Classifieds Terms and Rules

The mission of Arachnoboards is to promote the invertebrate hobby first and other pets second. If you want to post an ad for anything that is not a living animal or a product directly associated with caring and/or housing for living animals, you must first contact an administrator by conversation to request permission. Permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis, and we reserve the right to refuse permission for any item or service for any reason. If permission was obtained from an administrator, you MUST mention this in the ad (that is, "permission to post granted by").

Ads are not allowed to be posted anywhere other than in the Classifieds. Ads posted in areas other than the appropriate classifieds category will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

1. General Classifieds Terms and Rules

The Classifieds are made up of two different categories:

  • 1.1 Review Items

  • While each category has its own prerequisites for use (listed below), anyone who would like to use our classifieds MUST have a review item.

    Members must create a dealer/user review item for themselves in the appropriate category in our Reviews & Reports section. Ads that are created by members who do not have an approved dealer/user review item will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

    Dealer review items are for users who have their own dealer Web site. For this purpose, social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) are NOT considered dealer Web sites. A tutorial on creating a Dealer review item can be found here.

    Buyer-Seller review items are for users who do not have their own Web site. A tutorial on creating a Buyer-Seller review item can be found here.

  • 1.2 Location

  • You must explicitly state your location in each classified ad . Your location should include (at the minimum):

    • If in the U.S.: Your "State" - ("City, State" preferred)
    • If outside the U.S.: Your "Country" - ("City, Country" preferred)

    While most of our users reside in the U.S., not all do. Further, as international sales of many species may be illegal or otherwise controlled, people need to be able to tell what they're entering into up front. Any ads without an acceptable location will be deleted, and warnings may be issued. Any ads found to have a deceptive location will be deleted, warnings will be issued, and your classifieds privileges may be revoked.

  • 1.3 Bumping Ads / Posting as update

  • While each ad may be edited at any time, the time between bumps or updates varies per user group. There will be no "Bump" button or ability, when editing your ad, to "Post as update" until that time period has passed.

    • Registered - Cannot bump (Invertsonals Only)
    • Active Members - 2 Days
    • Old Timers - 2 Days
    • Classifieds User - 2 Days
    • Arachnosupporter - 1 Day
    • Arachnosupporter + - 1 Day
  • 1.4 Maximum Number of "Open Ads"

  • The maximum number of open ads varies by user group. Open ads include any ad that does not have a status of expired, closed, or sold. A users open ad total includes the number of open ads in ALL "For Sale/Wanted/Free" & "Invertsonals" categories.

    • Registered - 1 open ad (Invertsonals Only)
    • Active Members - 2 open ads
    • Old Timers - 2 open ads
    • Classifieds User - 2 open ads
    • Arachnosupporter - 3 open ads
    • Arachnosupporter + - 3 open ads

    Please Note: Abuse of "Ad Status" will not be tolerated and may result in suspension and/or removal of Classifieds privileges.

  • 1.5 Maximum Time Before Ad Expiration

  • In the interest of keeping the Classifieds clear of clutter, all ads now have a maximum time before the ad expires. When an ad expires, it is no longer counted towards the open ad maximum total. Expired ads are no longer viewable by anyone other than staff and the user who posted the ad. Once an ad expires, a new ad may be created if the offer is still available. The maximum time before ad expiration varies by user group:

    • Registered - 15 Days (Invertsonals Only)
    • Active Members - 15 Days
    • Old Timers - 15 Days
    • Classifieds User - 15 Days
    • Arachnosupporter - 30 Days
    • Arachnosupporter + - 60 Days
  • 1.6 Ads With Species Covered under the Endangered Species Act

  • For U.S. Sellers: Any advertisements listing species covered under the E.S.A., must include a disclaimer stating that they are "Not available for transportation over state lines" and/or "Same State sales only". Species covered include, but are not limited to:

    • Poecilotheria fasciata
    • Poecilotheria ornata
    • Poecilotheria smithi
    • Poecilotheria subfusca
    • Poecilotheria vittata

    Please Note: Ads without a disclaimer may be edited and/or deleted without notice.

2. Additional For Sale/Wanted/Free Terms and Rules

The purpose of the For Sale/Wanted/Free category is to provide our contributing members a place to facilitate commerce.

  • 2.1 Who May Create Ads in the For Sale/Wanted/Free Category?

  • Only members of the following user groups may create For Sale/Wanted/Free Ads:

    • Active Members
    • Old Timers
    • Classifieds User (Account Upgrade)
    • Arachnosupporter (Account Upgrade)
    • Arachnosupporter + (Account Upgrade)

    Information on becoming an "Active Member" or when you receive "Old Timer" status can be found here. Information on account upgrades can be found here.

  • 2.2 Ad Types

  • There are three ad types that you can select from to indicate what kind of ad it is:

    • For sale: Ads may only contain items that are for sale. If you are willing to accept trades, you may state that in your ad details.
    • Wanted: Ads may only contain items that you are looking to purchase.
    • Free: Ads may only contain items that you are offering for free. Solicitations of "free" stuff are NOT allowed.
  • 2.3 Pricing/Trades/Availability

    • 2.3.1 Pricing

    • In addition to the "price" field(s), each item for sale in your ad MUST have a price listed in the ad details (even single items).

      If utilizing the "Set sale price" functionality, you must specify, in your ad details, which item(s) the sale price(s) apply to.

      Your ad will be deleted, and warnings may be issued if you post a For Sale ad:

      • without a price(s) in the ad details (this includes ads with partial pricing);
      • linking to an external pricelist;
      • linking to an auction site;
      • that contains your price list in the form of an attachment; and/or
      • utilizing the "Set sale price" functionality without specifying which item(s) the sale pricing applies to
    • 2.3.2 Or Best Offer

    • On Arachnoboards, OBO (or best offer) means that you are willing to negotiate for LESS than your listed final asking price. You MUST be willing to sell your item(s) for the final prices listed in your ad.

      • A For Sale ad stating: "P. murinus, 2.5" unsexed $20 or best offer," is fine.
      • A For Sale ad stating: "P. subfusca slings, make an offer," is not.
    • 2.3.3 Trades

    • Trading is only acceptable as part of a For Sale ad. All items listed in a For Sale ad must have a monetary value assigned to them. If you post a For Sale ad without prices because you are willing to trade, it will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

      • A For Sale ad stating: "P. murinus, 2.5" unsexed $20 or willing to trade" is fine.
      • A For Sale ad stating: "P. subfusca slings, accepting trades" is not.
    • 2.3.4 Availability

    • All items listed in a For Sale ad must be immediately available and ready to be shipped at the time you post your ad. Examples of merchandise that is not yet ready to be shipped (and therefore cannot be advertised) include, but are not limited to, anything that might be "coming soon," announcing or mentioning future stock (including pending orders, future shipments or imports, gravid females, egg sacs, or newly hatched) or anything similar. For Sale ads with items listed that are not immediately available will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

      Please Note: If you are selling 1st instars / eggs with legs, this MUST be stated in your ad in the interest of full disclosure.

  • 2.4 Terms of Service (ToS) & Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG)

  • ToS MUST be included within the details of each For Sale ad posted -- NO LINKS. For Sale ads that do not contain a complete ToS will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

    While sellers need not provide reams of legalese, at a minimum a TOS policy should clearly specify:

    • Whether there is a live arrival guarantee;
    • The circumstances (if any) under which a live arrival guarantee is offered;
    • What the buyer must do to avail himself of the guarantee (for example, contact seller with photographic proof within X hours of delivery); and
    • What the seller offers when the live arrival guarantee applies (refund of purchase price, replacement, etc.)

    The above are the minimum requirements for an acceptable ToS/LAG. More details are always better. If you would like to list additional terms and conditions, please do so.

    If you do not offer any LAG this must be explicitly stated in your ad. This is MANDATORY and must be fully typed out in each ad posted.

    Some examples of acceptable ToS:

    • Terms of Service
      We do not provide a live arrival guarantee.
      Refund Policy
      All sales are final. No Refunds
    • Terms of Service
      Live Arrival Guarantee
      Purchase price must be over $50. You must accept package on first delivery attempt. Temperature must be below 90°F. Issues with shipment must be reported to me via (email, phone, whatever) within 5 hours of receipt.
      Refund Policy
      To receive a refund, you must (take pictures of the DOA, ship the DOA back to me at your own cost, etc.) Refunds will (only be given in store credit, be the same as paid, etc.). Shipping cost will not be refunded.
  • 2.5 Prohibited Ads

  • The following ad types are prohibited in the For Sale/Wanted/Free category:

    • Mixed ads - All items listed in an ad are restricted to the ad type selected.
    • Auctions or implied auctions - You must include the asking price in your For Sale ad -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
    • Pre-sales - All items listed in an ad must be available to be shipped at the time of posting.
    • Trades - All items listed in a For Sale ad must have a monetary value you are willing to accept as payment.
    • Breeding loans - belong ONLY in the Invertsonals category.

    Please Note: Do Not post prohibited ads. If you post a prohibited ad it will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

3. Additional Invertsonals Terms and Rules

The purpose of the Invertsonals is to promote captive breeding, through breeding loans, of the invertebrates that we all care about so much.

  • 3.1 Who May Create Ads in the Invertsonals?

  • All user groups may create Invertsonals Ads.

  • 3.2 Breeding Loans ONLY!

  • Invertsonals ads are only for available or wanted mature males. Ads for anything else will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

  • 3.3 Invertsonals Ad Types

  • There are two ad types that you can select from to indicate what kind of ad it is:

    • For loan: Ads may only contain mature males you have available for a breeding loan.
    • Wanted: Ads may only contain mature males that you would like to receive for a breeding loan.
  • 3.4 Terms of Loan (ToL)

  • Terms of Loan (ToL) MUST be included inside the details of each Invertsonals ad posted -- NO LINKS. Invertsonals Ads that do not contain a complete ToL will be deleted and warnings may be issued.

    While breeding loan participants need not provide reams of legalese, at a minimum a ToL policy should clearly specify:

    • Shipping Terms - Who pays for shipping what (initial shipping of the male, shipping of offspring, return or further shipping of the male, etc.)
    • Split Terms - If a viable sac is produced, what is acceptable for you to receive (% / % split, none at all, etc.)
    • Disposition of Male - What you want done and/or will do with the male after breeding (ship to another breeder, ship back to user, don't care, etc.)

    The above are the minimum requirements for an acceptable ToL. More details are always better. If you would like to list additional terms and conditions, please do so.

    Some examples of acceptable ToL:

    • Terms of Loan
      No attempts will be made with any other males until sac is dropped or the female molts.
      Terms are valid until sac is dropped, female molts or 1 year has passed from last breeding attempt, whichever comes first.
      Split terms: 60% me/ 40% you
      Shipping Terms: I will pay for shipping the male to me and pay 50% towards shipping any offspring back to you.
      Male Disposition: If after 3 breeding attempts, or 2 weeks go by, I will ship the male to you or another person of your choosing if you pay for the shipping.
    • Terms of Loan
      50/50 split.
      If any slings, you pay for shipping my 50% to me.
      Please return the male to me; I will pay for shipping him.
    • Terms of Loan
      You pay for shipping the male to you.
      Send me a couple of slings if successful.
      I don't care what happens to the male.
  • 3.5 Prohibited Ads

  • The following ad types are prohibited in the Invertsonals category:

    • For Sale (and/or trade) - Invertsonals ads are restricted to breeding loans. No mention of sales and/or trades allowed.
    • Females - Invertsonals ads are only for Mature Males.
    • Immature Males - Invertsonals ads are only for Mature Males.

    Please Note: Do Not post prohibited ads. If you post a prohibited ad it will be deleted, and warnings may be issued.

4. Disclaimers:

Arachnopets, Inc., and its staff are NOT responsible for anything sold, purchased, traded, lent, or given away in the Classifieds (other than being responsible for their own ads). Each individual user posting an ad is responsible for everything posted in their ads.

Please do your research on an individual before entering into a transaction with them. Check their review items. Ask for references. Look for potential red flags (no review item, brand new account, location discrepancies, non-standard payment options, etc.). Decide if the individual is someone you feel comfortable in conducting business with.

The Arachnoboards Team does not get involved in transactions. The Arachnoboards administrators may consider intervening in case(s) of deliberate scamming conducted within our Classifieds (private deals will never be mediated) if BOTH parties must be Arachnoboards users. We will judge the available information and decide if there was a deliberate scam. If so, the scammer's account is subject to revocation of privileges, suspension, and/or banning. Even if we determine that a scam has occurred, we are not responsible for offering the victim a refund or other compensation. The victim may pursue legal action if desired; we will cooperate with any criminal investigations, and comply with any court orders, or subpoenas.

Arachnoboards is an international community. It is the responsibility of the individual to know the laws of their jurisdiction regarding the import/export/shipping of the goods they are dealing in.

For those members residing in the United States, it is ILLEGAL to import or export without the appropriate permits. If the person you are dealing with has the appropriate permits for their jurisdiction, that has NO bearing on the fact that YOU must ALSO have the appropriate permits in the U.S.

"Brown Boxing"* is not only illegal, it's stupid. If you're caught, the least of your worries will be the impounding of the "Brown Box" and the worst could be some hefty fines as well as jail time.

According to USPS regulation 525.4 ALL SPIDERS are considered "nonmailable". According to US Federal law, knowingly depositing for mailing or delivery a "nonmailable" item is punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

By posting an ad or responding to an offer, you agree that Arachnopets, Inc., and its staff and voluteers are not responsible for any actions or omissions of third parties. We are not liable for any loss of money or any other damages arising directly or indirectly out of transactions you may have with third parties.

By posting an ad or responding to an offer, you agree to indemnify us (including our staff members and volunteers) for any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

All terms may be changed at any time without notice. Each time you post an ad or respond to an ad, you agree to abide by these terms.

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