Frequently Asked Questions

Not finding the answers you are needing? Contact our support team.

Buying FAQs

Who can buy on The Gear Project?

Anyone with a shipping address in the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii!

Is the gear inspected before it’s listed?

Sellers are responsible for accurately describing the condition of their gear. We require detailed photos, wear and tear descriptions and photos, and honest condition ratings to help buyers shop confidently. We prohibit counterfeit products and poor condition gear. If a product arrives materially different from what was described, you have 72 hours after delivery to file a dispute. Contact our team →

How often is new gear added to the site?

New listings are added to our website 3 times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9 am PT (12 pm ET). We usually have anywhere from 75-300 new items with each drop. Typically the best deals sell quickly at those times (specifically on tents, sleeping bags, jackets, and well priced gear). If we don't have what you are looking for right now, check back during a drop to see the newest items and best deals!

I purchased an item but haven't received an order confirmation email, why is that?

Your email likely has not been verified yet, and we are not able to send you email updates until your email address is verified. You will not receive the usual order and shipping notifications in your email inbox until you take this mandatory step.

You can still see everything you need for your purchase by going to your inbox using the icon in the upper right corner of the website and click "As a Buyer." Here you will find all the details for your transaction, including your tracking number once the item ships.

If you have questions about your order, you can message the seller directly from that transaction, or reach our team anytime at team@thegearproject.com. Once you confirm your email address, these updates will start coming through normally.

What happens if I haven't confirmed my email address and I buy an item?

Your purchase still goes through. The only difference is that we are not able to send you email updates until your email address is verified, so you will not receive the usual order and shipping notifications in your email inbox.

You can still see everything you need by going to your inbox using the icon in the upper right corner of the website and click "As a Buyer." There you will find all the details for your transaction, including your tracking number once the item ships.

Can I make offers on gear?

You can always message a seller about their listing to ask questions, and you are also welcome to ask if they would change the price. You can contact sellers by clicking the "contact" button next to their name. If a buyer chooses to change a price, this new price will be available to all users immediately. We recommend that you agree upon a time with your seller, so you can be ready to purchase when they change the price for you!

What does it mean if a listing is on “vacation mode?”

This means the seller is out of town and would be unable to ship the item in a timely manner, so the item isn’t currently available to purchase. You can still browse these listings and message the seller about their expected availability, and request they notify you when they are back from vacation.

What condition categories do you use?

Buyers must rate their items condition as: Like New (no visible wear)

Excellent (lightly used/minimal wear)

Very Good (Light wear, fully functional)

Good (Visible wear but fully functional)

We do not accept items in poor condition.

Why can I only buy one item at a time?

Because every item ships from a different real person, not a warehouse. Each purchase has its own seller, its own box, and its own shipping cost, so we walk you through one at a time to make sure everything goes right. Pro tip: use your Wishlist as your pre-cart. Save everything you're eyeing, then check out item by item. A multi-item checkout is on our roadmap that we hope to launch in phase 2!

How can I buy or sell several items together in one shipment?

While this isn't a feature of our platform (yet!!), here is one way you may be able to bundle multiple items from a single seller with a single shipping price. Here's how it works, based on your role:

If you're the buyer:

Message the seller with the items you'd like to buy together.
Once the seller confirms it can be done, email team@thegearproject.com to let us know to watch for the updated listing, which we'll need to approve.
Wait for our approval email. Once the seller builds the bundle and our team approves it, we'll email you to let you know it's ready.
Purchase the bundle. Check out just like any other listing, and everything ships together in one box.

If you're the seller:

Confirm the order. Check that every item the buyer wants is still available.
Close the individual listings first. Before you build anything, close the listings for every item going into the bundle so none of them can sell separately while the bundle is pending. Do this step first, every time.
Size the box. Figure out what size box everything will fit into so you can price shipping accurately.
Build the bundle as one listing. Set one price for the entire bundle that covers the items. For each item, show one clear photo, the size label, and a short description of brand, item, size, and condition. Keep the photos and size labels on the listing for future reference, since this is how the buyer verifies what they're getting and how we all have a record if a question comes up later.
Submit and email us. Once the bundle listing is ready, email team@thegearproject.com so we can approve it.
Wait for approval. We review the listing, approve it, and email both you and the buyer to confirm it's ready for purchase.
Ship it together. After the buyer checks out, pack everything into one box and ship with a single label.

Why doesn't my address work in your system?

A few different things can cause this, and we want to be upfront about where we stand with each one. Some home addresses are not syncing correctly with our shipping system yet. This is a known issue on our end, not anything you did wrong, and our team is actively working to resolve it. If a valid home address is being rejected, that is most likely what is happening.

PO Boxes do not work in our system right now. We know this is a gap and it is on our list to fix. For now, please use a physical street address at checkout. We are not able to ship to overseas military addresses (APO, FPO, and DPO). Those require customs handling that we do not have set up. We also do not ship to US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands, or to any destination outside the United States, including Canada and Europe. The Gear Project currently ships within the US only.

If your address is being rejected and none of these situations apply to you, reach out to us at team@thegearproject.com and we will help you sort it out.

How fast will my item ship?

We ask sellers to ship within 3 business days! If an item hasn't shipped within 14 days, the order is automatically canceled and you receive a full refund, no action needed.

What if the item arrives damaged or not as described?

Buyers have 72 hours after delivery to raise a dispute. Funds are held securely until 72 hours after your gear is delivered. You can raise a dispute by contacting us at team@thegearproject.com. Contact our team →

Can I return used gear?

Because we are a marketplace, we don’t offer returns, but you're absolutely protected if something's wrong. You are responsible for carefully inspecting photos, descriptions, and sizing before purchasing your items. We do not accept returns for poor fit, a change of mind, or buyers remorse. We do, however, offer Buyer Protection on every purchase. If the item you purchased is materially different from what was listed. (undisclosed damage, wrong size, missing parts), you have 72 hours from time of delivery to raise a dispute by contacting us at team@thegearproject.com. We review the evidence and make a determination within 5 business days. Your payment is held in escrow until after delivery, so sellers aren't paid until you've had a chance to inspect. This is also why we require sellers to list exact sizes and detailed photos up front, so most problems never happen in the first place. Dispute policy →

Someone asked if I will buy their item off-platform, what should I do?

DO NOT take the conversation off platform, as we then have no way to protect you or your money. We protect from fraud by holding money in an "escrow" style account to ensure your seller isn't paid until you receive the item and check it to ensure it is what was described. We also insure shipments, provide customer service when something isn't right, and more to ensure you are protected. Once you leave the platform, we have no way to help you, and your purchases are no longer protected. Users attempting to buy/sell off platform will result in account bans, if someone is asking you to buy off-platform, please let us know by contacting us at team@thegearproject.com. Contact our team →

Selling FAQs

How do I sell my gear?

Create a free account, click “publish a listing,” add all of the relevant information and photos, and publish! On your first listing, you will be asked to verify your payment details with Stripe.

What can I sell?

We offer categories for most outdoor gear and clothing, with specific length and weight requirements for shipping. Full category list→

What can’t I sell?

Prohibited items include: counterfeit products, recalled gear, safety equipment, hazardous materials, illegal items, and any items with a permanent battery, and any item in fair or worse condition. We also don’t ship items longer than 30” or heavier than 25 lbs (including the box and packing materials). Prohibited Items →

Why can't I sell helmets, avalanche gear, ropes, or complete bikes and kayaks?

Two reasons: safety and shipping. Safety equipment like helmets, avalanche beacons, and climbing ropes can have invisible damage that makes them unsafe secondhand. We won't put anyone's life at risk to make a sale. Complete bikes, kayaks, and SUP boards are excluded because shipping them is unreliable and often costs more than the gear is worth. Check our full listing guidelines before posting. What you can and can't sell →

I sent in my listing, how long will I need to wait for it to be approved?

New listings are approved manually by us to ensure they meet our standards. If your listing looks good, it will be uploaded during the next drop! We currently release new listings to the website 3 times per week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9 am PT (12 pm ET). If you want to be a part of our next drop, we ask that your listing is sent in by 5 pm the day prior!

What if I am traveling? Can I still list my items?

We built this site specifically with this in mind! We know the outdoorsy community is always on the move. If you have a trip longer than 48 hours planned, you can toggle your profile into “Vacation Mode.” Your listings will still be available to browse, but buyers won’t be able to check out on them until you are home and untoggle. We recommend toggling this on at least one day before your trip to ensure there aren’t any last minute needs to ship! If someone buys your item before you toggle Vacation Mode “on,” you are expected to ship the item before your trip!

Do I need to clean gear before listing?

Yes! Clean, well-presented gear sells faster and builds buyer trust. Sell your gear how you would like to purchase it.

Someone asked for me to lower my price. How would I do this?

Buyers can always message you and ask if you are willing to lower your price. If you agree upon a new price with a buyer, you can change the listing price (in "edit listing") and let them know, and they can purchase at your new price.

Reminder: This new price will be available to all users immediately. We recommend that you agree upon a time to make the change with your buyer, so they can be ready to purchase when you change the price.

How do I pick the right box size?

When you create your listing, you'll choose from a set of standard box sizes. Measure your item at its widest point, check the weight, and pick the option that fits. If it's sized between two options, size up. If you still have the original box, even better, as long as it matches the dimensions you selected. How to Ship & Box Size Guide →

How do I get paid?

Payouts are sent securely to your selected bank account through our payment processor, Stripe, 72 hours after delivery. Payment processing takes on average 5-7 business days depending on your bank.

Are there seller fees?

Yes. Listing is free. We charge a marketplace fee of 30% of the listed price (not including tax and shipping) once it has sold to help support secure payments, shipping insurance, platform and app operations and updates, and buyer/seller support.

Why does The Gear Project charge a 30% commission when other marketplaces charge less?

The Gear Project is a small business run by a founding family, not a giant marketplace. The larger platforms have millions of transactions behind them, which earns them deep volume discounts on payment processing, shipping, and infrastructure that a company our size simply cannot get yet. That difference is a big part of the gap you are seeing in the numbers.

Our 30% is a single fee that covers everything, and right now it reflects the real cost of running each sale at our size. It covers Stripe payment processing, shipping insurance up to $800 on every order, our (coming soon) iOS and Android apps, buyer protection, and a customer service team that handles buyer questions and disputes on your behalf. It also funds the marketing that brings qualified outdoor buyers to your listings. There are no separate listing fees, no extra charges, and nothing else taken out of your sale. Our founders are not drawing a salary from it either. Today that fee goes straight into running the platform and building the community.

As more people buy and sell here, our costs per sale come down, because that is how this works at scale. Every transaction you complete helps us get there. You are not just buying or selling a piece of gear, you are helping build a marketplace made specifically for quality outdoor equipment, backed by a team that stands behind every order.

That is what your 30% builds, and it is why growing this together matters.

Why do I have to verify my identity with Stripe before I can list?

For your safety and everyone else's. Verification is how we keep fraud out of this community. It means every seller here is a real, accountable person. Two things worth knowing: your information goes directly to Stripe, one of the most trusted payment companies in the world, not to us. We never see or store your identity documents. And it's how you get paid! Verification connects your bank account so your money arrives smoothly after your first sale. It takes a few minutes, once, and it's a big part of why buyers can shop here with confidence.

You only have to verify once, during your first listing, and all future listings will be much quicker! It’s easiest to verify on the web and then complete future listings on the app!

Can I edit my listing after posting?

Yes! You can update pricing, photos, and descriptions anytime before the item sells.

How can I prevent a dispute from a buyer?

Honest listings that accurately describe your item are the best way to ensure your buyer is satisfied with their purchase. Ensure you take photos that show any wear, discoloring, or repairs, and we recommend even taking a photo of your package just before you ship it off. This is the best way for us to ensure you are protected if a dispute is raised!

Why doesn't my address work in your system?

If your address is being rejected and none of these situations apply to you, reach out to us at team@thegearproject.com and we will help you sort it out.

How can I remove a listing so that no one can buy the item (other than vacation mode)?

You can close an individual listing anytime. Go to your profile and click "My Listings." Find the listing you want to remove. In the upper right corner of that listing you will see three dots. Click the three dots and select Close Listing.

Once a listing is closed, no one can see it or buy it. It stays closed until you choose to reopen it manually, so there is no time limit and nothing expires on its own. When you are ready to make the item available again, follow the same steps and reopen it.

Vacation mode prevents all of your listings from being purchased. Closing a single listing lets you take just one item off the market while keeping the rest of your shop open.

Why are sold items still showing up on my profile?

This is a known issue, and we are actively working on a fix so that sold items drop off your profile automatically once a sale is complete. (Currently, no one can purchase already sold items, but they may appear on your personal profile, not the general browsing page).

In the meantime, there is a simple workaround. After you complete a sale, go to your listings page, find the item that sold, and click the three dots in the upper right corner of that listing. Select Close Listing. Once it is closed, it will no longer appear on your profile, and no one can view it.

Doing this after each sale keeps your listings page clean and current until the automatic fix is in place. Thanks for bearing with us while we sort it out.

A buyer asked for me to "bundle" multiple of my listings into one. How would this work?

While this isn't a feature of our platform (yet!!), here is one way you may be able to bundle multiple items to help your buyer pay less on shipping. Here's how it works, based on your role:

If you're the buyer:

Message the seller with the items you'd like to buy together.
Once the seller confirms it can be done, email team@thegearproject.com to let us know to watch for the updated listing, which we'll need to approve.
Wait for our approval email. Once the seller builds the bundle and our team approves it, we'll email you to let you know it's ready.
Purchase the bundle. Check out just like any other listing, and everything ships together in one box.

If you're the seller:

Confirm the order. Check that every item the buyer wants is still available.
Close the individual listings first. Before you build anything, close the listings for every item going into the bundle so none of them can sell separately while the bundle is pending. Do this step first, every time.
Size the box. Figure out what size box everything will fit into so you can price shipping accurately.
Build the bundle as one listing. Set one price for the entire bundle that covers the items. For each item, show one clear photo, the size label, and a short description of brand, item, size, and condition. Keep the photos and size labels on the listing for future reference, since this is how the buyer verifies what they're getting and how we all have a record if a question comes up later.
Submit and email us. Once the bundle listing is ready, email team@thegearproject.com so we can approve it.
Wait for approval. We review the listing, approve it, and email both you and the buyer to confirm it's ready for purchase.
Ship it together. After the buyer checks out, pack everything into one box and ship with a single label.

Someone asked if I will ship them their item off-platform, what should I do?

DO NOT take the conversation off platform, as we then have no way to protect you or your gear. Sellers on The Gear Project are protected: we hold money in an escrow account, meaning we require a buyer to pay the full amount before you ship, we insure shipments through our platform, and we provide customer service to ensure buyers and sellers are protected. Once you leave the platform, we have no way to help you, and your gear is no longer protected. Users attempting to buy/sell off platform will result in account bans, if someone is asking you to buy off-platform, please let us know by contacting us at team@thegearproject.com. Contact our team →

Shipping FAQs

How does shipping work?

Buyers pay shipping at checkout, calculated in real time from the seller's location, your location, and the box size the seller chose. Sellers receive a prepaid label to print, then drop the package at USPS. One important detail: bring the package only to USPS locations. We only work with USPS currently (your local post office). A USPS label dropped at UPS can mean a lost package.

Who pays for shipping?

Shipping costs are paid by the buyer at checkout.

Why is shipping more expensive than I expected?

Because of increased gas prices, shipping costs drastically increased in July 2026. Unfortunately, this is something we don’t have control over, and as a small business, we are feeling the impacts greatly. We currently ship only with USPS, but are actively working to get approved for lower shipping rates with UPS and/or FedEx. Shipping costs are based on the box size and location of the buyer and seller, so shipping a large package (large backpack, cooler, etc.) across the country (from California to New York) is going to be much more costly than shipping a fleece jacket from California to Arizona.

To help with shipping costs for the time being, we have asked all sellers to add their state to their listing to help you find items that are closer to you (and you can filter listings by states near you!). Some large items may not make sense to ship across the country, but will make sense to ship within the state. We know this can be frustrating, and are actively working to make this cost significantly cheaper!

How quickly do sellers need to ship?

We encourage sellers to ship within 72 hours after purchase.

Can I use my own shipping carrier?

At this time, no. Using our shipping service allows buyers and sellers to both always have access to real-time updates on shipping. Plus, our rates are cheaper than what you would find if you walked into USPS!

How are shipping prices calculated?

Shipping prices are based on the size and weight of the package, the seller's location, and the buyer's location (ex: it costs more to ship an item from California to New York versus California o Arizona). Buyers can view where an item is located on each listing to better understand shipping costs. Once a buyer inputs their address into the checkout page, shipping options will become available. We offer shipping via USPS, and give the buyer's the ability to choose a tier based on which option is least expensive or fastest.

What if my item doesn't fit the box I selected?

Tell us immediately, before you ship. Shipping costs can vary by hundreds of dollars between box sizes, and once a package is in transit, it's too late to fix. Contact team@thegearproject.com the moment you realize the fit is wrong and we'll work out next steps. Per our Terms of Service, sellers are responsible for shipping cost overages when an item ships in a larger box than listed, so a quick heads-up protects your wallet too.

How do I track my order?

Tracking information will be provided in your inbox once the item ships.

What if a package is lost?

Please contact support if your shipment is delayed or lost in transit. We insure shipments up to $800 and will work with you!

Do you offer shipping labels?

Yes! Sellers will get access to a pre-paid shipping label once an item is purchased. Sellers just need to print the label and bring it to their local USPS post office.

Can I ship internationally?

At this time our small company is only active in the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.. We hope one day we can offer international shipping!

Why was I charged for an overweight or oversized package?

As a seller, if you are seeing a charge for an overweight package, this is because the box that you shipped was larger and/or heavier than the box category you selected when you created your listing. The buyer is charged for shipping based on this category you selected, meaning you are responsible for any additional shipping charges that weren’t accounted for. To keep shipping charges at the lowest rate available, we require sellers to carefully select a box size ahead of time, and recommend you double check before you ship. How to Ship & Box Size Guide →

Why doesn't my address work in your system?

If your address is being rejected and none of these situations apply to you, reach out to us at team@thegearproject.com and we will help you sort it out.

Account FAQs

How do I create an account?

Click Sign Up and follow the steps to create your profile. The more you add to your profile, the more likely you are to find repeat buyers!

What payment methods do you accept?

Most major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. You can request account deletion by contacting team@thegearproject.com.

Do I need an account to browse gear?

Nope! But you’ll need an account to buy, sell, or message sellers.

Trust & Safety FAQs

How do you prevent scams?

We use secure payments, account protections, and reporting systems to help keep the marketplace safe.

Can users leave reviews?

Yes! Buyers and sellers can leave reviews after completed transactions.

How do I report a suspicious listing?

Please contact us at team@thegearproject.com.

What happens if a seller never ships my item?

Sellers are encouraged to ship items within 72 hours. If an order is not shipped within that timeframe, you can message them or contact us at team@thegearproject.com. If the item remains unshipped for 14 days, the order will be cancelled automatically.

Technical & Support FAQs

How do I contact support?

You can reach us at team@thegearproject.com

Why was my listing removed?

Listings may be removed if they violate marketplace policies.

Can I use the platform on mobile?

Yes! The marketplace is mobile-friendly and accessible on most devices. Download our app for the best experience!

Community & Creator FAQs

Who is behind The Gear Project?

A small founding team of outdoor people who wanted this marketplace to exist, built alongside the community that asked for it. No venture capital, no outsourced call centers. When you email team@thegearproject.com, a founder answers. About our Team →

Is this platform in its final version?

We launched The Gear Project in September 2026 in Phase 1, and are already working on Phase 2 and 3 to enhance this platform for the community! Our goals include simplifying the shipping process, adding a shopping cart to buy multiple items from multiple sellers at one time, creating a wallet on the platform so you can use your seller money to buy other gear, and growing our community. This website and app were built for our community, and we want to build what you need! Have an idea you think we are missing? Or a suggestion based on your experience using our platform? We would love to hear from you! Write to us →

Do you work with outdoor creators and ambassadors?

Yes! We partner with creators, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts who believe in sustainable adventure through our affiliate program on RockPorch.

Can creators have their own storefront?

Every seller on The Gear Project has a storefront/profile with access to all of your listings! At this time, usernames aren’t “searchable.” However, if you want followers to find your listings using your name or instagram handle, add it into the bottom of your listing description! (ie: “Zoe, The Adventure Addicts, @the_adventureaddicts)