TERMS OF SERVICE

Open Garage Sale is a local marketplace where verified neighbors buy and sell secondhand goods. We provide the platform — listings, bidding, payments, and verification. The actual sale is between the buyer and the seller; we are not a party to it and don't take ownership of any item.

Every participant must complete identity verification (through Stripe) before they can list, bid, buy, or receive payouts. Providing false identity information, or using another person's identity, results in immediate account termination. You must be 18 or older.

Listing requires a paid plan: Home Garage Sale ($29 one-time, 30 days of listing), Professional Reseller ($99/month), or Estate Sale Professional ($199/month). Subscriptions renew monthly until cancelled and are cancellable anytime (effective at the end of the billing period). Plan fees are non-refundable once the listing period begins. Digital payments are processed by Stripe; sellers pay standard card-processing costs on digital sales. Cash-at-pickup sales carry no platform costs.

Bids are binding. When an auction ends, the winning bidder has 24 hoursto complete payment; if they don't, the right to buy passes to the next-highest bidder (24 hours each) until the item sells or bidders are exhausted. Listings marked “cash at pickup OK” are exempt from the 24-hour forfeit. Repeatedly winning and failing to pay may result in suspension.

No weapons, firearms, or ammunition; alcohol, tobacco, or vape products; prescription drugs; recalled products (including drop-side cribs and used car seats); counterfeit goods; stolen property; live animals; or anything illegal to sell in your jurisdiction. Our AI screens listings, and we remove violations and may terminate repeat offenders.

In-person exchanges are at your own risk. We strongly recommend meeting in public places — many police stations offer free Safe Exchange Zones. Verify the item before completing a cash sale. We're not responsible for what happens at in-person meetups.

Sellers are responsible for describing items accurately. Sales of secondhand goods are as-is unless the seller states otherwise. Disputes between buyers and sellers should first be resolved between the parties; contact info@opengaragesale.com if you can't reach a resolution, and we'll review the transaction record in good faith. Payment disputes on digital transactions are handled through Stripe.

Ratings can only be left for completed, paid transactions and must reflect your genuine experience. Attempting to manipulate ratings (fake transactions, retaliation, harassment in comments) is grounds for removal of ratings and account termination.

Sellers are responsible for their own tax obligations, including sales tax where applicable and income reporting. For sellers paid through the platform, Stripe issues applicable tax forms (e.g., 1099-K) per IRS thresholds.

You own your listings and photos; you grant us a license to display them to operate and promote the marketplace. We may remove content or suspend accounts that violate these terms, harm other users, or create legal risk for the platform, at our discretion.

The platform is provided “as is.” While every user is identity-verified, we don't guarantee any user's conduct or any item's condition, authenticity, or legality. To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim is limited to the fees you paid us in the twelve months before the claim.

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. We may update these terms; material changes will be posted here with a new effective date, and continued use after changes means acceptance. Questions: info@opengaragesale.com.