Terms of Service

Whenever you buy or win an item — via Buy Now or by winning a standing bid — ClearByDate charges a platform fee (also called the "service fee") to the card on file. The fee covers the platform's costs and, more importantly, it shows you're a real, motivated buyer who intends to follow through on pickup. It keeps everyone honest.

The fee is non-refundable if you no-show — that is, if you stop responding, refuse to confirm a pickup time, or fail to collect the item.

The fee is refundable in the following cases:

• The seller cannot be contacted to arrange pickup within a reasonable time. "Cannot be contacted" means the seller does not respond through ClearByDate or confirm a pickup time despite our outreach.
• The seller refuses to propose any pickup time within their own clear-by deadline, or only proposes times that are clearly unworkable.
• The seller no-shows at a scheduled pickup, or the item is materially different from how it was listed.

The fee is paid up-front to ClearByDate. The remaining balance (item price minus fee) is paid directly to the seller at pickup — cash, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or any instant-payment method you both agree on. ClearByDate is not in the middle of that exchange until Stripe Connect onboarding for sellers is available.

Bids are binding offers. By submitting a bid you authorize ClearByDate to charge your card the platform fee off-session if your bid wins. You may withdraw a standing bid at any time before the auction matches.

Pickup happens in person at the seller's address, which is shared with you once you buy or win. Both parties coordinate timing on the pickup page and confirm collection there. The remaining balance is settled directly between buyer and seller at pickup.

If the seller fails to show up for a confirmed pickup or the item is materially different from how it was listed, the platform fee is refunded in full. Disputes are handled by ClearByDate support; both parties agree to cooperate in good faith.

Refunds are processed back to the card you used. We aim to resolve disputes within seven days of receiving the request.

We may update these terms; the version in effect at the time of your bid is the one that applies to that bid.