Community Guidelines

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

1. Our Community Values

Stonebox.com is a marketplace built on trust, respect, and honest transactions. These Community Guidelines help create a safe, welcoming environment for all users.

2. Be Respectful

Treat Everyone with Respect

• Communicate professionally and courteously
• Respect others' time—respond to messages promptly
• Be patient with questions from buyers or sellers
• Avoid aggressive, rude, or condescending language

Zero Tolerance for:

• Harassment: Repeated unwanted contact, threats, or intimidation
• Hate speech: Content targeting individuals based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Bullying: Deliberately hurtful or threatening behavior
• Doxxing: Sharing someone's private information without consent

3. Be Honest

Accurate Listings

• Describe items truthfully and completely
• Disclose all defects, damage, or issues
• Use real photos of the actual item
• Set fair, honest prices
• Don't use misleading titles or descriptions

Authentic Communication

• Don't impersonate others or create fake accounts
• Be transparent about your identity as a buyer or seller
• Don't manipulate reviews or ratings

4. Be Safe

Protect Yourself

• Meet in public places for in-person transactions
• Use secure payment methods
• Verify items before completing purchases
• Report suspicious behavior immediately
• Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, walk away

Protect Others

• Don't share others' personal information
• Package items securely for shipping
• Provide accurate tracking information
• Report scams or dangerous behavior

5. Prohibited Conduct

You May Not:

• Scam or defraud: Misrepresent items, fake payments, or conduct fraudulent transactions
• Spam: Post irrelevant content, duplicate listings, or unsolicited messages
• Manipulate the platform: Use bots, fake accounts, or artificial means to boost rankings
• Circumvent the platform: Take transactions off-site to avoid fees
• Price manipulation: Artificially inflate or deflate prices
• Shill bidding: Place fake bids to drive up prices
• Interfere with transactions: Contact users to sabotage or divert sales

6. Content Standards

Prohibited Content

• Violent or graphic content: Gratuitous violence, gore, or disturbing imagery
• Sexual or adult content: Pornography, adult services, or sexually explicit material
• Illegal activity: Content promoting or facilitating illegal acts
• Dangerous content: Instructions for making weapons, explosives, or harmful substances
• Misinformation: Deliberately false or misleading information that could cause harm

Acceptable Content

• Relevant, accurate product/service information
• Professional business communications
• Helpful questions and answers
• Honest reviews and feedback

7. Privacy and Personal Information

Respect Privacy

• Don't share others' contact information publicly
• Don't post personal identifying information in listings
• Use the platform's messaging system for initial contact
• Obtain consent before sharing conversations or images

8. Fair Competition

Compete Ethically

• Don't sabotage competitors' listings
• Don't leave fake negative reviews on competitors
• Don't copy competitors' unique descriptions or images
• Compete on quality, price, and service—not dirty tricks

9. Intellectual Property

• Only post content you own or have rights to use
• Respect copyrights, trademarks, and patents
• Don't sell counterfeit or unauthorized goods
• See our Intellectual Property Policy for details

10. Responsible Selling

Seller Responsibilities

• Fulfill orders as described and on time
• Provide accurate shipping and tracking
• Handle returns and refunds fairly
• Communicate clearly about delays or issues
• Maintain accurate inventory

11. Responsible Buying

Buyer Responsibilities

• Pay promptly after committing to purchase
• Communicate clearly about your needs
• Provide accurate shipping information
• Don't make false claims to obtain refunds
• Leave honest, constructive feedback

12. Reviews and Feedback

Leave Honest Reviews

• Base reviews on actual experiences
• Be fair and constructive
• Don't threaten negative reviews to extort sellers
• Don't offer incentives for positive reviews
• Don't leave fake reviews (for yourself or others)

13. Disputes and Conflicts

Resolve Disputes Respectfully

• Communicate directly with the other party first
• Be willing to compromise
• Use our dispute resolution process if needed
• Don't harass or threaten others over disputes
• Provide evidence to support your claims

14. Reporting Violations

Help Keep Our Community Safe

If you see content or behavior that violates these guidelines:

• Click the "Report" button on listings, messages, or profiles
• Provide specific details about the violation
• Include evidence (screenshots, links, etc.) if available
• For urgent safety concerns, email: safety@stonebox.com

15. Consequences of Violations

Enforcement Actions May Include:

• Warning: First-time or minor violations
• Content removal: Removing violating listings or messages
• Temporary suspension: Limited account access for a specified period
• Permanent ban: Termination of account for serious or repeated violations
• Legal action: Reporting to authorities for illegal activity

16. Appeals

If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error, you may appeal by contacting appeals@stonebox.com within 30 days. Include:

• Your account information
• The enforcement action details
• Your explanation of why it was a mistake
• Any supporting evidence

17. Your Responsibility

By using Stonebox.com, you agree to follow these Community Guidelines. You're responsible for all activity on your account and all content you post.

18. Changes to Guidelines

We may update these guidelines as our community grows and evolves. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated guidelines.

19. Contact

Questions about these guidelines? Contact us at community@stonebox.com

Together, we build a trustworthy marketplace. Thank you for being part of the Stonebox.com community!