using the same criteria as Listing submissions, and must contain the relevant Listing Reference (Listing Ref).
If a Member wishes to exceed the card limit
(24), the Response must be submitted by email, within the allotted time frame, to Alt Trading Post at:
When submitting a Response, a Member may choose to include “the total cost of postage” for both parties.
Response allowances will be:
- New members (New Trader)
A New Trader may Respond to 2 Listings per week. May only have 2 “pending trades” at any time. These must be completed or cancelled before submitting again.
- 3 months+ member (T1 Trader)
A member of 3 months or more, or with proven trading activity may Respond to 3 Listings per week. The “pending trades” of any responses may overlap.
- 3 months+ member (T2 Trader)
A member of 3 months or more, and with proven trading activity may upgrade their subscription and membership to become a T2 Trader. A T2 Trader may Respond to 5 Listings per week. The “pending trades” of any offers may overlap.
Responses will not be considered
final
until presented to the Listing Member. These offers may be cancelled and made again on the same, or another Listing during this time.
Once a pending Response has been presented to Listing Member, you will have the following 24 hours (1 day) during which to change your mind and cancel. This time will be considered "Cooling off period 1A".
As fans of the FFTCG ourselves, we at Alt Trading Post may wish to Respond to listings ourselves from time to time. In such cases, any offer we make will be bound by the same Submission Terms as all Trading Members. The exceptions being:
- Our offer will NEVER be monetary, trades ONLY.
- We may, at our discretion, present more offers than the Members Allowance. This may be to increase activity on the Site for our subscribed members with active Listings.
- If a Member chooses to accept an offer, made anonymously by Us, they will be informed of this fact, and given the option to choose another Member's offer instead. The choice is in the hands of the listing party, but Our preference will always lean towards members trading.
- We may not offer postage.
Trading Members, including Alt Trading Post, may never knowingly Respond with an offer which they cannot fulfil. If we suspect a member is making such offers, we reserve the right, at our discretion, to cancel the offer and restrict or remove trading privileges.
> LISTING CLOSES -
Alt Trading Post will present all submitted Responses, anonymously, to the Listing Member on a weekly basis.
A Listing closes when, the Member chooses to:
- Accept one offer to trade or sell, *
- Requests to negotiate, *
- 1 calendar month after becoming active ("going live"), if all offers declined.
* "Cooling off period 2" begins.
> NEGOTIATION -
[ MON 00:00 (12.00am) - SUN 23:59 (11.59pm) ]
A Listing Member may request to begin negotiation with a Responding Member.
All communications are to be facilitated/mediated by Alt Trading Post via email or Discord.
"Negotiation" and associated "cooling off period 2", during which either party may decline the trade, will be limited to 1 week after listing closes.
A deal may be made sooner, but if an agreement is not reached within this time, the trade will end.
If either party declines, the trade will end.
> MAKING A DEAL -
If both parties confirm their wish to trade, Alt Trading Post will supply each Member with materials and an invoice for postage. We will use Royal Mail Services as standard, individuals may choose a preferred carrier, in which case they will be responsible for any increase in carrier's fees.
Traders may choose the Royal Mail Service by which to receive their cards, from the following:
- UK Traders
Basic - Royal Mail 1st Class (usually arrives in 1 - 2 business days)
Tracked - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (usually arrives in 2 - 3 business days, tracked)
- Overseas Traders
Basic - Royal Mail International Standard (reliable delivery to Europe in 3 - 5 business days, Rest of World in 6 - 7 business days)
Tracked - Royal Mail International Tracked ("Standard" delivery times, tracked)
We will invoice UK traders for half (50%), of the total cost of postage for all cards involved in the trade.
We will invoice Overseas traders in the same way, if both are overseas.
In trades between a UK member and an Overseas member, we will invoice each party for half the cost of UK shipping, with international excess to be split (70%:30%) and the larger invoiced to overseas member.
We hope that in time, as our Store and Trading Post grow, and we gain better access to shipping lanes (carrier services), that we may eventually offer reduced postage fees to all of our members.
Postage invoices can be paid using most debit or credit cards, via our Stripe payment processor, or alternatively with Paypal. Invoices will be sent to members by email, with a link to their preferred payment method.
Payment of Sales Amounts can also can be made using most debit or credit cards, via our Stripe payment processor, or alternatively with Paypal. Invoices will be sent to members by email, with a link to their preferred payment method. Once confirmed, this amount will be transferred to the intended recipient, less any transaction charges incurred from payment processors (banks, Stripe, Paypal, etc).
Completion times may vary, depending on the location of Trading Members. We are not liable for the timeliness of Royal Mail or other third-party carrier services.
"Cooling off period 3" begins.
Cards should be sent to Alt Trading Post for verification at:
Alt Trading Post
29 Guinness Drive
Rochester
ME3 8GE
We may request that you submit a photo of your cards in, or with, postage materials prior to sending.
> APPROVAL -
When Traded Cards are received, they will be opened in a controlled environment and handled with protective gloves at all times. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to handle cards without gloves, after the use of disinfectant, if the authenticity of a card is deemed to require further investigation.
Alt Trading Post will remove the cards from protective sleeves and complete a series of checks (visual and physical) that all cards are authentic and match the given descriptions.
Verification will be based entirely on opinion, at the discretion of Alt Trading Post and any source or resource we may choose to employ. Any cards deemed to not be authentic, will be held and the trade cancelled. We reserve the right to remove the owner of offending cards from all trading activities pending further investigation. In some cases we may suspend a trade/sale or Trader while we contact the manufacturer/publisher.
All cards must be from the English version of the game, as we are unable to verify the authenticity of other versions at this time.
Once cards have been verified, a condition report will be sent to the intended recipient for their approval. Alt Trading Post will always make known any discrepancies between cards and their submitted descriptions. Approval will be your agreement of good faith in the accuracy of our report, and your acceptance of the cards' physical condition.
Be open and honest about the condition of your cards!
This platform relies heavily upon the integrity of it's Members. Any cards not matching the given description of condition may end in a cancelled trade or sale. Where possible, and with permission of the intended recipient, entirely at their own risk, we reserve the right to attempt restoration to the appearance of a soiled card (i.e. remove undisclosed markings). The sender will be charged for this service, without the right to cancel the trade. If the intended recipient chooses this service, Alt Trading Post will not be held liable if unable to achieve the desired level of restoration. If any further damages are incurred as a result of this service, We may choose to provide a reimbursement to the recipient, at our own discretion, and limited to no more than a cash value of £15, or Store item value of £25 (exceptions may be made in high value cases).
> COMPLETION -
"Cooling off period 3" will end when:
- We receive confirmation of your postage being paid,
- We receive confirmation of any payment for sales.
Cards will be sent to their intended recipient (new home!).
We reserve the right to post successful trades to our Site or associated social media pages, with or without displaying usernames or location details (country/region only), or providing any compensation, credit, or requesting specific permission, entirely at our discretion.
> CANCELLING A TRADE OR SALE (“COOLING OFF” PERIODS) -
"Cooling off period 1"
lasts until a submitted listing goes live.
In the event of a cancelled listing submission, before listing is live (during "cooling off period 1"):
- no charge, member is free to submit again.
*THERE IS NO “COOLING OFF” OPTION TO CANCEL DURING A LIVE LISTING. If a Listing is cancelled at this time, a new Listing can not be made until the following week.
"Cooling off period 1A"
lasts from the time you Respond, until 24hrs after listing closes.
In the event of an offer being cancelled within 24hrs of listing CLOSE (during "cooling off period 1A"):
- No charge, member is free to offer again.
"Cooling off period 2"
lasts 1 week from when listing closes.
In the event of a Listing member DECLINING ALL TRADE OFFERS (during "cooling off period 2")
- No charge, may continue listing up to 1 calendar month;
In the event of Responding member CANCELLING OFFER (during "cooling off period 2")
- No charge, may Respond to another Listing.
Not all trades work out. Negotiations fail. Minds get changed. We won't charge you for this!
If your Response wasn't picked, try another Listing!
If a deal can't be found, shake hands, walk away, come back and try another day!
"Cooling off period 3"
lasts the shorter of: the time of materials and invoice for postage being sent to members, until invoice is paid; or until 14-days after negotiations close.
In the event of a cancelled trade after an accepted offer (but before materials and invoice for postage are sent):
- No charge, trade ends.
In the event of a cancelled trade during verification and approval (or after receiving postage materials):
- If due to member cancellation
- Return postage fees, for any cards already sent, are to be paid by (invoiced to) cancelling member.
- Non-cancelling member’s cards (or payment when buying) returned immediately
- Cancelling member’s cards will be held until postage payment is received.
- If due to failed verification checks
- Authentic cards (or payment when buying) will be returned immediately to original owners.
- Cards deemed not authentic will be held or destroyed.
- Return postage fees to be paid by (invoiced to) owner of offending cards.
- If due to failed condition approval
- Cards not matching the given description will be disclosed to the intended recipient.
- If the intended recipient does not approve the condition, cards will be Returned To Sender, at sender’s expense.
- (Payment returned if buying)
Any unpaid amounts for sales or postage will result in cards being held until payment is confirmed. Failure to pay postage invoices on held items, within 60 days of due date, will be considered as CARDS NOT CLAIMED, and your right of return may be forfeit.
> “LOOKING FOR…” PAGE TERMS -
Users of the Trading Post “Looking For...” Page and related areas agree to be bound by all other terms, processes and timings laid out in these Trading Post Terms, with the following exceptions:
- Submission requirements
1. Card Name
2. Quantity
3. Serial
4. Rarity
5. Print
6. Card image (Square Enix card browser image preferred)
- Response requirements
1. Looking Reference (Looking Ref)
2. Quantity of card
3. Print
4. Condition
5. Clear photo (as per Listing/Response submissions)
6. Asking price
- All responses will be presented to the “Looking” Member, anonymously, by Alt Trading Post on a weekly basis.
- May pick one “Responding” Member with which to make a deal. All negotiations to be mediated by Alt Trading Post, via email or Discord.
- The Cancellation process will include “Cooling Off Period 1” for the Looking member, and “Cooling Off Period 1A” for the Responding member, then continue as normal.
- If a “Looking For” post is unsuccessful, a member may submit a new card; or they may have the post rollover to the following week, without needing to repeat submission details.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CARD NAME (e.g. Squire)
Printed at the top of the card
SERIAL (e.g. 1-026C)
Printed in the center, at the bottom of the card
"STD"
Standard FFTCG card
"HOLO"
Holographic Foil printed FFTCG
"FA" - Full Art
Text has no banner, full printed FFTCG art card
"PRICE"
Asking or offered amount in pounds sterling (£)
"CONDITION" TERMINOLOGY
*mint -
"As new" from pack, no damage, no marks.
*nearly new -
Including but not limited to VERY MINOR bending, scratching ON SURFACE, edge scuff.
(This includes starter set Special Character bend, e.g. Tidus/Lightning/Cloud/etc. We’ve pulled a few of these ourselves! It's a very clear, even bend across the whole card)
*well-loved -
Including but not limited to SOME bending/creasing, scratching ON SURFACE, edge scuff.
*damaged -
Including but not limited to MODERATE bending/folding, scratching INTO surface, edge scuff/splitting, peeling, other permanent marking or environmental (i.e. fire/water/food/dirt).
A "Details" box will be available to include asking or offered price in the case of a sale; and to explain any possible discrepancies with a description before listing/responding (e.g. "minor bending as from packaging/transport before opening", such as Special Character bend mentioned above).
"COOLING OFF PERIOD 1"
Period of time in which a member can cancel a listing submission - min. 2 days
[ (from submission or) Sat 00:00 - Sun 23:59 ]
"COOLING OFF PERIOD 1.A"
Period of time in which a Responding member can cancel an offer
[ up to 24 hours after listing closes ]
"COOLING OFF PERIOD 2"
Period of time in which either a listing member or responding member can cancel a trade - ends when negotiations close, up to 1 week after listing closes
"COOLING OFF PERIOD 3"
Final period of time in which either party can cancel a trade and have their cards returned.
[Postage material and invoice sent until postage paid, limited to 14 days from negotiation].
NOTE: Once “Cooling off period 3” ends, no later than 14 days from negotiation ending, Alt Trading Post will have no control over the cards a Member has sent to us. Due to the nature of long-distance trading, there is no “undo” option and we are unable to enforce that any member return cards in their possession. If postage payment has been received from the other party, cards will be sent at this time. We will not be held liable for any change of heart outside of this timeframe.
"OPINION" or "DISCRETION" OF ALT TRADING POST
Alt Trading Post will do our best to ensure fairness, quality of service and trust among our members.
We will never knowingly provide false information, or list false details.
All card descriptions will be checked and matched to the best of our knowledge and abilities. We may utilise external references such as publishers or manufacturers where we feel our knowledge is lacking.
-"TRADE POSTAGE"
The amount invoiced to members, by Alt Trading Post, to cover postage costs. This will only ever be the ACTUAL costs of the chosen carrier service, plus materials.
"SALE" OR "SALE AMOUNTS"
Alt Trading Post DO NOT BUY OR SELL curated single cards. Any monetary transactions for trades on the Trading Post Members' Area will be directly between Trading Members, with Ourselves as an intermediary. We will not charge for any such "Sales amounts", which will be transferred in full once confirmed, less any charges incurred from payment processors.
NOTE: Postage will always be invoiced separately from any amounts relating to a Member's sales.
"1 WEEK"
Wherever [1 week] is referenced, it refers to a standard calendar week of 7 days.
