Frequently Asked Questions
- General
- Buying
- Selling
- Images
- Transactions
- Buyer Payment
- Fees
- PayPal Issues
- Disputes and Problems
- Contact
General
What is Bubble Tree?
Whether you want to showcase, sell, browse or buy, Bubble Tree's aim is to make accessing art and design as simple as possible. Bubble Tree's focus is on promoting young designers' and their work. It offers a stylish platform for them to showcase their abilities 365 days a year, all for free!
I'm an artist/designer, why should I register?
Bubble Tree is a free resource that aims to help promote your work. If you're interested in selling your work, having it commissioned, or just want to show your ability then Bubble Tree gives you this opportunity.
How do I register?
Click on the ‘Register Free' tab and simply enter a few details.
Do I need to pay anything for my profile?
No, it is completely FREE!
Are my personal details safe?
Yes, please read our Privacy Policy for full details on how we use and store your information.
Why has my profile been inactivated?
This could be due to a variety of reasons, the most likely being that it is deemed to have violated the Terms of Use. Alternatively, profiles without images will often be suspended
Buying
How does buying on Bubble Tree work?
Buyers purchase items on Bubble Tree directly from the seller using PayPal. We ask that when paying via PayPal that you submit payment immediately to the seller. Each seller will have their own returns policy (if they have one at all) and delivery options. If you have any questions about any of these, it's best to contact the seller directly before making the purchase.
Are Bubble Tree payments in UK Sterling and how do I handle currency conversions?
Right now you can only list items in UK Sterling on Bubble Tree. PayPal (credit card sales) will automatically convert your currency,
What is PayPal, how does it work on Bubble Tree, and how do I buy items with it?
Bubble Tree facilitates payments through a third-party service called PayPal™. Sellers must register an account with PayPal, which lets buyers pay securely using their credit card. The buyer does not have to be a member of the PayPal service in order to submit a payment.
As a buyer, how I do I report any problems with an item?
If an item you pay for is not shipped by the seller, is significantly not as described, or arrives damaged please contact the seller directly to work toward a resolution. You can also use PayPal's Buyer Complaint Process to help resolve the problem. If your communication with the seller proves unsuccessful, you should email support@bubble-tree.com with your username and the item number. We will work to resolve the situation.
Selling
How do I become a Seller on Bubble Tree?
First you'll need to create an account and then follow the instructions.
Who can be a seller?
Anyone over the age of 18 can be a seller on Bubble Tree. If you are under 18, you may do so with the permission of (and under the guidance of) a responsible adult.
Can I sell on Bubble Tree if I reside out with the UK?
Yes.
Can I have more than one seller account?
A person may have more than one account. There are certain guidelines you must adhere to, including full disclosure of ALL your accounts in each profile. Additionally, your actions under one username will apply to all your accounts. So if you break the rules, the consequences affect you across the board. Please see the Terms of Use for more information
What helpful hints do you have for selling?
- Show clear photographs from different angles to give the buyer an accurate picture of your product.
- Include dimensions and sizes of each product.
- State clearly how your product will be delivered/the cost/ and how long delivery will take.
- Clearly state your returns policy (this will help give buyers confidence).
What items can I sell on Bubble Tree?
You can sell anything that could feasibly be classed as art & design and fits with Bubble Tree's aim of helping young designers grow. Items that Bubble Tree does not consider relevant may be deleted.
How do I list an item for sale?
Log into your account, click on the Bubble Buy tab and follow the simple instructions:
- Click the 'Bubble Buy' tab at the top of your account homepage.
- Click the 'Create New Item' link.
- Complete the submission form; here you can enter details about the item, set the price, the delivery cost, keywords and categories, and the email address on your PayPal account (you need an active PayPal account to take payment). Click 'confirm'.
- Finally, on the completion page you can upload a maximum of 12 images (see below for more details).
Is Bubble Tree in UK Sterling only?
Yes.
How do I do currency conversions?
PayPal (credit card sales) will automatically convert your currency.
Can I use my native currency in listings?
All items listed on Bubble Tree should be priced in UK Sterling.
Images
How do I add/upload photos to my listing?
Click the browse button and locate the image on your computer. Then click the upload button, and you'll see a thumbnail of the image show up just below.
Can I add a photo that exists on the web?
No, the image must reside locally on your computer.
Can I edit or remove photos from my listing?
Yes, at any time.
How many photos can I add?
You can have up to 12 photos.
Do I have to fill all photo slots for my listing?
No, you can leave as many blank as you like.
I'm having trouble uploading pictures, can you help?
Ensure that the file is 1Mb in file size or below -- most users will timeout before uploading larger files than that. Ensure the file is a properly encoded jpeg, gif, or png. If there is a firewall blocking your uploads then attempt to alter your firewall settings or take the firewall down briefly to test the transfer.
What file format can I use for my Photo?
The following file extensions are valid: JPEG, JPG, GIF and PNG.
What size (dimensions) do my Photos appear in the listing?
Images will display to the same proportionate dimensions as you uploaded them.
What dimensions should my uploaded Photo be?
You can upload images of any dimension you wish, however we recommend uploading square images as these look best on the page.
What resolution should my Photo be?
Every image on the web is displayed at 72dpi (dots per inch). Anything greater than that will create very large file sizes without adding anything to the quality.
Transactions
What happens after I sell an item?
When you sell an item, you are sent an email informing you of such, and your Bubble Tree account will be updated with all the pertinent info for the sale (item, buyer, payment method etc). The item's quantity is automatically reduced by the number that was sold.
How do I contact the buyer?
You can view the receipt page to find their details.
Buyer Payment
When do I get paid by the buyer?
Immediately through PayPal.
How do I invoice a buyer?
The best way is to send them a copy of the receipt.
How do I report a seller or buyer for not completing a transaction?
Please let Bubble Tree know.
Fees
How do Bubble Tree fees work?
Registering is free. Listing items for sale on your page is free. The only cost incurred is when you sell an item. You will then pay 5% of the value of your sale e.g. if you sell an item for £100, Bubble Tree will invoice you for £5 (this is excellent value compared to most sites that not only charge for listing items, but also >5% on each item sold).
PayPal Issues
What is PayPal™, how does it work on Bubble Tree?
Bubble Tree facilitates credit card payments through a third-party service called PayPal. You will need to open an account with PayPal by going to www.paypal.com. Sellers must choose the Business or Premier account. Once you have your account, login to Bubble Tree and go to: Your Bubble Tree > Payments. You need to enter the email address that you used to open an account with PayPal and Bubble Tree will do the rest. When you go to list an item, just click on the PayPal payment option. This how it will work from there:
- Buyer clicks on "buy" button and chooses credit card/paypal payment
- Bubble Tree links buyer to PayPal to fill in billing info
- Bubble Tree sends buyer email with PayPal link in it
- Buyer need to click on PayPal link to complete payment
- Seller will see money deposited into PayPal account
Why is the shipping wrong on the PayPal invoice when I have the correct amount entered into my Bubble Tree shop?
When the shipping charge on your PayPal invoice is incorrect, you'll just need to adjust your PayPal account settings. If you need to revise the invoice for the customer, go to your PayPal account and click on "request money" to send a corrected invoice.
To check your PayPal settings:
- Log into PayPal at www.paypal.com.
- Go to My Account > Profile > Shipping calculations (in the Selling Preferences column)
- Select the Shipping Method and click Edit
- Select Yes for "Override shipping methods per transaction" and press Save Changes.
Please note that if you have not set up any Shipping Calculations in PayPal, the default is to override shipping methods per transaction (you should not need to change anything). Also note that the above instructions are for www.paypal.com; other country-specific versions of PayPal may differ slightly.
I made a sale, but the money doesn't show up in my PayPal account. Has my customer completed the payment?
This is how PayPal transactions work:
- Buyer clicks on "buy" button and chooses credit card/paypal payment
- Bubble Tree links buyer to PayPal to fill in billing info
- Bubble Tree sends buyer email with PayPal link in it
- Buyer needs to click on PayPal link to complete payment
- Seller will see money deposited into PayPal account
Do I need a PayPal account to sell on Bubble Tree?
Yes.
Do I need a Premier or Business account to sell on Bubble Tree?
Yes, PayPal requires anyone selling goods on the Web to have a Premier or Business account.
Disputes and Problems
How do I report a seller or buyer for not completing a transaction?
Please let Bubble Tree know via the contact page.
How do I receive the refund from a report?
It will appear on Your Bubble Tree Bill as a credit. All fees will be refunded separately.
Why is my credit card getting declined?
Ensure the following:
- You are using a credit card or debit with credit card logo on it
- You are entering the correct CCV number. This number is the last group of numbers on the back of your card. Depending on your card, it could be anywhere from 2-4 digits. Most cards in the UK are 3.
- Your credit card number is not more than 16 digits
Contact
How do I contact Bubble Tree?
Please let us know via the contact form and we will respond within 72 hours.
I have more questions that are not answered here?
Please let us know via the contact form and we will respond within 72 hours.