Marketplace Guide

Buy, Sell & Trade Auto Parts

Escrow Protection • Secure Checkout • Community Marketplace

Everything you need to know about buying, selling, and trading used tools and auto parts on the ThrottleVault community marketplace. Built-in escrow, dispute resolution, and multi-currency support.

01 Overview 02 Buying Guide 03 Selling Guide 04 Escrow & Payments 05 Disputes & Fees
Section 01

How the Marketplace Works

The ThrottleVault Marketplace is a community-driven platform where gearheads buy, sell, and trade used tools and auto parts. Every transaction is protected by our built-in escrow system — the seller doesn't get paid until the buyer confirms receipt, and disputes are handled by ThrottleVault directly.

🛒
Buy Parts
Browse thousands of used tools and parts from real builders and shops. Filter by category, condition, and price. Pay securely at checkout with built-in tax calculation.
BUYER
🏷️
Sell Your Gear
Create a free seller account, list items with photos and detailed descriptions, set your price and shipping options. Get paid when the buyer confirms delivery.
SELLER
🔒
Escrow Protected
Funds are held in escrow until the buyer confirms receipt or 14 days pass after shipment. Both parties are protected against fraud and non-delivery.
SECURE
Categories
2
Used Tools & Used Parts
Conditions
5
New to Parts Only
Escrow Hold
14
Day Auto-Release
Currencies
5
USD + 4 Reference
Section 02

Buying Guide

From browsing to delivery confirmation, here's exactly how purchasing works on the ThrottleVault Marketplace. Your payment is held in escrow until you confirm receipt — you're never at risk.

Browse → Buy Now → Select Shipping → State Tax → Checkout → Track Shipment → Confirm Receipt
  1. Browse Listings
    Head to /marketplace/browse and use the filters on the left sidebar. You can filter by category (Used Tools, Used Parts), condition (New, Like New, Good, Fair, Parts Only), price range, and sort order. Use the search bar to find specific parts or brands.
  2. View Listing Details
    Click any listing to see full details: all photos, seller description, condition notes, shipping options, and the seller's rating. Message the seller if you have questions before buying.
  3. Click "Buy Now"
    Ready to buy? Hit the Buy Now button. You'll select a shipping method from the options the seller has provided (each with its own price and estimated delivery time).
  4. State Tax Calculated
    Sales tax is automatically calculated based on your state. Select your state from the dropdown and the tax amount updates in real time. You'll see an itemized breakdown: item price + shipping + tax = total.
    Ohio primary nexus: 5.75%. All 50 US states supported.
  5. Secure Checkout
    Payment is processed securely via Stripe. Your funds go into escrow immediately — the seller does not receive payment until you confirm delivery or 14 days pass after they ship.
  6. Track Your Order
    Once the seller ships your item, you'll see the tracking number and carrier on your transaction page. The status stepper shows exactly where your order stands: Paid → Shipped → Delivered → Complete.
  7. Confirm Receipt
    When your item arrives and everything looks good, confirm receipt on the transaction page. This releases funds to the seller and closes the transaction. You can also leave a rating (1–5 stars) and a review.
    If you don't confirm within 14 days of shipment, funds auto-release to the seller.
💡
Currency Display

All prices are shown in USD with equivalent amounts in CAD, GBP, EUR, and AUD for reference. Exchange rates update hourly. All transactions are processed in US dollars regardless of your location.

Section 03

Selling Guide

Turn your spare parts and unused tools into cash. Creating a seller account is free, and you keep the full sale price minus any Stripe processing fees. Here's how to go from zero to sold.

Create Account → List Item → Manage Listings → Item Sells → Ship & Add Tracking → Get Paid
  1. Create Your Account
    Sign up at /marketplace/account with your email, a username, and password. Add your location so buyers know where items ship from. Your seller profile shows your username, location, member date, and rating.
  2. List Your Item
    Click "Post Listing" and fill in the details: title, description, category (Used Tools or Used Parts), condition grade, price, up to 8 photos, and shipping options. You can offer multiple shipping methods with different prices and timeframes.
    Listings expire after 7, 14, or 30 days — you choose when creating.
  3. Manage Your Listings
    Your account dashboard shows all your active, sold, and expired listings. Edit price or description, renew expired listings, or mark items as sold. Track view counts to see which listings get the most interest.
  4. Respond to Messages
    Buyers can message you about any listing. Check your inbox regularly — fast responses lead to more sales and better ratings. You'll see unread message badges in the Inbox tab.
  5. Ship When Sold
    When a buyer purchases your item, you'll see it on your Seller Dashboard under "Pending Shipments." Ship the item, then click "Mark Shipped" and enter the tracking number and carrier.
  6. Get Paid
    Funds are released from escrow when the buyer confirms receipt, or automatically 14 days after you provide tracking. Your earnings appear on the Seller Dashboard with a running total.

Tips for Sellers

📸
Good Photos
Use all 8 photo slots. Shoot in good lighting against a clean background. Show every angle, any flaws, and part numbers. The first photo is your listing thumbnail — make it count.
📝
Accurate Descriptions
List the make, model, year, and OEM part number. Describe condition honestly — mention scratches, wear, and any missing pieces. Honest sellers get repeat buyers and better ratings.
💰
Fair Pricing
Check what similar items sell for. Price competitively. Overpriced listings sit. If you're unsure, browse active listings in your category to calibrate.
📦
Fast Shipping
Ship within 2–3 business days of sale. Enter tracking immediately. Fast shipping earns better reviews and builds your reputation. Pack carefully — damage in transit is on you.
Section 04

Escrow & Payments

Every marketplace transaction uses escrow. The buyer pays at checkout, funds are held by ThrottleVault, and only released to the seller after delivery is confirmed. This protects both parties.

How Escrow Works

Buyer Pays → Funds Held → Seller Ships → Buyer Confirms → Seller Paid
Status What It Means Who Acts Next
Paid Buyer has paid. Funds in escrow. Waiting for seller to ship. Seller
Shipped Seller marked item shipped with tracking number. In transit. Buyer (wait for delivery)
Delivered Item arrived. Buyer should inspect and confirm receipt. Buyer
Complete Buyer confirmed receipt. Funds released to seller. Transaction closed. Done
⏱️
14-Day Auto-Release

If the buyer does not confirm receipt within 14 days of shipment, funds automatically release to the seller. This prevents buyers from holding funds indefinitely. If there's an issue with your order, open a dispute before the 14-day window closes.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is calculated at checkout based on the buyer's state. ThrottleVault operates from Ohio (5.75% primary nexus). The checkout shows an itemized breakdown so you see exactly what you're paying: item price + shipping + state tax = total.

Currency Display

All prices display in USD with reference equivalents in four additional currencies. Exchange rates refresh every hour from live market data. All transactions are processed in US dollars — the additional currencies are display-only for international reference.

Currency Code Type
US Dollar USD Transaction Currency
Canadian Dollar CAD Reference Only
British Pound GBP Reference Only
Euro EUR Reference Only
Australian Dollar AUD Reference Only
Section 05

Disputes & Fees

If something goes wrong with a transaction, both buyers and sellers can open a dispute. ThrottleVault reviews the evidence and makes a binding resolution.

Dispute Process

  1. File a Dispute
    Either party can open a dispute from the transaction page. Describe the issue in detail: item not as described, damaged in shipping, never arrived, wrong item, etc. Attach photo evidence if applicable.
  2. Other Party Responds
    The other party gets a window to respond with their side of the story and any counter-evidence. Both sides get a fair hearing before any resolution.
  3. ThrottleVault Resolves
    ThrottleVault reviews all evidence and issues a binding resolution. Three possible outcomes:
✅
Full Refund
Buyer gets a complete refund. Item was significantly not as described, never shipped, or is a counterfeit. Seller receives nothing from this transaction.
BUYER WINS
⚖️
Partial Refund
Buyer gets a partial refund for minor issues — cosmetic damage not shown in photos, missing accessories, etc. Seller receives the remainder.
SPLIT
❌
No Refund
Dispute dismissed. Item was as described and delivered properly. Funds release to seller. Filed frivolously or without evidence.
SELLER WINS
⚠️
$500 Threshold

For transactions over $500, ThrottleVault may require additional documentation or involve legal counsel before resolution. See our full Terms of Service for details.

Fees & Terms

Fee Amount Details
Listing Fee Free No cost to list items on the marketplace
Seller Account Free No monthly fees or account charges
Payment Processing Standard Stripe Fees Stripe's standard processing rates apply at checkout
Sales Tax Varies by State Calculated at checkout based on buyer's state

For the complete terms governing marketplace transactions, escrow, disputes, and liability, see our Marketplace Terms of Service.

Buyer Tips

Tips for Buyers

⭐
Check Seller Ratings
Look at the seller's star rating and number of reviews before buying. Established sellers with high ratings are more reliable. New sellers aren't necessarily bad — just check their listing quality.
🔍
Read Descriptions
Read the full description and check every photo. Look for part numbers, condition details, and any noted flaws. If something's unclear, message the seller before buying.
✅
Confirm Receipt Promptly
When your item arrives, inspect it and confirm receipt on the transaction page. This releases funds to the seller and lets you leave a review. Don't sit on it — the 14-day auto-release timer is running.
💬
Use the Messaging
Questions about fitment, compatibility, or condition? Message the seller directly from the listing page. Good communication prevents disputes and ensures you get exactly what you need.

Ready to Get Started?

Browse available listings or create a seller account to start listing your parts and tools.

BROWSE LISTINGS → CREATE ACCOUNT →
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