1) BASICS: Buying or Selling,  it's a good idea to exchange email addresses in order to keep track of each other.  Shipments only with tracking is highly recommended.    IF an ad seems too good to be true,  the seller can be required to supply identification to RFF to place the ad.  Buyers and Sellers are expected to work out sale terms together, and to keep those sale terms.   IF you have problems with a RFF Classified transaction, attempt to work out those problems with your buyer or seller.  Think twice before buying items sold "AS IS."  IF a buyer is not happy with the sale, it is only fair to refund the purchase price (not shipping).   Most problems can usually be easily worked out with good communication. 

2) PAYMENTS to Seller:  Paypal and postal money orders are good ways to make payment and have some recourse if the item is not as advertised or not received.  Making the payment by credit card through Paypal may offer the extra option of reversing the payment via the credit card company.   It is strongly recommended that buyers do NOT make payment by bank wire transfer or Western Union, as this allows the buyer little recourse if there are problems.  Sellers may not require payment by bank wire transfer or Western Union.

3) RECORDS:  Its a good idea to save a screen snapshot of the ad to be sure what was advertised and how it was described.  Separately save the larger images. Ads have a maximum life of 30 days before being automatically deleted, and the seller can delete ads at any time. RFF classified ads can be deleted by the seller after the item is sold.   Keep the emails/PMs between buyer and seller until the item is delivered and both are happy with the transaction.. It is strongly suggested that sellers ALWAYS require a signature to prove delivery.  Within the US,  USPS priority mail with signature confirmation works very well.  Internationally USPS Express Mail provides tracking and proof of delivery.  You can save waiting in line at the post office by creating your own account at USPS.com in order to print your own shipping labels and postage on your own printer. 

4) Maximum photo size is 200 kb each image.  Larger sizes will not allow you to place your ad. 

5) AFTER you place your ad, it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes for it to show up in the classifieds.

6) Most ads are $5 for a 30 day ad, in which you may have multiple items.  Ads for items totaling $100 or less have a separate category at $2 for a 30 day ad.   However you may NOT add new items to an existing ad.  New items require a new ad.  Classified Ad payments are only accepted via Paypal. 

7) Wanted and Trade ads are free. 

8) Please do not start a forum thread about what you are selling in the classifieds (or eBay etc). 

9) RFF Sponsors are professional camera dealers that support RFF by buying advertising. Sponsors have their own separate Sponsor Classifieds section. Sponsor classified ads are not intermixed with member classifieds.

10) The Advanced Search classified function allows you to find classifieds by choosing your search criteria.  The home page of RFF and the home classified page show the most recently placed member ads.

11) DO NOT place negative comments about ads or auctions.  Sellers are free to place their ads.  Buyers are free to buy, or not buy.  There is no need for animosity. 

12) NOT all Ads are Classifieds!  You may also have an AUCTION!  Auctions are the first category.  Remember to choose the AUCTION status by clicking the "Check here to allow members to bid on your item," starting price, auction duration (3,7,10,15, or 30 days), reserve price if you want one, and the buy it immediately price if you so choose.

13) To point out the obvious, RFF member classifieds are for private sale Photo related Gear ONLY. Not dealers.  Not commercial computer or phone or similar spam ads.