The DOs and DON'Ts of It's Minnesotan

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We, the Admins of It's Minnesotan have created these rules for our marketplace and our community, with the aim of creating and maintaining harmony while encouraging the growth of our vision to fill the world with handmade goodness. Please read these rules with care. If you still have questions, check out the FAQ's page.

General Site Usage

It's Minnesotan is a marketplace for buying and selling Minnesota made products. It's Minnesotan is also a vibrant community of creative individuals; while you're here, you are part of this community.

• Do follow the rules outlined both here and in the Terms of Use.
• Do respect and be courteous to your peers and It's Minnesotan's Admins.
• Do keep in mind that people of all ages and all walks of life can see It's Minnesotan.
• Do use It's Minnesotan to improve your life and the lives of others.
• Do unto others as you'd like done unto you.

• Don't break the rules! (The end of each section in the DOs and DON'Ts outlines what will happen if a rule is broken.)
• Don't expect It's Minnesotan's Admins to talk like robots or to be perfect. (We're human and sometimes we make mistakes, too.)

Members of the It's Minnesotan community are here for many reasons: running a business, shopping or for gifts. Whatever the reason, we're all in this together and our success is your success and vice versa. Welcome!

Member Accounts

Everyone who uses It's Minnesotan must agree to and abide by the Terms of Use as well as these DOs and DON'Ts. Always remember that there's a human being behind every account on It's Minnesotan.

• Do carefully select your username; it cannot be changed later. If you have a buyer account and decide later to become a seller, your username can be the same. Note: In the event of a legal action served against sellers (for Trademark infringement or something else), we will work with you to resolve the matter (documentation must be provided).
• Docarefully select your email address when registering. An email address cannot be reused for another account, even when the first account is closed or inactive.
• Doreply to the registration confirmation email to secure your username. Unconfirmed usernames will be released and made available after a period of 12 months.
• Docontact contactus@itsminnesotan.com if you'd like your It's Minnesotan account closed. As long as you're acting in good faith, the staff will respect your wishes.

• Don't hold a username hostage if you don't intend to use it.
• Don't create an alternate account to harass members or engage in otherwise abusive behavior. This is called a "sock puppet" account and will not be tolerated.
• Don't use an alternate account to purchase items from yourself to artificially inflate your sales; this is called "shilling" and will not be tolerated.
• Don't use an account for the sole purpose of driving traffic to another web location, even if it's another It's Minnesotan account.
• Don't use profane or racist language in your username and/or public profile.

Multiple Accounts by One Person

If a single person holds more than one account ("multiple accounts"), you do so at your own risk. This is not something It's Minnesotan encourages, as it has the potential to cause confusion in the community. If you have multiple accounts, you must follow these rules:

• Dobe up front and fully disclose if you hold multiple accounts by posting all of your usernames in each account's profile.
• Do recognize that if one of your accounts is reviewed for abuse, it may result in all of your accounts being terminated.
• Do keep in mind that separate accounts cannot be merged in any way.

• Don't buy items from yourself or sell items to yourself (no shilling).
• Don't expect refunds for accidental activity, like listing items in the wrong account.
• Don't list the same unique item in multiple accounts on It's Minnesotan.

Multiple People Using a Single Account (Group Shops)

While this is allowed, you do so at your own risk.

• Do understand that multiple people sharing one account can be complicated.
• Do be up front about each person's role in your shop; add that information to your public profile.

• Don't ask It's Minnesotan to mediate disputes between multiple people fighting over the same account.
• Don't expect It's Minnesotan to split bills between partners or otherwise offer special services to group shops.

Breaking any of It's Minnesotan's rules will result in account suspension and/or termination. This includes all of your accounts by virtue of association, even if it is a group account. In other words, It's Minnesotan suspends the use of the site for a person, whatever account name(s) you operate under. A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.

Buying

It's Minnesotan's role is to connect the buyer and the seller; we are a venue, not a retailer. This means when you place an order on It's Minnesotan, you are entering into a direct and personal relationship with an individual seller (facilitated by It's Minnesotan).

• Do buy things you love!
• Do read all information in the item listing, shop announcement and seller profile before purchasing to be sure you know that seller's individual posted policies.
• Do contact the seller if you have any questions prior to purchase.
• Do make sure that your shipping address as entered in It's Minnesotan matches your address in PayPal, OR that you communicate with the seller if there is a discrepancy (eg. when sending a gift).
• Do pay immediately if using PayPal by clicking the 'Buy Now' button during checkout.

In addition to the terms outlined above, be aware that each seller may determine individual policies regarding returns, shipping and accepted payment methods which will be posted in the shop's item listings.

Selling

It's Minnesotan provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and artisans to sell their Minnesotan made creations. All sellers must meet the requirements outlined in the Terms of Use in order to have a shop.

• Do sell your wonderful Minnesotan made items.
• Do abide by the rules of What Can be Sold on It's Minnesotan (see below.)
• Do write clear, accurate and detailed descriptions of your items.
• Do provide information about your craft or experience. It's Minnesotan shoppers will likely be interested, as they are often here specifically to buy Minnesotan made items directly from the creator.
• Do list your personal shop policies regarding shipping, returns, accepted payment methods and custom orders in your item listings.
• Do list your item in the appropriate category.
• Do conduct your business in a professional manner and seek to provide excellent customer service.
• Do communicate with your buyers via email to resolve any issues regarding a transaction.
• Do ship your orders in a timely fashion.
• Do keep an active presence on It's Minnesotan by logging in to your account regularly; an idle seller account will be suspended after 6 months of no activity.
• Do read and abide by It's Minnesotan's Copyright Policy.
• Don't list an item that you do not intend to, or cannot, sell.
• Don't have a third-party vendor (such as a printer) fulfill your orders, with the exceptions noted below.
• Don't create a listing that is not an item for sale; "Sold/Not For Sale" listings are not allowed. "Reserved for (username)" item listings are acceptable.
• Don't misrepresent your items with false descriptions, prices or photographs.
• Don't use photographs or written text in your listings for which you do not own the copyright or have the copyright holder's permission to use.
• Don't use profane or racist language or images in the public areas of your It's Minnesotan Shop, such as: username, public profile, item title, first image of a listing, tag, avatar, banner, announcement, and/or shop section.

A seller who fails to fulfill orders, resulting in a low percentage feedback rating, will have their account suspended pending compliance. Extreme cases or repeat offenders will have their account(s) terminated. Any seller who violates the Terms of Use will have their account terminated.

What Can be Sold on It's Minnesotan

It's Minnesotan's mission is clear: Give Minnesota a place to shop for Minnesotan made products. The core marketplace is all the Minnesotan made goods being sold by their makers. It's Minnesotan also supports the sale of supplies, insofar as this, in turn, supports making things. On It's Minnesotan, the term "Minnesotan made" can additionally be interpreted as "hand-assembled" or "hand-altered." This broadens the scope to include items created from commercially available components by way of your own creative ingenuity and ability. These are the rules about what can and cannot be sold on the site:

Yes

• Do sell items handmade by you in Minnesota.
• Dosell supplies handmade by you in Minnesota; supplies are things which can be used to make other things.
• Do sell items handmade by a Collective in Minnesota of which you are a member. A Collective is a group of people who know each other personally and make things together: either sharing a studio space and/or sharing knowledge.
  • All items must be produced in a small scale quantity, not mass-produced. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by It's Minnesotan's staff.
  • The person listing the items on It's Minnesotan must be a part of the group and know the Collective's members personally.
  • A Collective is not an employer paying many people to produce products in large quantities.
  • Listing items on behalf of someone you personally know, who is unable to list items without your help, may be deemed a Collective. This is determined on a case-by-case basis; contact support@Itsminnesotan.com prior to listing for approval.

Yes, but with special requirements

• Commercial Supplies:
  • These items must be placed in the Commercial Supplies category and tagged as such.
  • In the near future, commercial supplies will be separated from the handmade items and will not appear in default search results ("opt-in" search status).
  • These listings may be subject to staff review in the future, at which point It's Minnesotan reserves the right to ask you to remove any listing.
• Mature Content:
  • Mature content is: sexual activity or content, profane language, or graphic violence as shown in an item.
  • These items must be tagged "mature".
  • The first thumbnail image should be kept appropriate for general audiences; additional images in the listing may show the item in its entirety.
  • Mature content listings will remain in all public searches by default; users can restrict results by using the exclusionary search term "NOT mature" ("opt-out" search status).
  • Artful representation of the nude human figure is allowed. The context of the nudity determines if it is a mature content item (see above).
  • Items are subject to staff review on a case-by-case basis. If the staff evaluates the content to be mature, you will be asked to add the tag "mature" or remove the listing entirely.
• Services:
  • Services are generally not allowed for sale on It's Minnesotan because they do not provide a tangible, physical artifact.
  • Graphic design is allowed, insofar as a digital file (.pdf, .jpg, .doc, and so on) is considered a physical artifact.
  • Custom commercial graphic design services should be limited to It's Minnesotan-specific purposes, such as shop banners, promotional goods (business cards, etc.). Commercial graphic design work is not the same as digital art; commercial work's primary purpose is marketing, not its inherent artistic value.
  • With prior written permission, you can list Services such as workshops, classes and subscriptions on It's Minnesotan. Please contact support@itsminnesotan.com for approval before listing these.
• Use of a Third-Party Vendor:
  • It is best if a seller can create their items entirely with their own hands. However, It's Minnesotan acknowledges that this is prohibitive for certain intermediary tasks in some crafts.
  • Some acceptable examples are: printing for your digital artwork, metal casting from your original mold, kiln firing for your handcrafted ceramic work. Contact support@itsminnesotan.com to verify if your use of a vendor qualifies.
  • The item's description must disclose the use of a third-party vendor (providing a name is not necessary, but is encouraged).
  • You may not have a third-party vendor fulfill your orders to your It's Minnesotan customers on your behalf (no drop-shipping), unless you both know & state the identity of the person handling the fulfillment in the description of the item listing.
  • Items are subject to staff review on a case-by-case basis. If the staff determines that the vendor's involvement comprises a majority share of the item's creation, it will be deemed "not handmade by you in Minnesota" and removed from It's Minnesotan.
  • If a physical handicap or other limitation prevents you from fulfilling your orders, please contact support@itsminnesotan.com to ask permission to use a third-party fulfillment service.

No

• Don't sell mass-produced items. The only exceptions to this are Commercial Supplies
• Don't sell illegal items, as defined in the Terms of Use.
• Don't sell pornography.
• Don't create listings which are solely advertisements or promotions (no item for sale).
• Don't put images in an item listing that are from other items you have for sale. This confuses buyers.
• Don't sell services which do not provide a tangible, physical artifact.
• Don't create listings that solicit donations for a charity but do not provide a tangible, physical artifact to the buyer.
• Don't sell "ready to assemble" goods, such as furniture you bought as a mass-produced kit and put together without significantly altering the concept or design of the item.
• Don't be a reseller.
  • A reseller is a person who sells unaltered items they have previously bought, often at a markup. This includes items which were handmade by someone other than yourself to whom you have no personal relationship.
  • The only exceptions to this are Commercial Supplies and Vintage, as outlined above.

When in doubt if your item can be listed on It's Minnesotan, please contact support@itsminnesotan.com before listing it. Any listing that violates It's Minnesotan's rules will be removed by the staff; listing fees are not guaranteed to be refunded. In the event that an entire shop is comprised of illegitimate items, the account will be terminated.

Communications

Email to It's Minnesotan

You always have the right to send email to customer support. The support staff are here to help you solve problems. You should refer to our FAQs for answers before emailing, but we are always happy to hear from you. Each email is read and responded to (if necessary) as quickly as possible by a real person. More complex inquiries, like abuse reports, may take more time before you receive a response.

• Do email support@itsminnesotan.com with your questions about using the site or transaction issues.
• Do email abuse@itsminnesotan.com to report any instances of harassment, rule violations or illegal activity on the site.
• Do email billing@itsminnesotan.com about concerns or questions regarding your It's Minnesotan bill.

Feedback

A feedback system will be built into It's Minnesotan as a way of establishing a reputation of trust for both buyers and sellers. Feedback is not a toy. For every transaction that occurs, both the buyer and seller have the opportunity to express their honest opinion about the other party by submitting positive, neutral or negative feedback.

• Do use the feedback system honestly, consistently and in a timely manner.
• Do take feedback seriously; it is permanent and directly affects a member's reputation as a buyer or seller.
• Do leave positive feedback if you are satisfied with a transaction.
• Do attempt to contact the seller/buyer (via Conversations or email) to resolve any issues before leaving feedback.
• Do write a comment to explain why you are leaving a positive, neutral or negative rating.
• Do consider posting a customer appreciation photo in addition to a comment. (This is optional.)
• Do use the Kiss and Make-Up feature if both parties agree a negative feedback rating should be reversed.
• Don't leave malicious negative feedback.
• Don't give unwarranted (retaliatory) negative feedback in response to negative feedback you have received.
• Don't shill and artificially inflate your feedback rating by use of a second account.
• Don't use profane or racist language in feedback.
• Don't put private information in feedback.
• Don't use feedback to spam or advertise.

Abuse of the feedback system, by way of submitting malicious negative feedback or shilling, is a serious offense and will result in the termination of your It's Minnesotan account(s). If you believe you have received unjustified, malicious negative feedback, please email support@itsminnesotan.com and the staff will investigate. Members with a low percentage feedback rating are automatically flagged for review by the staff and may have their account suspended or terminated.

It's Minnesotan reserves the right to alter these DOs and DON'Ts at any time.