How It Works (Buying & Selling Guide)
Buy and sell authentic hair products. Safely. Fairly. Online.
How SMANES Works
We’ve made buying and selling pre-loved hair essentials as simple as it should be. Here’s how it works.
See More Information Here
Buying on SMANES (5 Simple Steps)
Browse Verified Sellers
Add to Cart & Checkout
Payment is Held Safely
Seller Ships Your Item
You Receive & Confirm
Step 1: Browse Verified Sellers
You browse listings from verified professionals – stylists, barbers, and suppliers. Every seller has been ID-checked and address-verified, so you know you’re buying from real people.
You see:
- Clear product photos and honest descriptions
- Seller’s verified badge and customer reviews
- Product condition (new, lightly used, used)
- Price and shipping cost
You can: Message the seller directly if you have questions about fit, color, or quality.
Step 2: Add to Cart & Checkout
Found what you want? Add to cart and proceed to checkout.
You provide:
- Delivery address
- Payment method (card, PayPal, etc.)
- Confirm the order
Your payment is secure: We use industry-standard encryption. Your card details are never shared with the seller.
Step 3: Payment is Held Safely
Your payment is processed and held securely while the seller prepares your item.
What this means:
- The seller doesn’t receive the money yet
- Your funds are protected
- If something goes wrong, you’re covered
Step 4: Seller Ships Your Item
The seller packs your item carefully and ships it to you via tracked mail (Royal Mail Special Delivery, Parcelforce, etc.).
You get:
- A tracking number
- Email notifications when it ships
- Real-time tracking so you know when it arrives
Step 5: You Receive & Confirm
Your item arrives. You open it, check the condition ect,
If it matches the listing:
- Click “Confirm Receipt” in your account
- Seller gets paid
- You can leave a review
- Done! ✅
If something’s wrong:
- Use the “Report an Issue” button
- We’ll mediate and resolve within 7 days
- You’re protected see Buyer Guarantee
⏱️ How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Browse to checkout | 10–30 minutes |
| Seller prepares item | 1–2 business days |
| Shipping | 3–5 business days (tracked) |
| Confirm receipt | Instant |
(Some sellers ship same-day for faster delivery)
🛡️ Buyer Guarantee – You’re Always Protected
At SMANES, we have your back. Here’s what that means:
Your Money is Safe
- Payment is held in escrow (we hold it, not the seller)
- Seller only gets paid after you confirm receipt
- If you dispute, funds are frozen while we investigate
Item Not As Described?
- Item condition is wrong? Full refund
- Item doesn’t match photos? Full refund
- Wrong size/color? Full refund
- Counterfeit or fake? Full refund + seller banned
Item Damaged in Shipping?
- Seller covers return shipping + refund
- No questions asked
Seller Doesn’t Respond?
- If a seller ignores your messages for 48+ hours
- We step in and refund you
- Seller faces suspension
Dispute Resolution
- You and the seller can’t agree? We mediate
- We review messages, photos, tracking
- Decision within 7 business days
- Final decision is binding
💡 Pro Tips for Buyers
Save Money:
- Filter by price (cheapest first)
- Look for “lightly used” items (30–50% cheaper than new)
- Follow verified sellers (they often drop new inventory)
Spot Quality:
- Check seller reviews first (4.5+ stars is solid)
- Read buyer reviews for that specific item
- Message the seller before buying if unsure
Protect Yourself:
- Always use tracked shipping for returns
- Take photos of items if returning
- Keep order confirmation until refund is confirmed
Selling on SMANES (5 Simple Steps)
Create Your Seller Account
List Your Items
A Buyer Purchases
You Pack & Ship
Buyer Confirms Receipt
Step 1: Create Your Seller Account
Sign up and verify your identity. Takes about 10 minutes.
What you provide:
- Full name
- Residential address
- ID (photo or document upload)
- Bank account (for payouts)
- Brief seller description (optional: “Stylist in London,” “Barber shop owner,” etc.)
Why we verify:
- Buyers need to trust you’re real
- Protects against fraud and counterfeit sales
- Builds your credibility
Timeframe: Verification takes 24–48 hours. We’ll email you when you’re approved.
Step 2: List Your Items
Once verified, you’re ready to list. It takes less than 5 minutes per item.
For each item, you provide:
- Item name and category (bundles, wigs, tools, etc.)
- 3–5 clear photos (phone photos are fine)
- Honest description (length, texture, condition, any wear)
- Condition (new, lightly used,)
- Price (you set it)
Shipping cost (use our recommended framework: £3.50-£6 for small items, £8-£12 for medium, £15-£25 for large)
Tip: Items over £100 must ship via tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery or Parcelforce. Consider shipping insurance for valuable items.
Pro Tips:
- Be honest about condition. Buyers prefer honesty over surprises.
- Take photos in good light with multiple angles
- List your shipping cost realistically (you pay the courier)
Your items go LIVE immediately. No waiting for approval.
Step 3: A Buyer Purchases
Someone sees your listing, loves it, and buys.
What happens:
- You get notified
- Buyer’s payment is held securely
- You do NOT get paid yet (funds held safely while you ship to the address shown in the vendor dashboard)
Step 4: You Pack & Ship
You pack the item carefully and ship it to the buyer via tracked mail.
Your responsibility:
- Ship within 3–5 business days (or as stated in your listing)
- Use tracked shipping (Royal Mail Special Delivery, Parcelforce, etc.)
- Include tracking number in your SMANES account
- Package securely so nothing gets damaged in transit
Pro Tips:
- Consider buying shipping insurance for expensive items (you pay, covers your liability)
- Include a packing slip with the order number
- Keep the tracking number handy for disputes
Step 5: Buyer Confirms Receipt
The buyer receives the item, checks it, and confirms in their account.
Once they confirm:
- Your payment is released
- Funds transferred to your bank account
- Happens automatically, no waiting
Timeframe: You get paid every week for all confirmed sales.
Seller Pricing & Earnings Example
Your earnings on a £50 sale:
Cost Amount Sale price £50.00 Platform fee (10%) -£5.00 You earn £45.00 Compare this: Other platforms take 15-30%. We take just 10%.
Our Commission Tiers:
Under £30: 12% platform fee
£30 to £100: 10% platform fee
Over £100: 8% platform fee
⏱️ How Long Until You Get Paid?
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Item sells | Immediate (payment held) |
| You ship | 3–5 business days |
| Buyer receives & confirms | 3–7 business days |
| Payment released | Automatic |
| Payment in your bank | Once confirmed |
(Fast for a marketplace. On other platforms it’s often 2–4 weeks.)
🛡️ Seller Protection – We’ve Got Your Back Too
Your Money is Protected
- Buyer can’t claim non-payment (we have proof)
- Buyer can’t reverse charges once you’ve shipped tracked
- Chargebacks are rare (we have buyer protection rules in place)
Dispute Resolution
- Buyer claims item didn’t arrive? Tracking is checked.
- Buyer says it’s not as described? Photos can be reviewed and messages.
- You provide evidence, fair decision will be made.
- Disputes resolved within 7 days.
Fake or False Claims?
- If a buyer is clearly being dishonest, a ruling will be in your favour
- Pattern of fraudulent claims = buyer banned
- Sellers are protected from serial scammers
Your Account is Secure
- Only you can list, ship, and receive payments
- Two-factor authentication available (optional, recommended)
- All transactions recorded for your protection
💡 Pro Tips for Sellers
Get More Sales:
- Write honest, detailed descriptions (buyers trust sellers who are upfront)
- Use good lighting in photos (natural light is best)
- Respond to buyer messages within 24 hours (boosts your rating)
- Ship fast (3 business days or less = positive reviews)
- Keep prices competitive but fair
Maximize Earnings:
- Offer multiple items in one category (buyers often buy bundles)
- Restock regularly
- Build your reviews
Protect Yourself:
- Always use tracked shipping (no exceptions)
- Keep photos of items before shipping (proof for disputes)
- Document condition carefully (if item is damaged, note it)
Safety & Verification
How We Keep SMANES Safe
SMANES isn’t like other marketplaces. We’ve built trust into every layer.
✅ Sellers Are Verified
Every seller on SMANES has been identity-checked. This means:
- Real people, real addresses. We verify IDs and address details. No anonymous accounts.
- No dropshippers or resellers from Alibaba. We only allow authentic sellers listing their own inventory.
- Verified badge on every profile. Buyers see that you’re legitimate.
Why this matters: You know exactly who you’re buying from. And if something goes wrong, there’s a real person to hold accountable.
💳 Payments Are Secure
Your money is protected from the moment you hit “buy.”
- Encrypted checkout. SSL/TLS encryption protects your card details.
- Escrow system. Your payment is held securely until delivery is confirmed.
- Industry-standard processors. We use trusted payment partners (Stripe, PayPal).
What this means: Your data is safe. Your money is safe. You’re covered if something goes wrong.
🚚 Tracking Matters
Every item ships via tracked mail. This protects both buyers and sellers.
- Real-time tracking. Buyer knows where their item is at all times.
- Proof of delivery. If something goes wrong, we have tracking data to investigate.
- No “lost in mail” excuses. Tracked shipping means accountability.
- Insurance available. For high-value items, sellers can buy shipping insurance.
⚖️ Disputes Are Resolved Fairly
If something goes wrong, we step in and make it right.
- 7-14 day resolution window. We investigate and decide fast.
- Evidence-based decisions. We review messages, photos, tracking, ratings.
- Transparent process. Both parties see what we’re looking at.
- Final & binding. We settle disputes so you don’t have to.

