0
0
All categories

Frequently Asked Questions

To get started - WE Have A Question for YOU!: 

Do YOU want to be a part of an awesome marketplace that supports our Local Entrepreneurs across the Upper Peninsula and also makes Shopping Local across the U.P. Easy? 

Answer:  OF COURSE YOU DO!   

  • We're located in the U.P 
  • We're VERY affordable
    • Free to Join No Credit Cards needed 
    • 30 Day Free Trial Period for the monthly plan rate
    • A Low marketplace fee - as low as only 3% per sale (see our plans for details)
    • We work with our Vendors with any help that they need 
  • AND we're a privately held company - which means our top priority is our vendors and not increasing the bottom line for shareholders.

Question: What exactly is your marketplace?

Answer: 

Crafty Yoopers Marketplace functions similar to Amazon® or ETSY® where shoppers can make purchases from multiple sellers at the same time while only having to make one payment.  Our marketplace focuses on businesses, crafters, farmers, etc., on a local scale throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Amazon® and ETSY® are registered trademarks of their respective owners.


Question: What's the difference between your marketplace and Craigslist or FB Marketplace?

Answer: 

Ahh, this is a great question!  We're COMPLETELY different from FB Marketplace, or Craigslist, etc...

First, our business isn't merely a "business / product listing service".  We're a fully functional online store - an e-commerce marketplace similar to Amazon® or ETSY® just on a local, smaller scale.  Think of us like a giant mall for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a lot of space available for many types of sellers.  Instead of having a physical "brick and mortar" building, we built ours on the internet.

To make a comparison: 

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be compared to grabbing the local newspaper and opening it up to the classifieds section to see what's for sale.  There's no ability for customers to purchase your products directly through the newspaper, they have to contact each seller and coordinate how to pay each person and how get what they want to purchase, it's not always easy to find any particular item they're looking for, etc.  Plus, the newspaper agency doesn't actively promote your products or your business either unless you pay for additional advertising.

This is where our strength is.  Our marketplace allows customers to conveniently shop from multiple vendors across the Upper Peninsula all in one place.  Crafty Yoopers Marketplace gives customers a way to easily search for products from multiple vendors, add them to their shopping cart and securely make a single payment (or pay through multiple installments using Klarna) in a way that's convenient for them - all from the comfort of wherever they may be at. 

Customers can create "wish lists" to purchase products at a later date, share the products they like to Facebook (which provides additional free advertising for vendors by creating a direct product link that others can follow to purchase), ask vendors a question regarding a particular product through our internal messaging system, or even use an order form for a  custom product request that gets sent to the vendor.

Our business mission is geared in helping to promote local businesses, crafters, farmers, etc across the Upper Peninsula to boost their sales.  Our success is determined by the success of our vendors - and we wish for each of our vendors to be successful in their venture.


Question: What payment options are available to customers?

Answer: 

The following payment options are available to your customers on the marketplace.  These payment options include:

Major Credit Cards

  • American Express
  • China UnionPay (CUP)
  • Discover & Diners Club
  • Japan Credit Bureau (JCB)
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Cash and/or Check 

  • This may also be available from participating vendors if making purchases in-person.


Question: Who handles product shipping and returns?

Answer:

Vendors will handle all of the product shipping details.  They will have the ability to determine if they want to allow customers to use in-person pickup, create their own shipping options and rates, or both (except for cottage food vendors - they'll be restricted to in-person pickup only due to Michigan laws).

Vendors also handle product returns and policies.  We believe that every seller should be able to set their own return policies in accordance with their business needs, and that the marketplace SHOULD NOT make those decisions for them.  We provide the tools and the vendors make the decisions.


Question: Can only businesses sell on the marketplace?

Answer: 

Nope!  Crafty Yoopers Marketplace is here to serve the individual hobby crafter who creates "every once in a while" all the way up to larger retail businesses that have high volume sales and everyone in-between.  We're looking for local crafters, farmers & farm stands, artists, local book authors, jam and jelly producers, bakers, and candlestick makers too!

Non-profit organizations are also encouraged to apply or contact us with questions as well, including educational institutions who would like to sell spirit wear gear to raise additional funds. We have a special pricing plan for non-profits that's low cost and geared towards maximizing their fundraising efforts.  Contact us for more details.