FAQ

Submitted by littleadmin on May 10, 2012 - 10:20am

For Shoppers:

For Stores:

For Shoppers

What is Little Independent?

Little Independent is a Chicago-based online marketplace for sale items at independent retail stores. Our mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and sale merchandise.

See our About page for more information.

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Why does it matter if a store is independent?

There are many benefits – economic, environmental and otherwise – to shopping independent stores. The dollars you spend at an independent store are more likely to be re-invested in your community. This has implications for charitable organizations, job creation and a healthy economic climate, right where you live.

Shopping independent, local stores is generally a more environmentally-friendly behavior. Local ownership and decision making means that these stores can, when available, source their merchandise from closer by. Also, local stores are often found in established commercial districts so there is less need for new infrastructure and habitat loss.

Shopping independent stores may mean you get better service and a more in depth knowledge of the benefits of the products being sold. Decisions are not being made at a distant office but right there in the store by a person who has a lot invested in the continued success of the business.

Finally, independent stores are typically advocates for the “small guys.” They promote and encourage the growth of artists and vendors that make our world more interesting. Local stores make for more variety and diversity in the economy.

We at Little Independent believe in sustaining the independent retail community around us and hope you join our cause by shopping at LittleIndependent.com!

For more information about the benefits of supporting independent businesses please visit our Community page.

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What if I have a problem with a purchase I made on Little Independent?

All issues with purchases should be handled with the store directly. Before making a purchase, you can view each store’s individual return policy. In addition, feel free to give the store a call directly; the telephone number is listed on the store’s profile page. They’ll be more than happy to assist you. Because all items on Little Independent are sale items, the return policies tend to be less flexible than full-price purchases.

If you’re unable to get through to the store, please contact Little Independent directly.

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How do I purchase an item from a store I see on Little Independent?

As you browse items on Little Independent, you’ll notice that there are often multiple ways to purchase an item. This is because we work with stores to determine the sale method that works best for them. Just beside the picture of the item, you’ll find listed the ways you can purchase. If there are more than one, you choose which you’d prefer. Here are potential ways to purchase:

Through “Add to Cart”
Through the store’s website
By phone
In store

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What if I see a seller on Little Independent that I feel doesn’t belong on the site?

Stores on Little Independent should be independently owned, brick-and-mortar stores. If you feel that a store does not meet this requirement, or is inappropriate for some other reason, please let us know.

On each store’s profile page your find a Report this store to Little Independent link which will bring up a form for you to contact us. We appreciate your help!

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For Stores

What is Little Independent?

Little Independent is a Chicago-based online marketplace for sale items at independent retail stores founded in 2010. Our mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and sale merchandise.

See our About page for more information.

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Who is eligible to sell on Little Independent?

Sellers on Little Independent represent independently owned brick-and-mortar stores. If all of the following statements describe your store, we invite you to be a part!

  1. My store operates out of a brick-and-mortar storefront with a street address and a telephone number. It is not based in a home, office, warehouse or vehicle.
  2. The majority of my store’s sales are made locally in our store rather than online.
  3. My store is privately owned. It is neither a franchise nor part of a national chain.
  4. My store sells retail. We do not sell wholesale.

If you meet the criteria, please register to begin selling on Little Independent!

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What can I sell on Little Independent?

Any sale merchandise in your store that is marked down at least 10% below its original price is eligible for sale on Little Independent.

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How does it work?

Little Independent has a flexible model in place to make it easy for stores to sell on our site.

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How do I set up my store?

There are a few simple steps to take to set up your virtual storefront on Little Independent.

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How do I list an item?

Listing an item only takes a few minutes, once you’ve registered with Little Independent.

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Can I list multiple items in one listing?

If you have more than one of the same color and size, you can include them all in one listing. However, if you have multiple items that vary in size or color, you will need to create a separate listing for each item.

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How do I list variations on an item (size, color, etc.)?

If you have multiple items that vary in size or color, you will need to create a separate listing for each item. However, if you have more than one of the same color and size, you can include them all in one listing.

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How much does it cost?

Risk-free trial. Get 3 free listings at sign-up. Try us out first to see if we’re the right fit. Decide from there if you want to purchase additional listings (though we’re quite sure you’ll like us!).

Reap 100% of sales profit. Little Independent doesn’t take a percentage when you sell the item. Your only cost is the listing.

Pay up-front for listings. When you buy listings you pay for them up-front.

Listings are:

  • 1 for $3
  • 5 for $12.50 ($2.50 each)
  • 20 for $40 ($2.00 each)
  • 50 for $75 ($1.50 each)
     

Listings don’t expire.  You can purchase multiple listings and store them for use later.  Whenever you decide to post a listing, it will be on your store’s profile page for 30 days* or until the item is sold – whichever happens first.

*Because Little Independent is still quite new and we want to make sure there are plenty of items for shoppers to discover, listings posted today will stay searchable on the site indefinitely rather than for just 30 days.  When we complete our Beta phase, we will begin to remove listings 30 days after being posted.  (There will always be the option to re-post the listing if the item is still available for sale.)

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How do I get paid for my sales on Little Independent?

There are multiple ways to collect payment, designed to be flexible to your needs. These include:

Through “Add to Cart” feature on LittleIndendent.com (routed directly to you via Paypal)
Through your store’s website
By phone
In person

You select your preferred method(s) when you create a listing.

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What happens when I sell an item?

You will receive a confirmation e-mail when you sell an item. Keep in mind that shoppers who make a purchase through Little Independent are buying the item from your store. Please offer the same level of customer service you would strive to offer in person. Try to ship the item and communicate with the customer in a timely fashion. Most customers appreciate receiving tracking information via e-mail once the order is shipped.

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How do I handle returns?

Because such a diverse population of independent stores are represented on Little Independent, and only sale items are listed, Little Independent allows each store to determine its return policies. That said, we’ve provided and encourage you to use the following template:

Returns are discouraged on sale merchandise, but we understand that you may have concerns about our sale items, particularly if you’re unable to see the items in person. Please feel free to contact us with any questions before you decide to make a purchase.

If you aren’t satisfied with a purchase, we will issue you a store credit minus a $10 restocking fee. Shipping and handling will not be reimbursed.

We appreciate your cooperation in contacting our store before sending back the item so we know to expect its return.

Shoppers will be able to view your return policy when they view your listings.

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What happens if someone purchases an item through Little Independent that’s no longer available in my store?

Please remember to remove a listing from Little Independent if you sell the item in your store. You may find it helpful to keep a list of your Little Independent sale items near your cash register or to mark those items in some way so that if they are purchased in the store you remember to remove the listing. If you receive an order confirmation e-mail from Little Independent notifying you that someone purchased an item that’s no longer for sale, simply follow the instructions in the e-mail about not being able to fill the order.

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How long am I obligated to be a part of Little Independent?

We hold you to no obligation regarding time as a member. You simply buy and use listings as you please. You can opt out and remove your storefront at any time. For more detail, see Terms and Conditions.

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Can my store be removed from Little Independent?

We reserve the right to remove a store from Little Independent at anytime. The main reason we would do so is if a store did not meet our eligibility requirements. For more details, see Terms and Conditions.

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