Have a question? We've broken up the most frequently asked ones into categories. Select a section below, or start browsing to learn something new!

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us!
We'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.

buyer

I ordered a product but had the wrong shipping address in PayPal. What do I do?

We recommend reaching out to the seller of the shop right away! You can find the shop’s contact information by either referencing the shop’s "Shop Policies", or the "Contact Store" button, which is on every page of the aftcra shop.
TOP »

How does aftcra work?

At aftcra we work with talented American artists to provide you with a variation of products handmade in the USA. If you are interested in a product, you can purchase it through www.aftcra.com. All purchases are made directly with the artist selling the product. If you have a question about the product you can reach out to that seller directly.

Buying a product is like any other e-commerce website. You select a product to add to your cart and it is placed into your cart. You can access your cart to continue the purchase process.

All payments for products are made securely through PayPal. You are able to purchase the product as an aftcra member by registering with us or you can checkout as a guest. PayPal also allows you to check-out as a guest without having a PayPal account.

You will receive an email alerting you that you have placed an order. The aftcra artist will also receive an email alerting them of your purchase. At this time the aftcra artist will manage the possible development of your product and shipment. They will also let you know that your product has shipped.
TOP »

How do I buy something?

All transactions are made through PayPal which accepts multiple credit card payment options. For additional information on PayPal you can visit their FAQ site here.
TOP »

Do I need an aftcra account to buy something?

No. You do have the option to check-out as a guest. Registering with aftcra allows you the ability to track your orders, receive shipping confirmation on your purchase, leave feedback for a purchase, and develop a wish list.

Guest check-out users will receive an order confirmation but orders will not be stored in the system, and users will not receive a shipping confirmation through the system.
TOP »

Do I have to live in the United States of America to buy products?

No! Our sellers are required to live in the USA, but buyers are able to live anywhere in the world.
TOP »

Do I need to have a PayPal account to buy something?

No. You are able to check out as a guest through PayPal and use a debit/credit card. When you check out you will be taken to a PayPal page. Here you can choose to pay with your PayPal account or with your debit/credit card.
TOP »

What are all of these "shops"?

aftcra is a site full of American sellers looking to sell their beautiful handmade wares. All sellers have their own "shop€" where they can leave a description about their shop. All purchases are made through our site but directly with our sellers, so if you have a question or an adjustment you can reach directly out to them.
TOP »

How do I leave feedback for a product?

In order to leave feedback for a product a buyer must have purchased their product while they were registered. Once you'€™ve purchased a product you can leave feedback for your products by going into "my account" and visit your history. Any product purchased without registration will not be viable for feedback.
TOP »

What if something goes wrong?

As we shared previously, all sales are made directly between you and an artist on aftcra. If something is wrong with your purchase (whether you do not hear from the artist, or you are not happy with the product) we recommend that you get in touch with the artist first. You can find their contact information on their store page.

If you still need help, please reach out to our team by emailing us at info@aftcra.com and we will attempt to get in touch with the artist as well and try to resolve the situation as quickly (and painlessly) as possible.

In the incredibly rare case of a non-responsive artist, you may have to cancel your order through PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/helpcenter/helphub/article/?articleID=FAQ2327). This can only happen when the transaction has yet to be claimed. If the transaction has been claimed, then you will have to file a claim with PayPal.
TOP »

How do I cancel my purchase?

Only a seller has the ability to void a transaction. If you need to cancel your purchase, please reach out to the seller directly. You can do so by going to the shop'€™s homepage and clicking "Contact this Seller"€™.
TOP »

I have a question about a product, or when my product will ship. How do I contact the aftcra artist who is selling the product?

If you have a specific question about a product, feel free to reach out to the seller directly. You can do this by accessing their email address (on the product page click on the seller'€™s name, which is hyperlinked. On this page you can click "€œContact this Seller" to send an email).

You can also send us an email at info@aftcra.com and we will connect you with the seller.
TOP »

How do I know when my order has shipped?

You will receive an email notifying you that your product has shipped along with the tracking number. All shipments are managed by the aftcra artist who is selling the product. To ask a question about the shipment you can contact the seller.
TOP »

How do I change the email address I have on file with aftcra?

Buyers can change the email they have on record from within the Dashboard -> Edit Profile.
TOP »

I spy, with my eye, aftcrap!

Found something that looks a little shady? Let us know by reporting aftcrap to: aftcrap@aftcra.com.
TOP »

I have incomplete orders on my dashboard. What does that mean?

These are products that you had placed in your cart during a previous visit but never purchased. This is to help you review products that you were previously interested in, just in case you forgot to purchase them.
TOP »

Wait - I still have a question!

Great! Send any questions that weren't answered here to: info@aftcra.com.
TOP »

seller

Can I sell my products on aftcra?

If your products are made by hand and/or have handmade intervention, you can sell your handcrafted products on aftcra. Want to make sure? Feel free to shoot a note to info@aftcra.com with a link to your products for review.

We do have strict policies regarding handmade goods. If products do not fit within our handmade guidelines, or become suspect in any manner, the aftcra team will reach out to consult with the shop owner. Failure to abide by aftcra’s guidelines may result in a shop closing. (http://aftcra.com/blog/handmade-marketplace-aftcra-news-and-updates/aftcras-handmade-guidelines/).
TOP »

What are your handmade guidelines?

You can read about aftcra's handmade guidelines here. If you have any questions about your products, or someone elses, you can reach out to us at info@aftcra.com.

Handmade varies from handmade business to business, so putting exact parameters around it is very difficult since it's very much in the eye of the beholder. As long as handmade intervention is in place, and pieces are not made by a manufacturer but by a lone artist with a very small team, we want to support those creative types. We want to be inclusionary, not exclusionary, to all levels of talent.
TOP »

How do I relist my products?

Once you log in to your account, click on "Manage Products", then "Unlisted Products". You can relist your products here by clicking on the relist button.
TOP »

Why isn't my zip code being accepted as a valid zip code?

Sometimes certain zip codes were missed in our system to validate US-only accounts. Shoot us an email at info@aftcra.com. We’ll validate your zip code and add it to the system.
TOP »

How does selling work?

If you like creating beautiful handmade products that are made in America, then aftcra is the place for you! All you need to do is register with aftcra and create your own shop (free of charge) in under two minutes.
TOP »

How do I get started?

If you like creating beautiful handmade products that are made in America, then aftcra is the place for you! All you need to do is register with aftcra. Once you register you will be taken to your account’s dashboard. Click “Become a Seller!” on your account’s dashboard, where you can create your own shop (free of charge) in under two minutes.
TOP »

Do I have to live in the United States of America to sell products?

Yes. All of our sellers are required to live within the borders of the USA.
TOP »

Why do I need a credit card?

In order for aftcra to receive their transaction fee, we require a credit card upfront. This also allows aftcra to validate your credit card.
TOP »

What is an aftcra shop?

aftcra is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell products handmade in America. All aftcra shops are run by different handmade sellers, with varying seller policies and exquisite handmade products made in America. Anyone interested in selling with aftcra can do so by opening a shop for free. This shop is always open (unless you are away on vacation or temporarily shut-down) and will feature all of your handmade products. In addition, all of your products will appear in aftcra’s categories, search tool and will be promoted in aftcra’s variety of promotional outlets.

Your aftcra shop not only gets a name you select, it gets a unique URL (i.e. aftcra.com/YOURNAMEHERE), which you can use to promote your handmade goods made in America.

All aftcra shops do require a profile and banner image, an informative description about you, your shop policies, and the story behind your products.
TOP »

How do I get paid?

By using PayPal. PayPal is a trusted global financial platform that is incredibly easy to use. To get a PayPal account, click here. For additional information on PayPal you can visit their FAQ site here.
TOP »

Can you explain the billing process?

Your credit card on file within aftcra'€™s systems will be automatically debited via PayPal after a transaction (7% of final sales).
TOP »

Do you only work with PayPal at the moment?

Yes. We currently only work with PayPal but plan to offer additional financial alignments in the future.
TOP »

How do I set up a shop?

To get started, just click on register and fill in the appropriate information. Be sure to use the email address that is associated with your PayPal account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll automatically be sent to your dashboard, where you should click on “Become a Seller!”.

At this time you’ll be prompted to fill out your credit card information. Once this is completed you can start creating your store, including your store title and store URL.

Now you can upload your store banner and profile image, include a brief but informative and welcoming description about your shop, and complete your store’s policies.

You can also upload your Google Analytics tracking ID to have your shop tagged and monitored. You will be able to access all of this information through Google Analytics.
TOP »

Can I have the same store name on aftcra as on other sites?

Yes. Absolutely. It is important for you as a small business owner to maintain your brand, so we strongly encourage that you use the same name.
TOP »

What is this charge from PayPal after I set up a store?

PayPal verifies every account with aftcra, which means that they temporarily charge your card to ensure that everything is updated. This amount will be refunded by PayPal. Please note that this is not an aftcra policy, it is a PayPal policy.
TOP »

What are the image dimensions for the Shop Profile and Banner?

Below are the Shop Profile and Banner image requirements. We have also provided suggestions as to what you would want to include for that image.

Store Banner
Size: 634 x 407 px
Details: No text needed, just an image. The redesigned store page has your store name and information already prevalent, so the image is really more of an "accent" to your shop's overall look.

Shop Profile Image
Size: 300 x 300 px
Details: Preferably an image of you, like a headshot. This helps buyers get to know the seller that they are working with.
TOP »

What items can I sell?

All products should be made by you (or someone in your businesses hands) and made in America. At aftcra, we do not permit the reselling of other people's products (handmade or manufactured), manufactured goods, or products not made in the USA. Any shops that fall within this category will be in communication with the aftcra team and will be closed.
TOP »

How do I set up my shop URL?

In order to set up your shop URL, you should log into your account to access your dashboard. Then click “Edit Store Details”. Here you will find the area for your Store URL, which is aftcra.com/[STORENAME]
TOP »

Can I sell the same products on my aftcra shop as I do on my site, or other handmade sites?

Yes, as long as you are able to manage your inventory accordingly. We do not require exclusivity to your products.
TOP »

Is there a limit to the amount of products I can sell?

No. We do recommend that you upload enough products to satisfy your buyers but not overwhelm your store. When uploading your products you will also be able to select the quantity of product you would like to sell (i.e. 1 product or 100). Every seller will have a different amount of product, but we want to help ensure that your products are being noticed by our buyers.
TOP »

How do I change my profile image?

Once you are logged in to aftcra, you can change your profile image by clicking on "Edit Profile" on the dashboard.
TOP »

How do I change my store banner image?

Once you are logged in to aftcra, you can change your store banner by clicking "Edit Store Details" on the dashboard.
TOP »

What are the fees to sell with aftcra?

It is completely free to set up your own shop and to list products. All products are listed for 6 months. Once your product sells there will be a 7% transaction fee on the back-end. How easy is that?
TOP »

How can I hide my name/personal information on my handmade shop?

If you prefer not to have your name made visible to the public on your handmade shop, you can log in to your aftcra account, access your dashboard (https://aftcra.com/dashboard), and click “Edit Store Details”. Here you can check “Hide Personal Information”
TOP »

What are your product pricing limits?

Here at aftcra we have a product price limit of $10. That means that any products under the price of $10 won'€™t be able to be published.
TOP »

How do I upload a product?

To add a product, visit 'my account€™' and '€˜create a product'€™. During this stage you will be prompted for questions regarding your product, as well as the ability to upload the product photos. You do have the ability to go back and edit your description, product information and photos.
TOP »

I offer variations of my product (i.e. size, color, etc.). Where can I include this information?

We want to make sure that your buyers are able to provide you with as much information as you need to fulfill an order. We do encourage that sellers include as much information upfront as possible to speed up the sale.

While you are uploading a product you will come across a section for "Product Options"€. Here you can upload as many requirements you need to fulfill your request.
TOP »

I offer customized products and need the buyer to get in touch with me. How do I share that?

We would encourage that you include as much information about your process and how to reach out to you in the product'€™s description. That way the buyer will not be confused as to how they should move forward with the sale.
TOP »

What information should I include on the product description page?

Product description pages should include as much information as you can possibly include for a shopper to make an educated decision as to whether or not they should purchase your product. They should also include commonly searched for words and phrases so they are easily searchable by various search engines.

Some examples of information that should be included on the product description page would be:

• Product Size/Dimensions
• Product special care/washing instructions
• Product details (i.e. color options, size options, materials used)
• Shipping Expectations (i.e. how long does it take to create the product, how soon the product will ship after purchase)
• Custom orders (if applicable) (i.e. include how the buyer can contact you and what information they need to provide you in order for you to complete the order.)

Please remember that the more information you provide, and the better description you offer, the easier for a buyer to find your product.
TOP »

How do I change my product photos?

You can rearrange, delete and upload additional photos for your products. Click on '€˜my account' and 'view my products'. Here you can view and edit all of your current and previous product images.
TOP »

I'm having problems uploading product images.

Yikes! Please be sure that you are using a recent version of your browser to ensure that everything is working correctly. If you'€™re still experiencing some issues, reach out to info@aftcra.com and we'€™ll have someone get in touch with you shortly.
TOP »

Do I have to ship my products internationally?

Absolutely not. You are able to choose whether you sell your products within the US or €across the borders. Just be sure to include a note in your store description to keep buyers abreast of your shipping preferences.
TOP »

How do I know if ha€™ve had an order?

Not only will your seller dashboard reflect all of your orders, you will receive an email immediately notifying you of your latest order. This email will contain all of the pertinent information you need to complete your order, as will the seller dashboard.
TOP »

Where is my Seller Dashboard?

You can access your Seller Dashboard by the following path: Login > My Account > Store Management > Manage My Orders. Here you will be able to get a historical view of all of your sales, what products you have shipped already, etc.
TOP »

How do I manage my orders?

By accessing your Seller Dashboard.
TOP »

Where do I enter in shipping prices?

As an aftcra seller you are completely in charge of your shipping. You dictate the price to ship as well as manage the process. This gives you the flexibility to offer free shipping for local pick-ups (if available) and permits you to adjust the pricing for a rush order.

Shipping prices are entered on the Product Detail page. You can access this by clicking on "Manage Products" and selecting the respective product to edit. Shipping is at the bottom of the page.

If you upload your products via the Etsy Import tool, you will go to "Manage Products" and click on the "Unlisted Products" tab. This is where all of your uploaded products will be. Click the respective product to edit by clicking on the "Edit" button and enter the shipping details at the bottom of the page.

Shipping timeframes and any other necessary information a buyer would need to make a purchase should be entered in your "Shop Policies" and the "Product Detail Page".
TOP »

How do I update the shipment tracking number and alert the buyer that their product has been shipped?

Access your seller dashboard and click on the '€œTracking Number'€ button. Here you can upload your tracking number. The system will auto-populate which carrier is associate with the tracking number.
TOP »

How am I able to close my store/account?

When you are logged into aftcra, go to “Edit Store Details” on the dashboard. At the bottom of the page is a link to close your store.
TOP »

Do shops offer vacation messaging?

Yes. All sellers have the ability to put their shop on vacation. This ensures that potential buyers know you are currently unable to fulfill orders. You can turn your shop onto “Vacation Mode” by accessing your dashboard, and clicking on “Edit Store Details”. Then click “Away Mode”. We hope you enjoy your much-deserved time off!
TOP »

How do I change my PayPal account that aftcra has on file?

Sellers with a store can change their PayPal account on record from within the Dashboard -> Edit Store Details
TOP »

My products are one of a kind. How do I make sure buyers can’t see my sold products?

All products are listed in each shop but products that are not available are not viewable in search or category results for buyers. To ensure that your products aren’t viewed by buyers, you can "hide" current products or "delete" products. These options are both available when you log in to your account, click "Manage Products", and access either your “Unlisted Products” tab or "Active Products" tab.
TOP »

Can I include links in my store to my social media pages or other sites?

Yes. We do encourage that you share your social media presence so your fans can follow you. If you need to link to your website to access specific information (i.e. return policies, etc.) you are able to do that, although we do encourage that you include that information in the product description for ease of use for your buyers.
TOP »

How do I use Google Analytics with my aftcra store?

After you create a free Google Analytics account, you'll need to find your Tracking ID. It is usually found on the same page as the tracking code that you'd add to your website (we'll take care of this part for you, though).

The tracking ID looks something like "UA-XXXXXXX-Y". Once you've found it, simply add it to your store's settings, and allow some time for Google to recognize it and start tracking your visits. See these links for more information:

https://support.google.com/analytics/?hl=en#topic=3544906
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/4553001
TOP »

I'm not ready to become an aftcra seller, but I'd like updates.

Well of course! If you want to shoot us an email at info@aftcra.com we can add you to our Seller Newsletter so you can receive updates on aftcra.
TOP »

What should I include in my Shop Policies?

It is important for your buyers to understand how your shop functions. The following information should be included in your shop policies to keep your buyers aware of your store’s practices. Having a thorough shop policies section will also help support you if you were to experience any issues with a potential buyer.

• Payment Detail and Order Cancellation Policy
Example:
Payments must clear within 7 business days. If the payment doesn’t clear, I will cancel the order
If you decide to cancel your order, please contact me within 48 hours of your purchase. You will receive a full refund. Any other cancellations will not be refunded.

• Return, Refund and Exchange Policy
Example:
Refunds and exchanges will ONLY be processed within 30 days of the date of purchase.
**Items must be returned in their original condition in order for a refund or exchange to be processed, less shipping.

In the unlikely case that damage occurs during shipment, please return the entire package in order to receive a full refund or process an exchange.

If damage occurs during delivery, I will be happy to try and attempt to recreate the original piece. However, many of my pieces are one of a kind and recreating may not be possible.

• Shipping Policy
• Preferred Shipping Provider (USPS, UPS, etc.) and US and/or International
• Product Turnaround (Expected time to ship)
• Rush Product Options (Does Seller accommodate rush orders)
Example:
Preferred Shipping Provider: USPS Priority Mail. We ship only within the USA.
Shipping occurs Monday – Friday.
Payment must be cleared prior to shipping. No exceptions

Product Turnaround: Products take an expected 7 days to create. Once they are created they will be shipped out. The entire process takes approximately 10-12 business days.

Rush Product Options: If you would like to receive any of my products sooner than the 10-12 day lead time period, please email me at [email address]. Rush orders cannot be guaranteed, but depending on current work load, we will see what we can accommodate.

• Custom Products 
• How to be reached for any customization features, i.e. email
Example:
If you would like a special requested item, I’m up for the challenge! Please contact me by email at [email address] with the product you are interested in recreating and the timeframe you are looking to have this completed. I will get back to you with any questions or confirmation.
Most likely I will need to create a new product listing for a custom product. I will email this to you once I get the full details from you.

• Questions or Comments
• Please email this shop at (seller's email)
Example:
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions at [email address].

• Additional Policies and FAQs
TOP »

Hey! I have a suggestion!

One thing we want to stress with aftcra is that this site is as much yours as it is ours. Don't like something? Let us know. Want a new feature? Shout it from the rooftop. Send your suggestion over info@aftcra.com.
TOP »

Just a reminder…

aftcra does reserve the right to remove any products that are not quality American handmade goods made by the aftcra seller. If you are a seller and you spot something out of sorts (or lookin' shady) shoot us an email at aftcrap@aftcra.com with the username of the shop and the link and we'll get on the case ASAP.
TOP »

How can I change or hide the location that shows up on my store profile page?

• You can edit your store location by logging in, clicking "Edit Store Details", and entering in your store zip code. The zip code should pull whatever city is associated with that zip code.
• If you would like to make your location private, you can do so logging in, clicking "Edit Store Details", and checking "Hide My Location" under the "Privacy Settings" section.
TOP »