Selling Help and Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't see the answers to your questions here, please feel free to contact us at support [at] hyenacart.com.

1. What can I sell on indieCart?
2. Do I have to pay the $7.50 stocking fee every month?
3. Do I need to know any html in order to use indieCart?
4. I stocked my store, but why isn't it showing up on the stocking calendar?
5. Do I need a main web page before signing up for indieCart? What about a business license?
6. Filling out shipping info, shipping descriptions, etc. is so tedious. Can I automate this somehow?
7. I just paid my monthly fee. How long does it take to reset my paid date?
8. How do I get my store listed in a category?
9. Can I use a personal Paypal account for my business?
10. How do I add a facebook "like" button to my store?

What can I sell on indieCart?

indieCart has been established to be a marketplace for handmade items, made by independent sellers who employ a very small amount of helpers, if any. indieCart does not accept sellers of vintage items or supplies. Applications to be a seller on indieCart must include a link that shows the types of items that would be sold, as well as some indication of feedback / the seller's reputation. Finally, the seller must disclose the number of people involved in the creations of the items for sale.

Do I have to pay the $7.50 stocking fee every month?

As indieCart ramps up, we are offering free listing for 2013. After this, the fee to sell on the site is $7.50 per month. As a seller, you will not receive any invoices, and you only need to pay if you want to stock your store and your previous payment has expired. That means you could go one month or ten between payments -- it totally depends on your stocking schedule. However, if you have not paid for more than 6 months, your store will be marked "inactive" and shoppers will not be able to make purchases. This is to prevent sales from stores where sellers have not listed in a while (we've had both annoyed sellers who assumed their listings would expire with their paid time, and annoyed shoppers who have purchased items from old stores)

Do I need to know any html in order to use indieCart?

Nope. Html can be used to make your listings prettier, but you don't have to know any to start listing your products.

I stocked my store, but why isn't it showing up on the stocking calendar?

You need to have preview set to 1 in order for your store to show up on the calendar. Otherwise, I assumed you wanted to keep your stocking time secret. It can take up to an hour for the calendar to refresh.

Also note that the code only allows your store to appear once per week at any given time. Your latest stocking of the week is the one that will show up on the calendars.

Do I need a main web page before signing up for indieCart? What about a business license?

No, you don't need a main site. It is nice to have one to host a gallery, list your sizing, prices, etc. but it isn't necessary. You have the option of creating informational pages within your store. Whether or not you need a business license depends on your state's regulations.

Filling out shipping info, shipping descriptions, etc. is so tedious. Can I automate this somehow?

You can create templates for your listings, then copy them to create new listings. Set up an item that includes the text [Template] in the title. Fill in most of the description except for color, measurements, etc.; set the path to the thumbnail and item pictures; enter the shipping text and shipping options. Then, next time you have a similar item to list, you can just copy this item, and edit it to reflect your current listing without having to re-type much of the information.

Similarly, you can just use one of your previous listings as a template, if it is similar to your new listing.

I just paid my monthly fee. How long does it take to reset my paid date?

It should happen instantaneously. If not, either the Paypal or our server might be having issues. If your paid date doesn't update within an hour or so, please forward the Paypal receipt to payment@indiecart.com with the subject line "Payment error". Also, when making a payment, please log in to your vendor pages and pay via the Store Settings >> Make payment page. Thanks!

How do I get my store listed in a category?

There is a drop-down menu on your Profile Page (under Optional Customizations) called "Product type." Choose the relevant categories and you will be automatically listed on the appropriate category page.

How do I add a facebook "like" button to my store?

Please check out this page. You can add the facebook code to the Intro or Footer sections of your Store Settings >> Store design page.

Again, please let us know if these Seller FAQ's have not answered your questions. You can reach us at the indieCart support desk.