Question 1

How do I post an item to sell?

Accepted Answer

To list an item, open your seller dashboard and choose "New listing" (or use the Sell link). Start by entering a title and a category. That creates a draft and opens the listing editor. In the editor you add everything needed to go live: at least one photo, a Type for your category, a condition grade (A, B, C, or D), a price above $0, and shipping (set a flat shipping amount, or mark the listing as free shipping or local pickup only). Add a description and any item details, then click Publish. One requirement before any listing can go live: you must have a Stripe account connected, which you set up once from your seller dashboard. Listing a lot of items at once? Use the bulk importer to upload many listings from a spreadsheet.

Question 2

When do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

You're paid when you mark the order shipped and upload a valid tracking number. Confirming shipment is what charges the buyer's card and releases the payment to you. The buyer's card is only authorized at checkout, not charged, so ship promptly: if you don't ship within 4 days, the order is canceled and the buyer is never charged. Note: after it ships, a buyer can still open a dispute (up to 14 days after shipment, or 7 days after they confirm receipt, whichever comes first), and a successful claim can recover a refund from you. Accurate listings and careful packing keep disputes rare.

Question 3

What fees come out of my payout?

Accepted Answer

Two fees normally come out of your payout: PSC's platform fee and Stripe's standard payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30. During PSC's launch promo, through July 31, 2026, the PSC platform fee is waived completely (0%), so right now Stripe's processing fee is the only deduction. After the promo, the PSC platform fee is 3.5%. Either way the fees come entirely from the seller's side. Buyers pay the listed price with nothing added on top.

Question 4

Do I need to connect a bank account before I can sell?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before you can publish a listing, you'll need to connect a Stripe account through your seller dashboard. Stripe handles all payouts securely. PSC never holds your banking details. The connection takes about 2 minutes and only needs to be done once.

Question 5

What happens if I can't ship right away?

Accepted Answer

Once an order is placed, you have 4 days to mark it shipped. If you don't ship within that window, the order is automatically canceled, the buyer's authorization is released (they're never charged), and the item is relisted. If you're cutting it close, reach out to the buyer through the order messaging system as soon as possible. Repeated failure to ship may affect your seller standing on PSC.

Question 6

Can I cancel an order after it's been placed?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations are handled case by case. If the item was damaged, lost, or misrepresented in the listing, contact PSC support and we'll work with both parties to resolve it. Sellers who cancel without cause may have their account flagged.

Question 7

What do the condition grades A-D mean?

Accepted Answer

A = Like new, minimal or no use. B = Good condition, light wear consistent with use. C = Visible wear, may have minor repairs or alterations. D = Heavy wear, functional but clearly used. You set the grade when creating your listing. Be honest, it protects you from disputes.

Question 8

Do I need to provide a shipping label?

Accepted Answer

Shipping is handled by you as the seller. PSC does not generate labels or arrange pickup. You're responsible for packaging the item safely and uploading a valid tracking number once shipped. We recommend getting insurance on high-value shipments.

Question 9

How do I get a Verified Program badge?

Accepted Answer

Verified badges are available for recognized DCI, WGI, and BOA organizations. If you're selling on behalf of a program, reach out to PSC support with your program name and proof of affiliation. Verified sellers see higher buyer trust and better listing visibility.

Question 10

Is my payment protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you purchase an item, your card is authorized through Stripe but not charged, and the payment isn't released to the seller until they confirm shipment with tracking. If the seller doesn't ship within 4 days, the order is canceled and you're never charged. After it ships, if something's wrong you can open a dispute, and a refund in your favor is recovered from the seller.

Question 11

Are there any fees added to the price I see?

Accepted Answer

No. The price listed is the price you pay. All platform and processing fees come out of the seller's payout. Buyers are never charged extra on top of the listed price.

Question 12

How do I confirm I received my order?

Accepted Answer

Once your item arrives, go to your buyer dashboard, find the order, and click "Confirm Receipt." Confirming closes the order cleanly. (The seller was already paid when they confirmed shipment: your card is charged at shipment, not at delivery.) If something's wrong, open a dispute instead: you have up to 14 days after shipment, or 7 days after you confirm receipt, whichever comes first.

Question 13

What if the item doesn't match the description?

Accepted Answer

If you receive something that was significantly misrepresented (wrong condition grade, missing pieces, or undisclosed damage), open a dispute from your buyer dashboard. You have until 14 days after the order ships, or 7 days after you confirm receipt, whichever comes first. For damage, wrong-item-sent, or not-as-described disputes, you'll need to upload at least one clear photo as evidence. This protects honest sellers from baseless claims and gives PSC something concrete to review. A refund in your favor is recovered from the seller, who was paid when they confirmed shipment.

Question 14

I noticed damage after I confirmed receipt. Can I still open a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as you're still inside the dispute window: up to 14 days after the order ships, or 7 days after you confirm receipt, whichever comes first. Open a dispute from your buyer dashboard, pick the "Item damaged" reason, and upload photo evidence of the damage. The seller was already paid when they confirmed shipment, but PSC can still issue a refund through Stripe and recover it from the seller. Once the window closes, refunds aren't guaranteed. Inspect your gear as soon as it arrives.

Question 15

Do I need to upload photos when opening a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Only for the three "tangible defect" reasons: item damaged in shipping, wrong item sent, and item not as described. For "item not received" disputes (no delivery despite shipped status), no photo is required. PSC will work with tracking records. Photos must be JPG, PNG, or WebP, up to 8 photos, 10MB each. They're only visible to you, the seller, and PSC admins.

Question 16

Can I make an offer below the asking price?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the seller has offers enabled on their listing. Look for the "Make an Offer" button on the listing detail page. Sellers can accept, counter, or decline. Offers expire after 48 hours if no action is taken.

Question 17

Can my school district pay by purchase order (PO)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PSC supports purchase orders for school districts. Contact us through the support page with your district's PO and we'll process the order manually. This is especially common for larger band program purchases.

Question 18

How do I report a suspicious listing or seller?

Accepted Answer

Use the "Report" link on any listing or seller profile page. Our team reviews all reports. Do not send payment outside of PSC. Any seller asking you to pay via Venmo, Zelle, or cash should be reported immediately.

Question 19

Is PSC affiliated with DCI, WGI, or BOA?

Accepted Answer

No. PSC is an independent marketplace built specifically for the marching arts community. We're not officially affiliated with any sanctioning body, though we work to support and serve members across all circuits.

Question 20

Is my personal and payment information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PSC never stores credit card or banking details. All payment data is handled by Stripe, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified (the highest level of payment security). Your personal information is never sold or shared with third parties.

Question 21

What are Verified Program badges?

Accepted Answer

Verified badges identify confirmed DCI, WGI, and BOA organizations selling on PSC. They signal that the seller is a recognized program, not an individual reseller. Verified programs tend to move larger inventory (full battery setups, guard packages, brass sections) and their listings are prioritized in search.

Question 22

Is there a mobile app?

Accepted Answer

A Performance Supply Co mobile app is coming soon. In the meantime, the full marketplace works right in your phone's browser at performancesupplyco.shop. You can browse, buy, sell, send and accept offers, message, and manage your orders from any mobile device today. We'll announce the app here and by email the moment it's ready.

Question 23

What if I want to sell something but don't see a category for it?

Accepted Answer

We're always expanding what PSC covers. If your gear doesn't fit one of the current categories, let us know through the Contact page (linked in the site footer). Tell us what you're trying to sell and we'll help you get it listed and look at adding the category. PSC is built for the marching arts, so if a drumline, color guard, or band uses it, there's almost certainly a home for it here.

Question 24

How does local pickup work?

Accepted Answer

Some listings offer local pickup. To buy one, choose "Arrange local pickup" on the listing and propose a day that works for you. The seller confirms it, and the item is held for you off the marketplace. About a day before the pickup we email you a secure checkout link. You authorize your card then, but you are not charged yet. You meet the seller, inspect the item in person, and enter the 6-digit code they give you at handoff. Entering the code is what charges your card and pays the seller, so you never pay for something you haven't seen. If the pickup doesn't happen, the authorization is released and you are never charged. You can buy at the listed price by arranging a pickup, or make an offer and choose local pickup with it (you propose a day with your offer). If the seller accepts, the same checkout-link-then-handoff-code flow applies at your agreed price.

Question 25

Can I return something I bought if I change my mind or it doesn't fit?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the seller. Returns on PSC are opt-in per seller: you can return an item only if that seller offers returns (they set a return window, a number of days after delivery to request one) and only if the listing isn't marked final sale. When returns are offered, request one from your order page before the seller's deadline; the window is counted from when the order is delivered, and returns apply to card orders only (not bundles or local-pickup orders). These no-fault returns (you changed your mind, wrong size, no longer needed) are separate from disputes, which cover items that arrive damaged, wrong, or not as described. On an approved return you normally pay return shipping, and the seller may keep a restocking fee of up to 20% of the item price; once the seller confirms the item is back, PSC refunds you (item price, original shipping, and tax on the returned portion) minus any restocking fee. Not sure whether an item is returnable? Check its listing page before you buy.

Question 26

Do I have to accept returns, and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

No. Returns are off by default and entirely your call. You turn them on by setting a return window (the number of days after delivery a buyer has to request a return) in your seller settings, and you can mark any individual listing final sale to exclude it. When a buyer requests a no-fault return (changed mind, wrong size, and the like), you have 72 hours to approve or decline it from the order. On an approved return the buyer normally pays return shipping, and you can withhold a restocking fee of up to 20% of the item price; once you confirm the returned item is back, PSC refunds the buyer. Keep in mind Stripe's processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) is never returned on a refund, so the restocking fee and buyer-paid return shipping are there to help offset it. No-fault returns are separate from disputes, which cover items that arrive damaged or not as described.

Question 27

Can I pay with Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal?

Accepted Answer

No. All payments on PSC are made by credit or debit card, processed securely through Stripe. We do not accept Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, cash, or any other off-platform method. (The one exception is school districts, which can arrange payment by purchase order; see the PO question.) Paying through PSC is also what protects you: your card is authorized at checkout and only charged when the seller ships (or, for local pickup, when you enter the handoff code in person), and that flow is what lets PSC step in with a refund if something goes wrong. If a seller ever asks you to pay by Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, cash, or anywhere outside PSC, treat it as a major red flag. Don't do it, and report them with the Report link on the listing or seller profile.

Question 28

We're tax-exempt (a school, booster club, or nonprofit). How do we buy without paying sales tax?

Accepted Answer

Upload your organization's exemption document once under Account, then Tax-exempt status. We review it, and once approved your qualifying purchases check out without sales tax wherever PSC collects it (currently Minnesota orders; more states as we grow). What to upload depends on your state and organization type. Public schools and districts use their state's exemption certificate, and many states (including Minnesota) also accept a school purchase order showing you're a government entity. Nonprofits usually need state-issued exempt status first, not just an IRS 501(c)(3) letter: Minnesota requires applying with Form ST16 before Form ST3 works, and New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas have similar apply-first rules (California and Washington offer nonprofits no general purchase exemption). Booster clubs are separate organizations from their schools, so a school's certificate doesn't cover its booster club; the club needs its own 501(c)(3) and its own state exemption. In the 24 Streamlined Sales Tax states, the single SST Certificate of Exemption works in all of them, and New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Delaware, and most of Alaska have no sales tax at all. Two rules to remember: pay with your organization's funds (personally reimbursed purchases are taxable in most states), and keep your certificate current if your state's version expires. This is general information, not tax or legal advice; confirm your status with your state revenue department or tax advisor.

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