FAQs Virtual Car Boot Sale - May 2021

General 

Q. Are there any refunds?

We operate a no returns and no refunds policy. All items are sold as seen on screen and no negotiation will be entered into. The purpose of this event is to raise vital funds to support women survivors of war, and we are not able to bear the cost of refunds or returns. We are so grateful for your donation to Women for Women International.

Q. Are there any exchanges?

No. We operate a no exchanges, returns or refunds policy. All items are sold as seen on screen and no negotiation will be entered into. All the sellers for the event have given their time for free to curate a selection of items from their wardrobes or collections in order to raise vital funds for women survivors of war, so there is no option for exchanging items. 

Q. How does the Friday presale work?

For two hours, starting at midday and ending at 2pm (BST), on Friday 14th May the Virtual Car Boot Sale auction will be open so you can have an exclusive peek at all the items in the sale. Place some early bids and if you’re the winning bidder when the shopping window ends at 2pm your bid will automatically be carried over to Saturday. You can choose to place a maximum bid and the auction site will bid in increments on your behalf – enough to keep you in the lead, but only up to your limit. The lot will reopen at its allotted time on Saturday (please see the programme for full timings) and you will be notified by email if you have been outbid or are the winning bidder when the auction lot closes.

Q. How do I take part in the Friday presale?

Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list by 6pm BST this Thursday 13th May to have the opportunity to browse and place some early bids. We will share a link to the presale in our newsletter on Friday lunchtime – so keep an eye on your inbox!

Q. How long will the event last for? 

The Women for Women International Virtual Car Boot Sale will be open for an exclusive presale on Friday 14th May 2001 from 12pm to 2.00pm (BST). It will be open to the public from  11am (BST) on Saturday 15th May and will end at 6.30pm (BST) on Saturday 15th May 2021. Each seller’s items will be live on Givergy for one hour following their announcement (check the schedule on the @womenforwomenUK Instagram page for timings), after which time the sale will end and the winning bidder will be notified. Unsold items will then go to a Buy It Now Price and be on sale until the item is bought, or until the sale ends.

Q. Are the items good quality?

All pre-loved items sold will be clean and of a good quality, however, please bear in mind that pre-loved items will not be in mint condition.

Q. How does the bidding work?

Bidding will take place on Givergy (www.givergy.uk/virtualcarbootsale)

Each seller’s pieces will be open to bid on for 1 hour throughout the day. The highest bidder for each item will be automatically billed when the item’s auction slot closes on Givergy. Givergy is a silent auction fundraising platform that Women for Women International are using to facilitate the sale of items and manage payments for the Virtual Car Boot Sale.

Q. Where can I find the schedule of sellers

You can find the schedule for the day on @womenforwomenuk Instagram page or at www.womenforwomen.org.uk. Each seller’s items will be open for bidding for 1 hour. 

Shipping

Q. Do you ship overseas?

We ship within the UK. If you wish to participate from overseas, you are subject to substantial shipping costs. Please see below for further information. 

Q. Do I have to pay shipping? 

We ship within the UK and shipping costs of £10 per item will be added after point of sale. If you are buying from overseas shipping costs will be higher and you will be liable for significant additional customs and duties. Buyers overseas in non-EU countries will be charged £35 shipping. Buyers in EU countries will be charged £90 shipping (plus additional customs duties). Brexit has changed the process of shipping from the UK to the EU. Goods leaving the UK for the EU will be charged Import Duty & Import VAT at EU-set rates and these rates vary by country and item. The recipient will be liable for these costs and goods are subject to additional customs duties that need to be paid upon receipt of the item. Therefore if you wish to participate in the sale from the EU you will be charged £95 shipping costs, and will also be liable for any further customs duties that will be paid direct to the shipping partner based on EU-set rates. We do not have enough clarity on VAT and import duties to include these charges at point of sale.

Q. Will my item be insured during transit?

All items bought for over £100 will be insured. Items bought for £100 and under will not be insured. 

Q. When will I receive my item?

Please allow up to 35 days for the delivery of your item from the date of purchase. 

Q. What if my item looks different when I receive it?

We have made every effort to display the colours, size and quality of the products as accurately as possible. We cannot guarantee that your computer monitor/phone’s display of colours will be exact. 

Q. The item looks different on the seller’s Instagram channel to the website

We have made every effort to display the colours, size and quality of the products as accurately as possible. We cannot guarantee that your computer monitor/phone’s display of colours will be exact. 

COVID-19 Precautions

Q. Is it safe for people to shop via the Women for Women International Virtual Car Boot Sale?

Yes, it is safe to shop via the Virtual Car Boot Sale. The World Health Organisation advises that the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low. The risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also very low. The WHO is regularly updating with new information on advice as new developments arise. To stay informed on COVID-19 and to read their full FAQ, please visit the World Health Organization. 

Q. What steps have your chosen courier company, DHL, taken in response to COVID-19?

Women for Women International will ship safely and in line with UK government recommendations related to the current COVID-19 crisis. These are subject to change as governments update their country guidelines and may vary across territories. Against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 outbreak, DHL are continuously adapting their business to mitigate potential impacts. Please find a link to their full statement and policies here at a group level and here for the UK specifically.