General

What is Gearloop? Gearloop is a UK peer-to-peer marketplace for outdoor and adventure kit. We help good gear find new homes, making adventure more affordable, sustainable, and community-driven.

Who can join Gearloop? Anyone over 16 in the UK. All you need is an email address to sign up.

Is Gearloop just another marketplace? Not quite. Gearloop is built on trust, not transactions. We’re a community of outdoor folk looking out for each other and keeping kit in use, not in landfill.

Do you have an app? Not just yet! The Gearloop app (v2) will be available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the future.

In the meantime, you can still get the same app-like experience on your phone by adding Gearloop to your home screen:

• Open Safari and go to gearloop.org.uk
• Tap the Share icon (square with the up arrow)
• Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen
• Tap Add

You’ll now see a Gearloop icon on your iPhone home screen — ready to launch, just like an app.

Who took the awesome photos on the site? We are super lucky to have partnered with Katie Taylor a brilliant adventure photographer and fellow outdoor lover with a passion for long-distance walking and wild camping.

You can find out more about Katie here: www.katietaylorphotography.co.uk and folllow her on Instagram at katietaylorphotos

Buying

How do I buy gear? Simply browse listings, ask questions if you need to, and hit “Buy” when ready. Payments are processed securely through Stripe.

What if the seller doesn’t send my item? If you don’t receive your item, or it’s very different from what was described, contact the seller first. If it can’t be resolved, raise a dispute with us and we may step in.

Do I get a refund if I change my mind?

• If you’re buying from a private seller: generally no (items are 'sold as seen'), unless the seller chooses to offer returns.
• If you’re buying from a trader (business seller): yes, you have 14 days under UK law to cancel most online purchases.

Is payment safe? Yes — all payments are handled by Stripe. We don’t store card details.

Do I have to pay fees? Yes — Gearloop takes a small percentage service fee (5%) on each sale (displayed clearly at checkout). This keeps the platform running and growing.

How do I get my item — delivery or collection? That depends on the seller. Some sellers offer delivery, others prefer in-person collection. Check the listing for details before you buy.

• Delivery: Make sure your delivery address is correct when you place an order. Sellers are responsible for dispatching items promptly and providing tracking where possible.
• Collection: If you’re meeting in person, agree on a safe public location and arrange a time that works for both of you. Gearloop payments still go through the platform — never pay cash in hand for a Gearloop order. This gives you piece of mind should anything go wrong.

Selling

What can I sell on Gearloop? Outdoor and adventure equipment — tents, bikes, stoves, packs, jackets, boots, etc. Make sure your gear is safe, legal, and honestly described.

What can’t I sell?

• Stolen, counterfeit, or recalled goods
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
• Medicines, supplements, or food items
• Live animals or perishable goods
• Anything unsafe or failing UK safety standards

What if the kit I want to sell isn't listed as a category on Gearloop? Post it to the closest matching category (usually accessories) and then drop us a message at support@gearloop.org.uk and we'll get it sorted.

Do I have to pay fees? It's totally free to list your gear and Gearloop takes a small percentage service fee on each sale (5%, displayed clearly at checkout). Currently there are no seller fees while we get up and running so now is a great time to list!

How do I get paid? After the buyer pays, Stripe holds the funds until delivery is confirmed. Then payment is released to your bank account, minus fees.

How do I change the price of my listing? You can adjust your listing anytime. Just sign in, go to your profile, and open Your listings to edit.

If you agree a different price with a buyer, simply update your listing with the new price before they purchase, that way everything stays clear and smooth for both of you.

Do I need to pay tax? If you’re a casual private seller, probably not. If you’re a trader (regularly selling as a business), you’re responsible for reporting and paying taxes, including VAT.

Do I have to post items, or can I offer collection? It’s up to you. When listing your item, let buyers know whether you’re offering delivery, collection, or both.

• If you offer delivery, you’re responsible for packaging items securely and using a reliable courier. You can add a delivery fee at checkout if desired.
• If you offer collection, we recommend meeting in a safe public place. Payment must still be processed through Gearloop (no off-platform cash payments). This gives you piece of mind should anything go wrong.

How to list your gear guide We have put together a quick best practice listing guide to help showcase your gear in its best light and attract more buyers. Click Here to read it.

Trust & Safety

How does Gearloop handle disputes?

• Buyer and seller try to resolve things first.
• If not, Gearloop can step in to mediate.
• Gearloop’s decision on payouts is final (but you still have the right to go to court if you want to).

How do payments work? All payments on Gearloop are handled securely through Stripe, our trusted payment partner. When you sign up, you’ll be prompted to register with Stripe (if you don’t already have an account).

Stripe safely manages all transactions — your money is held in escrow until the buyer confirms they’ve received the kit, so there’s no risk of sending gear without payment or paying for something you never receive.

There are no additional fees for using Stripe — Gearloop covers all Stripe processing costs.

Can Gearloop ban users? Yes. We may suspend or terminate accounts for fraud, unsafe goods, or behaviour that harms trust in the community.

How is my data used? We only use your information to run Gearloop and process orders. For details, see our Privacy Policy at gearloop.org.uk/privacy.

How can I contact Gearloop? Drop us a message at support@gearloop.org.uk and we will do our best to help.

Member Reviews Reviews help build trust between buyers and sellers on your marketplace. Both parties can leave a 1-5 star rating plus written feedback after completing a transaction. How the review process works:

• Buyers review the listing - they rate the actual product and service they received
• Sellers review the buyer - they rate their experience working with that buyer

When reviews happen: Reviews open after the customer marks their order as received

Double-blind system: Reviews stay hidden until both people submit theirs OR 7 days pass. This encourages honest feedback since neither person sees what the other wrote first.

Where reviews appear:

• Listing reviews show on the listing page and seller's profile
• Buyer reviews appear on the buyer's profile page

This system helps everyone make better decisions and builds trust in your marketplace community!

Community

Why should I sell my gear here instead of eBay or Facebook Marketplace? Great question. Here’s why Gearloop is different:

• Built for the outdoors We focus only on outdoor and adventure kit, so you’re reaching people who actually want and understand your gear.
• Searchable platform, not social feed Easily search for available items, not random listings getting lost in your feed or endless “is this still available?” messages.
• Trusted community, not random strangers Gearloop is built around a like-minded community of outdoor folk. Buyers know what they’re looking for, and sellers know their kit is going to good homes. Our user reviews add trust to the process.
• Safer, simpler transactions Payments run through Stripe, not dodgy bank transfers. Money is held by Stripe until the buyer has received the kit and is happy with the transaction, so there is no risk of paying for kit that doesn't arrive or sending kit you don't get paid for.
• Sustainability at the heart Every transaction helps keep good kit in use and out of landfill.
• Fairer fees Unlike big platforms, we keep fees transparent and only as high as needed to keep the community thriving.
• Knowledge and advice Gearloop isn’t just a marketplace. It’s a space to share stories, tips, and know-how about the outdoors.

Can I suggest features or improvements? Yes please. Gearloop is a growing community, we’d love your feedback. Drop us a message at support@gearloop.org.uk